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Terms and Conditions

 

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RESPONSIBLE RENTER AND MINIMUM AGE The Renter must be an occupant of the Property for the entire duration of the stay. All other occupants must be family members, friends, or other responsible adults over the Minimum Age, or minors accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The Minimum Age to rent any Property is 25 years. Proof of age must be provided upon request. The Renter is fully responsible for the conduct, actions, and compliance of all occupants, guests, and invitees present at the Property during the stay.

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1. MULTIPLE OCCUPANCY This Agreement is binding on each signatory individually and jointly. In the event of default by any one signatory, all signatories remain fully responsible for rent, charges, and performance of all terms of this Agreement.

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2. USE AND OCCUPANCY LIMITS The Property shall be used as a private residence only. Occupancy is limited to the maximum number of guests stated in the online listing, excluding children under the age of two. Exceeding occupancy limits constitutes a material breach of this Agreement and a violation of Bedford County and Franklin County regulations. Violation may result in immediate termination of the reservation without refund.

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3. GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY The Property is a privately owned home. All occupants must conduct themselves in a respectful manner and avoid disruptive behavior. Noise audible outside the Property is prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Parking restrictions must be observed at all times. Parking on lawns or adjacent properties is prohibited. Complaints from neighbors, law enforcement, or homeowner associations constitute a breach of this Agreement.

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4. PET POLICY Dogs are permitted only when specifically authorized in the reservation and when the required pet fee has been paid. No other animals are permitted except bona fide service animals as required by law. Documentation may be requested. Unauthorized pets will result in a charge of $300 per pet. Emotional support animals are not permitted unless authorized as paid pets. Pets must be current on flea and tick prevention and vaccinations, must remain under control at all times, and must be leashed when off the Property. No guarantee is made that the Property is free of pet allergens.

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5. TRASH REMOVAL AND CLEANING All trash must be removed upon departure and taken to the designated facility. The cleaning fee covers routine post-stay cleaning only and does not include grill cleaning. Upon checkout, tenants are required to wipe kitchen counters and stove, empty clean dishes from the dishwasher, scrape grill grates, remove food, wipe the refrigerator interior, and return furnishings to their original locations.

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6. ORDINANCES, STATUTES, AND PROHIBITED CONDUCT Tenant shall comply with all applicable municipal, state, and federal statutes, ordinances, regulations, and subdivision rules governing use of the Property. Loud, disruptive, or boisterous conduct is prohibited. The Property is intended for quiet residential use only and may not be used as a venue for events or gatherings. Smoking or vaping is strictly prohibited inside the Property, including all interior spaces, screened porches, enclosed decks, and garages, and in any location where smoke may enter the Property through doors or windows. Violation of this section constitutes a material breach of this Agreement and may result in immediate termination of the reservation without refund, along with charges for additional cleaning, deodorization, remediation, or damage resulting from such violation.

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7. MAINTENANCE AND CONDITION Tenant acknowledges that the Property is in good order at the time of occupancy unless otherwise reported promptly upon arrival. Maintenance issues must be reported immediately to Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals LLC. Necessary repairs will be addressed within a reasonable timeframe. No refunds or compensation will be provided for inconvenience caused by maintenance or repairs.

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8. DAMAGE TO PREMISES If the Property becomes untenantable due to damage not caused by Tenant, either party may terminate this Agreement with written notice. Rent will be prorated and unused prepaid amounts refunded. If damage results from Tenant negligence or misuse, Owner retains the sole right to terminate. Virginia law prohibits grills on decks or covered terraces of multi-unit dwellings.

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9. ENTRY, INSPECTION, AND WATER LEVEL CONDITIONS Owner or authorized agents retain the right to enter the Property in the event of an emergency, to perform necessary or agreed repairs, to provide required services, or to show the Property to prospective purchasers, tenants, or contractors. Except in cases of emergency or abandonment, entry will occur during normal business hours with no less than twenty-four hours prior notice.

Tenant acknowledges and agrees that Smith Mountain Lake water levels fluctuate due to weather conditions and dam operations controlled by American Electric Power. These fluctuations may affect shoreline access, dock height, boat access, and usability of docking facilities. Water levels are outside the control of the Owner and Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals LLC. No refunds, credits, or compensation will be issued due to lake levels, dock conditions, or changes in water access during the rental period.

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10. INDEMNIFICATION Owner is not liable for injury, loss, or damage occurring on the Property unless caused by Owner negligence or unlawful acts. Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Owner and Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals LLC from all claims arising from Tenant or occupant use of the Property.

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11. WATERFRONT, LAKE, POOL, AND HOT TUB LIABILITY WAIVER By booking and occupying the Property, Tenant acknowledges that the Property may provide access to natural bodies of water and man-made water features, including but not limited to Smith Mountain Lake, shoreline areas, docks, piers, boat lifts, swim platforms, ladders, swimming pools, hot tubs, and any related water or recreational equipment.

Tenant understands and agrees that no lifeguard, safety attendant, or water supervision is provided at any time for the lake, pool, hot tub, dock, or surrounding areas.

Tenant acknowledges that use of natural and artificial water features involves inherent risks, including drowning, slipping, falls, submerged or unseen objects, fluctuating water levels, weather conditions, water temperature, wildlife, mechanical or electrical components, and boat or watercraft activity.

Children, non-swimmers, elderly individuals, individuals with medical conditions, and pets must be supervised at all times while in, on, or near any body of water, pool, hot tub, dock, or shoreline area.

Use of the lake, dock, shoreline, pool, hot tub, and all water-related amenities is voluntary and undertaken at Tenant’s sole risk. Tenant and all occupants, guests, and invitees assume full responsibility for any injury, illness, death, or property damage arising from or related to use of any water feature or water-related amenity.

Tenant releases, indemnifies, and agrees to hold harmless the Owner and Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals LLC from any and all claims, demands, losses, liabilities, or damages arising from or related to use of the lake, waterfront, pool, hot tub, dock, or any water-related equipment or amenity. If Tenant does not agree to this waiver and assumption of risk, Tenant must not book or occupy the Property.

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12. POSSESSION If Owner is unable to deliver possession at the start of the rental period, Tenant shall not be charged rent until possession is delivered.

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13. CONSEQUENCES OF BREACH AND CHARGES FOR DAMAGE Any failure by Tenant or any Occupant to comply with the terms, conditions, rules, or policies set forth in this Agreement constitutes a breach. A breach may result in forfeiture of Tenant’s right to occupy the Property, including immediate termination of the reservation and removal from the Property without refund, with or without the assistance of law enforcement.

Tenant is financially responsible for all damages, losses, and costs arising during the rental period and authorizes Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals LLC to charge the credit card on file for the full amount of the following, as applicable: damage to or loss of the Property, furnishings, equipment, or contents occurring during the stay; additional cleaning fees resulting from violations of guest policies or excessive cleaning required due to the actions or omissions of Tenant or any Occupant; and any fines, fees, or charges issued by law enforcement, government agencies, utility providers, or homeowner associations resulting from violations of applicable laws, ordinances, or rules during the stay.

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14. DEFAULT Failure to pay rent or comply with this Agreement constitutes default. Owner may terminate Tenant rights, recover damages, and dispose of abandoned property as permitted by law. Time is of the essence.

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15. NON-REFUNDABLE DAMAGE FEE A non-refundable damage fee applies to all reservations and covers accidental damage up to $1,000, excluding pet-related damage. Tenant remains responsible for all damages exceeding this amount.

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16. CANCELLATION POLICY All cancellations are subject to a $100 cancellation fee. Cancellations received at least 90 days prior to the scheduled arrival date will receive a refund of payments made, less the cancellation fee. Cancellations received within 90 days of arrival are non-refundable unless the Property is re-rented for the same dates and rate, in which case payments received, less the cancellation fee, will be refunded.

Tenant acknowledges that third-party booking platforms may maintain separate cancellation policies, fees, timelines, or refund procedures. When a reservation is made through a third-party platform, Tenant may be subject to additional or different cancellation terms imposed by that platform. Regardless of the booking method, Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals LLC’s cancellation fees, timelines, and refund structure apply and remain enforceable.

Failure to remit required deposits or balances may result in reservation cancellation. In the event the Property becomes unavailable, Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals LLC reserves the right to substitute comparable accommodations.

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17. TRAVEL INSURANCE Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals LLC advises guests to obtain appropriate and comprehensive travel insurance covering the Renter and all Occupants, including coverage for cancellation, personal injury, illness or disease, and property damage or loss, to protect against financial loss if a reservation must be canceled for a covered reason.

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GOVERNING LAW This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

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ATTORNEY’S FEES The prevailing party in any legal action is entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

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WAIVER Failure to enforce any provision does not waive enforcement rights.

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NOTICES Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement may be delivered in writing by mail, email, or electronic communication, including messages sent through booking platforms or guest portals. Notices to Tenant will be sent to the contact information provided at booking and are deemed received when sent. Tenant is responsible for keeping contact information current.

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ENTIRE AGREEMENT This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and may be modified only in writing signed by both parties.

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DISCLOSURE Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals LLC represents the Property Owner. No responsibility is assumed for personal items left behind. Recovered items may be returned upon request for a $20 handling fee plus shipping costs.

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Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Rentals LLC BY: Tim Basham, Owner J. King, Manager

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