Once
you have chosen a cottage from our inventory, send us an e-mail
from our web site and tell us which cottage you wish to reserve,
the dates you wish to reserve the cottage and if possible, supply
a fax number we can use to send your booking application.
Also indicate who we should send the application to indicating
if the fax number is at your home or office. When you
receive the booking application, simply fill in the blanks and
return to our office by return fax.
The cost of renting a cottage through the agency which is itemized
on your booking application includes the base rental rate and
a booking fee of $60. All taxes are included in the base
rental rate.
If the cottage is a credit card friendly cottage, the booking application will have a provision for your credit card number and authorization. We will then use your credit card to pay your initial deposit which is half the base rental amount. This deposit will hold the cottage you have chosen in your name for the dates of your vacation. Within 2 weeks of sending back your booking application, you will receive a confirmation package in the mail. Unless specified otherwise by you, your credit card will be used again to pay the remaining balance four (4) weeks prior to your arrival. At that time you will receive your final confirmation package.
If the cottage does not accept credit cards, we ask that a cheque for one half of the rental amount be forwarded as soon as possible. When the deposit has been received, your reservation will be confirmed. The remaining balance is due four (4) weeks prior to your arrival, together with a separate cheque in the amount of $350 which represents your security deposit. The security deposit cheque is not cashed unless needed and is returned to you approximately 45 days following your departure providing there are no additional charges incurred during your stay at the cottage. When the balance of the rental fee has been received, your final confirmation package will be sent to you immediately.
If you are paying for your cottage by credit card, your booking application
will read as follows .....
" This signed contract also authorizes The Rental Agency
to debit the renter's credit card for any costs incurred by the
Cottage Owner or The Rental Agency relating to damages by the renter, excessive
cleaning requirements, loss of dump card or key, long distance
telephone charges, propane refill or other costs ( to a maximum
of $350 ) not covered in the rental agreement relating to occupancy
of the cottage and use of any recreational equipment."
In
essence, with a credit card purchase, we have done away with the security deposit but by signing
your booking application, you now understand that you are still
responsible for costs incurred up to $350 per the above statement.
When you rent a cottage from this agency, we ensure that the cottage
is clean, organized and ready for occupancy before you arrive. Our field staff or owners check the
cottage before your arrival to ensure that everything is in order.
On the other hand, if you are paying for your cottage by cheque, we ask that you also submit a separate cheque in the amount of $350 as security deposit and this cheque will be returned to you within 45 days of departing the accommodation
if there were no
damages by you or your group, excessive
cleaning requirements, loss of dump card or key, long distance
telephone charges, propane refill or other costs ( to a maximum
of $350 ) not covered in the rental agreement relating to occupancy
of the cottage and use of any recreational equipment.
The
deposit is kept for 45 days which gives the owner of the cottage
time to receive his or her telephone bill and to notify this agency
of any long distance charges during your stay at the cottage. Any long distance charges are deducted from your security deposit. You are asked to please use your calling card when making long distance calls. When you arrive at the cottage you will find a dump card or landfill permit which you will need when you take your garbage to the local garbage dump. If you lose this card, $25 will be deducted from your security deposit which is the cost of a new landfill card at the local municipal office.
If you lose the key to your cottage, you will be charged $10 for having a new key made. You are expected to return the cottage in the same condition you
get it in.
After your departure, our field staff or the
owner checks the cottage again before the next renter arrives
and if the cottage needs cleaning after your use or repairs have
to be made, the cottage will be cleaned and the repairs done and
cost of that cleaning and those repairs if needed, to a maximum
of $350 will be charged to your credit card or debited from your security deposit. A full accounting
of these charges will be forwarded to you by mail.
If you or someone in your group inadvertently breaks something,
you are asked to please notify this agency out of courtesy to
the owner and/or next renters. If garbage is left behind,
you will be charged $5.00 per bag for removal of this garbage to the local land fill site.
Unless
you are told otherwise, all cottages
within the WRD Cottage Rental inventory have a lock box attached
to the door of the cottage. You will receive a map to the cottage
and the code to open this lock box before your vacation. All you do when you arrive at the cottage is locate the lock
box, punch in the code provided for your cottage, open the lock
box, open the cottage door with the key from the lock box, return
the key to the lock box and secure the lock box until the next
time you need to open the door. When your vacation is over,
ensure that the key is in the lock box and ensure that the lock
box is indeed locked. When you first arrive at the cottage you
will find your Household Rules and Information which will tell
you everything you need to know about the cottage and where
things can be found in the cottage.
To open your lock box, simply punch in the numerical code for your lock box and then slide the top button down and towards you.
To close the lock box again, simply punch in your code again,
slide the top button down again and replace the
face plate to the original position.
The second button in the middle of the face plate is a "clear" button in case you make a mistake in entering your code.
If you have any questions with regards to the operation of the
lock box, don't hesitate to contact us directly.
If
you have chosen a cottage which allows pets, yes by all means
bring your pet. If your cottage information sheet which
you received with your confirmation states that pets are not
permitted then we are sorry but your pet or the pet of any guest
will not be welcome.
If you are staying in a pet friendly cottage, you are asked
to keep your pet on the property at all times and that
the pet is not to be left alone at the cottage while you are
not there. If your pet likes to bark, we ask that you
keep the barking to a minimum while the pet is at the cottage.
The woods and forests around your cottage are inhabited by animals
which could harm your dog such as bears, porcupines, skunks
and frogs. It's a good idea and just common sense to
keep your pet close by at all times.
You
are expected to bring your own sheets, pillow cases, towels, facecloths
and life jackets (see below). Blankets and pillows will
be at the cottage when you arrive. Other
than these essentials and your food, everything else is pretty
well supplied by the owner of the cottage. You can certainly
bring your food from the city but there are good food stores in
the area for your convenience. Most cottage owners supply
some spices and some toilet paper to get you started but you are
asked out of courtesy to the owners or the next renters to replace
these essentials before you leave.
You
should also bring your own PFD's (personal flotation devices)
better known as life jackets. Every person in a boat of
any kind in Ontario is required to have a life jacket. Life jackets
are a very personal thing and you should go to a store where someone
will help you to choose the right kind of life jacket and have
it fitted properly. The owners of our cottages are instructed
to NOT provide life jackets for renters as it is virtually
impossible for the owner of the cottage to stock enough life jackets
to fit all sizes of renters. Failure to have a life jacket while
in a boat in Ontario could result in a heavy fine. Our waterways
are now consistently patrolled by the Marine Division of the Ontario Provincial Police.
In addition, every boat that leaves
shore should be equipped with a bailer, a 15 meter floating rope,
a waterproof flashlight and waterproof whistle. At the beginning
of the rental season, our owners ensure that this equipment is
supplied for each watercraft at the cottage. If this equipment
is missing. it is up to you to ensure that these articles are
in your watercraft before leaving the dock or shore to satisfy
Ontario Safe Boating Regulations. This equipment can be purchased
at any marina in the area. Once again, failure to have this equipment
on board could result in a fine.
Please
Note - Portable hot tubs are
not permitted at any of our rental properties without the expressed
written permission of the Rental Agency.
First
of all, this agency is contracted by the owners of the cottages
to find suitable renters for their cottage. In other words,
we work hard to fulfill the expectations of the owners. The owners indicate to the agency the maximum allowable number
of renters at any given cottage. This is most important
and is usually based on the capabilities of the septic system
at that particular cottage. Unlike your home in the city,
all waste from the toilets and the sinks remains on the property
and exits the cottage into an elaborate maze of tanks and pipes
under the ground around the cottage. This septic system
is usually designed to service the number of people that the cottage
can sleep. If too much waste is forced through the system,
the system will back up and a plumber will be needed to rectify
the situation. Believe us when we say, "You do not
want septic problems during your vacation." The
septic system is very sensitive to what it is expected to handle. Renters should only put single ply toilet paper in the septic
system and care should be taken to only flush the toilets when
absolutely necessary. Sanitary napkins, paper towels,
grease or cigarette butts should never be put down
the toilet. These items are sure to plug the system.
Like the septic system, care should be taken with the use of water
at the cottage. The water used at the cottage will either
come from a well or will be pumped from the lake. Be conservative
with the use of water regardless of where it comes from.
Do not take a lot of showers back to back. Do not take showers
while doing the laundry or the dishes. Take short showers
rather than baths which consume a lot of water, Give the
pumping system time to replenish the amount of water available.
All of these factors help to determine the maximum allowable number
of people permitted at the cottage. This agency will not tolerate renters who
exceed the maximum allowable numbers at the cottage.
We also ask that you limit day visitors to your cottage to a maximum
number of 3 people. In other words if your cottage
allows 6 renters, then you should never have more than 6 renters
overnight and 3 guests during the day for a total 9 people on
the property at any one time. The owners of the neighboring
properties are asked by the owners of your cottage to keep an
eye on the comings and goings at the cottage. If your neighbor
sees things happening which are against the terms and conditions
of your rental, or that there is excessive noise, your neighbor
is instructed to call the rental agency. We in turn will visit
the property to determine the problem.
Your understanding and consideration of these factors will be
greatly appreciated.
If
for some reason there is a need to visit our offices in Severn Muskoka,
here are directions from both East and West Toronto.
From
East or West Toronto
Proceed
east or west on Hwy. 401 to Hwy. 400. Go north
on Hwy. 400 to Barrie. Stay on Hwy. 400 through Barrie and
on the north side of Barrie, Hwy. 400 will automatically turn
into Hwy. 11 North. Stay on Hwy. 11 North to Orillia.
Due
to circumstances beyond the control of this rental agency, a motorized
watercraft may be left at the dock of the cottage you are renting. Please note that this motorized watercraft is NOT part of the
rental of the cottage and in no way should be used by the renter.
If
you wish to rent a motorized watercraft, there are several marinas
in the area who rent watercraft, supply fuel, do
maintenance and provide snowmobile supplies.
Robert's
Marina (Grass Lake - Haliburton) - 705-457-1473
Wedgewood
Marina (12 Mile Lake) - 705-489-2320
Mountain
Trout House (Kawagama Lake) - 705-766-2292
Old
Mill Marina (Kawagama Lake) - 705-766-2214
Riverview
Marina - Pigeon Lake Bobcaygeon - 705-799-5837
If
you are confused about licenses needed to operate a motorized
boat in Ontario, visit the following web site
for all the information needed http://www.boaterexam.com/?id=301
What
kinds of wildlife might I see in Cottage Country?
Cottage Country is home to many more animals than there
are people. We are visiting their home and as such
we need to pay a healthy respect for the animals which inhabit
our forests. During any given day around your cottage
you may see dear, moose, bear, fox, wolves, porcupines,
skunks, raccoons, chipmunks, groundhogs, mice and hundreds
of species of birds. Please do not feed the animals
and by all means, ensure that your garbage is in a secure
container if you put it outside overnight. If
not, you will be picking up garbage from one end of your
rental property to the next in the morning.
In our lakes there are bass, trout, muskie, pike, walleye,
pickerel, whitefish and splake. Hunting is permitted
in season and fishing is one of the favorite pastimes in
the north country. If you do fish, we encourage "catch
and release". Permits are required for both hunting
and fishing and these permits are available at several locations
within the area. So while you are in Cottage Country,
be kind to our animals. They are a precious resource
and a joy for all to see.
Where
can I find information on hiking, biking, golf,
skiing and snowmobiling and other attractions?
There
is lots to see and do in Cottage Country and information
is readily available through the following organizations or web
sites and phone numbers.
Golf
Courses
Beaverbrook
Golf Course - 705-286-1378
Blairhampton Golf Club - 705-286-1315
Haliburton Highlands Golf Course - 705-457-2233
Lakeside Golf Club - 705-754-2110
PineStone Golf & Conference Resort - 800-461-0357
Haliburton
County Nordic Trails Association - 800-461-7677 www.skihaliburton.8m.com
Haliburton
County Snowmobile Association - 705-286-1722
Haliburton
County Studio Tour - 800-461-7677 www.haliburtonstudiotoour.on.ca
Haliburton
Forest and Wild Life Reserve - 705-754-2198 www.haliburtonforest.com
Haliburton
Highlands Chamber of Commerce - 800-461-7677 www.haliburtonhighlandschamber.on.ca
Haliburton
Highlands Trails and Tours - 800-766-2451
Leslie
M. Frost Natural Resources Centre -
705-766-2451
Moose
Woods Trail Centre - 705-754-4976
Sir
Sam's Ski Resort - 800-361-2188 www.sirsamsinn.com
Sir
Sandford Fleming College - 705-457-1680 www.flemingc.on.ca/programs/hsfa
Teddy
Time - The best Teddy Bear store in Ontario - Halco Plaza behind Home Hardware 705-457-2959 www.teddytime.com
Winter
Dance Dog Sled Tours - 705-457-5281 www.winterdance.com
