What to ask the cottage owners before you rent

Thinking of renting a cottage? Here are a few questions you should make sure to answer before plunking down your deposit.

Beyond the standard cottage description items - like is it on the waterfront, does it have a view of the water, and/or what is the distance to the water, how many bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. - there are more questions that you should ask before deciding which cabin or cottage

This is a master listing of questions; pick and choose the appropriate items that you need to make your vacation time the best possible one for you.

Specific Description & Expectations:

When is High Season - what are the start and end dates? (Prices are much higher during peak season, and different cottages/chalets have different start and end dates for their season.)
Do you have a Canada Select or CAA rating? (This becomes especially important if you cannot visit the property you want to rent before your stay. While pictures are telling, you cannot be 100% sure of the accuracy or how recent the photos are.)
Do you rent during the off-season/is the cottage winterized?
Does a cleaning crew come through between rental stays?
Is it a secluded area? What is the distance to other cottages? How busy is the waterfront?
Where is the owner or property manager if there is a problem? How are emergencies handled?
Where is the closest emergency room?
Pests: are there black flies, mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, etc.?
Is there a phone in the cabi/cottage/chalet, or how is cellular reception in the area?
Is there a dock?
How close to the cabin/cottage/chalet is the parking?
Is there a main office where I can check messages or have Internet connectivity?

What is included in the rental fee for the cabin/cottage/chalet:

Linens - pillows, blankets, towels
Toilet paper
Wood
Clothesline
Closets
Propane
Housekeeping
Television & VCR/DVD
Appliances (ask about toaster, microwave if you need one)
Lawn/deck chairs?

What is allowed:

Extra visitors? Is there an extra charge for additional people to stay at the cottage/cabin/chalet?
Can I bring pets?
Is smoking allowed? (You may want to ask this even if you don't smoke yourself. If any of your guests have allergies, a cabin/cottage/chalet with a history of smoking may not be a pleasant environment.)
Boating?

Directions and Location

How do I get to the cottage/cabin/chalet? Do you have a map available online?
What is the closest town?
Where is the nearest laundry?
Where is the nearest grocery store?
Where is the nearest hospital
Where is the nearest boat launch?

References & Legal

Can I contact past renters of the cottage/cabin/chalet?
What is the cancellation policy?
When is the deposit due?
May I see a copy of the lease agreement?

Optional:

Depending on why you are getting away, your lifestyle, who will be joining you, and the length of your stay, here are a few questions that may be important to your choice in cottages, cabins, or chalets.

What is there to do in the area? You might be interested in knowing what is in the region and what the highlights are.
Is there high watercraft traffic (sea doo, motor boats) in the area?
Is the house accessible (stairs, ramps)

Will children be visiting? Be sure to ask:

Is the cottage/cabin child-proof?
Is there high watercraft traffic (sea doo, motor boats) in the area?
How deep is the water?

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Basics Cottage Rental Tips For Owners For Renters What to ask Family Time Cottage Romance Cottage as Retreat Food	What to ask the cottage owners before you rent Thinking of renting a cottage? Here are a few questions you should make sure to answer before plunking down your deposit. Beyond the standard cottage description items - like is it on the waterfront, does it have a view of the water, and/or what is the distance to the water, how many bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. - there are more questions that you should ask before deciding which cabin or cottage This is a master listing of questions; pick and choose the appropriate items that you need to make your vacation time the best possible one for you. Specific Description & Expectations: When is High Season - what are the start and end dates? (Prices are much higher during peak season, and different cottages/chalets have different start and end dates for their season.) Do you have a Canada Select or CAA rating? (This becomes especially important if you cannot visit the property you want to rent before your stay. While pictures are telling, you cannot be 100% sure of the accuracy or how recent the photos are.) Do you rent during the off-season/is the cottage winterized? Does a cleaning crew come through between rental stays? Is it a secluded area? What is the distance to other cottages? How busy is the waterfront? Where is the owner or property manager if there is a problem? How are emergencies handled? Where is the closest emergency room? Pests: are there black flies, mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, etc.? Is there a phone in the cabi/cottage/chalet, or how is cellular reception in the area? Is there a dock? How close to the cabin/cottage/chalet is the parking? Is there a main office where I can check messages or have Internet connectivity? What is included in the rental fee for the cabin/cottage/chalet: Linens - pillows, blankets, towels Toilet paper Wood Clothesline Closets Propane Housekeeping Television & VCR/DVD Appliances (ask about toaster, microwave if you need one) Lawn/deck chairs? What is allowed: Extra visitors? Is there an extra charge for additional people to stay at the cottage/cabin/chalet? Can I bring pets? Is smoking allowed? (You may want to ask this even if you don't smoke yourself. If any of your guests have allergies, a cabin/cottage/chalet with a history of smoking may not be a pleasant environment.) Boating? Directions and Location How do I get to the cottage/cabin/chalet? Do you have a map available online? What is the closest town? Where is the nearest laundry? Where is the nearest grocery store? Where is the nearest hospital Where is the nearest boat launch? References & Legal Can I contact past renters of the cottage/cabin/chalet? What is the cancellation policy? When is the deposit due? May I see a copy of the lease agreement? Optional: Depending on why you are getting away, your lifestyle, who will be joining you, and the length of your stay, here are a few questions that may be important to your choice in cottages, cabins, or chalets. What is there to do in the area? You might be interested in knowing what is in the region and what the highlights are. Is there high watercraft traffic (sea doo, motor boats) in the area? Is the house accessible (stairs, ramps) Will children be visiting? Be sure to ask: Is the cottage/cabin child-proof? Is there high watercraft traffic (sea doo, motor boats) in the area? How deep is the water?
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