Our Policies

These policies ensure the safety and enjoyment of our guests as well as our neighbours. Please read to avoid any unfortunate consequences such as forfeiture of your rental fee and/or damage deposit, additional cleaning and repair costs and possible eviction. We want you to have a pleasant, worry-free getaway by establishing a few ground rules.

1. DEALING WITH DOLLARS (How to reserve, pay & cancel)

  • Reservations & Payment: Bookings are confirmed upon receipt of both your rental contract and deposit. Reservations made more than 6 months prior to your check-in date require a 25% deposit upon booking, 25% installment 6 months prior to check-in and a final 50% installment 90 days prior to check-in. Reservations made within 6 months of your check-in date require a 50% deposit upon booking and 50% final payment 90 days prior to check-in. Reservations less than 90 days prior to check-in must be paid in full at the time of booking. All payments may be made by e-transfer to stay@lakesidecottages.ca
  • Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received in writing more than 90 days prior to check-in are refundable less a $250 cancellation fee. Cancellations made less than 90 days prior to the check-in date are non-refundable. The exception to this is if Lakeside Cottages Muskoka is able to secure a new booking to fill the vacancy. On receipt of such notice of cancellation, Lakeside Cottages Muskoka will endeavour to rebook the Cottage Property for the term of the original booking. If Lakeside Cottages Muskoka is successful in securing a new booking for the entire period originally booked, the Cottage Renter will be refunded all monies paid less a cancellation fee of $250. If able to rebook the property for only a portion of the period originally booked, Lakeside Cottages Muskoka will refund the proportional monies paid related to the period rebooked, less a cancellation fee of $250. In the unlikely event Lakeside Cottages Muskoka cancels the reservation due to factors beyond our control and we cannot accommodate you at one of our other properties, a full refund will be provided. Guests will not be refunded for a late arrival or early departure. Requests by the Cottage Renter for alternate properties or dates within the Lakeside Cottages Muskoka collection will be processed only if the original booking can be rebooked.
  • Damage Deposit: A security/damage deposit of $2,000 is due one week prior to your check-in date. This deposit will be returned no later than two (2) weeks after the rental term once a post-checkout inspection has confirmed the cottage property and contents have been left as found, with everything in working order and nothing missing/broken or requiring repair/replacement outside of normal wear and tear, and that no extra cleaning is required (e.g. stained towels, linens, furnishings, pet clean-up, dirty dishes, food, garbage & recycling). The security deposit will be used in part or in full to pay for any additional cleaning/repair/replacement charges. The security/damage deposit will be fully forfeited if the renter violates the occupancy and noise policies outlined below.

2. WELCOME TO THE COTTAGE! (The ins and outs of getting in and out)

  • Arrival & Departure: Check-in on day of arrival is no earlier than 4:30 pm and check-out on day of departure is no later than 10:00 am. Due to check-in/check-out being on the same day, Lakeside Cottages Muskoka is not able to accommodate early check-in or late check-out requests. A late departure fee of $250 will be charged to guests who have not checked-out by 10:00 am.
  • Security & Access: The cottage address will be provided upon completion of the contract. The keypad access code will be provided prior to check-in. It is the cottage guests’ responsibility to ensure all doors are locked whenever leaving the property during the occupancy dates and upon check-out.

3. KEEPING IT CLEAN (Make your Mama proud!)

  • Linens, Furnishings & Cleaning: Lakeside Cottages Muskoka provides linens including sheets, pillow cases, bathroom towels, beach towels, dish cloths and dish towels. Guests are welcome to use the onsite washer and dryer; however, must not use bleach products in these appliances at any time. One-week and weekend bookings include a professional “cottage turnover” cleaning upon check-out. For multi-week bookings we include one mid-stay cleaning for each additional week of occupancy. Guests are expected to leave the cottage in the same condition in which it was found upon check-in, i.e. neat and tidy. This applies to all furniture, appliances, décor and equipment both inside and out. Normal wear and tear are expected – reckless use and damage are not. Dirty dishes, leftover food and furniture out of place will result in additional cleaning costs charged to the guest at the rate of $100/hour (minimum 1 hour charge, plus any repair/replacement costs) and deducted from the security deposit. Guests will not rearrange the furniture or fixtures at the Cottage Property and will not attempt any repairs, but will contact our Property Manager for any emergency repairs.
  • Garbage & Recycling: Garbage and recycling bags as well as a recycling bin are provided in the cottage. Disposal instructions are outlined in the Welcome Package and in the Cottage Binder. Guests are responsible for putting out garbage in the metal “bear bin” and recycling in the blue plastic recycling bin on the appropriate pick-up day or upon checkout (please retrieve the recycling bin after pick-up). Alternatively, garbage and recycling can be taken to the nearest transfer station (location in Cottage Binder) or taken home with you. Any garbage or recycling left behind in the cottage will be removed at the guests’ expense.

4. PET PEEVES (We have your back, allergy sufferers)

  • Pets: A maximum of one small/mid-sized, adult dog (i.e. less than 60 lbs.) is permitted with prior approval from Lakeside Cottages Muskoka and the breed must be hypo-allergenic. Pet owners will refrain from allowing their dog on bedding and upholstered furniture, and always attend to them outside so they do not wander onto neighbouring properties. No other pets are allowed inside the cottage or on the property (excluding Windermere Cottage which has a no pet policy).
  • Smoking/Vaping: Absolutely no smoking of any kind is allowed on the property, either inside or outside the cottage. Zero tolerance here, including all forms of tobacco and cannabis products, as well as e-cigarette and vaping products. Failure to abide by the smoking and pet policies will automatically void the booking agreement. All guests will be evicted without refund. Guests will also be responsible for all associated cleaning costs which will be deducted from the damage deposit.

5. PEOPLE AND PARTIES (It’s a cottage, not a frat house)

  • Occupancy Limits: Amber, Sapphire, Topaz and Windermere each accommodate up to 8 guests. Ruby accommodates up to 12 guests. These are the maximum numbers of overnight occupants for our properties, unless pre-approved in writing by Lakeside Cottages Muskoka. The name and age of every guest must be registered with Lakeside Cottages Muskoka at the time of booking. Should the cottage renter contravene the maximum number of permitted guests, the cottage renter will be subject to eviction without refund, or an additional nightly charge of $200 per person at the discretion of Lakeside Cottages Muskoka. No other overnight guests shall be permitted at the cottage property without prior written permission by Lakeside Cottages Muskoka. Subletting of the cottage is not permitted.
  • Neighbours & Noise: Guests will abide by local noise by-laws and treat neighbouring cottagers with respect. Celebrations (birthdays, anniversaries and wedding rehearsals) are welcome with prior approval by Lakeside Cottages Muskoka. Guests must not disturb neighbours and the quiet enjoyment of their property, or create loud noise/music which violates local by-laws (11:00 pm in Township of Muskoka) and/or act in a manner that results in a visit from the local authority. This is reputational for Lakeside Cottages Muskoka as good neighbours in the community. If guests violate any of the above, or if any complaints are received by Lakeside Cottages Muskoka or local authorities, all occupants will be evicted and the damage deposit forfeited.

6. FOR YOUR SAFETY (The key to everyone’s enjoyment)

  • Fire: It is the guests’ responsibility to check with the local municipality whether a fire ban is in effect during their occupancy (contact info in the Cottage Binder). This is not uncommon during the dry summer months. Outside fires are prohibited between dawn and dusk in Muskoka irrespective of any temporarily-imposed fire bans. While the cottage is equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, please use common sense when using any open flame in the cottage or on the property. Do not leave fires or candles burning unattended. We encourage use of the flameless candles provided. The cottage is also equipped with several fire extinguishers – take time to familiarize yourself with their locations.
  • Winter: All our cottage docks have bubbler devices to prevent damage from lake ice. This means there is open water around our docks and waterfront during the winter months. All guests are advised to stay clear of these areas; failing to do so poses inherent danger and is at the individual’s own risk. Lakeside Cottages Muskoka is not responsible for any injury or loss of life to a guest due to our ice prevention systems. We make every effort to clear snow from the driveway, parking area and front entrance of your cottage before you arrive. Driveways are plowed on an as-needed basis by our snow removal service providers in consultation with our Property Manager. Due to logistical limitations, we are unable to hand-shovel front entrance steps after each snowfall. We ask for your assistance and cooperation in clearing these small areas; shovels and ice melt crystals are provided for your convenience.
  • Waiver of Liability: By accepting these terms, you (i.e. the guests) agree to abide by all cottage booking rules and policies. You further agree to use the cottage at your own risk and to indemnify Lakeside Cottages Muskoka and its owners of all liability from such use, including harm from personal injury, sickness, death, loss and damage regardless of cause to you, your family and guests both during and after occupancy.