SUPPORT WITH SHORT TERM RENTAL CONTRACTS

When setting up a short-term rental, having a solid contract is essential to protect both you and your guests. A well-drafted short-term rental agreement clarifies the terms, expectations, and policies for the rental. Here’s a breakdown of the key components to consider and include:

Key Elements of a Short-Term Rental Contract

1. Property Information:

• Full address of the rental property.
• Description of the property (number of rooms, features, amenities).

2. Guest Information:

• Full names of the guest(s) renting the property.
• Number of occupants and their relationship (e.g., family, friends).

3. Rental Term:

• Start and end dates of the rental period.
• Check-in and check-out times.

4. Rental Fees:

• Total rental amount.
• Breakdown of costs (nightly/weekly rate, cleaning fees, taxes, etc.).
• Payment terms (due dates for deposits and final payments).
• Accepted payment methods.

5. Security Deposit:

• Amount of security deposit.
• Conditions for withholding any part of the deposit (damage, late check-out, extra cleaning, etc.).
• Timeline and method for returning the deposit after check-out.

6. Cancellation Policy:

• Conditions under which guests can cancel.
• Refund policies (e.g., full refund if cancelled 30 days before, partial refund if closer to check-in).

7. House Rules:

• Noise restrictions (especially important for apartments or shared spaces).
• Smoking policy.
• Pet policy (if allowed, include additional fees or rules).
• Parking information.
• Use of amenities (e.g., pool, gym, laundry).

8. Occupancy Limits:

• Maximum number of guests allowed in the property.
• Penalties for exceeding the occupancy limit.

9. Damages and Liability:

• Guest’s responsibility for damages beyond normal wear and tear.
• Procedure for reporting damages.
• Owner’s or manager’s liability limits in case of injury or loss of property.

10. Cleaning and Maintenance:

• Guest’s responsibility for cleaning during the stay.
• Cleaning fees and services provided after the stay.
• Expectations for cleanliness upon check-out (e.g., dishes washed, garbage removed).

11. Access to Property:

• Whether the property owner/manager will have access during the stay (e.g., for maintenance or emergency purposes).
• Notification policy for any access during the rental period.

12. Check-Out Procedures:

• Clear instructions on check-out (locking doors, returning keys, etc.).
• Penalties for late check-out or not following the procedures.

13. Dispute Resolution:

• Process for resolving disputes (e.g., through mediation, arbitration, or small claims court).
• Jurisdiction of the contract.

14. Emergency Contact Information:

• Contact details for the property owner or manager in case of emergencies.

15. Signature and Date:

• Signature lines for both the guest(s) and the property owner/manager.
• Date of signing.