Frequently Asked Questions for Renters

Common Questions about Renting a Cottage

Are all of the cottages privately owned?

Yes, all of our homes are owned by private individuals.  They range in size from one bedroom cabins to seven bedroom waterfront homes. They are priced accordingly and by location and amenities offered. Many are used as family cottages by their owners and are offered for rental for a few weeks in summer, others are used for rental purposes only.

What amenities do the cottages have?

 All cottages are different and have different amenities varying from simple and rustic to upscale and luxurious.  Furnishings and fixtures will vary in quality and will be reflected in the rental rates.  Some cottages have cable TV or satellite, some have nothing more than TV with a DVD player.  Some cottages have internet access; most do not.   Most cottages DO NOT have air conditioning, so please read the descriptions to find the right cottage to fit your needs.  If you have any questions relating to the amenities of a specific cottage, please call us.  Use the advance search function to look for cottages that have air conditioning, a hot tub, internet access, and/or accept pets

Have you visited the cottages?

Every cottage has been inspected by one of our Account Managers to ensure it meets our minimum standards on acceptance into our management programme,  Where possible we also have our staff stay a night at a cottage and report on their experience.  Where we have done this you’ll see the ‘We’ve Stayed Here’ badge on the listing and you can talk to the person who experienced the stay.

What is included in the cost to rent a cottage?

All of our rentals include paper products, dishwashing soap, laundry detergent (where a washer is included), garbage bags, and cleaning equipment and supplies.  If the cottage has a wood-buring fireplace- there will be a starter bundle of wood, matches and starters for winter use. All our properties have fully-equipped kitchens including pots and pans, glassware and cutlery sufficient for the number of guests the cottage will accommodate.  Check the individual listing for a list of amenities and small appliances.

During the winter, snow will be removed from driveways, and shoveled away from doors prior to occupancy.  In most areas snow clearance is undertaken by private companies who have a pre-determined schedule of  ploughing.  After significant snowfall it may take up to two days before snow is cleared from all the cottage roads in the vicinity of a cottage. 

Can I bring my dog?

Many of our cottages are pet-friendly and their owners welcome four-legged guests.  They will ask you to follow their pet guidelines and pick up regularly, not allow pets onto furniture or into carpeted bedrooms, and ensure all dog hair is vacuumed before your departure.  Taking a pet to a cottage that is not designated as pet-friendly could result in a charge to your credit card and possible eviction without refund.  We would also like to point out that a ‘no pet’ rule does not mean there has not been a pet in the property (possibly the owners). 

Do you allow smoking in any of your homes?

None of our homes allow smoking inside the property and several ban smoking outside the property.

Are linens supplied?

Where cottages provide linens (sheets and towels), this is clearly stated in the description. Where towels are included, these must not be taken out of the cottage, so you will need to bring your own outdoor towels. Sufficient comforters or duvets, blankets and pillows are supplied in all cottages.

Do I have to clean the cottage before I leave?

Cleaning services are very hard to find in cottage country so most owners will drive up from the city to undertake a changeover and make the property ready for their next guests.  Since they will also have to do exterior maintenance and lawn mowing and time is limited, outgoing guests are usually required to leave a cottage in a clean and tidy condition and all necessary cleaning materials are provided.  Where cleaning is included, or provided as an optional extra, this is shown on the individual listing.

What is the Accidental Damage Protection Plan

Accidents do happen in vacation homes and these can be costly.  A window broken by a stray football; a hot pan placed on a countertop; a scratch on a stainless steel fridge door are just a few of the incidents reported to us over the course of a summer season.  A one-time non-refundable payment of $45 covers accidental damage up to $2500 providing it is reported to us before the vacation is completed.  Click here for more information on the Accidental Damage Protection Plan (ADDP).

Do you still need a damage deposit?

We will hold a credit card number in lieu of a damage deposit.  The ADDP covers accidental damage only as described in the Plan.  Damage not reported to us; caused by pets, or additional cleaning that is required to return a cottage to an ‘as found’ condition will be charged to the credit card in accordance with our Terms and Conditions of Rental.

How many people can I have at the cottage?

Each cottage has a maximum number of guests that are allowed and this includes all children, babies and any visitors. These limits are set by owner preference and restrictions their insurance company may impose.  We do not allow children or adults to sleep in sleeping bags so that the occupancy can be increased, nor do we allow tents or tent trailers to be used outside the cottage.  Maximum occupancy is shown on each listing, so check to make certain your cottage has sufficient accommodation for your group.

What is your cancellation policy?

When a deposit has been received the booking is considered confirmed and a refund can only be made If the period of rental can be re-booked.  If the period can be re-booked you will receive a refund for the period rented, less a cancellation fee of $150. If any part of the rental period cannot be rebooked, you will forfeit all monies paid for that period.  We recommend our Travel Guard Insurance Policy that covers a range of cancellation scenarios.

Do you rent cottages in the winter?

Not all our cottages are available for winter rental. Many close up by Thanksgiving and do not re-open until April or May.  The calendar for each cottage shows its availability.  Most of our winterised cottages have wood burning stoves or propane fireplaces and many have hot tubs for really enjoying the great outdoors  and keeping warm at the same time.  We have a handy document called Winter Wise that we ask you to read before renting a winter cottage.

How do I get a key?

Most of our cottages have keyless entry systems and you will be told the code when you make your final payment.  We ask our owners to leave a spare key hidden on the property in case the lock box fails to work