Policies

Lakeside Cottages Rental Terms

These policies are in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of you and your guests, subsequent renters and our cottage neighbours. We encourage you to read them to avoid any unpleasant consequences such as forfeit of your rental fee and/or damage deposit, additional cleaning and repair costs and (gasp!) eviction from the cottage. We would much prefer you have a pleasant, worry-free getaway by agreeing to a few simple ground rules.

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

  • Reservations: Reservations are confirmed upon approval of your rental application, receipt of a 50% deposit and written confirmation from Lakeside Cottages. The balance of payment is due 90 days prior to your check-in date. Reservations made less than 90 days prior to check-in must be paid in full at the time of booking.
  • Payment: We accept reservation payments by eTransfer and PayPal to stay@lakesidecottages.ca.
  • Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made less than 90 days prior to the check-in date are non-refundable. The exception to this rule is in the event of a new booking to fill the vacancy with another guest. Cancellations received in writing more than 90 days prior to check-in are refundable less a $250 cancellation fee.
  • Damage Deposit: A security/damage deposit of $2,000.00 is due with your booking deposit. 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 has been left as found, with everything in working order and nothing missing/broken or requiring repair/replacement outside of normal wear and tear, and no extra cleaning is required (e.g. stained towels, linens, furnishings, pet clean-up, dirty dishes, food, garbage & recycling). The security deposit may be used in part or in full to pay for any additional cleaning/repair charges. The security/damage deposit will be fully forfeited if the renter violates the occupancy and party policies outlined below.
  • Late Departure: $250 will be charged for late check-out after 10:00AM

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

  • Arrival/Departure: Check-in is 4:00 pm on the date of arrival. If for any reason our cleaning crew is delayed we will let you know as soon as possible. Check-out is 10:00 am on the date of departure. Since our next guests are often checking in on the same day, we cannot accommodate late check-out requests.
  • 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 Renter’s responsibility to ensure all doors are locked whenever leaving the property during the rental occupancy dates and upon check-out.

3. KEEPING IT CLEAN (Just pretend we’re your mother)

  • Cleaning & Repairs: For weekend and one-week rentals, the rental price includes one standard cleaning upon check-out. For multiple-week rentals, the rental price includes one standard cleaning for each additional week of occupancy. Notwithstanding all this cleaning, the cottage is to be left in the same condition as it was found upon check-in. Think tidy. This also applies to all furniture, fittings, décor and equipment both inside and outside the cottage: normal wear and tear is to be expected — reckless use and damage are not. Dirty dishes, leftover food and furniture out of place are all examples of additional cleaning costs. These will be charged to the renter at the rate of $100/hour (minimum 1 hour charge plus all repair/replacement costs) and deducted from the damage deposit.
  • Garbage: Garbage and recycling bags, as well as recycling bins are provided in the cottage. Disposal instructions are outlined in the Welcome Package and in the cottage binder. Renters are responsible for putting out garbage in the metal “bear bin” and recycling in the plastic recycling bin on the appropriate pick-up day (please retrieve the recycling bin after pick-up). Alternatively, garbage and recycling can be taken to the nearest transfer station or taken home with you. Any garbage or recycling left behind will be removed at the renter’s expense.

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

  • Pets: A maximum of one medium-sized dog (i.e. less than 70 lbs) is permitted per rental, with prior approval from Lakeside Cottages. It must be a hypo-allergenic breed, and a pet waiver must be signed. No other pets are allowed inside the cottage or on the property (excluding Windermere Cottage which has a no pet policy).
  • Smoking: Absolutely no smoking of any kind is allowed on the property, either inside or outside the cottage. We’re talking 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 rental agreement. All occupants will be evicted immediately without refund. The renter 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 Limit: The cottage is equipped to accommodate up to eight guests. This is the maximum number of overnight occupants. The name and age of every occupant must be registered with Lakeside Cottages at the time of booking. No sub-letting of the cottage is permitted.
  • Parties/Noise: Special celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries and wedding rehearsals are welcomed, with prior approval by Lakeside Cottages. In all cases, such events shall not:
    • Disturb neighbours and the quiet enjoyment of their property
    • Create loud noise or music that violates local by-laws (Shush by 11:00 pm in Muskoka)
    • Cause any damage to the property
    • Result in the police being called

This is a reputational issue for Lakeside Cottages as good neighbours in the Muskoka community. As a result, if a renter is found to have violated any of the above, or if any complaints are received by Lakeside Cottages or local authorities related to the above, all occupants will be immediately evicted and the damage deposit forfeited. The renter will also be responsible for all repairs and cleaning costs in excess of the damage deposit.

6. FOR YOUR SAFETY (and to keep our lawyer and insurance company happy)

  • Waiver of Liability: By accepting these terms, you (i.e. the renter) agree to abide by all cottage rental rules and policies. You further agree to use the cottage at your own risk and to indemnify Lakeside Cottages 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.
  • COVID-19: You accept all risks to the health of you, your family and your guests while occupying the cottage during the COVID-19 pandemic, and agree to abide by all government directives related to social distancing, group size limits and the wearing of protective masks.
  • Fire: It is the renter’s responsibility to check with the local municipality whether a fire ban is in effect during their rental period. This is not uncommon during the summer months. 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. Renters, their family and 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 is not responsible for any injury or loss of life to a renter, their family or guests 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.

  • Acts of God: In the rare and unlikely event that the cottage is unavailable due to factors beyond our control and we cannot accommodate you at one of our other properties, Lakeside Cottages will provide a full refund.