Steps to the Sea

Terms & Conditions

1. Check-in time is 2:00PM. Early check-in will be by prior arrangement and can only be accommodated if there is no prior Tenant. You will be given a door code for entry to the property.
2. Check-out time is 11:00AM. Late check-out will be based on prior arrangements and can only occur when no following Tenant is scheduled. Prior to check-out the house shall be left in a tidy manner…
- All dishes should be washed and put away.
- Remove all food from the fridge & pantry.
- Pick up all trash and remove all personal items.
- Beds sheets and pillow cases stripped and placed in a living room pile.
- Trash cans emptied and trash taken to the outside trash bins.
- Leave the property like you found it. My cleaning crew will sanitize the whole house.
3. The responsible party (Tenant) is over 21 years of age and will be present at the home for the entire length of the stay. i.e. Parents are not to rent the property in their name for the use of their children.
4. The Tenants shall maintain the premises in a good and clean order and use the premises only in a careful and lawful manner. Housekeeping is always performed prior to the Tenant’s arrival (typically within 24 hours) and again at the completion of the Tenant’s stay. Tenants shall be responsible for any extra cleaning or repairs should the premises be left in a lesser condition (outside of normal wear).
5. The Tenants shall pay for any additional cleaning costs, damages done to the premises, or damaged/missing household items that are furnished with the house rental, over and above normal wear. Any damage deposit or credit card saved on file will be held for such instances and charged if applicable. Landlord will provide proof that such charges were in the Landlords rights to charge as stated in this agreement at the request of Tenant.
6. The Tenants shall dispose of all waste material generated during the rental period in a lawful manner.
7. If there are any concerns, the Landlord or the Landlord’s representative has the right to inspect the premises at any time without prior notice. Inspection may be by the Landlord or his/her representative to enforce the terms of this agreement. Should the Tenants violate any of the terms of this agreement, the rental period shall be terminated immediately. The Tenants waive all rights to legal process if they fail to vacate the premises upon termination of the rental period. The Tenants shall vacate the premises at the expiration time and date of this agreement.
8. The Tenant shall not sublet the property.
9. The Tenant shall have no more than the maximum amount of people allowed as described in the rental listing.
10. The property is NOT child-proof and the parents/guardians/Tenant have the full and sole responsibility to monitor and safeguard any children in the home or on the property grounds.
11. The Tenants shall conduct their behavior in a civilized manner and shall be good neighbors respecting the rights of the surrounding property owners, their guests and other guests at the property. The Tenants shall not create noise or disturbances likely to annoy the surrounding property owners. No loud music shall be played outside or inside of the house. Such violations of the rental agreement are a breach of the agreement and grounds for immediate termination and Tenant will be required to vacate the premises immediately.
12. If a deposit was collected, Landlord shall make every effort to refund the Security Deposit within 14 days of the check-out date; provided the property is left in the same as, or better than, condition as it was upon check-in and the terms of this Rental Agreement are adhered to by Tenant.
13. Because so many people have severe allergies to cigarette smoke, pipe smoke, cigar smoke, (and other smoke), there can be NO SMOKING OR VAPING inside the property. Smoking is permitted outside or off premises, as long as care is taken to properly dispose of waste. There will be a $300 fee for deep cleaning the property if there is smoking inside the property.
14. Landlord shall provide linens, cutlery, tableware, cookware, and some other commonly used household items for use on the premises only. Towels are not provided. Consumable items and toiletries, such as paper towels, dish detergent and trash bags, soaps/shampoos are not provided. Toilet paper will be provided at the start of your stay. Other consumables, such as additional toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, laundry soap, alternate shampoo, alternate soap, lotion, suntan lotions, etc. are also not provided.
15. The Tenants and Guests shall hereby indemnify and hold harmless the Landlord and Landlord’s representatives against any, and all claims or personal injury or property damage or loss arising from use of the premises regardless of the nature of the accident, injury or loss. Tenants expressly recognize that any insurance for property damage or loss which the Landlord may maintain on the property does not cover the personal injury or property of the Tenants. Tenants should purchase their own insurance for Tenants and Guest if such coverage is desired.
16. We recommend for you to purchase travel insurance in order to protect your vacation. It is offered through a third party company. If you choose not to purchase insurance you are doing so at your own risk and Owner is not responsible. Contact Christy Duhon at Crystal Beach Club 409-684-1184 for more information on travel insurance. Landlord is not affiliated with Crystal Beach Club and only offers this as a courtesy to Tenant. Tenant can purchase their own insurance, and are not required to purchase solely through Crystal Beach Club.
17. Tenants agree the balconies/steps can be potentially dangerous and Tenants, or their guests, enter and use at their own risk. Owner not responsible for any accidents.
18. Tenants agree to pay all reasonable costs, attorney’s fees and expenses that shall be made or incurred by Landlord enforcing this agreement.
19. Tenants expressly acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is for transient occupancy of the Property and that Tenants do not intend to make the property a residence or household.
20. It is rare, but there are occasional experiences of utility outages on the peninsula – electric and satellite TV. They are normally short term. However, no refund or compensation will be given for any outages. Just relax and remember – this IS a peninsula.
21. Use of candles requires a non-flammable candle holder (specifically made for candle use) be used to prevent fires or heat damage to the surrounding surfaces.
22. The Landlord, nor Landlord’s representatives, shall not be liable for events beyond their control which may interfere with the Tenant’s occupancy, including but not limited to, Acts of God, acts of governmental agencies, fire, strikes, war and inclement weather, including flooding and hurricanes. No rebate or refund will be offered in these circumstances. Refund will ONLY be given if the National Weather Service or other federal governmental agency, orders mandatory evacuation due to hurricane warning. At that time, Landlord will credit any portion of rent from a guests stay that falls within the mandatory evacuation period. Landlord is not responsible for costs connected with any such cancellation.
23. No fireworks are to be used anywhere near the property. Fireworks can be used on the beach.
24. Any reservation obtained under false pretense will be subject to forfeiture of advance payment, deposit, and/or rental money, and the Tenant will not be permitted to check-in. Likewise, guests who have already checked in and who are found to have used the premises under false pretenses will be denied the return of the security/damage deposit and may be subject to further legal action to recoup costs which exceed the amount of the security/damage deposit.
25. Tenant shall use the property for legal purposes only and other use, such as, but not limited to, illegal drug use, shall cause immediate termination of this agreement with no refund of rent or deposit.
26. Tenant agrees not to access the owner’s closets and pantries, even if unlocked, which contain personal items and cleaning supplies / chemicals that could be hazardous to your health.
27. There is no lifeguard service at the beach. Owner not responsible for any accidents.
28. There is very little crime on the peninsula. However, wherever there are people, there is crime – even in paradise. Tenant shall see to their own security and property security while in/on the premises by keeping all doors and windows locked. Landlord will not be held liable for any loss or for items stolen from the property. LOCK ALL DOORS WHEN LEAVING THE PROPERTY
29. SYSTEMS FAILURE: In case of failure of a system during your stay, including, but not limited to air conditioning, internet, satellite, water, sewer, electrical, etc., we shall promptly attempt to repair them when you report such a problem to the Property Manager. You agree to permit access to the house to make repairs. We shall not be liable to Tenant for damages and NO REBATE OR REFUND will be given for such temporary failure, provided we are attempting to repair the system or amenity in a reasonable manner after having received notice from Tenant that repairs are needed. AMENITIES OFFERED: Everything will be done to make sure that what was offered in any advertising will be in the property as described. There may be times when the exact amenities are not in the property.
Every attempt is made to keep the inventory as described. A difference in amenities does not entitle Tenant to any refund of rents paid. Amenities may be added or removed at the Landlord/property manager’s discretion. Example: We may have advertised 3 DVD players, but one may be out of service. This does not warrant any refund.
30. Valuable items left behind by Tenant, if found, will be held for the Tenant and every reasonable effort will be made to contact the Tenant for return. If items are not claimed within 30 days, they shall become the property of the Landlord.
31. The Landlord shall not be held responsible or liable for the condition of any items left behind by Tenant.
32. Tenant agrees to let property managers, maintenance and repair personnel into the home if needed.
33. Trip insurance is recommended when traveling to protect your investment. We are not liable for missed changed flights, weather, death/ accident/ sickness or other incidents that arise on your part. Tenants are responsible for payment of the entire reservation for no-shows, late check-ins, and early check outs.

Payment Policy

If you have not already paid online, over the phone, or through a secondary booking site our payment options are:
1. Check or Money Order by mail
2. PayPal "Friends and Family"
3. Credit card (3% fee)

Payment is due in full 30 days before arrival date. If payment dates are in default then guest gives up the reservation held on said property until default is corrected; during this time of default the owner has the right to advertise and rent the dates that were reserved by the guest until said default is corrected.

Cancellation Policy

Beach House Cancellation Policy:
25% due up front to reserve dates
75% due 60 days before your stay
If Guest cancels at any time 25% of the total rental is non refundable and all other money collected by Owner will be paid back to the Guest. If Guest cancels for any reason within 60 days of the stay then the full amount is non refundable.