Terms and Conditions
Rental Agreement
Thank you for choosing a Bluewater Vacation Rental Home. We know that a vacation is all about relaxing and having a good time with friends and family. Below you will find our policies and "The Bluewater Standard" of taking care of both you and our homes during your vacation. You will find our policies to be above and beyond the industry standard. We make sure that all of our guests take great care of our homes and we take great care of our guests. Please take a few moments to read over this policy.
The following are the terms and conditions of the Rental Agreement between Bluewater Vacation Rentals LLC ("Bluewater") and you, the guest ("Guest") for renting one of our vacation properties (a “Home”). Please review the terms, conditions and payment schedules of the contract carefully. All payments will be due in accordance with the outlined schedule under the section “Deposits and Payments”. Any alteration must be approved in writing.
**In placing a deposit to reserve any property with Bluewater Vacation Rentals, whether by phone or online, you agree to all of the terms, conditions and policies set forth within. Each confirmation also includes all of these terms, conditions, and policies.**
RESPONSIBILITY OF RENTER: Guest acknowledges and understands that he/she is a temporary guest of the Home and not a tenant and that they are at least of the age of 25 years. This rental agreement is unique to the registered guest and may not be sublet or otherwise assigned to any other persons. Any overnight guests in addition to those registered and in excess of the Home’s capacity may result in eviction without refund. Renter agrees to be financially responsible for any damages/repairs to the Home and/or its contents caused by the Renter or Renter’s guests’ actions or conduct during the rental period. Renter understands that there are special risks that may be involved in using special features, i.e. spa, hot tub, pool, gas grills, etc., as well as using other areas of the Home and the Project. Renter agrees to explain the risks of using the special features to any guest they may have at the Home or Project and will be fully and solely responsible for any accidents.
DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS: Bluewater accepts payments by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Personal Check, Cashiers Check, Cash or Money Order. A reservation deposit payment equaling 50% of the total rental amount is required with your signed contract in order to secure your reservation. There is a six percent (6%) Michigan Use Tax as well as a five percent (5%) South Haven Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Assessment added to the total amount due. Returned checks shall incur an additional service charge of $25.00. A two percent (2%) processing fee will be assessed per reservation from Bluewater.
FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE 30 DAYS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL: Final payment is due by check or credit card 30 days prior to arrival. A Balance Due email will be sent prior to the 30 days, including a link to make your payment online. If you choose to mail a check for final payment, please make sure to send a copy of your confirmation with the check so that we know where to apply the payment. We will automatically draft the balance due from the provided credit card 30 days prior to arrival if we do not receive a check before then. Both your deposit and final payment are NON-REFUNDABLE no matter the cause of cancellation without the purchase of travel insurance.
SECURITY DEPOSIT & DAMAGE: Renter agrees to provide security deposit in the form of a VISA, MASTERCARD, or DISCOVER credit card. You have a duty to update the information should your credit card information change or expire prior to your arrival. Bluewater reserves the right and the guest authorizes Bluewater to charge the guest's credit card for the cost of repairs, replacement, services, telephone charges or extra cleaning for all damage, breakage and/or loss incurred during his/her stay. In the event of damage to the premises, its equipment, furniture, or carpeting, Renter shall be responsible for damage ANY and ALL costs, including collection costs and attorney's fees. Documentation detailing damages and charges will be provided to the guest. Keys must be returned to the rental office at 418 Broadway upon departure. A charge of $25 per key will be charged for missing or lost keys.
PRIOR DAMAGE NOTIFICATION: Please report any damage that you notice to our office by phone at 855-255-6017 or by email at [email protected] when you check-in to avoid getting charged for damage you did not cause. Reporting the condition of the Home is your responsibility if you do not want to be held accountable for any damage.
CANCELLATIONS/CHANGES: All notice of cancellation must be in writing. Except as provided by CSA, cancellation at any time results in forfeiture of your initial deposit. Cancellation within 30 days of arrival results in the forfeiture of your entire rent. Refunds are not given for cancellations for any reason including weather, travel delays or illness. In the event Bluewater is able to re-rent the Home, a refund may be provided for the amount the Home is re-rented less a $150 fee. Changing your reservation from one home to another may be considered a cancellation and cancellation policies may apply. There are no refunds for early departures.
Bluewater Vacation Rentals Information may contain technical inaccuracies and typographical errors, including but not limited to inaccuracies relating to pricing or availability applicable to your transaction. Bluewater Vacations shall not assume responsibility or liability for any such inaccuracies, errors or omissions, and shall have no obligation to honor reservations or information affected by such inaccuracies. Bluewater Vacations reserve the right to make changes, corrections, cancellations and/or improvements to Bluewater Vacation Rentals Information, and to the products and programs described in such information, at any time without notice, including after confirmation of a transaction.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: If you have purchased travel insurance from CSA along with your reservation and have to cancel, delay or change your reservation for a covered reason, please notify CSA immediately. Reimbursement will not be issued via Bluewater. Information on travelers insurance and CSA is available on our website under Guest Services / Travelers Insurance. There you will find links to information on CSA and the actual policy details.
WEATHER: Bluewater will not refund for any weather-related issues, including but not limited to, rain, tornadoes, snow, etc. The inability to get to the Home due to the weather is not a cause for a full or partial refund. Please make sure to consider all of the benefits of travelers insurance before deciding whether or not to purchase it.
WARRANTIES: Rental Home equipment and amenities such as TV's, appliances, air conditioning, pools, hot tubs, etc. may go out of service or need replacement during your stay. In such a case, notify Bluewater immediately and we will do everything within our power to correct the situation. This may include making another Home (of equal size and value) available for your use. However this is not always possible. Failure of equipment and amenities or nearby construction noise is not cause for a full or partial refund.
MAX OCCUPANCY: Each Home has a specific maximum occupancy. Take note of the maximum number of guests allowed in the homes and condos before making your reservation. Occupancy and use of the home, suite(s), courtyard, and common area of the Home by guest, or other visiting invitees of guest shall not be such as to disturb or offend neighbors, nearby residents, or other guest of the Home. Guest understands and agrees that the maximum number of occupants as stated on your Confirmation Letter must not be exceeded and in the event that the maximum occupancy is exceeded, Bluewater and the Town Fire Marshall will evict immediately without notice any number of guests in excess of the maximum occupancy number or the entire party. This rule and requirement is made a part of this agreement for insurance regulation requirements, fire code and city ordinance requirements, and particularly for the safety of guests. Bluewater and it's authorized agents has the right to inspect the Home during your stay to guarantee that this stipulation has not been violated.
CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT: Check-in time is 4:00 pm EST and check-out time is 10:00 am EST unless you have received written or emailed documentation from Bluewater detailing otherwise. Keys can be picked up at the check-in/welcome center at our office, 418 Broadway, South Haven MI 49090, unless otherwise arranged. Driving directions will be provided prior to your arrival. Failure to check-out on time without written consent from Bluewater will result in a minimum $75.00 per hour fee.
PET POLICY: Pets are permitted in some of our properties but not all of them. This will be specifically noted on each Home’s information page and will be detailed within your confirmation. Guests are responsible for any and all damages caused by their pet. Any guest found with a pet in a Home that is not pet friendly will be required to vacate the premises without refund. You will also be charged a fee for pest control, a deep clean, and an equivalent of one days rent which, when combined, usually amounts to over $600.00. This is strictly enforced. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ ALL OF OUR PET POLICIES LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE UNDER THE "GUEST INFORMATION".
HOUSEKEEPING: Bluewater Homes are self-catering. The Home will be clean upon your arrival and will be cleaned after you leave. The Home will be set up with fresh bed linens, bath towels, and a toiletry start-up kit when you arrive. Unless otherwise arranged, you are responsible for additional toiletries needed during your stay as well as any mid-stay cleaning such as taking out the trash, washing dishes, and washing the Bluewater provided linens.
MID-STAY CLEANINGS & LINEN/TOWEL SERVICES: Mid-Stay Cleanings may be purchased for an additional charge. A Mid-Stay clean may include fresh towels and linens, another toiletry start- up kit, trash take-out, dishwasher loading and a light cleaning/vacuum. Please contact Bluewater at [email protected] for pricing and coordination prior to arriving or select this option during the check-out procedure online.
MAINTAINING UNIT CONDITION: Guest agrees to maintain the cleanliness of the premises during occupancy. Guest promises to exercise care in the treatment of the accommodations and furnishings. Guest agrees to leave the Home, premises and furnishings in clean and undamaged condition. This includes starting the dishwasher, removing all food, disposing of trash into provided containers, cleaning BBQ grills and making sure all doors and windows are closed and locked upon departure. Guest further understands that Bluewater reserves the right, and guest authorizes Bluewater to charge guest for the foregoing items not completed, any necessary repairs, and/or for any unusual degree of cleaning which may be necessary.
Guest shall not bring, keep, or have either inside or outside the premises of the Home any article or thing of a hazardous nature, including fireworks, explosives, flammable items, firearms, gas, charcoal, or propane grills, or any other item that either might be or could be hazardous or considered hazardous by any insurance company. Rearranging of furniture is not permitted nor is moving indoor furniture outside.
RIGHT OF ENTRY: Bluewater and its authorized agents may enter the premises at any time in the event of emergency, but will use its best efforts to give 24-hour notice for normal maintenance or sales inspections.
ACCOMMODATIONS: All properties are privately owned and individually furnished with the basic items such as pillows, blankets, cookware, flatware and dishes. Other small appliances, local telephone, beach chairs, beach towels, extra blankets or pillows, blenders, wine glasses, etc., may or may not be provided. Bluewater may attempt to obtain requested items at additional cost to guest.
SMOKING POLICY: For safety purposes and in consideration of other owners/guests, smoking is prohibited in the Homes. If you must smoke, please do so outside and dispose of smoking remnants responsibly. Failure to honor this request will result in additional charges for a deep clean and the equivalent of one days rent which, when combined, usually amounts to over $400.00.
HOLD HARMLESS/INDEMNIFICATION/LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: Bluewater assumes no liability for your stay in Michigan or the activities that you partake in during your visit. Guest acknowledges that Bluewater is not responsible for any loss of money, jewelry, or other personal items of guests or any invitees of guest. Guest hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Home owner, Bluewater, its members, managers, employees and agents for damage to person or property arising out of or in any way related to guest or invitees of guest use of premises resulting from the Home or any part of it or any equipment or appurtenance becoming out of repair, or resulting from any accident in or about the Home, or resulting directly or indirectly from any act or neglect of any guest of the Home, invitees of guest or of any other person. Guest assumes the risk of injury and any related pain and suffering or medical expenses or other losses relating to the use of the Home and/or recreational activities on the premises or in the city where the Home is located and will hold Bluewater harmless with respect thereto.
KEYS: A minimum $25 fee per key will be charged for lost or non-returned keys and garage door openers. If you lock yourself out of the Home and require assistance after normal business hours, a $20 fee may apply.
PARKING: Guest agrees to use only the parking spaces provided for the Home. All vehicles and license plate numbers must be registered with Bluewater at check-in. Off street parking may be limited and may not exceed the Home's maximum allowable vehicles. Offending vehicles may be towed or booted at Guest's expense without noticed. Motorcycles, campers, RVs and boat trailers are not allowed.
WEDDING/EVENTS: No weddings, receptions, events, reunions, or parties of any kind are to be held at the Home or in the courtyard or open areas without the written consent of Bluewater. Events require a separate Event Agreement and Event Fees. The definition of an event is any gathering of people at the Home that exceeds the number of people sleeping at the Home as stated in the confirmation letter. Bluewater has the right to inspect the Home and related property at any time during your stay to guarantee that this stipulation has not been violated.
TELEPHONE: NOT ALL HOMES HAVE A LAND LINE. For those that do, for long distance calls, cell phone use is recommended. Most properties that have a residential phone line have blocked long distance. Charges incurred during reservation for phone services outside of local service (411, long distance, collect calls, etc.) will be guest's responsibility.
POOL ACCESS: If pool access is important to you, be sure to search for properties that offer access to a neighborhood or private pool. Not all Homes offer pool access. Most pools will be made available from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, this is beyond the control of Bluewater. Rules and pool hours must be observed, failure to do so can result in eviction.
INTERNET ACCESS: While internet service is provided at many Bluewater properties, Bluewater does not warrant the connectivity or equipment. Internet support is not offered by Bluewater beyond providing the access or log-on information. Support may be obtained by guest via the internet provider only. Internet connection or equipment failure is not cause for full or partial refund.
TOWN ORDINANCES: Guest agrees to abide by the covenants of the Community Association and all Town ordinances. The Manager has the right to terminate this agreement and ask violators to vacate the Home. In which case, no refund will be given for remaining reserved days. Occupancy and use of the Home and communal areas shall not be such as to disturb or offend Guests or Residents (e.g. guests may not hang articles of clothing from window or balconies, bikes must be stored in designated areas, etc.) House parties and other large gatherings are not allowed. Our properties are located in residential areas and are rented for personal vacation use only. Loud music or other noise will result in immediate eviction without refund. If the noise disturbs other guests on the property, guest is also subject to financial penalties. Bluewater reserves the right and prerogative to terminate this Rental Agreement and to ask disruptive guests to vacate the premises in the event of complaints or in the discretion of Bluewater without the refunding of rental fee. ALL Violators risk forfeiture of their deposit, rental fees, eviction and even financial penalties. Town ordinances can be found online.
LOST & FOUND: Bluewater is not responsible for personal items left behind. Bluewater will do everything within our limits to obtain and return items left behind. Items not claimed after 30 days will be donated. If items left behind need to be shipped, we require a valid credit card number to cover shipping costs.
EMERGENCIES: Emergency contact information will be provided in the Home. It is imperative the Bluewater staff be contacted in all emergency situations.
RIGHT TO SUBSTITUTE: Should the owner of any Home elect to remove their Home from our rental program, sell their Home, or a Home were to become uninhabitable, the guest shall not hold Bluewater liable. In such an instance, the guest will be relocated to comparable accommodations determined by the rental agency. If comparable accommodations are not available, the guest will receive a full refund.
YOUR SIGNATURE ON THIS AGREEMENT, OR PRE-PAYMENT OF MONEY, OR TAKING POSSESSION OF THE HOME, IS EVIDENCE OF YOUR ACCEPTANCE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND YOUR INTENT TO RENT THE HOME AS PROVIDED FOR HEREIN.
I AGREE TO ABIDE BY THE RENTAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AS SPECIFIED IN THIS RENTAL AGREEMENT AND THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, IF ANY.
I authorize BLUEWATER to charge my credit card for reservation deposits, reservation payments, incidentals, excessive cleaning charges and replacement and repair costs due to any damage caused to the Home by myself or any of my guests.