Galveston Guest House

RENTAL AGREEMENT, DAMAGE WAIVER/HOLD, ID VERIFICATION AND CHECK-IN STEPS

We're so excited for your trip! PLEASE NOTE: Our listing description and house rules mention that you will be required to complete a Guest Rental Agreement, ID verification, and Security Hold (which is not a security deposit) in order to receive Arrival Instructions to the home. Details of the Guest Rental Agreement can be found in the House Rules.

Important: When cancelling your reservation, the credit card processing fees of 3.9% + 30c will not be refunded.
If booking with a credit card that doesn't match the guest name, you'll be required to provide a written authorization, photo of the ID, selfie, and card showing the last 4 digits of the credit card holder, or reservation will be cancelled.
Hi! We are your welcoming hosts and we look forward to hosting you. We created the following set of rules and guidelines to make both your guest and our hosting experience a great one!

THIS LISTING USES HAPPY GUEST FOR ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS AND PRE-ARRIVAL GUEST VERIFICATION. ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS TO CHECK-IN ARE MADE AVAILABLE ONLY AFTER GUESTS COMPLETE THE PRE-ARRIVAL ONLINE CHECK-IN WHICH INCLUDES A RENTAL AGREEMENT, IDENTIFICATION VERIFICATION, AND SECURITY HOLD (WHICH IS NOT A SECURITY DEPOSIT AND ALLOWABLE ON BOOKING PLATFORM). GUESTS WHO BOOK AND DO NOT COMPLETE THIS STEP WILL NOT RECEIVE ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS OR A REFUND. HAPPY GUEST IS A THIRD-PARTY WEB-BASED PLATFORM THAT IS EASY TO USE AND DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY APPS TO BE DOWNLOADED. IT IS VERY NICE, EASY, AND USER FRIENDLY.

VACATION RENTAL AGREEMENT

THE PARTIES HERETO, IN CONSIDERATION OF THESE PRESENTS, AGREE THAT:
1. MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY: GUEST must accurately disclose occupancy including the number of adults, children and animals that will occupy said rented premises in the booking data provided through the online platform. That determines the maximum occupancy at all times and applies to day visitors and children as well. Unless otherwise approved by your HOST, occupancy over the indicated capacity may result in immediate eviction and forfeiture of amounts paid.
2. NO SMOKING or Vaping or illegal drugs of any kind will take place in or on the premises. Violation of this will result in a $500 charge. Vaping or smoking outside with windows and doors closed is accepted. GUEST is liable for the full cost to remove any odor from the home in the case that it exceeds the above charge.
3. NO ANIMALS of any description will be kept in or on premises without prior approval by HOST. * Animal Addendum is required with this contract for approval of pets, emotional support or service animals.
4. DAMAGE POLICY & INSURANCE– Guests must select either a refundable security deposit or a non-refundable damage waiver. The refundable security deposit will be held for 7 days post check-out and will be refunded provided there are no damages. The damage waiver is recommended.
There will be no charges in the case that there is no:
A) damage to property, its contents or furnishings,
B) dirt, trash or other mess requiring excessive cleaning
C) There is no negligent damage due to inclement weather. It is GUEST’S responsibility to secure items on premises in the case of inclement weather or outside conditions such as outdoor umbrellas, or any other item that may blow away or be damaged by high winds, or other inclement weather.
D) any other costs incurred by your Host because of your stay. Any damage to the Vacation Rental or its contents must be reported before check-out.
E) GUEST is not evicted by the owner (or representative of the owner) or the local law enforcement.
F) No linens are lost, stained, or damaged.
G) The unit is left locked and secured when unoccupied.
To ensure that the proper party is held responsible GUEST must inform management within 24 hours of arrival of any pre-existing damage or issues or may be held responsible for any cost involved in repair to be taken from the security deposit.
Damage not covered by, or exceeding the coverage limit of, the accidental rental damage insurance, Security Deposit, or booking platform coverage, is your full responsibility. In the case that an insurance claim must be file with homeowner's insurance, the guest is liable to pay the deductible. You grant your HOST the right to be reimbursed via the booking platform or your credit card for any such damages, including, but not limited to, additional cleaning fees. If the booking platform refuses reimbursement, HOST has the right to pursue reimbursement by reasonable means including small claims court and/or police report. HOST does not make a habit of filing claims or requiring reimbursement for small expenses under $50.
5. CLEANLINESS– You are expected to treat the entire premises with respect, keeping in mind that this is an individual’s home and you are a house guest. Even if a cleaning fee was charged, you are expected to leave the premises in a clean, neat and orderly condition to allow our cleaners to provide a thorough clean in the very short window between guests. Management must be notified within 24 hours of arrival if unhappy with conditions upon arrival.
6. NOISE & QUIET HOURS: Quiet hours are between 10pm and 9am. At all times GUEST must keep noise levels to a minimum as to not disturb the peace and quiet of surrounding neighbors. Noise exceeding local ordinances or causing a neighbor complaint will be grounds for immediate eviction without possibility of a refund.
7. PARKING – Maximum number of cars GUEST’s party may bring is displayed on the listing, as well as allowed parking areas.
8. LOCK OUT – (For keyless entries) This home is on a keyless entry and your code is active for the duration of your booking. (For both keyless and keyed entries) In the case that the GUESTS lock themselves out of the house and a key is provided, if keys are lost or not returned, the charge is [$150]. We recommend that you always use the keyless entry, and if backup access
9. LINENS & SUPPLIES: For details on what is supplied, please refer to the listing at the time of booking. Please do not refer to reviews for this information, as it may not be current or accurate. The GUEST is responsible to inform all individuals in their party to use only septic safe tissue, and no other items will be flushed in the toilet even if it says "flushable". Any damage caused by GUEST to the septic or plumbing system will be the full responsibility of the GUEST. Such damages are often hazmat cleanups and are VERY expensive. These terms are subject to change at the HOST’S discretion.
10. REPORTING OF DISSATISFACTION OR NOT AS ADVERTISED: GUEST agrees to report any issues of dissatisfaction to HOST immediately but no later than 24 hours after discovery. GUEST will cooperate with HOST and allow HOST’s team members to come to the property to verify the issue and remedy before making any reports to the booking platform of dissatisfaction. If GUEST declines this, any possibility of a refund will be forfeited. NOTE: Photos are taken of the premises after each cleaning and prior to GUEST check in. These date and time stamped images will be used against claims brought by GUEST as well as the findings of HOST’S agents.
Any claims made by GUEST that are fraudulent or outrageous in nature or meant to mislead or defraud the HOST, credit card company or payment processor in exchange for a refund or threat of a bad review will be immediate grounds for removal from the premises with no refund and GUEST’S account being reported to the booking platform for removal and is liable for all financial or other damages to HOST.
If the GUEST reports a false issue or complaint where a technician is called in without any findings of the reported issue, the GUEST will be responsible for covering the entire cost of the technician's invoice.
FOR RURAL AREAS: The home has monthly external pest treatments, and due to the rural nature, it is normal to find some bugs inside the house.
If the GUEST's communication or behavior becomes unreasonable, disruptive or harassing toward the HOST, they will be asked to immediately vacate the premises without the possibility of a refund and GUEST agrees to comply.
11. REHOUSING – HOST shall not bear financial liability to rehouse or refund GUEST for any amount if unsatisfied or if GUEST chooses to vacate early after HOST has made best efforts to resolve GUEST’S dissatisfaction. GUEST will seek assistance from the booking platform or their travel insurance.
12. CANCELLATION: GUEST can cancel at any time regardless of the cancellation policy, but the cancellation policy will be enforced once the booking is under the non-refundable period, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance to cover any losses or contact the booking platform with any issues.
13. GUEST may not lease or sub-lease, nor permit any other persons to occupy premises outside of pre-determined occupancy, except with prior approval of the HOST.
14. SECURITY CAMERAS / TECHNOLOGY- There are no interior cameras of any kind. Exterior cameras, video doorbells, keypads, smart home technology, etc. are installed for the safety and protection of the property and its guests and may not be tampered with or disabled. GUEST will be immediately evicted with no return of funds paid upon violation of this policy. We respect our GUEST’S privacy and review footage only upon a report or cause.
15. GUEST must keep property locked & secure when not there. Lockbox, keypad or gate code is not to be shared outside of GUEST’S party.
16. GUEST agrees to allow the HOST or his/her AGENT to enter and view said premises with proper notification and a light cleaning (no laundry) is required biweekly during extended stays.
17. INTERNET USAGE and LIABILITIES An illegal or abusive Internet usage is not allowed. It is not allowed:
a. To send information and data of a commercial nature and/or for marketing purposes to third