Accidents/Damage to the Rental Property
The leaseholder agrees to notify the Rental Agent about any damages or accidents that occur to the premises, to both real property and personal property, during your rental period. If the Agent determines that no intentional or wanton or willful misconduct was done, the agent will repair/replace as needed up to $1500. Any damage or accident that exceeds $1500 will be the responsibility of the leaseholder.
*DAMAGES MUST BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY AND PRIOR TO CHECK-OUT IN ORDER FOR THE RENTAL AGENCY TO REPAIR SAID DAMAGES. OTHERWISE, ALL DAMAGE COSTS WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEASEHOLDER. PET DAMAGE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LEASEHOLDER.
Advance Year Reservations
Reservations for next year are accepted up to one year in advance, for a non-refundable $50.00 administrative fee, plus tax. Reservations for a future period for which rates have not been set are considered provisional.
Current year guests have priority to rent the same house for the same week in the upcoming year. These priority reservations must be made by the close of business on Wednesday of the first week of your stay. Otherwise, properties are released for reservation on a first request basis. Online reservations will also be taken, up to 51 weeks in advance.
IMPORTANT: The week(s) the guest is booked for this year is the numbered week they can reserve for the following year. We cannot shift their week regardless of corresponding arrival and departure dates for the following year. Exceptions are not granted for floating holidays.
Behavior Policy
Better Beach Rentals reserves the right to terminate the lease of a Better Beach Rental at any time, as the result of tenant abuse of staff or others. Termination of lease rights does not include a refund of rental monies unless the home is re-rented.
Cancellations by Guests
All cancellations must be in writing; in the event of an emergency cancellation occurring one week or less before check-in date, a verbal cancellation will be accepted by phone, but must be followed up in writing verifying the telephone call. This cancellation policy pertains to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or disability. Tenant agrees that the total paid under this agreement will be forfeited if the property is not re-rented for the same period of time for the full amount. A cancellation fee of $95.00 plus any applicable taxes will be charged for all cancellations. Any amounts forfeited or charged for cancellation may be taxable.
If the property is re-rented for the entire rental period at the full rate, the total paid - less the cancellation fee, other non-refundable fees and the travel insurance premium - will be refunded within 30 days after your reservation departure date. All refunds are paid in the same manner as received.
Payments made through a third party online travel agency, such as VRBO or Airbnb, will be refunded through the online travel agency and not from Better Beach Rentals. Agent will not be responsible for reimbursing any third party fees that have already been paid out, The guest must seek reimbursement directly from the third party.
Cancellations by Better Beach Rentals
If your rental property becomes unavailable outside 180 days prior to your check-in date (change in ownership, taken off rental market, owner schedule change, etc.), we will make every effort to find an acceptable substitute home. We will notify you of the change as soon as we become aware of it, and if we are unable to find an acceptable home for you, we will refund you 100% of your deposit. The management firm, on behalf of the home owner, reserves the right to cancel the vacation rental agreement at any time prior to tenant taking possession of the property. In such event, all payments made by the guest to the management firm will be refunded, and neither management nor owner will be liable for any damages of any sort incurred by tenant as a result of such cancellation. If the guest desires to be placed in an alternative home, the management firm will make a good faith effort to relocate the guest, but if the home selected is more expensive, the guest agrees to pay the difference.
Check-In and Check-Out Procedures
See full check-in and check-out procedures here.
Conservation
Please help us protect our delicate environment by being conscious of your water and energy consumption while enjoying Oak Island. You can assist us by:
- Closing all windows and doors in the home/condo if the heat or air conditioning is on
- Putting thermostats at reasonable temperatures
- Turning off lights and appliances when they aren't in use (including outdoor lighting)
- Washing only full loads in the dishwasher/washing machine
- Now allowing water to run freely while brushing your teeth, shaving or washing up
- Reporting any water leaks, dripping faucets or running toilets to the office
- Utilize recycling bins at properties where available
Construction
Better Beach Rentals cannot predict construction plans in the area and, therefore, cannot be responsible for construction occurring near any rental property. No request for compensation or move to another property due to nearby construction will be considered. Oak Island does have a noise ordinance from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am.
Disclosures, Rights & Obligations
Better Beach Rentals offers our rental properties without respect to the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and handicap or familial status of any guest.
Condition of home: Pursuant to the VRA, if at the time the guest is to begin occupancy of the property, and the owner or agent of the owner cannot provide the property in a fit and habitable condition or substitute a reasonable comparable property in such condition, the owner or agent shall refund to the guest all payments made by the guest.
Every property we manage is privately owned and reflects each owner's personal taste. Every effort has been made to represent each property as realistically as possible with regards to space, physical condition, distances to beach accesses, and comparisons. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in amenities.
Minimum age: Better Beach Rentals is authorized, through our contract with the property owner, to rent only to family groups and responsible adults with the leaseholder being a minimum of 25 years old. Tenant acknowledges that he/she is at least 25 years of age and understands that he/she must occupy the property for the entire lease term. A family group is defined as immediate and extended family (parents, children and grandparents). No fraternities, sororities, church, school, civic, or other non-family groups are permitted, unless prior approval is granted by the Landlord or Agent. No house parties are permitted. We reserve the right to refuse occupancy, if in the agent's opinion occupancy is detrimental to the property. Tenants misrepresenting their group will be subject to expedited eviction without refund.
In the event that we determine that you are not an approved tenant (for example, only minors are on the premises and occupying the home), you will be in material breach of your lease. You will be denied access to the property and/or subject to expedited eviction. All rents and fees paid to Better Beach Rentals will be forfeited.
Emergencies
See a list of emergency contacts here.
Equipment and Appliances
Furnishings and equipment in all Better Beach rentals are provided by the owner. Every reasonable effort is made to keep each property and it's equipment in good working order. Please notify Better Beach Rentals promptly of any difficulty you encounter during your stay. We will make every reasonable effort to complete repairs. Under no circumstances will the Tenant be relocated or receive a reduction in rates for any equipment failure.
Evacuations and Travel Insurance
If Brunswick County or Oak Island authorities order a mandatory evacuation of Oak Island, you will be required to comply within 3 hours of the order. In the event of an evacuation, you will be notified of our evacuation procedures and must turn in your keys prior to leaving the island. If you return to the property after checking out or remain on the premises more than three hours after the order has been issued, you will be trespassing and law enforcement will be contacted.
See more detailed hurricane, severe weather, and emergency evacuation information here.
Better Beach Rentals offers Travel Protection Insurance to our guests at the time of booking. As per the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act (NCVRA), if the insurance is waived, neither the property owner nor Better Beach Rentals is liable for refunds. If you selected and paid for travel insurance at the time of booking and have any questions, contact the Travel Insurance Company (contact information was included in your booking confirmation).
Event Fees
Many of our vacation homes allow events. The event fee varies based on the size of the home, and is due 30 days prior to arrival. An undisclosed event at the rental home will incur the event fee, a $250 fine, and will be subject to expedited eviction with no refund awarded.
Firearms & Fireworks
Firearms are not allowed on any property. Fireworks of any kind are prohibited at vacation rental properties.
Fireplaces
A number of our rental properties offer the use of fireplaces. Better Beach Rentals does not provide wood for wood burning fireplaces. Fireplaces are only available for use November 1 to May 1.
Grilling
Grilling is permitted in our rentals only on concrete, gravel or similar surface. Please do not move grills to decks, porches, or near vegetation. Please be courteous and leave the grill clean for the next guest. Some homes may provide a gas grill - The propane for the grill is the responsibility of the guest.
Housekeeping
Better Beach Rentals makes every effort to ensure all units are clean and ready for occupancy. If we have overlooked a housekeeping item, please notify our office within 24 hours of arrival. We will correct any housekeeping deficiencies. No monetary compensation will be made for housekeeping oversights. Failure to notify our office within 24 hours of arrival constitutes acceptance of the property "as is".
Linens
Better Beach Rentals provides linens at no cost to the guest. The following are included: sheets for all beds and sofa bed, and towel sets (includes 1 bath towel, 1 hand towel, and 1 washcloth), for the maximum occupancy of the home. Should you require additional linens or towels, they are available for an additional charge. Call the office if you need additional linens, and for the most recent pricing.
Lost & Found
We make every effort to locate and return lost items, but will not be responsible for personal items left behind in our vacation rentals. If you notice something is missing, please call the office right away. If found, we will send the item to you, for a fee of $25 plus shipping, handling and tax. We are not responsible for items broken or lost during shipping. Any items not claimed within 30 days after checkout will be donated to a local charity.
Mail, Faxes & Other Services
Mail and messages can be sent to Better Beach Rentals and will be held for you. They may be picked up at the rental office during business hours. Mail and messages must be addressed to the leaseholder and reference the house name. We will attempt to notify guests receiving mail or phone calls.
Faxes of less than 10 pages may be sent or received at our office with no charge.
Better Beach Rentals does not accept disks or thumb drives into our computers. Most of our rental homes offer Wifi, and Wifi hot spots are available at our office.
If you need packing and/or shipping services, Pelican Pack & Ship is located on E. Oak Island Drive and can help you with your packing and shipping needs.
Maintenance / Repairs
Better Beach Rentals cannot guarantee the operation of any home amenities. Please report any equipment malfunction to our office. We will make every effort to respond to any appliance or equipment problems. No refunds or partial rental deposits will be made for a malfunctioning appliance or amenity or for other items outside of our control, such as bad weather or a home not decorated / furnished to personal taste. In the event there isn't any electricity, water or A/C (only these items), we will move you to another available property until the issue is resolved. At that time, we will move you back to your original rented property. No refunds are to be issued but Better Beach Rentals will do it's best to fix the problem in a timely manner.
Occupancy
Better Beach Rentals lists the occupancy permitted by the homeowner in the listing description. We list number and sizes of beds in rentals only to accommodate flexibility in sleeping arrangements and not to represent allowable occupancy. Please do not exceed the occupancy limit assigned to a home.
Parking
Parking at the rental property should be limited to one car per bedroom, with a maximum of five cars. Condos have a maximum parking of 2 spaces. Many rentals have fewer parking spaces available than bedrooms, due to the size of the lot. RVs are not permitted on the grounds of any unit at any time. Boats, boat trailers, and equipment trailers, are counted as a vehicle, and must be parked in allocated spaces. No parking is permitted in undesignated areas, including lawns.
Partial Week Vacations / Extending Your Stay
Partial week rentals are available on some of our homes. Housekeeping charges apply to all stays less than one week. Linens and towels are provided. Bed making is available for an additional fee. Please contact Better Beach Rentals for details.
Pet Policies
Many of our homes allow well-behaved dogs. Only 1 dog per household unless previously approved by management. There is no fee required for the first pet. Additional dogs, if approved, may require an additional non-refundable pet fee. This pet fee is for a flea treatment and/or the extra cleaning required. An undeclared pet is subject to a $500 non-refundable fee. Better Beach Rentals abides by HUD/Fair Housing laws. Service animals and assistance animals are only permitted in pet friendly homes and no pet fee is assessed. Documentation of service animal or assistance animal is required.
If a pet is found on a premises that does not allow pets, your rental rights will terminated immediately with no refund of rental monies and you will be subject to the undeclared pet fee. This policy is strictly enforced.
To ensure that every member of your family has a safe and enjoyable vacation, please be mindful of the following:
- On Oak Island, dogs are allowed on the beaches year round, if they are restrained with a leash that is 6 feet or less.
- To ensure the continued enjoyment of our beaches, neighborhoods and homes, pet waste must be picked up and disposed of properly.
- At no time should a pet be left alone in the vacation rental home. If it is an emergency and you must leave your pet, the pet must be placed in a crate-like container made specifically for a pet.
Area Veterinarians
Pet Supply Stores
For additional information about pets on the beach, click here.
Pools & Hot Tubs
Priviate pools and hot tubs at our property rentals are serviced on turnover days and mid-week. Guests are prohibited from tampering with chemicals or equipment. If it is found that the Tenant has tampered with equipment or chemicals, the Tenant will be responsible for any expenses incurred. Certified technicians care for all hot tubs and pools.
Pools at rental homes are private pools - swim at your own risk. No glass and no diving at any time.
- Unheated private pools are available year-round unless otherwise noted in the home description.
- Heated private pools and pool heat (if provided) can be available at an additional fee. Certain private pools offer free heat; check home description for dates that will be available. During times of extremely low temperatures or high winds, pools may not heat to what tenant believes to be an acceptable temperature. No refund will be given due to adverse weather conditions. Pool heat requested on check-in day or later will result in an additional convenience fee.
Better Beach Rentals cannot be held responsible for the opening and closing of subdivision and community pools. Hot tubs are available year-round unless otherwise noted in the property description.
Pregnant women, people on medication, those with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or other conditions should consult their physician before using a hot tub. Children under the age of 12 are prohibited from entering hot tubs. Misuse or overuse of hot tubs will result in a higher possibility of infection, as sanitizers are not able to combat abnormally elevated bacterial levels. Removal of or tampering with chemical dispensers may result in health related problems such as Folliculitis. Pets are not allowed in pools or hot tubs at any time.
Smoke Detectors
North Carolina statues require all tenants to check smoke detector operation upon arrival and to notify, in writing, the Better Beach Rentals office of any malfunction.
Smoking Policy
All of our properties maintain a smoke-free policy. No smoking or other use of tobacco products is permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, pipes, cigars, snuff, or chewing tobacco. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside any property rented through our company. When smoking outside, do not leave cigarette butts on the ground or anywhere else - Dispose of them property in appropriate receptacles outside. This policy applies to all guests, as well as their visitors. Individuals violating this policy will be charged a fee of $250, plus all costs associated with cleaning the home.
Thermostats
Please leave thermostats on a reasonable but comfortable temperature. DO NOT put the AC lower than 66 degrees, or the heat higher than 79 degrees. If AC/heating units are set too high or too low, they may shut down and not cycle back on for up to 24 hours. Please be considerate of the homeowner, and keep windows and doors shut while the AC is running.
Transfers
In the event you have to change your week after your reservation has been confirmed, a transfer fee of $100 (plus tax) will be charged. Transfers can only be made within the same home of your initial reservation, subject to owner approval, and all transfers must be in the same year. All transfer requests must be submitted in writing. For more information on transferring your reservation, please contact Better Beach Rentals.
