Guest Requirements
For legal and accounting purposes, the person placing the reservation must be the same as the e-check/credit/debit card holder, although additional payment methods can be added anytime thereafter. This person is the “Guest.” All other persons involved with the rental are the Guest’s invitees, and all discussion regarding reservations, cancellations, and damage policies will be discussed with the Guest, not the Guest’s invitees.
The Guest, including all Guest invitees understands and agrees that upon confirming a reservation, a contractual agreement is made between St. George Island Vacations, and the Guest. The Guest and Guest’s invitees agree to abide by this agreement.
Payment Policy
For reservations made more than 90 days in advance, payment of 25% of the total amount due is required to confirm your booking. Once the first payment made, the reservation is considered “confirmed” and subject to these rental guidelines. A second payment of 25% is due 90 days prior to arrival and the balance of 50% must be paid 30 days prior to your arrival date.
If your arrival is less than 90 days at the time of booking, but more than 30, a payment of 50% is required to confirm the reservation, and the balance of 50% must be paid 30 prior to arrival. Full payment is required at the time of booking if your arrival date is less than 30 days from the day the reservation is made.
Payments can be made by e-check/ACH, personal check, money order, cashier’s check or credit card. A 3% credit card fee will be added to each payment made by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. Any returned check will be subject to a $25 fee.
PLEASE NOTE: If you use a credit card as your payment method, your scheduled payment(s) will automatically be charged on the due date, unless you contact our office at (850) 559-9276. All payments must be received by the due date, or your reservation will expire, and the dates will be made available for rent.
Cancellations/Changes to Reservations
Once the first payment has been received, there will be no refunds issued by St. George Island Vacations, LLC unless:
- We can re-rent the home for the same dates and rental rate. A 10% cancellation fee of the total rental amount due will be deducted from the advance rent payment(s).
- If it is not possible to re-rent the home for the same dates and rental rate, the 10% cancellation fee and any difference in the re-booking rate will apply.
- If the home remains vacant for those dates, the entire payment will be forfeited or the reservation will be reinstated.
Refunds, Bad Weather, Equipment Malfunction
Refunds are not made for inclement weather, lack of public utilities, the unavailability of private community amenities, or equipment malfunctions. Should any equipment malfunction, we will make every effort to have it repaired as soon as possible. One of the challenges of living on a barrier island is parts have to be ordered and repair companies have to travel a longer distance, so repairs may take longer than expected.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can provide coverage for various medical, travel and weather events, including hurricane evacuation. We strongly urge you to purchase it. A Description of Coverage explaining the benefits is available on our website. Submitting a claim is the responsibility of the Guest and is to be filed directly with the travel insurance company.
Damage policy
Guest assumes full financial responsibility for damages due to misuse, negligence, or missing items. Any damages or issues found by the Guest upon arrival must be reported with 24 hours of standard check in time. All damages will be the responsibility of the Guest and their credit card will be charged and/or security deposit withheld for any violations unless damage is covered by the Property Protection Plan, (“PPP”). Any excessive cleaning required will also be billed to the Guest. Guest will be notified regarding said charges or deductions and agrees that charges can be processed on Guest’s credit card or the security deposit held unless covered by the PPP. In the event the security deposit or the PPP is not sufficient to cover all of the damage expense, Guest agrees to send payment within 30 days after departure.
Security Deposit/Property Protection Plan
Guest may choose to pay a Refundable Security Deposit, authorized, and collected prior to Guest entering into the home, that will act as a safeguard to St. George Island Vacations for any damages that may occur, whether unintentional or intentional. The amount of this Refundable Security Deposit is listed below. No portion of the Security Deposit will be refunded to a Guest until all parties have vacated the home. Guest acknowledges that all, or a portion, of the Security Deposit may be retained by St. George Island Vacations upon termination of the tenancy, and that any refund (full or partial) of the Security Deposit to Guest shall be made within 30 days of reservation departure date.
- Maximum Occupancy 1-6: $500 deposit or $50 PPP fee
- Maximum Occupancy 7-10: $750 deposit or $75 PPP fee
- Maximum Occupancy 11-14: $1000 deposit or $100 PPP fee
- Maximum Occupancy 15+: $1500 deposit or $125 PPP fee
In lieu of a Security Deposit, Guest may choose to purchase a “Property Protection Plan” which covers unintentional damages to the home that occurs during your stay, provided they are disclosed to management prior to departing the home. The fee will pay a maximum amount – derived from the cumulative amount of damage up to the amount of the corresponding security deposit. Please see pricing table above. Any damages that exceed the allotted amounts, intentional or unintentional, will be charged to the credit card on file. Smoking damage in or on the property and anything deemed “Pet Damage”, by St. George Island Vacations, is NOT covered by the PPP. Any tampering with pool equipment is not covered by the PPP. Guest has 30 days from departure to pay all monetary balances, should any exist.
Maximum Occupancy
At all times, both inside and outside the home, the maximum occupancy is the number of persons allowed on the home, including children and infants. We do not rent to groups under the age of 25, even if one or more legally responsible adults accompanies them. This policy is strictly enforced. Special events such as weddings, reunions, and retreats are only allowed at select homes and require a separate contract. Special pricing and security deposits may be required. If there is excessive noise or music, any illegal activity, or evidence of violation of these policies, you may be asked to vacate the premise without any refund and additional charges may be assessed.
Arrival time
Check in is at 4:00 pm, EST. An early arrival may be arranged, pending other reservations and the housekeeping schedule. Please contact us prior to your arrival to make these arrangements. Unless you have specifically arranged and paid for an early check-in, please do not arrive at the home prior to 4:00 pm EST requesting entry.
Departure time
Check out is at 10:00 am, EST. Your prompt departure is appreciated so we can prepare the home for incoming guests. A late departure may be arranged, pending other reservations and the housekeeping schedule. If you have not arranged and paid for a late check out, you may be charged a fee for each hour beyond 10 am EST that you are still at the home, at a minimum of one hour.
Upon Arrival
If there are concerns or issues with the home, please immediately call our text our office within 24 hours of your arrival. No refunds or considerations are given unless we are notified of problems during your stay. After arrival, there should be no expectation of refunds or relocation because of dissatisfaction with the home rented.
Emergencies/Maintenance
In the event of a problem getting into the home, or if there are problems with the condition or functionality of the home, please immediately call or text the St. George Island Vacations’ office at (850) 559-9276.
Security & Safety risks
Always lock doors and windows when you leave the home! When you rent the home, you assume responsibility for it and its contents, as well as your personal property. Children must be supervised at all times. Candles are not allowed due to fire hazard except citronella candles in buckets outside or supplied emergency candles in case of power outage.
Right of Entry
Guest agrees that St. George Island Vacations, LLC reserves the right to enter the rental property any time to investigate disturbances, check occupancy, check for damage, to make such repairs, alterations or improvements as we may deem appropriate.
Handicap Accessibility
Please refer to individual property descriptions for information about a home’s handicap accessibility. Homes are not fully handicap accessible unless stated in the property description.
Pools and Hot Tubs
NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY. SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK. Children are not permitted to use a pool or hot tub without adult supervision. Pools and hot tubs are cleaned twice a week. It is the Guest’s responsibility for the appropriate use of these amenities. An additional fee will be charged for any extra cleanings required due to negligence or abuse. Some pools offer heat, (as listed in individual property descriptions), and this amenity must be requested at least one week in advance. Pools will not be heated when the outside temperature in a 24-hour period averages below 60 degrees, or if the average water temperature of the pool is above 82 degrees. Pool heat is not guaranteed. Hot tub covers break easily, please do not walk or sit upon them.
Elevators
Please refer to individual property descriptions for availability and possible restrictions. If “Elevator for a fee” is noted in the property description, prior arrangements must be made and a $100 fee must be paid in advance.
Plumbing
Do not put any feminine products in the toilet. Plungers are provided if a clog occurs. Please do not pour grease down the drain – grease bags are provided for your convenience and for the protection of the septic system.
Linens & Towels
Towels, sheets, pillows and blankets are not meant for outside use.
Homeowner Associations
Rules and regulations apply to homes located within the St. George Plantation, 300 Ocean Mile, Villas of St. George, Sunset Beach, Mariner’s Harbor, and Savannah Cove. Rules may address use of community amenities, the types of vehicles allowed, parking, bonfires, fireworks, etc., and are subject to change by the community. Guest is responsible for reading and understanding applicable community rules and regulations.
Pets
Guest may bring up to the number of dogs that the home allows according to the individual property description. Guest must notify St. George Island Vacations and a fee of $150 will be charged for each pet, unless otherwise noted in an individual property description. Guest is required to clean up after their pets, and there may be additional charges if pet waste is left on the property. Franklin County law prohibits leaving pet waste on the beach or dunes. Pets in a non-pet-friendly home are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate eviction with no refund of rent. If evidence of pets is found in non-pet-friendly homes during or after departure, a minimum charge of $500 will be incurred. Exotic animals are not allowed. Pets are not allowed in pools, the pool area or hot tubs. The Franklin County leash law is in effect and Guest and invitees are responsible for adhering to it.
Leave No Trace
Franklin County’s “Leave No Trace” ordinance requires that all personal property, such as chairs, tents, and toys, be removed from the beach between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. Unattended items may be removed and destroyed by the County. St. George Island Vacations, LLC is not responsible for confiscated items. Additionally, Guest and invitees must fill in any holes or sandcastles they create before leaving the beach for the day. The ordinance’s main purposes are to protect wildlife, especially sea turtles, promote public safety, and keep the beaches clean and accessible.
Smoking
Smoking and/or vaping, (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited in any St. George Island Vacations, LLC property. If there is any tobacco smell in the home after your departure, you will be charged $500. If smoking occurs outside of the home, the proper disposal of butts is required. Discard the butts in the outside garbage. Do not throw butts on the ground or bring them into the home. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Lost and Found
If you find that you have left items behind, please contact us as soon as possible. Although we strive to mail items immediately, it may take up to two weeks for delivery. For large items, a charge of $10 will be incurred. All packages are mailed in the form of a COD, via the USPS.
Substitutions/Construction/Rental Homes for Sale
In the event the home becomes unavailable for rental use, St. George Island Vacations, LLC reserves the right to substitute a comparable home, if available, or grant a full refund of all payments made, without further liability.
St. George Island Vacations, LLC cannot predict the location of construction activities near rental homes and may be unable to notify Guest prior to arrival that their home is near a construction site. Refunds or relocations are not made because of construction activity.
The home may be for sale. Owners reserve the right to allow showings to qualified buyers. We may be unable to notify Guest prior to arrival that the home is for sale. However, Guest will be notified of showings at least 24 hours in advance. Refunds or relocations are not made because of sales activity.
Errors
Every effort is made to ensure the property information listed online and in print media is accurate and complete. Homes, rates, descriptions, furnishings, equipment, or bed arrangements are subject to daily updates and changes. Information represented online and in all print media is not guaranteed. To ensure accuracy, please contact our office.
Beach Gear
Beach gear is provided by VayKLife and is subject to their terms and conditions. St. George Island Vacations, LLC is not liable for any disputes that arise between the Guest and VayKLife. Any beach gear credit provided by St. George Island Vacations, LLC is not transferable and has no cash value.
Interest-Bearing Account All deposits are held in an interest-bearing account at People’s South Bank located at 58 4th Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320. guests and guest will be responsible for shipping of item.