RENTAL POLICIES
Arrivals - Check In: 4:00 PM
Check Out: 11:00 AM
These times are necessary to prepare the home for incoming guests. Please contact Property Manager to see if the schedule can accommodate any changes to the check in or out times.
Directions to the house will be provided upon reservation. Property manager is available to meet guests upon arrival with adequate notice
Cancellation Policy - We require a payment of 50% of the total amount of the rental fees within 7 days of making the reservation to confirm the reservation. Failure to make this payment will result in an automatic cancellation. The remaining balance of the rental fees, plus the 12.5% Virgin Islands tax and $750 security deposit, is due no later than 60 days prior to arrival. Once we have received your deposit, if you cancel/change your reservation more than 60 days prior to arrival, there is no penalty and you will receive 100% of monies paid. If you cancel/change your reservation 30 to 60 days prior to arrival, there is a penalty of 50% of the total rental fees. If you cancel/change your reservation within 30 days of arrival, there is a 100% penalty of the total rental fees. Guests may wish to purchase trip cancellation insurance. No-shows, late arrivals, a reduction in the number of persons in your group and early departures after your arrival are non-refundable.
Capacity of Home - The total number of guests permitted in the home at any time is restricted to the number of guests who have scheduled and paid, but in no circumstance are more than 8 overnight guests allowed. If a group has misrepresented the number of guests, they must pay for the extra persons immediately or vacate the home immediately without a refund.
Conservation - We ask all guests to consider conservation measures when practical during their stay. Water and electricity are scarce resources and conservation of these services is a way of life on St. John. As you probably know, St. John has no underground water, but rather relies on rain water which is collected in cisterns and filtered before use. Using conservation measures such as not running the water while brushing teeth or shaving and taking showers of a reasonable length are all appreciated. Similarly, the cost of electricity on St. John is several times the rates incurred in the mainland US. The air conditioning in the home will not be turned on when you check into the property. At check in we will show you how to turn the systems on and off. We request that you turn the air conditioning and ceiling fans and lights off in all rooms when not in the home and always have windows fully closed when the air conditioning is turned on. It takes very little time to cool the rooms down when you return. We understand that this is your vacation and you are paying a considerable fee to rent the home and we want you to be comfortable and have an enjoyable time. We appreciate anything you are willing to do to help conserve water and electricity.
Complaints and Maintenance - We strive to ensure that the home is in excellent condition and we will attempt to make your stay as comfortable and trouble free as possible. In the event of a housekeeping or maintenance issue, we will respond as promptly as possible and make all efforts to correct any issues. No refunds will be offered for minor disruptions of any utilities or appliances, including, but not limited to, power outages, telephone or internet service or pool system. Please note that it often takes longer to repair items or resolve issues in the islands and this is generally out of our control.
Damages - You are responsible for any accidental damage over and above normal wear and tear that is incurred during your stay. We collect a security deposit of $750 but this does not limit the amount you may owe if there are damages in excess of $750. If there is no damage, or damages are less than $750, you will be refunded the balance.
Drugs and Hazardous Materials - No illegal substances are permitted on the property.
Furnishings/Linens and Supplies - The home is rented fully furnished, including an ample supply of bed linens and towels for the use of guests. Rearranging of furniture or removing any items from the home is prohibited. The home is also equipped with beach chairs, beach towels and coolers. Kayaks are also available for use a short walk from the house to a private rocky beach. There will be normal amount of supplies at the beginning of your stay, only of toilet paper, paper towels, soaps, detergent and trash bags. It is your responsibility to restock these once these supplies have been depleted.
Garbage Removal and Recycling - Guests are responsible for removing all trash to the appropriate containers located throughout the island. Directions to the nearest container will be provided upon arrival. It is a good idea to do this daily to prevent insects or rodents. A $50 fee will be charged if any trash is left behind upon your departure from the villa.
Guest Responsibilities - Guests should notify the owners of any problems encountered during their stay. If requested, minor problems can be addressed after guests depart for the day to minimize guest inconvenience.
Hurricane - Hurricane season in the Caribbean is from June 1 - November 30. We highly recommend that you purchase travel/trip cancellation insurance to cover expenses incurred. If you are in the home and a hurricane is threatening, you will need to make every effort to fly out of St. Thomas before the storm arrives. We will not allow guests to stay in the home during a hurricane. If you must depart the island early as a result of a hurricane that is threatening St. John, we will hold your deposit for a future stay in the home. If a hurricane is not a threat to St. John, however, and you are unable to travel due to canceled flights, you will forfeit your deposit.
Insects/Bugs - You are in the tropics so flying and crawling insects (and occasional) rodents are not uncommon. There will be some insect repellant at the house available for guests. Once that is depleted guests are responsible for acquiring what they need. Please be careful about leaving out any food or dirty dishes or trash not in the closed containers provided. We are not liable for any personal injuries from insects or bugs sustained by renters or visitors regardless of how such injuries may occur.
Internet/Telephone - The home is equipped with high speed internet and WiFi as a convenience to guests. There are occasional interruptions in service that are beyond our control. The home is also equipped with a landline telephone that is available for local calls only. Cellular phone service is reasonably good at the home but you may also incur service interruptions from the cellular phone companies as well. Any long distance call charges made during guest's stay are the guest's responsibility to pay and will be charged upon owner's receipt of telephone bill within 30 days after checkout, whichever comes first.
Television - The home is serviced by VIYA network, generally providing cable television, high-speed internet, WIFI, and landline telephone. At this time, VIYA has not restored service to our neighborhood in the far East End of St. John. We do have a smart 4K HDTV able to view Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services that guest are members of. We also have a DVD player and a collection of DVDs. We currently have high speed internet and WIFI provided by Love City Communication Network, but occasionally the signal is weak or interrupted. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience related to problems or interruptions with the network or cellular service but some of the issues are beyond our control.
If guest chooses to rent "Pay Per View" content on television, it will be guest's responsibility to pay for the charges incurred. These charges will be billed to guest within 30 days after check-out.
Keys - A $75 fee will be charged for any lost key.
Liability - Guests assume full responsibility for all activities and conduct while staying at the property (including use of kayaks or watercraft), and including all actions of guests and invitees or family members. Guests hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless homeowners from all claims, damages, lawsuits or injuries occurring upon the rented property, regardless of how such injuries may occur including all legal fees associated with such. Guests are responsible for the home during their rental occupancy. You must exercise care in protecting the villa against rain (i.e., closing windows and doors) when not on the premises.
Housekeeping/Maid Service - The home is cleaned thoroughly before your arrival. Additional maid service may be available for additional charges. This should be arranged and paid prior to your arrival.
Owner's Rooms - We may keep personal items in locked areas or closets. Please do not tamper with these areas.
Personal Effects - We maintain no responsibility for guests' personal effects that are left behind, forgotten, stolen or lost during your stay. If we are able to retrieve any left or lost items, we will pack and mail these items, if possible, to the guest, with the payment of shipping expenses.
Pets - Pets are not allowed on the property. Any pet that is brought to the home will result in a charge of $100 and immediate removal of the pet and/or eviction of the guests.
Service and Repairs - We reserve the right to enter the home, or have repair personnel enter the home, when the property or systems are in need of repair. We will attempt to minimize guest inconvenience.
Smoking - Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property. If this policy is violated and smoking is detected, a $400 penalty will be charged.
Tax - 12.5% Virgin Islands tax will be added to the rental charge. It will be collected with the second/final installment and payment or remaining rental fees.
For questions about our policies, please contact athena.swartley@gmail.com.
