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RENTAL OWNERS
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PROPERTY TO RENT?
Southern Shores Realty
5 Ocean Blvd
Southern Shores, NC, 27949
P.O. Box 150
Kitty Hawk, NC, 27949
1-800-334-1000
Southern Shores Realty Rental Policies
Make a Payment:
Rental Agreement Information:
Making a Reservation:
It's easy to make a reservation. Simply surf our site, pick out your favorite homes, then book online or call us toll-free at 1-800-334-1000.
Mini-Vacations:
Mini-Vacation reservations (3-night minimum) can be made on the Wednesday preceding the 3 nights to be reserved. Off-Season non-holiday mini-vacations may be booked 10 days prior to arrival. Mini Vacations cannot be booked online. Rate reductions do not apply to Mini Vacations. Linens are supplied for full week bookings only.
Advance Rent and Confirmation:
The advertised Rental Rate is based on 7 NIGHTS OCCUPANCY. The day you make your reservation, we will send you a lease agreement. We ask that you read, sign, and return the lease agreement with your advance rent payment within ten (10) days of placing the reservation. The required advance rent payment is 50% of the rent and the cost of Travel Insurance.
Important - if we do not receive your advance rent payment AND/OR your signed lease agreement within 10 days, your reservation cannot be guaranteed and may be deleted.
Taxes:
North Carolina sales tax and County occupancy tax are added to your total rent and will be due when the balance of your rent is paid. The current state sales tax is 7.75%. The current Dare & Currituck county occupancy tax rates are 5% and 6% respectively. Tax rates are subject to change.
Insurance:
Finally, an insurance company that protects your vacation investment. Why? Take the worry out of planning ahead. Your vacation is a significant investment. Just as you protect your home or car, you should also protect your travel investment. Unforeseen circumstances, illness, and injuries do occur. And, starting April 1, 2009, policies purchased from CSA Vacation Rental Insurance will have expanded coverage to include job loss after 1 year of continuous employment. Protect your family by purchasing CSA Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance. The cost is small compared to your total vacation expense. A detailed informational pamphlet will be sent to you along with your rental lease. If you choose not to accept the insurance, initial the area provided to decline. If you are not completely satisfied, the insurance policy may be cancelled within 10 days of receiving the insurance pamphlet and prior to your travel date.
Balance of Rent:
Remaining balances (rent, taxes, security deposit - if required, and any other fees) are due thirty (30) days prior to your arrival. You may pay this by personal check, a form of cash, or credit card. Should your personal check be returned for any reason, there will be a $25 service charge added to your balance. All payments should be in US Dollars.
Payments:
Southern Shores Realty will accept a personal check (if received at least 30 days before your check-in date), a form of cash, or credit card (Visa, Discover or MasterCard). All payments should be in US Dollars. The prices quoted in our brochure and web site are based on payments made to us by our preferred method of payment (cash or check). If you would prefer the convenience of paying by an alternative method of payment using a major credit card over the telephone or on-line, a non-refundable convenience fee of $39.95 will be charged by Vacation RentPayment, a third party processing center, to process Visa/MasterCard/Discover cards. Please note that all charge amounts greater than $4,000 will be processed as two or more separate charges to your credit card. Each charge will incur a convenience fee of $39.95. When paying by credit card (Visa, Discover or MasterCard) the following guidelines apply: If a credit card is used the following guidelines must be adhered to:
(1)The person named on the lease must also be the person whose name is on the credit card.
(2)Upon our acceptance of your credit card, your reservation will be considered immediately confirmed, subject to our receipt of a signed lease, which will be mailed to you the day you make the reservation and will be due back in our office within ten (10) days. For Late Bookings - If a credit card is used to pay for a last minute booking (less than 30 days prior to arrival), we will charge the entire amount to your credit card including rent, taxes, security deposit (if required), and other fees that apply (pet, linen, etc.). In the case of a "No-Show" the reservation will be treated as a cancellation, and will fall under the rules specified in Lease Section 15: Cancellations.
Last Minute Vacation Specials and Discounts:
Some of our homes offer last minute Special Offers and Discounts for weeks that have not been booked in advance. Availability is limited, so if you see something that fits your needs be sure to book it as soon as you can. Please note that Rate Reductions and Special Offers are only available for new reservations. Rate reductions do not apply to Confirmed Reservations or "Mini Vacations" (less that 7 nights).
Cancellations:
If you must cancel your confirmed reservation regardless of reason (including bad weather, illness, death, or economic factors) and the unit is not re-rented for the canceled period, YOU WILL FORFEIT ALL MONEY PREPAID (except security deposit and sales/occupancy tax). If the unit is re-rented for the entire canceled period, all money prepaid (less the cancellation fee and travel insurance) will be refunded. However, ANY change in a confirmed reservation, or transfer to a different week in the same unit (owner approval required), or a cancellation that re-rents will be subject to a cancellation fee of $150. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER, INCLUDING HURRICANES, MANDATORY EVACUATIONS, OR STATES OF EMERGENCY.
Damage To Property:
Please report to our office, any damages upon your check-in or accidental damage that occurs during your stay. Tenants are responsible for all unreported damages, damage caused by negligence, willful and wanton conduct and pet damage. Security deposits are required for tenancies of 30 consecutive days or more or non-family or large groups such as reunions, corporate retreats, etc. Agent may require a payment of such tenant security deposits as Agent and Owner agree appropriate. This deposit will be fully refunded within 45 days of your departure provided there is NO DAMAGE to the unit. If Southern Shores Realty withholds all or part of the security deposit, Tenant shall be provided an accounting of the funds withheld and an opportunity to object in writing to the failure to fully refund the deposit. Notwithstanding any language contained herein, the security deposit may be applied to actual damages caused by the Tenant as permitted under the Tenant Security Deposit Act. Security Deposits are deposited in an interest bearing account at RBC Centura bank at 4701 N. Croatan Hwy., Kitty Hawk, NC. Interest accrued belongs to the Agent.
Amenities:
All homes are furnished for basic housekeeping with fully equipped kitchens. Sheets and towels are not provided unless specified in the individual cottage description. Special linen packages are available for all homes. Distances listed in descriptions are the distances from the driveway of the unit to the closest beach access.
Standard Unit Equipment: All units are equipped for basic housekeeping (except cleansers, sheets, and towels). This includes furniture, washers, dryers, TV, telephone, kitchen appliances, pots, pans, dishes, silverware, vacuum cleaner if carpeted, one blanket per bed and one pillow per occupant, and central heat & A/C (unless otherwise specified in the cottage description). Any items you feel will be necessary for your vacation should be brought with you from home or rented, except window unit air conditioners, which are NOT allowed in units if not provided by the property owner. Seasonal Items such as fireplaces, pools, hot tubs, or screened porches may not be operational or available except during the appropriate season (i.e. screens are stored for winter months\gas log fireplaces are not refilled in summer months\fireplaces available 10/15-4/15). Homes advertising private pools will be available May 9- October 12 unless otherwise specified in the unit description contained in this agreement.
Some homes let you bring 1-2 dogs (sorry, no cats allowed) for an additional fee. Others offer 3 night mini-vacations, or have private or community pools, hot tubs, discounts or other special features. Read each description or request further information from one of our helpful vacation specialists.
Abbreviations
DW............Dishwasher
MW...........Microwave
CF..............Ceiling fan
EOS...........Enclosed outdoor shower
FP..............Fireplace
BR.............Bedroom
MBR..........Master bedroom
K................King size bed
Q................Queen size bed
D................Double bed
T................Twin bed
Sgl .............Single bed
Keyless Entry/Express Check-in at 4 PM:
Over 150 of our properties have an Oracode Keyless Entry System that will allow you to take advantage of our Express Check-in. Prior to your arrival date you will be given a code for use during your stay along with directions to your rental property from our office. The code will become active at 4:00 p.m. on your arrival date at which time you may proceed directly to the property. Your check-in packet will be on the kitchen counter and will contain directions on changing the code as well as instructions for check-out.
Linens:
Homes that display the linen icon will have Sheets or Sheets & Towels supplied as specified in the unit description. Linens will NOT be provided for reservations of less than 7 nights, even if the description says that linens are supplied.
Property Location:
Oceanfront: The first row of homes with nothing between the home and the ocean except a protective dune. Because of the protective dunes not all oceanfront homes have ocean views. Views are listed in the individual cottage descriptions.
Semi-Oceanfront: The homes in this category are located one lot back from the ocean. There may be another house between the house and the beach.
Oceanside: The homes in this category are on the ocean side of Rt. 12. There may be one or more streets between them and the ocean. Walking distance to the beach could be as much as 500 yards.
Beachzone: These homes are on the Westside of Ocean Blvd, south of the caution light in Southern Shores. They are only one lot back from the oceanfront homes.
Westside/Between the Highways: These homes are west of Route 12. Walking distance can range from 100 to 700 yards.
Canalfront: These homes have access to the many canals that run through Southern Shores and out to the Currituck Sound.
Soundside: These homes are within walking distance to the sound, or are one lot back from the sound. From Kitty Hawk to Nags Head this would include homes west of Highway 158.
Soundfront: Soundfront homes are the closest homes to the Sound. Many are on bulkheaded lots with steps down to the water. The Sound water is shallow and usually calmer than the ocean.
Responsible Groups Welcome:
The use of the Premises is restricted to You and Your Family. A "family" as used herein means parents, grandparents, children, spouses of children, and extended family members vacationing at the premises. Use of the Premises by Fraternities, Sororities, or Unrelated Groups Under 24 Years of Age is Prohibited. Occupancy is restricted to the number of Occupants for the Premises set forth in the property description. Southern Shores Realty operates under the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act and will commence expedited eviction under this law if a home is rented under false pretense.
Personal Watercraft Policy (Southern Shores):
Of interest to all property owners and rental guests is the recent passage of a new Personal WaterCraft Ordinance (Jet Ski-type craft) in the Town of Southern Shores. This is an issue that has caused considerable concern in numerous beach communities. This ordinance may have an impact on neighboring communities, in that the Town's authority extends into both the ocean (200 yards) and the sound (400 yards).
The requirements of this Ordinance include:
- Proof of completion of a Coast Guard safe boating course
- Passing a written exam conducted by the Southern Shores Police Department
- Proof of Insurance on the PWC
- An operator's permit issued by the Police Department for each operator of the PWC
- A fee of $25 for each permit. (This is an annual permit for property owners, two weeks for visitors.)
Specifics of the ordinance can be obtained by contacting the Southern Shores Police Department (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) at (252) 261-3331. The full text of the ordinance can be found at www.southernshores.org.
Dogs On The Beach:
Beaches of Currituck County Leashes are required but there are no length requirements.
Town of Duck Leash law requires leash not to exceed ten (10) feet in length. Pets are allowed to play unleashed on the beach under close supervision of owner. Year round pet-friendly beaches.
Town of Southern Shores Leash law requires leash not to exceed ten (10) feet in length. From May 15 to September 15 of each year, animals are prohibited on town beaches. Leash laws enforced remainder of year.
Town of Kitty Hawk Leash law requires leash not to exceed 6 ft. in length between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm from fri. before Memorial Day until the day after Labor Day. At all other times the leash may be extended, but must be retractable to 12 ft. Well trained dogs may be unleashed under close supervision of owner, not to exceed 30 ft. in distance between owner and dog.
Town of Kill Devil Hills Leash law requires leash not to exceed 10 ft. in length. From the hours of 9:00 am through 6:00 pm each day from May 15th through Sept. 15th each year, No dogs shall be allowed on town beaches, except those aiding a handicap person.
Town of Nags Head Leash law requires leash not to exceed ten (10) feet in length. Leashed pets allowed on towns beaches year round.
Fishing:
North Carolina’s Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL), administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), is effective Jan. 1, 2007. This license can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis, or combined with a variety of licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC).
Errors:
All units are privately owned and decorated to individual owner tastes. Every effort has been made to ensure accurate descriptions, distance to beach access or sound access (if given), and community amenities. Southern Shores Realty is not responsible for changes in furnishings or bedding. Refunds and adjustments will not be considered for equipment breakdowns or malfunctions. New construction can occur anywhere and is not cause for moves or refunds.
A Note About Water:
Some homes have private wells. These homes occasionally experience low pressure, salty, distasteful, or discolored water. There may be an unpleasant sulphur odor. Private well water may discolor hair and/or clothing. Some guests choose to use bottled water for drinking purposes even though the water is potable. Whalehead, Ocean Hill, and the 4x4 areas may have more prevalent water problems, even in homes with water filtration systems.