House rules
The same terms at both our houses
One set of rules, whichever house you book. The few things that genuinely differ are listed at the bottom rather than buried in the middle.
These standardise the two properties and fill gaps where nothing was written down. Under review by the owners.
- Getting in
- A key, left in the house for you — nothing to collect and nobody to meet. How to let yourself in comes with your booking.
- Check in
- From 4:30 PM
- Check out
- By 10:30 AM
- Early or late
- By arrangement, subject to availability
- At check-in
- Government photo ID and a credit or debit card at check-in
- Minimum age to book
- 25, and the person who books stays in the house
- Quiet hours
- 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM
- Extra guests
- Everyone staying the night goes on the booking — tell us who is coming and we will add them
Dogs, smoking, events
Dogs are welcome
Up to 3, a nightly charge applies — the amount is on the Vrbo listing, approved before you book. Not left alone in the house, not on the beds.
No smoking indoors
No smoking indoors, anywhere. Smoking is fine on the porches. Both houses are old and timber-framed, so this one matters more than it usually does.
Events by arrangement
Events are welcome by prior arrangement only, under a separate event agreement and fee. Here that means up to 99 attendees.
Extra beds, and sleeping out
When a group books above the bed count we provide the difference: air mattresses, a pump, pillows and towels, and a new sleeping bag for each extra guest. The bag is new, nobody has slept in it, and you take it home with you. It is included in the extra-guest charge — there is nothing extra to pay for bedding.
The air mattresses stay indoors. They puncture on decking, gravel and dry grass, and cool night air lets them down overnight. Sleeping out is fine — just ask us first and bring your own mattress. Your sleeping bag is already yours, so that can go wherever you like. Plenty of families do it here and we are happy to say yes.
No deposit hold
A small non-refundable damage waiver added to each booking, covering accidental damage up to a set limit. Deliberate damage and missing items are still charged. A refundable deposit still applies to events and weddings, where the exposure is genuinely larger.
We changed this deliberately. A large hold on your card at the moment of booking is the thing most likely to make a good guest hesitate — and arguing about its return afterwards is how pleasant stays end badly.
If your plans change
- 30 or more days before arrival
- 100%
- 14 to 29 days before arrival
- 50%
- Within 14 days of arrival
- No refund
Events and weddings
- 6 or more months before the date
- 100%
- 3 to 6 months before
- 50%
- Within 3 months
- No refund
Before you leave
Short enough that it actually gets done:
- Sign out of any streaming accounts on the TV
- Start the dishwasher
- Bag the trash and put it in the outside cans
- Strip used linens into the basket
- Turn off the grill and close the gas
- Put any furniture you moved back
- Turn off all the lights
- Turn off any room air conditioning
- Leave the washer door open, unless a load is running
Particular to this house
- Events
- Up to 99 attendees
- Septic system
- Septic-safe toilet paper only, and nothing else flushed
- Getting in, and the shower
- A portable ramp can be set up for the entrance on request — ask when you book and it will be in place before you arrive. The downstairs master's walk-in shower has grab bars fitted.
- Guest house
- A separate guest house room is available as an add-on
Everything else is the same as at The Lake House.
Questions people ask
How do I know it looks like the photographs?
Ask us for a video walkthrough before you book. We would rather show you than have you arrive surprised.
Can we bring a dog?
Yes — up to three, approved before you book, for a small nightly fee. Not left alone in the house, and not on the beds. At the lake house please note the yard is not fenced, so bring a leash or a tie-out.
What if our plans change?
Full refund up to 30 days before arrival, half up to 14 days. Inside 14 days we cannot refund, because the week rarely refills at short notice.
Will 20 people actually be comfortable, or just fit?
The thing guests say most often is that nobody felt crowded. There are nine private sleeping areas and several separate common rooms, so a full house can still spread out.
Can we hold the ceremony here as well as the reception?
Yes, by arrangement. Dinner seats 30 indoors and 60 under the covered porches, and a tent goes up beside the pool for more.
Do we have to cater it ourselves?
No. A private chef can be arranged, which is unusual for a house this size in this area.
Is the whole house ours?
The main house is entirely yours, all of it, for your stay. The guest house is separate and can be added to your booking for two more king beds; when we are in town we stay on its main level, so you would see us only if you wanted to.
What to expect when you book
Dates, prices, availability and messages all live on Vrbo — payment, guest verification and cover stay on their side of the line, which protects you as much as us.
A same-day answer
Every enquiry answered within a few hours, and always the same day.
No deposit hold
A small damage waiver instead of a large refundable hold on your card.
Minimum stays
Two nights off-season, three on holiday weekends, longer only in peak.
Let yourself in
Keypad entry, and the code comes before you arrive. No key collection and nobody to wait for.
The house is yours
The main house is entirely yours for the stay. The guest cottage room can be added when you need it.
Events
Ask first, so we can be honest about whether the house suits your day.
On the morning you leave
- Set the thermostats to 78.
- Load the dishes and start the dishwasher.
- Leave good food if you think someone would enjoy it — please do not throw it away.
- Trash into the large containers across the driveway. Collection is early Tuesday.
- Strip the sheets and pillowcases and put them with the towels in the basket in your closet.
- Put the bed covers back neatly — the house is sometimes shown before the cleaners come.
- Clean the grill for whoever is next, and check the gas is off.