Our Policies

This is a Guest License Agreement (the “Agreement”) and constitutes a contract between the Guest (the “Guest” or “Guests”) and The Vacation Company (the “Company”). Each property is privately-owned including the furnishings, with the Company acting as agent for the owner. The Guest is a licensee of the owner and not a tenant and is not acquiring any interest in the property. You must sign and initial this Agreement where noted and return the signed and initialed Agreement to the Company within fourteen (14) days of making your reservation.

1. PAYMENT DETAILS

Deposit Payment - A deposit of 50% of the total rental and other fees/services/charges requested in advance of the scheduled rental (including travel insurance) is required to confirm the reservation. This 50% deposit must be paid by credit card. We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.
Final Payment – Your full payment of the total rental and any other related fees/services/charges requested in advance (including travel insurance) must be received by the Company no later than thirty (30) days prior to your scheduled arrival for villas or forty-five (45) prior to your scheduled arrival for homes. If we don't receive your payment thirty (30) days before your scheduled arrival for villas or forty-five (45) days before your scheduled arrival for homes, we will automatically bill the credit card on file for the reservation for your final payment. If you request additional services during your stay, these will be charged to your credit card on file for the reservation.
•Any increase in the amount imposed by government (or any other applicable regulatory agency) tax, fees, or charges from the date this Agreement is executed through Guest’s departure date shall be paid by Guest. Guest hereby authorizes Booking Agent to charge Guest’s credit card for the diﬀerence between the original tax amount previously paid by Guest and any increased governmental tax, fee or charge amount.

2. CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT POLICY

Age – Guest agrees that he or she is at least 25 years of age or older and will be occupying the property during the dates requested. Guest shall also identify (below) all persons that may also be staying on the property during the occupancy.
Check -in:

Check-in time – Guest acknowledges that check-in is NO EARLIER THAN 4:00 PM. In the event that a property is not ready by 4:00 PM, no rental refund will be issued.
Check-in procedure – When your balance is paid in full and we’ve received your signed Agreement as required above, you will receive an email for our express check-in procedures. The email will give details on how to enter “Guest Connect” for all your check-in information. The check-in info will allow you access to all the pertinent information for your vacation rental property. This includes directions to the property, codes to access your front door, garage codes, property phone number (if applicable), Wi-Fi code, and any other information needed for your property.

Check-out:

Check-out time – Guest acknowledges that check-out is NO LATER than 10:00 AM.
Check-out procedure – Guest acknowledges that the following procedures will be completed prior to check-out.

The dishwasher is loaded and started.
All trash is removed and placed in designated trash areas.
All beach towels are in the laundry area.
All bath towels are in the bathroom.
All doors are locked and secured.

Check-out inspection

An approved credit card must be on file in case of damage to the property. Company and its entities shall conduct a check-out inspection of the property after each departure. Should damages be evident during the inspection, Guest authorizes Company to charge credit card on file for any damages, including but not limited to excessive cleaning and property damage.

Early Check-in and/or Late Check-out. Guests may request early check-in and/or late check-out for a property. Company cannot guarantee early check-in or late check-out, and it should not be expected by a Guest. If a Guest is granted early check-in and/or late check-out for a property, this Agreement applies to the full period of Guest’s occupancy of the property including any such period of early check-in and/or late check-out.

3. CAR PASSES/PARKING PASSES

Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, or Shipyard – If you are staying in Sea Pines, Palmetto Dunes, or Shipyard, the plantation’s car gate passes will be mailed to you 3 weeks prior to your arrival. Please make sure parking passes are always visible. Two car passes are included with your reservation. If you need additional car passes, they are available for purchase, please contact our office at 843.686.6100.
North and South Forest Beach villa complexes – Parking passes will be delivered to the Premises on the day of arrival. Please make sure parking passes are always visible.

4. CANCELLATION POLICY

Trip Insurance –We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect the payments you’ve made under this Agreement in the event you may need to cancel. If Guest has purchased travel insurance, any or all trip reimbursement will be subject to the policy terms and conditions. The travel insurance agreement is between Guest and the Policy Provider. The Vacation Company is not the policy provider.
Outside of 30 days (villas) or 45 days (homes) - Reservations canceled before 30-days of arrival for villas/condos, or before 45-days of arrival for homes, will be refunded all payments minus a reservation fee plus tax. The reservation fee and associated taxes are nonrefundable. The reservation fee and taxes will be charged to your credit card on file for the reservation.*EXCLUDES 125 DUNE LANE, 2 QUAIL, 57 DUNE LANE & 35 MOORING BUOY. SEE BELOW CANCELLATION POLICY.
Inside of 30 days (villas) or 45 days (homes)- If Guest cancels within 30-days of arrival for villas/condos, or 45-days of arrival for homes, all payments will be forfeited and are nonrefundable. No refunds for early departures or no-shows. If you have purchased travel insurance, any or all trip reimbursement will be subject to the policy terms and conditions. The travel insurance agreement is between Guest and the Policy Provider. The Vacation Company is not the policy provider. *EXCLUDES 125 DUNE LANE, 2 QUAIL, & 57 DUNE LANE. SEE BELOW CANCELLATION POLICY.
125 Dune Lane, 2 Quail, & 57 Dune Lane - Reservations canceled before 90-days of arrival will be refunded all payments minus a reservation fee plus tax. The reservation fee and associated taxes are nonrefundable. The reservation fee and taxes will be charged to your credit card on file for the reservation. If Guest cancels within 90-days of arrival, all payments will be forfeited and are nonrefundable. No refunds for early departures or no-shows. If you have purchased travel insurance, any or all trip reimbursement will be subject to the policy terms and conditions. The travel insurance agreement is between Guest and the Policy Provider. The Vacation Company is not the policy provider.
Long Term Rental/Rental over 21 nights: Reservations canceled before 60-days of arrival will be refunded all payments minus a reservation fee plus tax. The reservation fee and associated taxes are nonrefundable. The reservation fee and taxes will be charged to your credit card on file for the reservation. If Guest cancels within 60-days of arrival, all payments will be forfeited and are nonrefundable. No refunds for early departures or no-shows. If you have purchased travel insurance, any or all trip reimbursement will be subject to the policy terms and conditions. The travel insurance agreement is between Guest and the Policy Provider. The Vacation Company is not the policy provider.
Storms - There are no refunds in the event of a tropical storm, tropical depression, hurricane, or named/numbered storm, and all payments will be forfeited and are nonrefundable. If Guest has purchased travel insurance, any or all trip reimbursement is between you and the insurance company and will be subject to the policy terms and conditions. The travel insurance agreement is between Guest and the Policy Provider. The Vacation Company is not the policy provider.
Cancellation due to Orders, Ordinances, Laws, Rules or Regulations Restricting or Prohibiting Rentals. Reservations are subject to cancellation on the basis of any order, ordinance, law, rule or regulation restricting or prohibiting short-term rentals and which is or has been issued by any governmental entity, including orders of the Governor of the State of South Carolina and/or ordinances adopted by The Town of Hilton Head Island. There are no refunds in the event of any such order, ordinance, law, rule or regulation.

5. ANIMAL POLICY

NO DOGS, CATS, OR OTHER ANIMALS – Guest is not permitted to have dogs, cats, or other animals on or at the property, unless agreed upon by Company prior to arrival, and the nonrefundable dog fee is paid (except in the case of service animals or emotional support animals as described below).
ANIMAL-FRIENDLY RESERVATIONS - Guest agrees to be responsible for picking up after any pet or other animal and won't allow the animal to be left unattended. Animals are not permitted on furniture or beds in the property. If additional costs are incurred for cleaning, pick-up, flea treatments and/or similar actions as a result of an animal, the Guest’s credit card on file will be charged for these costs. The nonrefundable animal fee is $300.00 plus tax for the first animal and $150.00 plus tax for each additional animal (if the property allows for more than one animal).
SERVICE AND/OR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS - Company shall make reasonable accommodations upon written request for a service animal or an emotional support animal, in accordance with applicable law, and no advance animal fee shall be required. Guest must submit a written request for the service animal or emotional support animal in advance of their reservation. Company may request information and/or documentation in accordance with applicable law supporting the animal’s status as a service animal or emotional support animal, together with up to date veterinary records confirming the animal is current with all vaccinations. Company reserves the right to withdraw consent and demand removal of any previously permitted service animal or emotional support animal upon evidence of injury or damage to person or property caused by the animal, threatening or aggressive behavior of the animal, damage done by the animal to the property, non-compliance by the Guest with local ordinances and state laws regarding custody and control of the animal, or any other applicable law.
NUISANCE ANIMALS - Under no circumstances will a nuisance animal be tolerated on the property and the Company reserves the right to withdraw consent and demand removal of any animal on the property in the event it is reported or complaints are registered that the animal is a nuisance including, but not limited to, being off leash or out of Guest’s control, running unrestrained off the premises, aggressive or uncontrolled behavior towards other animals or persons, or excessive noise or barking. Such conduct may further include the Guest allowing the animal to defecate on the property or on others’ property without cleaning up after the animal. This prohibition specifically applies to all animals and including service animals and emotional support animals. If an animal fee has been paid, and the animal becomes a nuisance and most be removed from the property, any animal fee is forfeited and nonrefundable.

6. SMOKING/VAPING POLICY

NO SMOKING/VAPING - ALL properties are designated as NO-Smoking, and which includes no-vaping. If Company finds that a guest (including family members, friends, and all other guests and/or people Guest allows on the property (invitees)) has smoked or vaped in the property (or on the porch/patio or balcony) the Guest will be charged for any cost pertaining to any damage and including the removal of the smell to the property (i.e., carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, ozone machine rentals, etc.). These costs will be charged to the credit card on file for the reservation.

7. AMENITIES

Bikes - If your rental property (ONLY HOUSES; VILLAS/CONDOS NOT INCLUDED) includes bikes as an amenity, they will be available for your 4:00 PM check-in until 10:00 AM check-out. Please note monthly/snowbird winter rental guests do not have access to the bike program.
Waiver and Release - Guest understands that riding bicycles, golfing and driving a golf cart, and the use of amenities, including but not limited to pools, hot tubs, fireplaces, elevators, and grills, entails risk which cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injuries. Guest acknowledges that bicycle locks may be provided and required to be used during any period where the bicycles are not ridden. Guest shall be financially responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged bicycles and understand that I will be charged $150.00 per bicycle through a charge to my credit card on file with the reservation. On behalf of Guest, family members, friends, and all other guests and/or people Guest allows on the property (invitees), Guest knowingly and freely assume all risks, both known and unknown, and assume full responsibility for the use by invitees of all amenities, golfing facilities, and any bicycle and golf cart use. If Guest, and and/or any invitee is injured, or property is damaged or lost, Guest, on my behalf, and on behalf of invitees, and on behalf of Guest’s heirs or personal representatives and the heirs and personal representatives of invitees, releases, waives, holds harmless, discharges, and will indemnify the Company, its owners, representatives, employees, agents, and contractors and the owner of the Premises (Company Parties) from, and agree not to sue the Company Parties (or any of them) and/or the owner of the Premises for, claims for injury or damage that directly or indirectly results from Guest’s occupancy and use of the Premises, use of any of any amenities or golf facilities or use of any bicycles or golf carts (and the occupancy and use of the Premises, amenities, bicycles, and/or golf carts by invitees). Guest, on Guest’s behalf, and on behalf of invitees, and including Guest’s heirs or personal representatives and heirs and personal representatives of any invitee, also releases, waives, holds harmless, discharges, and will indemnify Peddling Pelican, LowSea Beach, Bike, & Baby, LLC, and/or Vacation Comfort Bike Rentals, their owners, representatives, employees, agents, and contractors from, and agree not to sue, the Peddling Pelican, LowSea Beach, Bike, and Baby LLC, and/or Vacation Comfort Bike Rentals, their representatives, employees, agents, and contractors, and the owner of the Premises for, claims for injury or damage that directly or indirectly results from use of any bicycles.
Guest agrees to hold harmless and indemnify owners of the Premises for any damages to property including damages to the furnishings, fixtures, equipment, or household items which occur as a result of Guest’s occupancy and use of the Premises, and occupancy and use of the Premises by invitees. The Company or owner will not be liable for any damages or loss to the Premises or for any accident that may occur to Guest or any invitees during occupancy or use of the Premises. The Company or owner may re-enter the Premises at any reasonable time for making repairs. The Company and/or owner is not responsible for articles left in or on the property. IN ADDITION TO OTHER REMEDIES, GUEST AGREES AND AUTHORIZES COMPANY TO CHARGE GUEST’S CREDIT CARD ON FILE FOR THE RESERVATION FOR DAMAGES TO THE PROPERTY WHEN OCCUPIED BY THE GUEST OR HIS/ITS INVITEES.

8. ELEVATOR

Private Homes: Elevator access must be scheduled and requested upon booking. Additional fees and waivers apply for elevator access. Elevator use is subject to availability based on operating safety requirements. Elevator use is not guaranteed, and monetary compensation will not be given if the elevator is unusable due to a mechanical outage.
Villa Complexes: The complex regime manages the elevators on-site. Elevator use is an amenity subject to availability based on operating safety requirements. Elevator use is not guaranteed, and monetary compensation will not be given if the elevator is unusable due to a mechanical outage.

9. POOL/ SPA

Pool or Spa Heat - Pool or spa heat must be scheduled at least fourteen (14) days prior to arrival. A flat fee has been determined for different seasons. If the weather drops below 50 degrees, the pool may not be capable of being heated. NO REFUND OF THE RENTAL WILL BE GIVEN IF POOL HEATING EQUIPMENT FAILS.

Waiver and Release - Guest understands that swimming entails risks which cannot be eliminated regardless of the care taken to avoid injuries. On behalf of Guest and invitees, Guest knowingly and freely assumes all such risks, both known and unknown, and assumes full responsibility for Guest’s use, and the use of invitees, of any private pool or spa on the property, any neighborhood or property owners' association pool, or any community-wide pool accessible to renters of the property. If Guest or any invitee is injured, or property is damaged or lost while using any such pool or spa, Guest, on Guest’s behalf, on behalf of invitees, and on behalf of Guest’s heirs or personal representatives and the heirs or personal representatives of invitees, does hereby release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless the Company Parties from, and agree not to sue the Company Parties for, claims for injury, loss, or damage that directly or indirectly results from use of any such pool or spa.

10. MID-STAY CLEANING

Weekly Rentals – No mid-stay cleans are included in weekly rentals. If Guest would like to purchase a mid-stay clean, please call our office at 843-686-6100. Any such costs shall be charged to the credit card on file for the reservation.
Monthly Rentals - A mid-stay clean is required with all stays over 28 days. Please call our office at 843-686-6100 for additional information and scheduling.

11. ACCIDENTAL DAMAGES INSURANCE

Coverage - The Company provides rental guests with protection for accidental damage during your stay. This protection will cover up to $1,000.00 for accidental damage to real or personal property. The damage must be reported before Guest departure. This plan covers only guests who rent through the Company and is not available for any other invitees.
Malicious or intentional damage is not covered.
Relocating, moving, adjusting, or making changes to any furniture, fixtures, or equipment is not covered.

12. PROHIBITED ITEMS, LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS

Guest agrees to abide by all applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances, including any Planned Unit Development covenants, conditions or restrictions while occupying the property. Guest agrees and acknowledges that fireworks are prohibited by county ordinance. For rentals within Palmetto Dunes, Sea Pines, Island Club, and Shipyard Plantation: motorcycles, campers or trailers, recreational vehicles, and boat trailers are prohibited within the communities. For rentals which are oceanfront, the Town of Hilton Head Island has exterior lighting restrictions that are strictly enforced between May 1st and October 31st for the protection of the sea turtle nests, which if not observed, may result in fines to the Guest. Additional town and community rules and regulations may apply and will be posted with the property. If Company learns that Guest or any invitees have violated any of these ordinances, rules, and/or regulations, Company may notify Guest that its rental is terminated. In such an event, Guest will immediately vacate the Premises, any deposits and fees paid to the Company for the rental shall be forfeited, and Guest will also be responsible for any costs and charges related to such termination. However, in additional to any forfeited deposits and fees, Company may recover from Guest any and all other damages, loss, and expense caused by the prohibited conduct of Guest and invitees.

13. MISCELLANEOUS

Household Repairs and Maintenance. Household furnishings, fixtures, equipment, systems and appliances are owned and maintained by the Owner. Owner may sometimes request Company to repair or replace damaged, old or non-operating furnishings, fixtures, equipment, systems and appliances. Guests may also contact the Company to repair or replace damaged or non-operating furnishings, fixtures, equipment, systems and appliances, or to address maintenance or cleaning issues for a property. Guest understands that any such repair, replacement, maintenance or cleaning issue for a property is handled by the Company’s vendors and contractors. Company will make reasonable efforts to accommodate repair, replacement, maintenance or cleaning requests by a Guest within 24 hours; however, the Company does not offer refunds or discounts for any of these issues unless the property is uninhabitable.
Availability/Condition of Premises - Should the owner elect to remove this property from the management responsibility of Company or should the Premises be undergoing any major repairs or should the Premises be uninhabitable for any reason, Company will seek to offer comparable accommodations to the Guest where available. In the event Company is unable to provide such comparable accommodations, this Agreement shall be cancelled and Guest shall be provided a refund of all deposits. This shall be the sole and exclusive remedy for the Guest.
Release and Hold Harmless – Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, Guest for it/themselves and each of their invitees releases and holds harmless the Company Parties from any damage, loss, injury, cost or expense, except in the event of gross negligence of any of the Company Parties.
Deposit Accounts - Guest acknowledges that Company places all rental deposits into an insured interest-bearing bank escrow account and that interest income accrues to the Company.
Entire Agreement/Amendment/Representations and Reliance - Guest and Company acknowledge this Agreement contains the full and complete agreement between and among them and there are no oral or implied agreements or understandings which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented, or modified only by a written agreement signed by each of the parties hereto. Each party acknowledges that no party, or agent or attorney of any other party or any person, firm, corporation or any other person or entity has made any promise, representation, or warranty whatsoever, expressed, implied or statutory, not contained herein concerning the subject matter hereof to induce the execution of this Agreement. Guest also acknowledges that Guest has not executed this Agreement in reliance on any promise, representation or warranty not contained in this Agreement.
Titles and Paragraph Headings - Titles and paragraph headings used herein shall be for the purposes of convenience only and shall not be considered substantive in matters of construction.
Ambiguities and Conflict - The legal principle of contract interpretation that an agreement shall be construed against the drafter shall not apply to this Agreement. For purposes of the construction or interpretation of this Agreement, the parties shall be deemed to have participated equally in its drafting.
Severability - In the event any term or provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalid term or provision shall be severed and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any other term or provision herein contained.
Governing Law and Venue - This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina without regard to principles of conflicts of law. The parties agree that any lawsuit concerning this Agreement and its subject matter shall be filed in Beaufort County, South Carolina
Electronic Signatures - This Agreement may be executed by electronic or digital signatures in accordance with the South Carolina Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

I HAVE READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING ANY AND ALL WAIVERS, RELEASES, AND INDEMNIFICATIONS. I AM AWARE THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS RELEASES OF LIABILITY AND WAIVERS OF CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS AND SIGN THIS FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY.