Common Questions about Vacation Rental Homes

Q:  How can I reserve a property?

A:  Simply click on the link for the property of your choice and request an instant quote.  Within moments you'll have your quote and the option to place your reservation!

Q:  What time is check in and check out?

A:  Our standard arrival time is 3:00 pm EST, and departure time is 9:00 am EST.  If you feel that you need a little extra time on check out day, please contact our office in advance and speak with one of our rental team members to see if we have the availability to provide you a late departure. There may be a small fee for this service.  Any unapproved late departures will incur a fee equal to one full day rent and possible additional associated fees for displacing an arriving renter. 

Q:  When will I receive the keys to my rental?

A:  Your Welcome Packet and keys will all be located within the premises of your vacation rental.  The front door of the property will have a combination lockbox hanging on it that will contain the keys to access the rental or in some cases a keyless entry pad.  Arrival time on check-in day is 3:00 PM or later.  You will receive an email with the combination or keypad lock access numbers not less than 5 days prior to your 3:00 PM check-in day arrival time.  The lockboxes or keypads will not be placed or activated until 3:00 PM on arrival day, and the lockbox will be removed from your front door by a VHI staff member the day after your arrival.  Your Welcome Packet also contains a departure day key envelope that you should place all door, pool, and mailbox keys inside and simply drop off the envelope in the black key dropbox mounted on the column at the front door entry of the Water Pointe Realty Group / Vacation Hutchinson Island rental office across the street from the Indian River Plantation Resort entry.

Q:  Who do I call if I have a maintenance issue?

A:  Any maintenance issues or damaged items must be reported as soon as possible.  If you have a maintenance issue during normal business hours (9:00 am - 4:30 pm EST, Mon-Fri), please call our office at 772.225.0110.  We will request the property owner make every effort to have the malfunction repaired within a reasonable time, however, service vendor schedules are beyond our control, and work may not always be able to be completed during your stay.  Please do not let an appliance or A/C malfunction ruin your vacation in paradise.  Maintenance issues are not grounds for a rental rate adjustment.  If you incur a maintenance issue that is a true emergency outside of our normal business hours and it cannot wait until the next business day, please call the office phone for after hour emergency instructions.  Any and all calls will be addressed accordingly.   Administrative and vendor costs incurred for unnecessary service calls may be deducted from your security deposit. 

Q:  Are there Air Conditioning restrictions?

A:  Yes.  Some leases provide for a standard electric allowance, with any charges above the allowance to be due and payable by the renter at the rental office or deducted from the security deposit.  Renters in any rental property are not permitted to run the A/C with the windows and doors open.  Doing so may cause the air conditioning unit to freeze up, resulting in costly emergency service calls, and equipment that may not be able to be serviced timely during your stay.  The A/C should not be set below 70ºF when in residence and should be set to 78ºF when not in residence with all windows and doors securely closed.   If a humidistat is present, it should be set to "On" position when in residence and set at "65%" when not in residence. 

Q: What if I get locked out?

A:  If you are locked out during our normal office hours we will be able to let you back in with no charge for a one time event.  There is a $50 service charge for every other event after that.  You will be provided the name and phone number of a local locksmith in your Welcome Packet.  It is a good idea to put the number in your mobile phone in case you get locked out outside of normal office hours.  Our rental staff are not available outside of normal office hours for lock out calls, and the full cost of the locksmith will be the responsibility of the renter.

Q: Does my rental have internet and/or Wi-Fi?

A: Internet and Wi-Fi are available in all rental units. 

Q:  Are there beach chairs, beach towels, and umbrellas?

A:  Oceanfront property owners are encouraged to provie beach chairs, towels, and umbrellas for their guests, but are not always available in every property.  If they are in your rental property you are welcome to use them.

Q:  Do I need to bring sheets and towels?

A:  No.  All of the vacation rental properties are fully furnished and equipped by the owners of the property, however, we invite you to bring your own linens, kitchen items, etc. that may be especially important to you in order to better enjoy your stay.  Not all of the vacation rentals have private laundry facilities. Some are building shared & coin operated, so please inquire from your rental agent in advance if that shared availibility is a concern.

Q:  What consumables and paper products are provided in the property?

A:  We provide enough dishwashing detergent for two loads of dishes in the dishwasher, a small bar of soap at each sink and tub, and one roll of toilet paper in each bathroom on arrival. We also provide a trash bag in the kitchen trash can and in each bathroom trash can.  You should plan to pick up coffee filters, cleaning products, dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, additional toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags depending on the length of your stay.  Don't forget your sunscreen and bug spray if you are sensitive to no-seeums!!

Q:  What are the departure procedures?

A:  We want our guests to enjoy their stay as long as possible so we just have a few requests for you on departure.  We ask that all opened food is removed from the refrigerator and freezer and disposed of; that the dishes are either clean and in the cabinet or are washing in the dishwasher (i.e. save one of those dish detergent tabs for this last load of dishes); that you return all furniture and electronics you may have moved to the original locations and operating condition within the premises; that you sweep/vacuum any excess sand from the floors and patio; that you put the dirty laundry (including any soiled placemats & pot holders) in the tub or shower (don't forget the sofa bed laundry if used); that you dispose of all trash into the trash chute; and that you make sure the property is secured and the A/C is returned to 78ºF and humidistat set to 65% if applicable.  As long as these basics are done and there is no additional extraordinary cleaning required, there will be no extra cleaning charges.  However, renters that disregard or do not complete these departure policy requests will result in the cleaning staff completing the aforementioned items on your behalf at a rate of $30 per hour which will be deducted from your security deposit.

Q:  May I smoke in the premises or on the balcony?

A:  No.  All of our vacation rental properties and their surroundings are NON-SMOKING.  Any evidence of smoking in or around the property will be deemed a material breach of the lease and will be grounds for immediate termination of the rental lease agreement and forfeiture of all rental payments for the full term of the lease.  The renter will be responsible for the FULL cost of all smoke remediation required to restore the premises to smoke free condition. 

Q:  May I grill on the balcony?

A:  No. Grilling on individual balconies is strictly prohibited in any condominium building; however MOST condominium associations provide a community gas grill on their association common property for guests to use.  

Q:  Do you have pet friendly properties?

A:  We have a very small supply of pet friendly properties with detailed restrictions and pre-approval required.  There is a separate lease pet addendum and a $500 non-refundable pet fee.   Please consult with your rental agent for details.  There is a designated "dog beach" about 20 minutes North of the Indian River Plantation Resort.

Q:  When will I receive my security deposit return?

A:  Security deposits are returned once the property has been cleaned, inspected, and everything is found to be in good order, generally within two weeks but occasionally up to 30 days. 

Q:  What is your cancellation policy?

A:  NON-REFUNDABLE PAYMENTS, CANCELLATION, AND FORFEITURE:  Travel Insurance and Damage Insurance is non-refundable.  The FIRST payment for all LEASES is non-refundable.  Subject to the foregoing non-refundable payments schedule, RENTER may cancel this Rental Lease Agreement by giving at least 60 days written notice before the Start Date. In the event the cancellation occurs within the 60-day time frame immediately prior to Start Date, ALL amounts previously paid and ALL amounts remaining due as rent, taxes, fees, and miscellaneous charges shall be forfeited by RENTER to OWNER / AGENT as liquidated damages for having withheld availability of the LEASED PREMISES from the rental market.