Stowe Country Homes Rental & Payment Policies

• Basic Rental Info
• Property Features
• Housekeeping
• Maintenance

Basic Rental Info

Can I cancel my reservation?

You may cancel within the first 24 hours of booking the reservation with a full refund. Cancellations 30 or more days prior to arrival (60 or more days for all Holiday periods) are refundable less a 15% service charge. We are unable to offer refunds on reservations cancelled within 30 days of the check-in date, (60 or more days for Winter Holiday periods), unless you purchase our optional Trip Protection plan and the reason for cancellation falls within the trip protection guidelines.

Do you offer a no-contact check-in option?

Yes, we are only using contactless pickup via the lockbox at our office. Please read the Check-in instructions sent to you via email. In it you will find the description of the lockbox location and instructions for its access.

How old do I need to be to reserve a home?

All renters and guests must be at least 25 years old or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Do you require an initial deposit? When is the balance due?

Stowe Country Homes requires an initial payment of 50% of the rental amount to confirm and hold your reservation. Thirty (30) days prior to arrival, or sixty (60) days prior for any holidays, the balance is due in full and the reservation is non-refundable. If you are booking within thirty (30) days prior to arrival, or sixty (60) days prior for a holiday period, payment is due in full at that time.

Do I need to sign a rental contract in order to secure my reservation?

Yes. To confirm a reservation, a signed Vacation Rental Agreement is required. This document consists of the renter’s financial obligations along with the “terms and conditions” of the rental. Our Rental Agreements are sent through email and can be signed electronically.

How do I pay for a reservation?

We accept all major credit cards with a 1.9% convenience fee. We also accept electronic checks (ACH payments). Funds can also be wired (please call our office for details) or a check sent directly to our office:
Stowe Country Homes
541 S. Main Street
Stowe, VT 05672

If I book online, is my rental guaranteed?

Online reservations take 48 hours to process. If you are booking a property within 48 hours of arrival, you MUST contact a Stowe Country Homes agent immediately to confirm the reservation. Rental home reservations are not confirmed and executed until a signed rental agreement is received by our office.

Do I need to pay a security deposit?

At Stowe Country Homes we offer Security Deposit Protection through a third party service. This policy protects you as the renter, as well as the rentee. The Security Deposit Protection protects you from financial burden for losses due to damages that occur accidentally within the property while you occupy the residence. It does not cover any costs due to intentional acts, gross negligence or willful conduct by you or your traveling companions. Any additional cleaning or maintenance expense incurred due to smoking in the residence, unapproved pets in the residence, key locked in residence, furniture rearranged but not returned to original position, windows left open, not honoring check-out time, or any damage caused by gross negligence or willful conduct by you or your travel companions will be charged immediately to your credit card. If we do not have a card on file, payment to STOWE COUNTRY HOMES for the full amount is due within thirty days of receipt. The Security Deposit Protection is included with all Stowe Country Homes reservations, unless specifically waived by the owner of the property. If you do not purchase the Security Deposit Protection, you are liable for damages, accidental or intentional, to the limit of the security deposit, which is typically equal to one night stay. Any additional cleaning or maintenance expense due to smoking in the residence, unapproved pets in the residence, key locked in residence, furniture rearranged but not returned to original position, windows left open, not honoring check-out time or any damage caused by gross negligence or will full conduct by your or your travel companions will be charged immediately to your credit card. If any guest smokes in residence during their stay, the entire amount of security deposit will be charged immediately.

How do I check-in?

Detailed check-in procedures that are specifically tailored to the property you have rented are sent twice automatically via email: first when you have fully paid for your reservation, and second seven days prior to your arrival. (Please note that last-minute reservations do not follow this timeline.)
Check-in time is 4:00 pm and check out time is 10:00 am. Please see below for early check-in information. The fee associated with an early arrival time depends upon the size of the home.

How do I obtain the keys?

Stowe Country Homes now uses contactless pickup via the lockbox at our office, located at 541 S. Main Street in Stowe (Route 100). For large groups arriving separately, please let us know in advance. We will be happy to provide directions directly to the house or condo as needed. Please request this information during our regular office hours, Monday through Friday between 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.

What is the check-out procedure?

Check out time is 10:00 am. A $75.00 per hour fee will be assessed for failing to vacate the unit by the agreed upon departure time. Keys picked up at the Stowe Country Homes office MUST be returned there. A no-contact drop box is on the right-hand side of our lockbox. Upon departing, please leave the home in the same general condition as it was found. Leave the home clean, wash the dishes you've used, remove all food, shut the windows, and lock all doors.

Do I have to check-in by a certain time?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Guests may arrive at any time afterwards. We offer no-contact arrival procedures using our lockbox, located at 541 S. Main Street in Stowe (Route 100). Detailed instructions are sent twice automatically via email: first when you have fully paid for your reservation, and second seven days prior to your arrival. (Please note that last-minute reservations do not follow this timeline.)

Do you allow early check-ins?

There is now a minimum of 48 hours between rentals. An early check-in is dependent on whether or not the housekeeper has time to fully clean the home before your arrival. The fee associated with an early arrival time depends upon the size of the home. We are unable to provide a reservation with an arrival date that occurs on the same day as a departure from that property (back-to-back bookings). Please contact your agent directly to inquire if an early check-in on your arrival day may be possible.

Can I get a late check-out?

There is now a minimum of 48 hours between rentals. The fee associated with a later check out time depends upon the size of the home. Please contact your agent directly to inquire if a late check out may be possible PRIOR to the day of your departure and not on the day of your departure. Please note that calling to request a late departure on the day you are scheduled to depart does not provide the staff the proper amount of time to accommodate your request.

Property Features

Do any of your properties allow pets?

Some of our properties are dog friendly. They are noted with a paw icon. ALL dogs must be pre-approved by our office PRIOR to a reservation being confirmed. An additional fee of $75 per dog is required. When signing the Vacation Rental Agreement, you will also be required to sign and abide by the Pet Agreement Addendum. Please note that bringing an undeclared pet, whether or not the property is pet friendly, can result in the termination of your reservation during your rental and that you may be asked to leave the premises. Guests who do not declare their pets will not be refunded if they are asked to leave.
No Cats are allowed unless specifically requested and approved by the property owner.

Can I bring more people than the maximum allowed listed?

No. Much thought is put into the maximum occupancy per home and it cannot be exceeded. Maximum occupancy is established by house size, septic tanks, well systems, and neighborhoods.
Rates are quoted for a specified number of guests. Additional guests (not to exceed maximum) may be subject to a per person, per day charge.
Do you allow parties or weddings in your homes?
No parties shall be allowed without prior consent of the Property Owner and Stowe Country Homes. We do have some homes that have agreed to allow functions and only these designated homes will consider planned parties or wedding. You will find these homes in our platinum collection. Please note that there may be additional fees, parking restrictions, and guest count maximums.

Is smoking allowed in any of the homes?

Smoking IS NOT permitted on the premises of any of our rental properties.

What items can I expect to find in the home?

Please see the features and amenities section of the specific home listing. Stowe Country Homes also provides a few items to get you started, including: shampoo, conditioner, soap, paper towels, coffee filters, carpet spot cleaner, toilet paper, laundry detergent, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, dishwasher packs/pods, dish brush, kitchen trash bags, and small trash can liners.

Does the home come with linens and towels, or do I need to bring my own?

Your Stowe Country Homes rental will be equipped with all the basic necessities. All the beds will be made with fresh linens and bath towels will be provided. If you would like beach towels, we recommend bringing those with you.

What cable and internet package does the home have? Will we be able to watch the game? What is internet TV?

Rental properties are individually owned and each has different services in place. Please note that Vermont is a rural area. It does not have the same infrastructure to which you may be accustomed. Stowe Country Homes cannot guarantee television service, television channel availability, phone service (whether cell or landline), and/or internet service. Although each rental property does have free Wifi for guest use, these utilities are provided by separate companies and are not under the control of Stowe Country Homes. Should a service issue arise during your reservation we will happily do what we can to assist. There are cases in which service can not be improved, unfortunately.

Can I receive mail at my rental?

This depends and is largely circumstantial. Long-term reservations of a year or more may receive mail at the rental address IF mail delivery is provided by the USPS.
Many areas in Stowe do not have the option of mail delivery at all. In that case, and in the case of short term stays, please use our office address: 541 S. Main Street, Stowe, VT, 05672.
Please be sure to add your name to the item being delivered so our staff knows to whom the item belongs, and provide us your direct contact information at the office. Someone from our staff will contact you when your item is delivered to the office and is available for pickup. We regret that our staff can not deliver the mail to your rental.

Housekeeping

Do we need to clean the property upon departure?

When you rent a home from Stowe Country Homes, it sparkles. This is because we don’t let a house sit days or weeks after it’s been rented - instead, we scour it from top to bottom to make it shine. While cleaning every inch and stripping beds is critical, we also make note of every detail of the home’s presentation. Our departure cleaning is what keeps a house looking new each time it is rented and what distinguishes Stowe Country Homes from the rest.

Can I have the cleaning fee waived if I clean the home myself, rather than using your cleaning services?

No. Guests are not allowed to clean after their own stay. Our housekeepers meet very strict guidelines and are required to clean the home after each guest vacates.

We’ve run out of toilet paper. Can you bring us some more?

Stowe Country Homes provides a starter kit of supplies only. If you think you will need more than what is provided, please make sure to bring some with you or purchase during your stay.

We can’t get the fireplace/internet/hot tub/etc. working. Are there instructions in the house?

When you arrive at the home you will find that a Welcome Book has been left out for you. You may find either a white or black binder with the Stowe Country Homes logo or name on the front. Each one contains helpful instructions for the specific property you have rented. If you are unable to locate the Welcome Book, or if you need further assistance, please contact us directly at the office: 802-253-8132.

I am allergic to pet dander and other smells, but I want to stay in a pet-friendly home. Is there any way to ensure that I won’t be bothered by them for my stay?

All our Stowe rental homes are thoroughly cleaned after each stay. However, we are unable to guarantee that you will not have a reaction to a home that has been regularly occupied by pets.

What is your lost and found policy?

We will return your lost item to you if you call us within two weeks of your departure date. We do charge a $25 fee, plus shipping to cover the cost of labor, driving time, and postal fees. Any items not claimed within two weeks will be donated to a local charity.

Maintenance

What if we get a lot of snow? Do I need to bring a shovel?

Plowing is included with your rental, but please be patient as we have to plow all properties during snowstorms. You can expect to be plowed every 6” during a storm. All properties have shovels on-site.

Do you provide Emergency Service?

If there is an emergency, please telephone the office. We have a 24-hour answering service. If the problem can wait until morning, we would appreciate your calling us directly during regular business hours.

Can I cancel my reservation?

You may cancel within the first 24 hours of booking the reservation with a full refund. Cancellations 30 or more days prior to arrival (60 or more days for Winter Holiday periods) are refundable less a 15% service charge. We are unable to offer refunds on reservations cancelled within 30 days of the check-in date, (60 or more days for Winter Holiday periods), unless you purchase our optional Trip Protection plan and the reason for cancellation falls within the trip protection guidelines.