Rental Policies
1. Authorized Use & Guest ResponsibilitiesGuests agree to follow these Terms and ensure everyone in their party does the same. The Property may be used only as a personal vacation residence and may not be used for unlawful purposes. Guests must comply with all applicable laws, keep the Property in good condition, and leave it in the same condition as at check-in. Guests are responsible for securing the Property (including doors and windows) and are liable for losses resulting from failure to do so.
2. PAYMENTS & TIMING
To book your accommodations, we charge $200 plus the cost of any trip insurance on your credit card and we will follow up via a system generated email with a full invoice including the amount charged on your credit card and remaining payment instructions. Our standard method of acceptable payment for the remaining rent is a personal check A fee of $50.00 will be applied to your credit card for any returned and/or dishonored.
The amount ultimately charged on your credit card may vary depending on the amount of time before your stay, any trip insurance selected and the total cost of your reservation. Standard timing is as follows: The first half of the remaining balance (less the $200+travel insurance) is due within one (1) week of booking. The final balance is due at least ninety (90) days prior to the arrival date. If booking is made within 90 days of the arrival date, the full remaining balance is due within one (1) week of booking, or immediately if under one week to arrival.
Reservations will convert to bookings once approved by the Owner/Manager and the ½ total rent has been received and processed.
All PAYMENTS must be made as agreed, otherwise the reservation or booking may be considered canceled at Manager’s sole discretion. Delinquent payments will be considered a cancellation and we will proceed with our standard cancellation policy procedures. In the event of a cancellation the Guest agrees that we may charge their credit card for the contracted amount of the reservation. If Credit Card charges are declined or disputed by guests or uncollectable in any way, Guest agrees to pay through other means. In the event the Manager has to institute a court action to collect any nonpayment Guest will pay any and all collection costs including reasonable attorney’s fees.
Lodging Tax: Massachusetts short term rental legislation, including a tax levied on guests, passed into law as of January 1, 2019. The tax is divided into State, Waste Water, and Local Option. The Local Option portion is subject to change (typically no more than 2%), and should this option change for a town you have rented in, Nauset Rental will add/refund taxes as instructed to do so by law.
If you booked your reservation through a third-party listing site, any booking fees charged are not reflected in this agreement. These fees go directly to the third-party listing site and are not collected by Nauset Rental. To avoid these fees in the future, please book directly with Nauset Rental at www.nausetrental.com.
The terms and conditions specified throughout this Rental Agreement are applicable to all guests, whether booked directly with Nauset Rental or a Third-Party listing site.
3. CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS
Notice of Cancellation must be in email to us at [email protected].
Provided other obligations of the Guest under this agreement have been met, if the Guest has to cancel their vacation for any reason after they have submitted their payments, but before they take occupancy and they have notified the Manager in writing, the Owner or Manager will refund your payment or payments in full if we are able to re-rent the same term for an equal rate, less a 20% cancellation fee. If Manager is able to re-rent for a lower rate than Guest paid, Manager will refund you your payments less the difference and the 20% cancellation fee. Manager will calculate and send any such refund after the specified rental term once revenue from the replacing reservation has been recognized and accounting can reconcile all funds appropriately.
If we cannot re-rent the property after you cancel, you are responsible for all payments in the original lease contract, which will be due upon cancellation. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS WHATSOEVER FOR CANCELLATIONS THAT ARE LESS THAN 30 DAYS prior to arrival and NO REFUNDS if there is payment outstanding (These terms take precedence over other terms and if not met absolutely no refund will be made.) If a credit card chargeback is initiated in an attempt to avoid these agreed provisions there will be no refunds of any amounts paid and guest agrees to pay through other means or will pay any and all collections costs if payments are not completed in a timely manner.
Any remaining balance must be settled up upon cancellation, and may be charged to GUESTS credit card on file.
To safeguard your rental payments against loss due to cancellation, we strongly recommend purchasing a Flexible Cancellation Option from Nauset Rental (if available) and/or Traditional Travel Insurance through Nauset Rental or directly with a third party travel insurance provider.
Except as stated above, no refunds will be provided for conditions or events beyond the control of the Owner or the Manager including but not limited to refunds for hurricanes, natural disasters, hot or humid weather, “acts of god” or their effects. Guests are encouraged to purchase the Flexible Cancellation Option and/or Traditional Travel Insurance that may provide refunds in case of hurricanes, natural disasters or their effects.
Refunds are not provided due to hot or humid weather. Homes with full or central AC are recommended if this is a concern, but AC failure is not a cause for a refund.
Refunds are not provided for noise or other annoyances, such as construction from nearby properties not owned by the owner, appliance or utility failure, dissatisfaction with cleanliness or the house. Please contact us with any issues or concerns ASAP before or during your stay.
4. FLEX CANCELLATION OPTION AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
A flex cancel option has been offered with your reservation for an additional fee (much like an airline ticket from Jetblue and others offers higher price options but higher flexibility), The flex cancel option reimburses Guest up to a certain percentage of the reservation costs depending on the number of days until your arrival and when your stay was booked, should you decide to cancel your stay for any reason. The flex cancel option provides you with a higher reimbursement rate than the standard cancellation policy, and allows you to cancel for any reason, unlike standard travel insurance. No claim process. No reason needed.
.
Flex Cancel Option Details:
A. The flex cancel option applies only to bookings that start and end within the months of July and August.
B. Flex Cancel Option Refund Terms
a. Cancel for any reason up to 60 days prior to your arrival date for 90% refund of your total reservation costs, excluding the non-refundable flex cancel option fee. (Example: For a reservation beginning July 15, if cancelled on May 13th you get 90% refund no questions asked.)
b. Cancel for any reason 30+ days prior to arrival and receive a 60% refund of your total reservation amount, excluding the non-refundable flex cancel option fee.
c. Cancel for any reason within 30 days of your arrival and receive 50% of your total reservation costs, only if your original dates of stay are rebooked.
d. No refund provided if a reservation is cancelled within 48 hours of arrival.
e. The flex cancellation must be purchased upon booking or within grace period as agreed with Nauset Rental at Nauset Rentals full discretion. The fee is non-refundable.
f. The flex cancel option is available for 7 night reservations only.
A third-party Travel Insurance may be purchased through Nauset Rental or directly with a travel insurance provider. Vacation Rental Insurance reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable expenses due to certain unforeseeable circumstances that may jeopardize your vacation and force you to incur unplanned expenses, but may not cover all cancellation reasons in most cases.
If you did not purchase the Flex Cancel Option or Travel Insurance during checkout, but would like to, please email this request to [email protected].
5. DAMAGE WAIVER POLICY
For most properties, Guests will submit a non-refundable fee (included in your quote and invoice) that relieves the Guests of the costs for all UNINTENTIONAL damage to the rental property and its contents, not to exceed the amount specified upon booking ($500 - $1500 dependent on the property), provided such property damages are disclosed to Nauset Rental by Guests PRIOR to checkout and within 12 hours of the occurrence via email. Please report damages by emailing [email protected].
Any property damage covered under the Damage Waiver that exceeds the specified amount will be charged to the credit card on file. If the charges for damages exceed any Guests’ credit limit, (i) if more than one credit card is on file, each Guest hereby authorizes his or her credit card to be charged to the excess on a pro rata basis or (ii) if there is only one credit card on file, or the charges for Property Damages exceed all credit cards on file, Guest or Guest Designee, upon notice by Nauset Rental, will pay Nauset Rental the excess immediately by cash, check or money order.
The Damage Waiver does not cover intentional damage, theft, excessive cleaning or any damage or flea infestation caused by a pet.
The Damage Waiver does not cover damages arising from or related to the intentional acts or gross negligence of any Guest or their invitees, or for any damage that occurs if any Guests or their invitees are in violation of the Guest obligations specified in this Agreement.
It is the Guest’s responsibility to promptly report any damage to the Property, regardless of the cause or basis for damage. Unreported damage will not be covered under the damage waiver, and the Guest will be responsible for any costs associated with the damage.
Damage Waiver is NOT to be considered prepaid rent, nor shall damages claimed, if any, be limited to the amount of said Damage Waiver limit.
6. GUEST INSPECTION
Guest will, upon arrival, examine the Property and will immediately report to Nauset Rental any damage discovered or any equipment not in operating condition. Cleaning problems must be reported within 12 hours of check-in for Manager or Owner to contact cleaning companies or otherwise provide assistance.
You agree to accept the property in its as is condition upon arrival provided it meets the basic standards of habitability under Massachusetts’s law. We can make no representations that the property is hypoallergenic or allergy free.
7. CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT
Check in time is typically after 4:00 PM and check out is before 10:00 AM, unless otherwise specified in the listing.
An early check-in or late check-out is generally not available during the peak season. These options may be available in the shoulder or off-season. Please inquire with us to see if this is possible and any associated fees.
Guest agrees that Nauset Rentals personnel and its agent have the right to enter the Property promptly at the check-out time on the scheduled day of departure.
Unapproved late check-outs or unapproved early check-ins may be charged an additional fee.
8. GUEST DEPARTURE RESPONSIBILITIES:
It is expected that the Guest will leave the property in the same general, good and habitable condition as it was delivered on the date of entry, including cleanliness, as described in your provided “Checkout Checklist”. If dirty dishes, excessive trash, and/or filth are left, Guest agrees to be automatically charged an extra cleaning fee of $200 minimum and any additional costs at $80 per person per hour.
Guest is responsible for and agrees to notify Nauset Rental before departure of all damage, loss and/or added expense to the premises during the lease term, including pay-per-view TV and phone charges.
9. PETS / ANIMALS: Well-behaved dogs are permitted at our “dog friendly” homes on a case by case basis. You must answer our dog questionnaire and have your dog approved ahead of time by our staff. Some accommodations limit dog(s) on size and weight. It is your responsibility to ensure that a “dog friendly” accommodation is booked at the time you make a booking. A non-refundable pet fee may be required which will vary by home. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times outside, and guests must clean up any dog waste. Dogs are not allowed on any furniture at any time and should not be left unattended. No cats or other pets are allowed. If any evidence of an undisclosed animal is discovered during or after the stay, guests will be charged a minimum of a $500 fee for ionization, carpet cleaning, and any additional cleaning needed in order to return the property to its original condition. In addition, any and all damages caused by an animal are the sole responsibility of the Guest.
10. OTHER GUEST POLICIES AND OBLIGATIONS
OCCUPANCY LIMIT: The maximum number of occupancy in the Property during the stay is limited to the number of persons specified in the Property listing. This limit includes children and infants. Additional persons will result in an immediate termination of this Agreement, expulsion of all Guests and forfeiture of all Rent paid (unless agreed to in writing by Nauset Rental).
SMOKING: All properties are non-smoking. This includes e-Cigarettes, Vapes and all newer devices. Please make sure everyone in your party understands this and you are responsible for your whole party's behavior. If any sign of smoking is discovered, Guest authorizes Nauset Rental to charge Guest an additional minimum $500 smoking fee.
NOISE AND DISTURBANCES: Guest will behave in a civilized manner and will be a good neighbor, respecting the rights of surrounding property owners and guests. Guests will not disturb, annoy, endanger, and/or interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of the surrounding property owners and guests. If excessive noise, nuisance or disturbances occur resulting in notification by police or neighbors, all Guests may be asked to vacate the Property and will forfeit the reservation and all rental fees paid. Guests will be responsible for any citations or fines issued as a result of the noise and disturbances of guests and their invitees.
EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR: If excessive wear and tear is found in the home during or after the Guest departure, or additional cleaning is necessary due to spills, trash left on site, excessive trash, stains to furnishings, Guest authorizes Nauset Rental to charge to cover these costs. Guest will be provided with a receipt for any additional fees incurred upon request, or as required by local laws or regulations. Nauset Rental reserves the right to hold an estimated amount on Guest’s credit card until final receipts or invoices are available.
PARKING: Vehicles are to be parked in designated parking areas only. Guests are not permitted to go above the max vehicle occupancy specified in the listing or directions received prior to arrival. Cars exceeding the max amount of parking spaces or outside the designated parking areas are subject to towing, and any applicable fines/towing fees are the sole responsibility of the vehicle owner.
RVs / BOATS / TRAILERS: No RVs, Boats or Trailers are not permitted at any property unless pre-approved in writing.
POOLS, BEACHES, RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT
If the Home that you have reserved includes a pool or hot tub, high decks, steep stairs, or is on a beach, these can all be obviously dangerous. Guests should observe and adhere to all rules and policies as posted at the Home and supervise all children at all times. Lifeguards are not provided. Decks and patios can be slippery when wet and can result in injury to anyone who is not careful. Guest accepts and assumes all risks involved in or related to the use of a pool, hot tub, stairs, beach and deck/patio areas. Guest accepts and assumes all risks involved in or related to any of the following recreational equipment of any kind, including but not limited to beach or pool equipment, beach gear, golf cart, bicycles, docks, boats, paddleboards, boogie boards, kayaks or other floating devices, pool or ping pong tables, surfing, games or sports equipment.
11. ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The Guest will supply bed linens, towels, firewood and extra blankets as necessary. Some Nauset Rental homes provide bed linens and/or towels, which will be specified in the Property Listing. All homes will have other bedding items such as pillows and comforters.
The Guest understands renting a private home is a “do-it-yourself” or DIY option versus a full service hotel with concierge, and that Manager services do not include “concierge-like” services, and are limited to material questions and facilitating communication with the Owner on any significant infrastructure issues that arise with the property.
Issues caused by a Guest such as a clogged toilet or a lockout are the Guest’s responsibility to resolve and Guest agrees to pay any Manager or Owner fees associated with a fix that is determined to have been caused by the Guest. Manager can assist with non-infrastructure or Guest created issues if requested, but Guest agrees if they demand service outside of this scope they may be required to pay a $90 service call fee, which covers up to one hour of travel time and on-site assistance. Additional time will be charged at $80 per hour, and will be charged to the Guests credit card on file.
The responsible guest for any booking must be at least 25 years old; there may be higher age restrictions in certain locations or properties. We reserve the right to confirm the name, age, email and address of everyone in your party before or after confirming your booking. Any booking obtained with false information will be subject to forfeited payments and immediate eviction.
No parties or noise that can be heard beyond the Property lot line or in adjacent units or any illegal activity may occur at the Property.
Renter is liable for any damage to the property and agrees to accept charges to the card on file should damage occur during occupancy. Guest agrees to be solely responsible for your actions and the actions of all family members, guests, and invitees (collectively, “Occupants”) present at the Property at any time during your stay, and to ensure that all Occupants understand and comply with the Terms.
The Guest(s) shall peacefully quit and surrender the described premises in the same clean, good and habitable condition as existed at the commencement of occupancy, including cleanliness, as described in the attached “Check Out Checklist.”
Unapproved late check-outs or unapproved early check-ins may be charged up to 50% of an additional night’s rent or no less than $200.
The Guest shall allow the Owner, Owner's agents, and/or Owners or Managers vendors to enter the premises, both inside and outside, to inspect the premises, to make repairs thereto and/or to protect the premises as needed and in the Owner or Owner's agent sole discretion.
The premises shall not be used for functions such as weddings, wedding receptions, family reunions or any other gathering involving more than the number of occupants specified in this lease agreement unless permission is obtained by the Guest from the Owner or Owner's Manager prior to occupancy. No commercial photography or filming is permitted on the property. Tents or other structures may not be erected.
Nauset Rental or others may provide information to assist the Guest in contracting directly for additional services. Such information does not constitute a recommendation or any implied warranty of the services or service provider.
Any issues (including cleanliness complaints) must be raised immediately on check-in so the Owner or Owners designee may inspect and remediate as needed. The typical resolution for confirmed below average cleanliness is for cleaners to return and address it as soon as reasonably possible. Under no circumstances will issues raised only after a Guests check-out be considered for anything other than feedback purposes.
Fires are not permitted at the property in fireplaces, firepits, fire tables or the like unless specifically permitted for at the leased property. Should Guests have permission to use fireplaces, firepits, fire tables or the like, guests are fully responsible for ensuring the safety of themselves, their party, the property and surrounding area. Fires may not be left unattended, and Guests are responsible for ensuring they are fully extinguished before leaving the area."
The Owner will make every effort to ensure that equipment and appliances are in good working order and to have any repairs made in a timely manner, but does not guarantee against appliance and equipment failure including but not limited to air conditioners, Internet, cable TV, dishwasher, washer, dryer or gas grill. The Owner and Manager will not be held responsible in any way for outages of utilities provided by third parties such as Internet, Cable TV etc.
The Owner is not responsible for lost or stolen items. The Guest agrees to pay return shipping and handling charges for any item left behind and requested for return after the end of the tenancy.
The booking price includes payments for normal utility usage based on historical property data. If Guest utilities usage exceeds the normal amount by 20%, you are responsible for that amount which we will charge to your credit card.
You must keep the home and all furniture, fixtures, and belongings at the home in the same state of repair, cleanliness and general order as when you arrived. Damage must be reported immediately. Guests will not make any alterations to the Property, including moving furniture, rewiring or moving electronics. Guests will not use any fastening devices, nails or adhesive materials on walls or furniture. Guests are fully responsible for their actions and the actions of any family members or other guests during their stay. We, the Owner or Owner’s vendors may inspect the home after your departure and you authorize us to charge your credit card for any and all losses and damages sustained during your reservation, or we may invoice you for any such amounts and you shall immediately pay such invoice.
12. OTHER
INDEMNIFICATION: The Guest holds the Owner and the Owner’s Manager harmless and indemnified from any insubstantial or non-material deviation between premises information provided at the time of booking and accommodations existing at the time of occupancy, including fixtures, furnishings, equipment, appliances or other personal property, whether due to typographical errors, misinformation or changes made to the premises by the Owner.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IN NO CASE SHALL THE OWNER OR NAUSET RENTAL, NOR THEIR AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR OWNERS, BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY DAMAGES FOR DEATH, PERSONAL OR BODILY INJURY, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR STAY AT THE PROPERTY. THIS LIMITATION APPLIES TO ALL CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES WHETHER BASED ON A THEORY OF WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF OWNER OR NAUSET RENTAL HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE AND EVEN IF THE LIMITED REMEDY SET FORTH HEREIN IS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.
In exchange for Owner and/or Manager providing accommodations and Services in accordance with this agreement, the undersigned Guest for themselves and on behalf of any additional guests in their party and on behalf of their invitees hereby RELEASE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE Owner and/or his Manager and Agents and vendors, their directors, officers, agents, and employees, and, if applicable, the Owner(s), Nauset Rental, and/or lessors of the premises (or any association, organization, or group thereof) to which this authorization applies (the "RELEASEES"), FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, OBLIGATIONS, FINES, LIENS, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, CHARGES, OR COSTS WHATSOEVER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.
I further agree that if, despite this RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, I, or anyone on my behalf, or any third party, makes a claim against any of the RELEASEES, I WILL INDEMNIFY, SAVE AND HOLD HARMLESS EACH OF THE RELEASEES from any litigation expenses, attorney fees or disbursements, claims, demands, loss, liability, damage, obligations, fines, liens, penalties, actions, charges, or costs which are incurred as the result of such claim.
You agree to hold harmless and indemnify Nauset Rental and Owner for all claims for property damage, personal injury, or monetary loss resulting from your actions or omissions, and the actions or omissions of other Occupants, during your stay. The Guest will hold the Owner, Manager and/or his Agents and vendors harmless and indemnified from and against all loss or damage occasioned by the use or misuse or abuse of any part of or fixture on the premises and from or against any omission, neglect or default of the Guest, his or her guests, licensees or invitees.
If the Guest defaults and/or otherwise fails to comply with any item in this lease, the Guest agrees to forfeit any monies paid and vacate said premises upon receipt of proper notice from the Owner and to be liable for all damages, including legal fees, should action be brought to regain possession or repair loss.
Non-Disparagement: You agree that you will not directly or indirectly make any derogatory or negative comments to any person or entity or online about The Property, The Owner, Nauset Rental and its past and present affiliates, officers, directors, agents, shareholders, employees, attorneys, insurers or indemnitors or in any way interfere with or attempt to damage any of Nauset Rental's business or employment relationships through such derogatory or negative comments.
We (Nauset Rental or Owner) may elect to resolve any claim by individual arbitration. Claims are decided by a neutral arbitrator. If arbitration is chosen, neither you nor we will have the right to litigate that claim in court or have a jury trial on that claim. Further, you and we will not have the right to participate in a representative capacity or as a member of any class pertaining to any claim subject to arbitration.
Arbitration procedures are generally simpler than the rules that apply in court, and discovery is more limited. The arbitrator's decisions are as enforceable as any court order and are subject to very limited review by a court. Except as set forth below, the arbitrator's decision will be final and binding. Other rights you or we would have in court may also not be available in arbitration.
Initiating Arbitration: Before beginning arbitration, we must first send a claim notice. Claims will be referred to either JAMS or AAA, as selected by the party electing arbitration. Claims will be resolved pursuant to this Arbitration provision and the selected organization's rules in effect when the claim is filed, except where those rules conflict with this Agreement. Claims also may be referred to another arbitration organization if you and we agree in writing or to an arbitrator appointed pursuant to section 5 of the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. sec. 1-16 (FAA).
Either you or we may delay enforcing or not exercise rights under this Arbitration provision, including the right to arbitrate a claim, without waiving the right to exercise or enforce those rights.
Limitations on Arbitration: If either party elects to resolve a claim by arbitration, that claim will be arbitrated on an individual basis. There will be no right or authority for any claims to be arbitrated on a class action basis or on bases involving claims brought in a purported representative capacity on behalf of the general public, or other persons similarly situated. The arbitrator's authority is limited to claims between you and us alone. Claims may not be joined or consolidated unless you and we agree in writing. An arbitration award and any judgment confirming it will apply only to the specific case and cannot be used in any other case except to enforce the award.
The Guest shall not have the right to assign this Agreement to a third party. The Guest shall not have the right to assign or sublet the whole or any part of the Home.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This Agreement shall not be modified or amended except by writing executed by both parties.
If any term or provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, or the application of the term or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected, and the Agreement shall be valid and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any provision is capable of two constructions, then the provision shall have the meaning, which renders it valid.
A waiver by the Owner or Manager, express or implied, of any breach of this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver of a breach of any other provision or a consent to any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision. The Owner or Manager’s consent to or approval of any action on one occasion shall not be deemed a consent to or approval of any other action or to such action on any subsequent occasion.
Service Animals & Pets in Vacation Rental Homes
A Message from Nauset Rental's Management
At Nauset Rental, we appreciate the role pets, particularly dogs, play in our lives. As an integral part of many households, we understand the joy they bring when included in holiday plans. As such, we strive to make our rental homes as pet-friendly as possible and welcome the opportunity for owners and guests to bring along their furry companions when visiting our properties.
Understanding the Role of Service Animals
However, it's important to distinguish between pets and Service Dogs or Assistance Animals. Service animals perform specialized tasks for their handlers and are not pets. In line with the ADA regulations, we are always ready to make reasonable accommodations for such service animals, waiving our usual pet fees in the process. We respect the critical work these animals perform, and we do our utmost to ensure everyone's comfort during their vacation. Nonetheless, we are also committed to protecting the rights and comfort of our property owners and future guests, and this requires adherence to the legalities around Service Dogs and Assistance Animals.
Addressing Misrepresentation
Regrettably, some individuals misrepresent their pets as Service Dogs or Assistance Animals, facilitated by online platforms offering dubious certifications. It's crucial to understand that there's no legal registry for Service Dogs or Assistance Animals. Misrepresenting a pet as a Service Dog or Assistance Animal carries severe legal consequences, and at Nauset Rental, we operate a strict policy against such misrepresentation and report any suspected violations.
In reality, people who falsely claim a pet is a Service Dog or Assistance Animal can face extreme punishments, including hefty fines and even imprisonment. Know that out of our love and respect for Service Dogs and Assistance Animals, we have a zero-tolerance policy for misrepresentation, and we report suspected offenders. We know that some people have been misinformed or misled by some websites and organizations that try to sell a “Service Dog” certification to owners for pets that really are not qualified or needed. If you are one of these people, we caution you. The liability of damaging a vacation rental property and/or falsely claiming a disability and trained service animal is far greater than any small savings on pet fees, etc.
Just as some people require a service/assistance animal for medical or mental purposes, some people have debilitating medical reactions to animal dander or hair, which is why we have some properties that must remain "Pet Free"
The cost of bringing a Pet Free property back to Pet Free status is an unreasonable burden to a property owner. It can include a deep cleaning fee ($200 to $1000), carpet cleaning the entire property ($85 to $500), laundering all bedding; blankets, comforters, mattress pads, etc. ($100 to $500); cleaning of all furniture, sofas, fabric covered items, curtains, etc. ($100 to $1000); and more depending on the property. These items would have to be performed to ensure the medical safety of future guests, or the owner, who need a Pet Free/pet dander free environment. Additionally, they would have to be performed between the last guest checking out and the next guest checking in (usually six hours or less). This is usually impossible due to the time required for this work and would cause the property owner to lose future rents in addition to paying the cleaning expenses. Because of this, we cannot allow any animals into a Pet Free property, regardless of their work, certifications, status, disabilities, etc. The law protects property owners from unreasonable burdens.
Characteristics of Service Dogs
According to ADA regulations, service dogs must perform tasks directly related to the handler's disability. These may include assisting visually impaired individuals, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, pulling a wheelchair, alerting a person to allergens, providing physical support for balance or stability, and interrupting impulsive behaviors in individuals with psychiatric or neurological disabilities, among others.
Our Policy Guidelines
As a reputable rental company, we take our responsibility towards our clients seriously. We do have some properties that are deemed "pet free" where neither pets nor service animals are permitted. However, we also have No Pet homes, where pets are not permitted but Service Animals are welcome with no fee.
Our Pet Free properties are specifically designed for guests with severe animal allergies. Ensuring these properties remain pet-free requires considerable effort and expense. Hence, we cannot permit any animals in these properties to maintain the allergen-free environment. However, we have a wide selection of pet-friendly properties and welcome service animals into these homes.
We respect the dedication and training that goes into producing a Service Dog or Assistance Animal. As such, we only request two things from our guests: to refrain from falsely representing pets as Service Dogs or Assistance Animals, and to appreciate that accommodating a Service Dog or Assistance Animal shouldn't result in excessive costs for property owners.
Bringing a Service Dog or Assistance Animal
If you plan to bring a service dog or assistance animal to a rental home that allows them:
- Declare the presence of the service animal at the time of booking
- Be ready to answer specific questions concerning the necessity and functions of the service animal.
- In cases where further clarity is needed to make a fair assessment, We may ask for documentation from a medical professional attesting to the disability and the necessity of the animal's assistance.