FACILITIES PROVIDED AT THE COTTAGE

Each vacation property is unique and provides differing levels of amenities. Unless stated, all properties have electricity, hot and cold running water, flush toilets, blankets, pillows, cutlery, dishes and pots/pans provided but NOT LINEN and guests must bring their own sheets, pillowcases and towels.

Renting a privately-owned cottage provides more freedom and privacy to enjoy your vacation. However, it brings some extra responsibility as well. In addition to the responsibility for leaving the cottage as you found it at the start of the rental, the following items also require your special attention:

INDEX

1. Telephone Service
2. Television Reception
3. Drinking Water
4. Maid Service
5. Sewage Disposal
6. Garbage Disposal
7. Electricity
8. Propane BBQ
9. Boat/Motor
10. Lawn Maintenance
11. Consumable Supplies
12. Extras

1. Telephone Service
If you are planning on bringing a computer and/or fax machine, that will require a telephone line, on vacation with you, please be aware that some of the more rural properties may not have "touch-tone" telephone service. If this is a requirement for your vacation, please ask us to confirm the type of telephone service for you, prior to making a booking. Also, note that cell phone reception may be limited at some locations.

Also, some vacation properties may have a "block" on long-distance usage from their telephone. Regardless of whether there is a "block", or not, long-distance calls must always be charged to a calling card, or, another number.

2. Television Reception
Televisions, when provided, may have poor and very limited reception depending on the cottage location. Although there is a tv listed with the cottage, they may not even have an aerial and the tv will only be of use for showing dvd's. Charges for pay-per view satellite will be charged to your security deposit.

3. Drinking Water
The supply, if any, of drinking water requires particular attention as it can vary greatly from one cottage to another. Most, but not all, vacation properties are serviced with either a private well and/or a surface water source such as a lake or river. Depending on the amount of treatment the lake water gets, it may, or may not, be safe for drinking. In most cases, you will be required to bring your own drinking water. On booking a cottage, you will be advised as to whether this is the case.

4. Maid Service
Maid service is not included in the rental. The vacation properties available are not commercial operations, but, rather, somebody's treasured summer home in which you are a privileged, albeit paying, guest. You are responsible for cleaning the vacation home to the same standard as it was on your arrival. If you are unable, or unwilling (this is a vacation after all!), to perform the necessary cleaning, it may be possible, with reasonable notice and at an extra cost, to arrange cleaning with a commercial service operating in the area. Please call Vacation Time Realty for a list of cleaning services.

5. Sewage Disposal
Most, but not all, cottage properties are serviced with a private sewage disposal system, usually a septic tank system. Usually, there will appear to be no difference between a septic and a municipal system to the user. However, septic systems require a little more care in what may be disposed of in them. If you are not familiar with septic tanks the basic usage rule is: paper, preferably one-ply and human waste only to be flushed into the system. Serious, very expensive and unpleasant, results can follow if this rule is broken. An expense that may be charged back to the renter.

6. Garbage Disposal
On booking a cottage, you will be advised of the garbage disposal requirements for a particular property. In all cases, garbage must never be left at the property, or, left available to wildlife (bears) during your stay. Always put the garbage out on the morning of the pick-up day. In some cases, you may have to transport your garbage to a dump some distance from the cottage. If garbage is left at the property at the end of your stay a fee will be charged by the owner and taken from your security deposit.

7. Electricity
Unless otherwise noted, all cottages have electrical service. In some cases, electrical systems have limitations. Additional electrical appliances, other than are already in the cottage, should never be connected without permission of the owner. Also, power outages in "cottage country" are common occurrences, particularly during summer storms. Usually, the power will come back in a short time. If you experience a power outage, it is very important that you don't attempt to run water and/or flush toilets. Water is supplied, in most cases, by an electric pump (it may be submerged in the well). If lines are emptied, the pump may need to be reprimed when the power comes back on, or, it could be seriously damaged/destroyed if it is run with no water in the lines. Please call us ot the cottage owner if there is a electrical problem.

8. Propane BBQ
In most cases, the cost of propane is not included in the rental. As it just isn't feasible to have the owner, or each renter, top up the tank between each rental it is your responsibility to refill it when it becomes empty. Most owners provide two tanks so that a mid-meal preparation delay shouldn't be encountered. Also, a quick scrub of the grill at the end of your rental is greatly appreciated.

9. Boat/Motor
When a boat with motor is included in a rental, please leave the tank full of gas/oil, as per the cottage owner's instructions, at the end of your rental. Most owners do not include motorized boats in their rentals. Please see the section Muskoka Area Information, which lists marinas that may be able to assist you with a boat rental. Please be sure that anyone operating a boat has the proper watercraft license.

10. Lawn Maintenance
The owner is responsible for lawn maintenance. As some renters prefer to perform this task themselves, your preference should be stated at the time of booking. Please note, that tents and trailers are not allowed on rental properties and firepits must not be made.

11. Consumable Supplies
As most cottage properties are also used regularly by their owners some food, cleaning and paper supplies will be found on the premises. Please replace whatever is used. Most properties will also have a list of household rules posted by the owner. Please respect the owner's wishes and follow their rules.

12. Extras
Various "extras" are often included with a cottage rental. These may include such items as entertainment equipment (e.g. tv/vcr), watercraft (e.g. canoe/rowboat), appliances and/or outdoor furniture etc. Please note that the available extras are confirmed annually with the owners and are deemed correct at that time. However, due to circumstances that can be beyond our, or, the owner's control, such as breakdowns etc. some items may become temporarily unavailable at a property. Every effort is made to ensure that you are informed of any substantial changes that would affect your vacation significantly. However, lack of an item does deem to be reason for a refund.