Read the Beach Retreat Vacation Rentals Rental Policies

House Rules, Cancellation Policy, and Rental Agreement

Please, No Check-Ins Before 4 PM

We hope that you have a pleasant and relaxing visit in our home away from home! Our unit is professionally decorated and furnished to provide everything needed for your vacation. Please be sure to read and abide by all of our rental policies before and during your stay.

Arrival

Our units are carefully inspected following each departure. If, upon your arrival, you find any irregularities or damage, please contact us as soon as possible. Damages may occur during or prior to your stay. We will do our best to be sure that all items are working properly for your arrival. This is not always 100% possible. We may have to enter the unit or have a service team enter during your stay to repair an issue. Guest cooperation is appreciated and required.

Check-In/Check Out

Check-in is any time after 4:00 PM CST, and Check out is any time prior to 10:00 AM CST. This is important for our cleaning crews and for the next set of guests. On rare occasions, there may be an issue that would delay check-in up to 5:00 PM CST. If that is the case, we will notify the guest as soon as we are aware.

During the busy season, which runs from March through October, it is nearly impossible to accommodate any early check-in requests. Please try to arrive on or after hours at the condo.

Parking

Parking is limited to single-space vehicles. Each vehicle must have a parking pass while parked at Beach Retreat. PARKING PASS AND GATE REMOTE PROVIDED AT CHECK-IN. Guest cannot park any type of vehicle anywhere other than a single-car parking space. No TRAILERS of any kind are allowed to be parked in the Beach Retreat parking lot. There are storage facilities locally that cost around $15 per night. Golf Carts must be parked in a parking space and may not be plugged in by an extension cord to the condo.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in all condos. If evidence of smoking inside or outside the condo is found, the guest will be charged a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $1000. No evidence of smoke, cigarette ashes or butts, or chewing tobacco is to be left behind.

Cleaning Prior to Arrival

While we do have good housekeepers, every now and then, things may be missed. In these instances, guests are to call us so we can send the cleaning crew back out to make it right. There will be no refund of the cleaning fee.

Guest Assistance

While we try to avoid it as much as possible, Maintenance for various issues may need to be addressed during your stay. We will try to work around your schedule, but this is not always possible.

Bedding/Linens

Guests are not allowed to eat or drink in the bed or on the bed in the condo. This can cause spills and stains on the linens. Please do not allow children on the bed with anything that may stain the linens. Guest are required to make every effort to wash any linen as soon as any staining item gets onto the fabric. Do not wash colored beach towels or clothing with the condo linens, as it will turn the towels pink or blue.

*THE WHITE TOWELS ARE NOT FOR REMOVING MAKEUP (please use the wipes provided), SELF-TANNING, DYEING HAIR, MOPPING UP SPILLS, POLISHING SHOES, ETC.* These products leave permanent stains, and there will be a replacement fee.

Sand

The guests are responsible for leaving the sand at the beach. There is a shower to rinse off located at the top of both beach gates and at the entrance gate to Beach Retreat. Shake out all sand from clothing and towels before washing and drying. You will be charged an additional $25 for excessive sand removal. Sand damages floors, showers, and furnishings.

Air Conditioning

Do not operate the air conditioning unit with any doors or windows open, as this will cause the unit to freeze and malfunction.

Doors

DO NOT have the sliding glass door and entry door to the condo open at the same time. This causes a wind tunnel effect and will cause doors to slam which can cause injury to guests and the condo.

Washer/Dryer

Please leave the door to the washer/dryer open when in use to eliminate condensation on the door and walls.

Beach View From the Window of Living Room

Refrigerator

During peak summer months, we get many calls concerning the refrigerator in the unit. Arriving guests will go to the grocery store, buy a refrigerator full of warm groceries and place them in the condo refrigerator. It can take several hours (24 hours or more) during peak summer for these items to become adequately cool. Please leave the thermostat on medium setting; any higher can cause the unit to freeze over and stop working. We suggest placing drinks in a cooler on ice for faster cooling when you first arrive.

Quartz Countertops

Please be mindful of placing hot items on the kitchen and bathroom countertops, as they will leave marks on the surface. Hot pads are provided for kitchen use.

Beach Service

We provide beach service in season (4 Chairs, 1 Umbrella). This is typically from mid-March until Oct 31.

1 You Will Need to Tell the Beach Attendant Which Unit You Are Staying in, and He Will Guide You to Your Beach Setup. There May Be a Wait, and We Appreciate Your Patience.
2 Pop-Up Tents Are Not Allowed on Most of These Private Beaches as It Limits the View for Other Guests.
3 The Beach Attendants Do Work for Tips (Suggest $8-$10 Per Day).

Spring Break/ Age Limits

We do not rent to vacationing High School or College groups without a parent present for the duration of the stay. You must be 25 years of age or older to rent one of our units. If there are any members of the group under 25 years of age, there must be a parent or legal guardian present for the duration of the stay. The homeowner's association does allow for vacationing young adult groups. The goal is to maintain a family-friendly vacationing atmosphere. We cannot make any exceptions during spring break. If a reservation is made under false pretenses, we will evict and charge an additional $500 in addition to the rental amount and any damages.

Cable/Roku TVs

Is it necessary that we remind guests not to alter any cables or unplug any power cords or HDMI cords, or in any way disrupt the electronics? DO NOT allow children or teens to in any way alter our TV connections, or there will be a $100 fine for service calls to troubleshoot after your departure.

JBL Speaker/Google Nests

If any of these items are broken or not present (i.e., JBL charger) at the time of check-out, there will be a charge of $300 to your card. Do not remove the JBL charger from the unit.

Telephone Communications

We do not maintain a local phone service as it is not required.

Quiet Hours

Per Walton County noise ordinance, quiet hours are 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

General

While the unit is well stocked for a weekly guest, it may not have everything you will want for an extended stay. These units have basic items but will not have things like crockpots, butter dishes, gravy boats, sugar bowls, etc. If you are partial to certain cookware or kitchenware, you may want to bring it with you.

The following items are available at the condo during your stay:

*Keurig, Mr. Coffee, Iron, Ironing Board, 2-Hair Dryers, Sheets/pillowcases, pillows, comforters & bath towels*

A starter supply of bathroom tissue, soap, two kitchen trash bags, and one roll of paper towels are provided.

The guest will need to provide the following:

Additional Paper Products and Household Supplies
Laundry Detergent
Dishwasher Detergent
Spices, Coffee Filters
Beach Towels

Damage Waiver

A Damage waiver fee will be charged to each reservation and covers unintentional damages to the rental unit that occur during your stay, provided they are disclosed to management prior to check-out. The policy will pay a maximum benefit of $3,000.00. Any damages that exceed $3,000.00 will be charged to a credit card number we must have from you on file. The Damage Protection Waiver does not cover the guest for malicious intent, carelessness, failure to follow the rules for the condo, loss of keys, theft, failure to remove garbage from the property, smoking in the condo, failure to pick up after pets inside or outside the property, or leaving the house excessively dirty. These fees will be charged to the payment method on file. If we do not have a card number on file and you do not provide one, we may seek legal recourse.

1 The Number of Occupants is Not to Exceed the Condo Capacity.
2 Age Limits Must Be Obeyed.
3 Check in/out According to the Times Arranged.
4 Abiding by the Posted Association Rules.
5 Replacement Gate Remote Will Cost $50.
6 The Person Reserving This Condo is Responsible for Communicating the Rules to All Members of Their Group.
7 You Will Be Due for Any Damages Caused by Your Group if the Damages Are Not Covered by the Damage Waiver or Exceed $3000.
8 Following Pet Rules Are Particularly Important, and Failure to Do So Will Result in Fines Not Covered by the Damage Waiver and, in Extreme Cases, Eviction From the Premises. Feces Must Be Bagged and Disposed of in the Dumpster.
9 Pets Must Be Walked in the Appropriate Area on a Leash. Excessive Barking, Which Would Disturb Other Guests, Cannot Be Allowed.

Pet Rules

1 Bag and Dispose of All Animal Feces.
2 Be Sure to Clean Up After Your Pet. Pets Should Not Be Permitted to Lay on Furniture. Should They Need to Be Cleaned Due to Neglect, a Damage Waiver Will Be Charged. Clean Up All Shed Hair Prior to Departure as Well.
3 Walton County Does Not Permit Visitors to Go on the Beach With a Pet; You Are Welcome to Use the Boardwalk and Sidewalks, Which Will Offer a Good View of the Ocean While Walking Your Dog.
4 The Following Dog Breeds or Any Mix of These Breeds Are Not Permitted: Akita, Chow, Doberman, Pit-bull or Pit-Bull Mix, Rottweiler, American Staffordshire, and Wolf Hybrid. No Aggressive Pets Are Allowed of Any Breed.
5 Please Be Mindful of Other Guests and Do Not Allow Pets to Bark Incessantly, as This is Disturbing to the Community. Playing the Tv or Radio May Help Reduce Anxiety for the Pet While Left Alone.
6 Pets Must Always Be on a Leash When Outside the Unit and Fully Under the Control of the Owner.
7 Pets Are Not to Be Left Alone on the Patio.
8 If Your Pet Urinates Inside the Unit, the Urine Eradication Fee is $75
9 If the Floors Are Noticeably Soiled, Prewash Them With Vinegar/hot Water Before Departure.
10 Vacuum Pet Hair; Remove From Vacuum and Place Into the Garbage.

Indemnification Clause

THE PROPERTY OWNER, RENTAL AGENT, OR RENTAL AGENCY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR INJURY OF OR TO THE TENANT, TENANT'S FAMILY, GUESTS, INVITEES, AGENTS, OR EMPLOYEES OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON ENTERING THE PREMISES OR ANY BUILDING THAT IS A PART OR LIES UPON THE PREMISES, OR TO GOODS OR EQUIPMENT, OR IN THE STRUCTURE OR EQUIPMENT OF THE STRUCTURE OF WHICH THE PREMISES ARE A PART, AND TENANT HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD PROPERTY OWNER, RENTAL AGENT, RENTAL AGENCY HARMLESS FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS OR ASSERTIONS OF EVERY KIND AND NATURE. UPON PAYMENT OF YOUR DEPOSIT FOR THIS RESERVATION, YOU AGREE TO THIS INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSE.

Payments

By providing booking information, including credit card information, to book this condo, you have committed to pay Saltwater Shores the amount owed as outlined in this agreement, including any fees we may have to charge due to negligence or damages in excess of the damage waiver amount. We require an advance on the rental at booking, and the balance is due 60 days prior to arrival.

Seashells and Starfishes in a Wooden Bowl

Cancellation Policy

Reservations must be canceled 60 days prior to arrival for daily or weekly reservations, or the advance on the rental will be forfeited. Monthly reservations must be canceled 130 days prior to arrival, or the advance on the rental is forfeited. All cancellations are subject to a $200 processing fee. Cancellations for early departure do not warrant a refund. Under 60 days prior to arrival, the total amount paid will not be refunded. No refunds if we must cancel a booking for non-payment. We do recommend purchasing travel insurance. We do not refund for inclement weather or other items that would be covered by insurance.

PAYMENT OF ANY AND ALL RENTAL MONEY AUTOMATICALLY CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN, AND THE RENTER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ALL INFORMATION AND RULES IN THIS AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREED TO...OF YOUR OWN FREE WILL. The owner is, by Florida law, allowed to enter the property at any time if he/she suspects any actions that might breach this contract. The owner may also enter the property to check A/C filters and for any other reason necessary to maintain the security and comfort of the tenant. WE SUGGEST THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE GROUP RENTING & STAYING IN THE CONDO READ THIS AGREEMENT SHEET SO THAT ALL DO INDEED UNDERSTAND THE RULES OF THIS POLICY.

Departure Day Checklist

It is Especially Important That You Check Out on Time. Late Check-outs Will Result in a Fine of $200. Late Check-outs Cause Us to Pay More for Cleaning and Cause Delays for Other Guests Checking in. Please Let Us Know Your Anticipated Time of Departure by Text or Email the Day Prior to Departure.
Please Be Sure to Check the Unit Thoroughly Before Checking Out, as We Are Not Liable for Any Items Left Behind.
Place All Dirty Dishes in the Dishwasher and Start the Cycle. You Do Not Need to Wait for the Dishwasher to Complete Before Your Departure.
Place the Air Fryer Basket in the Dishwasher if Used.
Empty Filter/Pod and Leave Coffee Pot Clean.
Clean Out Refrigerator/Freezer.
Leave Appliances Clean.
Dispose of All Food/Spices/Grocery Bags.
Take Out the Garbage (All Bathrooms Also).
Please Pull Used Bed Linens and Leave Them Beside the Bed (Leave All Mattress Pads and Zippered Pillowcases on).
Leave All Dirty Towels in the Bathroom.
Leave Furniture Arranged Upon Arrival.
Turn Off All Lights-Leave Fans on Low.
Leave Remotes Beside TV-Remotes Are TV Specific.
Lock All Doors.
Return Parking Pass and Gate Remote (Replacement Gate Remote Will Cost $50).
Additional Fees Will Apply if the Unit Requires an Extra Deep Clean After Your Departure.