Rental Policies and Information

RENTAL PERIOD: Rentals start at 4 PM and end before 10 AM on departure day. unless you purchase an early check-in. Properties rent Saturday to Saturday in-season. There is a 3-night minimum stay during the rest of the year. A fee for departure cleaning will be added to reservations less than 7 days.

**Guests are NOT permitted on any property under any circumstance until the check-in process is completed and keys are issued. Do NOT go to the property before receiving keys from office. Please make sure everyone in your party understands this otherwise your occupancy will automatically be delayed past check-in time.**

CHECK-IN: Do NOT go to the property before receiving keys from our office. Keys will only be released to the individual whose name appears on the reservation. Valid state issued or government photo identification is required at check-in. If arriving after 4:30 PM, you must notify our office so arrangements for late arrival can be made. You must officially check-in with ID by 11:00 AM on the next business day. Keys will not be made available to individuals under age 25 or for late arrivals unless balance is paid in full and signed paperwork is received. Please confirm with our office for specific closing times.

CHECK-IN TIME: begins at 4:00 PM. Please plan your day accordingly. We make every effort to ensure that all properties are clean and ready for occupancy. However, it may be necessary to delay occupancy until the property is ready. A limited number of early check-ins are available for a nominal fee (see next section below). If you choose not to purchase the early check-in option and you arrive prior to 4:00 PM, we request that you spend some time enjoying our beautiful beaches, have lunch at one of our delicious restaurants, or have some fun at an area attraction until check-in starts at 4:00 PM. You may have hit it lucky with an early check-in in the past, however, we no longer allow check-in prior to 4:00 PM unless you purchase an early check-in as those properties are cleaned first, so it’s important that you plan your day accordingly.

EARLY CHECK-IN OPTION: To help ensure a fast and smooth check-in process, we are pleased to offer an early check-in option. For a nominal fee guests may check-in at 1:00 PM (instead of 4:00 PM). Fee is non-refundable and applies whether-or-not you arrive prior to regular check-in time. Early check-in must be purchased at least 48 hours prior to arrival date and it is not available for all properties. Only a select number of early check-ins are available. Please contact office for details and availability. If you decide not to purchase early check-in or if it’s not available, then check-in starts at 4 PM.

DELAYED OCCUPANCY: There are no refunds for delayed occupancy. Do NOT go to the property prior to receiving keys from our office. Doing so will automatically delay your check-in past 4 PM regardless if the property is ready or not. Cleaners, maintenance, and inspectors will not go to a property if there are people or cars present. Please make sure everyone in your party understands this.

ADVANCE HOLD RESERVATION: may be made for the following calendar year. Current guests have the first option to renew until the second Friday following their departure. The Advance hold reservation fee is $100.00 which holds the property off-market until December 31st. This non-refundable fee does not apply to the rental rate. By January 15th, a payment of ½ the base rental rate will be required to prevent your reservation from canceling. Note that rates are subject to change. In the event that the property owner wants to use their home, we will assist you in selecting another property.

PAYMENTS: Reservations require an advance payment of one-half the rent within 14 days of making a reservation. Full payment [including balance of rent, taxes, reservation fee, security deposit/accidental damage waiver and (optional) travel insurance, linens service, etc. is due at least 30-days prior to arrival. Personal checks are only accepted up to 30 days prior to arrival. A $75.00 fee applies if check is returned. A 5.0% convenience fee applies to all credit/debit card transactions (VISA/MC). Reservations must be paid in full at least 30-days prior to arrival. Reservations made less than 21-days prior to arrival must be paid with credit/debit card (5.0% convenience fee applies) over phone within 24-hours or with certified funds sent overnight within 24 hours of making reservation. Please make checks payable to Old Colony Realty, include reservation number in memo, and mail to: 113 S. Ocean Blvd, Surfside Beach, SC 29575. Reservations are non-transferable. Cancellations of reservations not holding travel insurance will not receive refunds of any kind. Tax rates may change without notice. Guest assumes all responsibility for payment of additional taxes if tax rates increase prior to scheduled departure date.

RESERVATION FEE: A reservation fee of $75.00 will be charged for each reservation made.

ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE WAIVER: In lieu of a security deposit, each reservation is charged a $85.00 accidental damage waiver, which covers up to $1,000 of accidental damage.

INCLEMENT WEATHER: We occasionally experience stormy weather and power outages. There will be no refunds due to inclement weather, evacuations, or power outages. To help protect your vacation investment we recommend the purchase of travel insurance on all reservations.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Guests have the option of protecting their vacation investment through the purchase of travel insurance. Travel insurance is optional, but recommended. It provides protection should you be forced to cancel, interrupt or delay your trip due to evacuation, serious illness or a death of a family member. Travel Insurance is provided through a licensed third party. All claims must be filed directly with the travel insurance company. Please call 1-866-889-7409 for a copy of the full travel insurance plan details or view online at trippreserver.com/sun-trip-preserver/

LINEN RENTAL: Homes are fully furnished except for linens. Linen rental does not include bed set-up. Guest assumes all responsibility for damaged, missing or stolen rental linen. Rental linens are delivered by a third-party directly to your rental property on the day of arrival (by 7:00 PM) and picked-up on departure day.

PETS: NO pets allowed in or on any property unless the property is pet friendly. A non-refundable pet fee and proper forms must be provided prior to arrival. Pets found on property will result in immediate eviction of entire party from the property without refund.

SMOKING: All homes and condominiums are non-smoking. Guest agrees to pay for all costs incurred with removing smoke smell and loss of future rents. It is illegal to smoke on the beach in Surfside Beach.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS: No RV’s/Campers permitted. Some properties do not permit motorcycles, golf carts, and/or trailers. Parking is limited to the number of spots shown on our website. Washing vehicles on property is prohibited.

POOL: No glass bottles or containers may be in, near, or around the pool area, including balconies over the pool area. All gates must be kept closed to pool areas. All pools are professionally maintained during your stay. During peak season, pools are serviced 3 times per week. If you call to request additional cleanings, you will be charged $50.00. Pools are serviced starting at 6:00 AM so you may not see the pool tech at your unit. Some properties offer pool heat for a nominal fee. Weather dictates the effectiveness of a pool heater and no refunds will be given in cases where weather affects the temperature of the pool. Please note that pool heaters may not operate if the air temperature surrounding the heat pump drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Turning on or tampering with a pool heater will result in entire party having to vacate the property immediately without refund. This policy is strictly enforced.

GRILLS: Per the fire marshal, grilling is not permitted on balconies, decks, walkways, porches, in carports, near siding or under the house. Please use the driveway or designated area for grilling out. If a grill is furnished, Guest is responsible for dumping the cooled ashes and thoroughly cleaning grill prior to departure so the next guest finds it ready to use. Guest is also responsible for disposing of any unwanted grills that they bring to the property.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Each home is privately owned residences, fully equipped for your convenience, and reflects the owners’ individual tastes. Decor, style, furnishings, and appliances vary and may be changed without notice. Each home is individually owned, so please respect the owner’s property, and do not remove furnishings, kitchen items, or pool furniture from the property. All properties are non-smoking. No fireworks or grilling on decks/balconies. No phone calls, movies, etc. billed to property. Omissions, additions, or errors as well as changes in bedding, furniture, equipment, etc. made by Owner shall not be the responsibility of Agent or Owner. Old Colony is not responsible for errors/omissions. We reserve the right to correct such errors. All rental rates, furnishings, equipment are subject to change without notice.

OWNER STORAGE: Each rental has at least one locked closet for owner storage. These areas are not included with your rental. Tampering with locked closets will be reported to local law enforcement and result in immediate eviction from the property without refund.

HOUSEKEEPING, MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS: Our rental properties are well maintained and clean. However, like any home, they can occasionally experience unexpected problems. Please report any maintenance problems or housekeeping concerns to our office immediately. If you have a concern and we do not hear about it, it is difficult for us to correct the problem. Our full-time housekeeping and maintenance team is ready to assist. So, please call us if you have any questions so we can take care of them immediately. We make every effort to correct any issues you may have in a timely manner. Please understand that certain emergencies do take precedence. We are not responsible for delays and/or service interruptions with utilities (cable, Internet access, phone service, etc.). No rate adjustments, property substitutions, relocation, rebates or refunds will be issued for ANY mechanical failures including delays due to receiving parts needed for repairs, delays due to service and/or utility companies, requests made outside operating hours or on holidays, etc. Some service requests may be handled on the next business day. Staff or service providers may enter the home during working hours or at other times in case of an emergency to complete necessary repairs, maintenance and/or requests.

GUEST MAIL/MESSAGES: Vacation rental properties do not receive mail or package deliveries. Packages should be sent in the guest name in c/o: Old Colony Realty, 113 South Ocean Blvd. #102, Surfside Beach, SC 29575. Winter rentals wishing to receive regular mail are required to set up a P.O. Box at a local Post Office.

LOCK-OUT SERVICE: Lock-out assistance is free of charge during business hours. However, after hours there is charge for Old Colony Realty agents to come unlock the door--$50.00 before 8:00 pm and $65.00 after 8:00 pm. Fee is payable in cash to the responding agent at time service is rendered. There is a $35.00 fee for a lost key ($100.00 to receive a replacement key after hours).

GROUPS/OCCUPANCY: The guest whose name appears on the reservation is responsible for making sure that the group abides by all rules and regulations/policies. Occupancy and parking is limited to the number of guests and spots shown on our website. The only exception is an infant in a crib. Absolutely NO house parties! A house party is defined as a group of any kind, chaperoned or unchaperoned, under the age of 25. We rent to FAMILIES ONLY and our policy is strictly enforced. Should a group misrepresent itself, or fail to comply, the group, in its entirety will be required to vacate the property immediately without refund.

CONSTRUCTION: Construction and beach re-nourishment projects occur periodically. Old Colony Realty has no control over construction projects and cannot predict construction schedules so we may not be able to inform you at the time you make your reservation whether or not your rental home is near a construction site. No rate adjustments, property substitutions or relocation, rebates or refunds will be made for any inconvenience due to construction, road repairs, beach re-nourishment projects, etc.

SAND DUNES: Do not walk, play, or dig on sand dunes. Sand dunes play a vital part in protecting homes. It is illegal to pick or destroy sea oats. Do not litter. There are steep fines and ordinances against dune destruction and littering on all Grand Strand beaches.

HOUSEKEEPING: Departure maid service is included with your stay. Guests will be charged for: excessive cleaning, late departure, or keys not being returned.

LEFT ITEMS: Please report lost items within 24-hrs of departure. We make every effort to locate lost items and will return via courier service at your expense (typically, $30.00 retrieval fee + postage cost). We are not responsible for any personal items left behind.

PROPERTY FOR SALE: In the event that the vacation home/condo you are renting is for sale, we may need to show the property during your stay. We will make every effort to schedule the showing at a convenient time as not to interrupt your vacation. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. Please let us know if you are interested in learning more about local properties while you are here.

DISCLOSURE: Every precaution is taken for accuracy. We are not responsible for errors. We reserve the right to correct any such errors. We are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items during your stay. In the event we are unable to deliver the property under this agreement due to fire, eminent domain or Act of Nature, delay in construction, lack of water, sewer, essential services, the property is sold, removed from rental program, or any other reason beyond our control, Guest hereby agrees that Old Colony Realty, and Owner’s sole liability as a result of any of these conditions is a full refund of all consideration previously tendered by the Guest pursuant to the terms of this agreement, and Guest expressly acknowledges that in no event shall Old Colony Realty or Owner be held liable for any consequential or secondary damages, including but not limited to any expenses as a result of travel, cost of re-renting, etc. Guest also agrees in the case of a double booking Guest will be entitled to full refund of all consideration previously tendered by Guest. Alternately, we will make every attempt to relocate Guest.

Every precaution is taken for accuracy on this web site and in our printed materials. Old Colony Realty is not responsible for error or changes. Funds received by agent under this agreement shall be applicable to cancellation policies. While such funds are in agent's possession, any earnings derived from these funds shall belong to the agent.