All renters must agree to our terms and conditions as well as our house rules prior to booking.

Renters must be 25 years of age or older; younger guests (children, vacationing students, or singles) are permitted to stay with parents/guardians present.

For safety purposes, the number of people at the rental may not exceed the sleeping capacity of the property at any time.

House parties are not allowed under any circumstances.

Big Canoe is a gated community, and the names of all guests will need to be provided to enter.

While some community amenities in Big Canoe are free, others may require an on-site fee — please note this is not included in the rental price.

All Big Canoe amenities are provided and managed through a third party. Host is not liable for amenity availability, maintenance, downtime, or closures under any circumstances.

Welcome & House Rules We’re so excited to host you! To help make your stay smooth, safe, and enjoyable for everyone, we’ve put together a few important things to know before and during your stay:

Before You Arrive → Community & Local Rules: Please take a moment to review any community guidelines or local laws we’ve included in your pre-arrival messages. Many of our homes are in peaceful neighborhoods with full-time residents. → Mountain & Rural Areas: Depending on where you’re staying, be prepared for steep roads, potential wildlife sightings, limited cell signal, and occasional weather-related impacts like snow or ice.

Check-in & Checkout → Check-in: Starts at 4:00 PM (guaranteed by 6:00 PM). Your key code will activate at 4 PM EST → Check-out: Please depart by 10:00 AM. Late checkouts may be available—just ask us in advance! → Guests are not permitted on the property before check-in. Early arrivals may be subject to additional fees.

Hot Tub & Pool Use → Hot tubs are serviced between each stay. They may take several hours to reach full temperature. → Please keep hot tub covers closed when not in use. → Pools and hot tubs are unsupervised—please enjoy responsibly and never leave children unattended. → Pool temperatures may vary, and we can’t guarantee a specific temperature during your stay. → For rentals with private pools, routine maintenance is performed twice a week—service days vary by property. → No soaps, oils, or bubbles allowed in pools, hot tubs, or swim spas.

Water Quality & Quantity → Because many of our homes are located in beautiful, remote areas like the mountains or near the ocean, the property’s water may not always be exactly what you’re used to. It is completely safe to drink — in fact, it’s often fresher and purer than city water — but it can sometimes have a different taste, smell, or even color. This is perfectly normal for the area.

→ Some properties are on a well system, which means the water supply can take several hours (up to 6) to fully refill. Using too much water at the same time — like running multiple showers, sinks, or hoses—may temporarily reduce water flow or availability. To keep everything running smoothly during your stay, please be mindful of usage and avoid leaving water running unnecessarily.

Wildlife & Nature → You may encounter deer, bears, raccoons, or other wildlife—please do not feed them → Be cautious in wooded or rural areas, especially during colder months.

→ Our rentals are located in areas surrounded by nature, which means you'll be sharing the area with a few of nature's tiny locals—like ladybugs, houseflies, stinkbugs, millipedes, carpenter bees, and wasps. While each property is professionally treated on a regular schedule, the surrounding forest and city areas are not. Especially during seasonal changes, these uninvited visitors may find their way into the rental. By booking with us, you acknowledge that occasional bug sightings may occur, and refunds will not be provided for these natural occurrences. If anything feels excessive or concerning, just let us know—we're happy to send pest control back out!

Property Use & Guest Expectations → No parties, events, or large gatherings unless pre-approved in writing. → Respect the Good Neighbor Policy: no excessive noise, loud music, or disruptive behavior at any time. → Only registered guests are allowed overnight, and occupancy limits must be followed. → Please treat the space kindly and let us know of any issues within 24 hours of check-in so we can make it right!

Departure → We’ll send you a short departure checklist before you leave. Helping with small things like trash and dishes really helps keep the home running smoothly for the next guest.

Trash & Cleanliness → Please bag all trash and place it in designated outdoor bins (some are bear-proof!). Locations without trash bins may require a trip to a local collection point—check your guest info or map. → Leaving trash outside the home or not properly bagged may result in a fee.

Parking & Roads → Park only in designated spaces noted in your check-in info. → No roadside parking is allowed—unauthorized vehicles may be towed. → Respect speed limits and stop signs. Some communities enforce traffic rules with license plate readers. Speeding or traffic violations may result in fines passed along to guests.

Pets → Pets are only allowed in homes marked pet-friendly (2 pets max, 75 lbs each) and must be approved in advance with a paid pet fee. Service animals are always welcome and never require a fee, but we kindly ask that you let us know in advance if you’ll be bringing one. → No pets are allowed in pools, tubs, or showers. Crates must be used when unattended, and pets must be leashed outdoors. → Unauthorized pets will result in a $500 fine and possible eviction.

Smoking & Fire → Smoking of any kind is strictly prohibited indoors and on decks or patios. → No fireworks allowed. Outdoor fires are only permitted in designated firepits and only when there is no burn ban in effect. → Smoking or unauthorized fire use may result in a $500 fee and immediate eviction.

Maintenance & Emergencies → We work hard to keep everything running perfectly. If something breaks, we’ll do our best to fix it quickly. → Some items, especially in rural areas (like HVAC, wells, or appliances), may take longer to repair. → For urgent or after hours issues, call our office. For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911.

Damage, Cleaning, & Equipment Use → Please report any damages or issues within 24 hours of check-in. → Please keep the property clean and in good condition. You're responsible for any damage beyond normal wear and tear. → Disconnecting or tampering with electronics, alarms, or surveillance equipment is not allowed and may incur a charge. → Do not remove or alter smoke or carbon monoxide detectors—doing so carries a $1,000 fee. → Excessive mess, trash left behind, or damage may result in additional charges.

Keys, Codes & Guest Passes → Most homes have keyless entry. If you’re given physical keys or guest passes, please return them or a rekey fee will apply.

Cancellations, Deposits & Charges → Cancellation policies vary by platform—check the one you booked through. → A refundable security deposit may be required. → Any fines (e.g., speeding, noise violations) or property damage will be billed to the card on file.

Surveillance & Safety → Some homes may have outdoor-only security cameras for the safety and protection of the property. These will be disclosed in advance and should not be tampered with. → Guests are not allowed to install their own recording devices.

Prohibited Groups & Activities → Greek life groups are not permitted at any property—bookings in violation will be canceled and removed without refund. → Guests must be 25+ to book (unless otherwise approved). Misrepresentation of age will lead to cancellation and/or eviction.

Fines & Penalties → Breaking house rules may result in fines up to $1,000. → Repeated noise complaints or serious rule violations may lead to immediate eviction.

Eviction Policy Immediate eviction (with no refund) may occur for: → Smoking indoors → Unauthorized pets → Excessive noise or disturbances → Breaking occupancy rules → Illegal activity or drug use → Underage bookings → Damaging the property

Lost & Left Behind → We’re happy to try and return forgotten items, but we can’t guarantee it. Shipping costs are your responsibility.

Communication & Texts → We may send text messages about your stay. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP. → Message/data rates may apply, but we’ll never sell or share your info.

Legal Stuff (the short version) → Your stay is governed by our short-term rental agreement. You agree to use the home safely, follow all applicable laws, and accept responsibility for your group. → We aren’t liable for lost belongings, injury, or issues outside of our control (like weather or wildlife). → Any disputes will be resolved through arbitration under Georgia law.

Thank You! Our team works hard to make sure your vacation is stress-free, clean, and memorable. By following these rules, you help ensure that future guests have the same great experience.

Have questions or need anything during your stay? Just give us a call or send a message through the guest portal. We’re here to help!