Guest Guidelines - Homestead Cape May Rentals

Thank you for booking your treasured vacation through Homestead! We appreciate the importance and expense of your vacation and are honored that you have chosen Homestead. Our goal is to give you a stress-free vacation experience. Knowing that you could choose a hotel or B&B for your vacation we are excited you chose a rental property. A rental property offers you the space and convenience for your family to relax and enjoy your time together while enjoying all the comforts of home.

A rental property does not come with front desk service however, Homestead is there to assist you with any issues that may arise with the property. We are just a text or phone call away offering you 24/7 after-hours emergency assistance. We value our relationship and want you to know that you are in trusted hands.

Helpful Hints

Vacations are fun but packing can be a challenge. Many of the items you need for a beach vacation will fill your vehicle beyond capacity. We suggest you check-out these convenient rental services that will literally lighten your load! LINEN RENTALS | BEACH CHAIR & UMBRELLA RENTALS.
Now that we’ve resolved potential packing issues, you’re probably wondering what events will be happening during your stay. Don’t worry, we have you covered! CLICK HERE to review community events everyone can enjoy.
It’s a week before your vacation and you want to plan where to go for dinner, ice cream, shopping or maybe you want to know what type of coffee maker your rental has, or you need the Wi-Fi information ahead of time. All of that information and more can be found in your Digital Property Guest Book. A week prior to your arrival we’ll send you a text with a link to your guest book which you can share with other members of your family.
Nights can be cool in the summertime. You may consider bringing sweaters and/or sweatshirts.
Rentals during the spring and fall can have some cooler nights. You may want to bring extra blankets/quilts.
Paper towels, toilet paper, detergents, trash bags and condiments (salt, pepper, sugar etc.) are not provided for your stay however, there are times a prior tenant will leave some of these items behind for your use.

Linens

For a fee based on your occupancy, we provide fresh, clean linens for the Greater Cape May area. Our linens are available to all Cape May homeowners and guests, even if you’re not renting through Homestead! You can use our convenient drive-thru pick-up and return, available only at Homestead. We can also deliver to your rental by request for $25.

Our Address - 502 Bank Street, Cape May. Click here for directions
Homestead Office hours - Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Check-in time is between 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Check-out before 10:00 am on departure date
Linens can be picked up and dropped off at our office
Rental week is from Saturday to Saturday (we do have a few properties that rent Fri-Fri or Sun-Sun)

Beach Tags and Regulations

Beach tags are required for all persons age 12 and over on Cape May and Cape May Point beaches from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. when beaches are open or lifeguards are on duty. Beach tags may be purchased at all beach entrances. Tags may be purchased for daily, three day, weekly or seasonal use. Weekly tags run Saturday to Saturday. Tags must be clearly visible and in bather`s possession at all times while on the beach. No bathing on unprotected beaches. Swim only at designated beaches while lifeguards are on duty. Call municipality, listed below, for updated pricing or click on these links: Cape May Beach Tags, or Cape May Point Beach Tags.

For public health and safety, dogs, picnics, glass, alcohol, litter and fires are prohibited. Trespassing on the dunes is strictly prohibited. Access beach at paths and street end ramps. No skateboards, roller blades or bicycles after 10:00 a.m. on the Promenade.

Energy Conservation

The energy and natural resources that are saved today belong to you, now and tomorrow. Please turn off all lights, AC, heat and TV and check to see that all water faucets are turned off when not in use. We are proud to be a city leader in an effort to conserve energy and our natural resources. Thank you for your help.

Entry

On occasion it may be necessary for us or a local service vendor to enter the vacation home, during reasonable hours, for the purpose of a repair issue or the care of the property. If we are notified by an owner of such a need, we will inform you of the date and approximate time.

Equipment or Maintenance Issues

In the event of a failure of any major appliance, air conditioning unit, or central air zone, the Owner will make every effort to have repaired within a reasonable time. There will be no compensation for a guest`s inconvenience as these types of issues are beyond Homestead and an Owner`s control. Just as you have unexpected equipment failures at your own home, we have them here too. Homestead and the Owner will work diligently towards a timely repair, remembering that we are at the mercy of our local service vendors availability. We cannot guarantee against equipment failure, utility interruptions, maintenance problems, inclement weather or early departure. If you have an issue with an appliance/equipment, please do not allow it to ruin your vacation. Important: Please DO NOT set the AC dial to an extremely cool temperature as this can cause the unit to freeze up. If the house is warm, please allow the unit to cool the house at approximately 1 to 2 degrees per hour. Frozen AC units can be costly emergency service calls. Placing unnecessary service calls may be deducted from your damage & cleaning deposit.

Lock Outs

If you accidently lock yourself out of your rental property, after our normal business hours, you may contact our office simply send us a message using the phone number from your guestbook. Please note that there will be a $25.00 service charge payable on arrival of the Property Manager for after hour lockouts.

Lost and Found

If you left something personal behind, please call us immediately. We will make every effort to locate your forgotten item. If we are able to locate the item, we will bring it to our office for your pick-up. If you are no longer in the area, we can return the item to you. Returned items incur a $35 fee, plus the cost of shipping to return the item to you. Please note: Homestead is not responsible for personal items left in your rental property. Any items returned to our office that are unclaimed will be held for 30 days and donated to a local charity after that date.

Rebooking for Next Year

If you wish to re-book your current rental for the same time period next year, please let us know immediately. You can rebook on our Digital Guestbook or fill out and return your rebooking card upon check out. You must re-book no later than 5:00 pm on the Monday after your departure. Unfortunately, we cannot hold the week for you after that date due to the high demand for rentals.

Termination of Rental

Violations of conditions and rules may result in the termination of your lease. Upon notice of termination you will be asked to immediately check out without refund.

Trash and Recycling

Each municipality in Cape May County enforces the recycling laws on its books. Please be sure to separate your papers and cans/bottles/plastics from the rest of your trash. In the event the trash is not sorted, you will be responsible for any fines from the municipalities, and will be charged a fee if we have to sort the trash. As trash pick-up days are usually mid-week you may be responsible for the previous guest`s trash. You MUST take trash to the curb the evening before pick up. Trash and recycling days should be posted somewhere in the rental property and can also be found in your digital guest book. Remember the next guest will be responsible for putting out your trash. Trash MUST BE BAGGED PROPERLY and deposited in the correct receptacle.

Here`s "the scoop" on our Pet Friendly Rental Properties!

At Homestead we love our Pups! For many of us our dogs are part of our family, and we want them to join us on vacation. We have a large inventory of "pet friendly" properties that would be happy to have Fido come along (a pet fee will apply). Here are some helpful hints when planning to bring your pet on vacation.

Before you arrive:

Have your pet treated with a flea prevention product like "Advantage" of Frontline" to protect them and others against fleas and flea infestation.
Secure your pet`s ID tags, including your cell number, in case you get separated during your stay.
Pack for your pet just like you would a family member. Include familiar items such as chews, treats, toys, water bowl, crate, and pet food.
If you pack a first aid kit for your family include tweezers, gauze, hydrogen peroxide and any other items that will assist your dog if they have a minor injury.
A copy of your pets shot records would come in handy if you had an emergency requiring a vet.

At the bottom of the page are a list of local animal hospitals

While you are here:

Please clean up after your pet`s daily walks - in public areas, as well as the grounds of your rental property.
Don`t leave your pet unattended. Your pet will be in an unfamiliar situation and may behave differently.
If you must leave your pet alone, pet crates are recommended, as chewing and scratching can occur in your absence. It is best to keep pets inside when you`re away from the property.
If you are uncomfortable leaving your pet alone for an extended time period, we suggest you contact one of the local Pet Service providers listed below.
Keep pets off furniture, beds, and out of unoccupied rooms, keeping bedroom doors closed.

Compliance with these few guidelines will certainly help to protect your security deposit. Please help us continue to offer clean, comfortable, pet friendly rentals. For these and other tips, go to petfriendly.com

Vets & Animal Hospitals

Cape May Veterinary Hospital
694 Petticoat Creek Lane, Cape May
(609) 884-1729
Web: www.CapeMayVet.com

Parkway Veterinary Hospital
1173 Route 9 South, CMCH
(609) 465-5590
Web: www.ParkwayVeterinary.com

Abri Animal Hospital
38 Route 47 South, CMCH
(609) 465-1368
Web: www.AbriVet.com

Pet Services

Zoo Sitters
(609) 846-4641
In Your Home Pet Sitting And Dog Walking
Email: info@ZooSitters.com
Website www.ZooSitters.com

Happy Hounds - Marsha S. Kahn
(609) 972-1363
Walking, feeding, day care, sleep over, transport
Email: mskahn@comcast.net

McCullough Pet Sitting
965 Seashore Bridge Rd, Cape May
(609) 884-3402
Email: joannem12@comcast.net

While You`re Away Pet Sitting and Dog Walking, Cape May Area
Dianne and Rob Riehl
(609) 889-3538

The Doggie Nanny
Michelle Kiernan
(609) 675-6384
Email: www.DoggieNanny@Hotmail.com

If for any reason you cannot occupy your rental unit for full/partial term of your lease, Homestead must be notified in writing. Requesting a transfer to another property is a cancellation. If you must cancel your confirmed reservation, regardless of the reason (including bad weather, illness, death or economic factors) and the unit is not re-rented for the cancelled period, you will forfeit all money prepaid (except Linen Fees and Accidental Forgiveness Fee). You may be responsible for the entire rental amount if the owner does not re-rent the property. A cancellation that re-rents will be subject to a Cancellation Fee of 12% of the total amount (minimum $85.00) plus the NON-REFUNDABLE Processing Fee. NO EXCEPTIONS. If the unit is re-rented, all money prepaid (less the Processing Fee and Cancellation Fee) will be refunded. We urge you to consider Trip Insurance to protect your interests.

Reservation Cancellations

A reservation cancellation will be charged the NON-REFUNDABLE Processing Fee.

Reservation Changes

If changes are made in a confirmed lease or if you transfer to a different week in the same unit (owner approved), there is a non-refundable processing fee charged for the original reservation and a non-refundable processing fee on the new week as well. We urge guests to consider the option of purchasing Trip Insurance with your reservation to cover many unforeseen circumstances and protect your vacation investment.