Rental Policy

Check-in time is 4:00 p.m. Please allow housekeeping time to prepare your vacation home properly. Please don’t go inside until 4:00 p.m.

• Check-out time on Weekday Specials is 10:00 a.m. So that we can prepare the house for the next family we must ask that you be out of the house by 10:00 a.m.
• Check-out time on Weekly rentals is 11:00 a.m.
• Check-out time on Weekend rentals is on your confirmation letter.

Your full security deposit will be refunded within two weeks of your check out date if:

• You have not had more people or cars on the property than the maximum number of people or cars shown for your house below.
• There is no damage or excessive cleaning required because of your rental.
• House is left in the same good and clean condition in which it was found.
• Trash is placed in outside trash containers.
• Dishes washed (your house will have a dishwasher). Satellite and TV remote controls are left by TV. If you’ve used the Linen Option, all linens and towels are placed in the provided laundry bags.
• You’ve checked out on time.
• You had made prior arrangements with us if you were going to have any pets in the house.
• You or your guests did not drive or park on the grass. (This damages the septic systems).
• You’ve returned both keys back to the lock box, or called us with any issues.

Because of the quality of our houses we cannot rent for parties or to minors. We work very hard to maintain a quiet family atmosphere. Any use of the house for purposes other than family vacations must be addressed at the time of the reservation.

The maximum allowed in each beach house or on the property is shown on the individual beach house pages. Please observe and note the guest capacity and number of cars allowed for your rental.

If this maximum number is exceeded you may be asked to leave without a refund.

Securing Your Reservation

• When you reserve a house we must receive your security deposit plus 40% of the rent (including taxes) within five days in order to hold your reservation.
• Your payment can sometimes be broken up into two payments if it is worked out ahead of time. We are required to collect a 10% Hotel-Motel Tax. This isn’t as bad as it might be. Galveston charges 15% and Houston now charges 17%.
• Your remaining rent (and taxes) must be received 30 days before your date of arrival if you are renting a 1 to 5 bedroom house and received 90 days before your date of arrival if you are renting a 6 to 9 bedroom house.
• We do not charge a $50 (or $57.50) reservation fee. If you cancel your reservation we do not charge a $50 cancellation fee. We do not charge 3% if you use a credit card.

If you wish to lock in a specific date and house for next year, we are happy to accept advance reservations. We will need to receive the security deposit and 40% of the rent within five days. We do not charge advance reservation fees. If you elect to cancel we do not charge a cancellation fee. But, we do abide by the cancellation policies shown below.

If you wish to lock in a specific date and house for next year, we are happy to accept advance reservations. We will need to receive the security deposit and 40% of the rent within five days. We do not charge advance reservation fees. If you elect to cancel we do not charge a cancellation fee. But, we do abide by the cancellation policies shown below.

Pets are wonderful. But, they require a lot of extra cleaning. Therefore, we must collect the following additional cleaning fees prior to your stay: Dogs less than 10 pounds — $50 per dog. Dogs less than 25 pounds — $100 per dog. Maximum of two dogs. We are unable to allow cats, birds, or dogs over 25 pounds. We are unable to allow any pets in the Texas Coral, Texas Star, Texas Giant, or Gulf Giant. If a pet or evidence of a pet is found without prior arrangements your security deposit will be forfeited. If your pet is disturbing others you will have to remove him (or her) from the property.

All of our houses have air conditioning, satellite TV, DVD player, washing machine, dryer, refrigerator, dish-washer, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, pots and pans, dishes, utensils, and an Old Smoky charcoal grill. Despite our best efforts to keep things working, at times we must wait for parts or service. Please bear with us during these times. Please report break-downs as soon as possible and we will make every reasonable effort to resolve the problem. However, under no circumstances will there be a reduction of rent for any failure of air conditioners, appliances, or amenities.

We do not furnish sheets, blankets, towels, paper goods, toilet paper, or soap and cleaning supplies. If you wish, we can provide linens and towels for an additional charge which is explained on the individual beach house pages. Go to the Things To Bring page that can be printed and may be useful.