Making Reservation Requests | Rental Policies

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• Cancellations and Transfers
• Termination of Rentals
• Partial Week Rentals
• Occupancy
• No Smoking Policies
• Fireplaces
• Grilling
• Hurricane Policies
• CSA Insurance
• Telephones, Internet, Mail and Faxes
• Don't Forget to Bring
• Other Important Information
  

Cancellations and Transfers back to top

If you need to cancel your reservation, please notify us as soon as possible. We will try to re-rent the vacation home. If the vacation home is re-rented at the same rate for the entire period of your reservation at no loss to the vacation home owner, your payments will be refunded less the administrative fee, a $75.00 cancellation fee, paid insurance premiums, and all applicable sales tax. If the vacation home is not re-rented, all tenant payments will be forfeited. Payments may be covered by CSA Insurance. Reimbursement by CSA is subject to policy terms and conditions. Transfers for the same vacation home for the same rate period require a $25.00 transfer fee. All other transfers are considered cancellations.

Termination of Rentals back to top

We reserve the right to refund deposits, refuse rental or terminate occupancy if, in our opinion, the occupancy may be detrimental to the property. No refunds will be given if occupancy is terminated as a result of violation of our rental regulations, or if the reservation was obtained under false pretenses.

Partial Week Rentals back to top

Some vacation homes are available for less than a full week. We do not have any one or two night rentals. Partial week or weekend reservations cannot be made more than 7 days in advance of the arrival date during Peak and On seasons and no more than 14 days in advance during Mid and Off seasons. Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving partial week rates are based upon On season nightly rates. Topsail Realty must immediately receive the completed Vacation Rental Agreement and full payment via VISA or MasterCard credit cards. Additional payment requirements will be addressed when the reservation is made.

Occupancy back to top

The maximum number of occupants allowed in each vacation home is shown in the vacation home description beside MAX. Children of all ages (including infants) are counted. North Carolina law requires that total occupancy in units served by septic systems not exceed two persons per bedroom. Bed sizes are indicated to allow flexibility in sleeping arrangements and do not indicate occupancy limits. Topsail Realty is authorized by our contract with property owners to rent to family groups only. No teen or college groups are permitted even if chaperoned by adults. Rentals to individuals under the age of 24 are not permitted. We reserve the right to require official identification showing picture and date of birth. Overcrowding or misrepresentation is cause for immediate eviction and forfeiture of all monies paid.

No Smoking Policies back to top

Most of our property owners do not allow smoking in their vacation homes; others do not allow smoking anywhere in the house or outside on the property. These homes are designated in our vacation home descriptions. Any tenant violating the owner’s no smoking rule may cause all tenants to be evicted with forfeiture of all monies paid. Smoking includes all kinds of inhaled lighted material, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.

Fireplaces back to top

Fireplaces advertised in vacation home descriptions are not available for use from May through September. Unadvertised fireplaces, even if shown in photos, are not available for tenant use at any time.

Grilling back to top

Our strong prevailing winds make grilling anywhere at our vacation homes and duplexes a dangerous proposition. Some of our property owners have chosen to not allow grilling on their property. Where grilling is permitted, it is strongly recommended that grilling be done as far from the building as possible. If a grill is provided, tenant is responsible for cleaning. Under no circumstances is grilling permitted on wooden decks and boardwalks or underneath buildings. Eviction without refund may result if grilling regulations and restrictions are violated. Tenants will be held financially and legally accountable for problems created by violation of our grilling regulations and restrictions.

Hurricane Policies back to top

If you are staying on Topsail Island when there is an approaching hurricane, you should call the local Town Hall or Police Department for information regarding mandatory evacuation plans. If there is a mandatory evacuation, tenants must promptly comply with the evacuation order and take all their possessions (including all food) with them since re-entry cannot be guaranteed. Topsail Realty does not offers refunds in the event of a hurricane evacuation or other events covered by CSA Insurance. We highly recommend purchase of CSA Insurance to protect your vacation investment.

CSA Insurance back to top

To make sure you have a relaxing, worry-free vacation Topsail Realty offers CSA Insurance to cover numerous events including illness, injury, or death of tenant or a family member; hurricanes; and other defined perils. CSA Insurance charges are shown on the Vacation Rental Agreement. We highly recommend purchase of the insurance so you may be financially reimbursed in the case of a covered event. A flier describing this insurance will be mailed with every Vacation Rental Agreement. For more information call CSA at (866) 298-6846. Refer to "Plan Code ICI320". If you choose not to purchase the insurance prior to making your final payment, which is due no later than 30 days prior to your arrival, no refunds will be given for events that would have been covered by the insurance, including hurricane evacuations. Insurance payments are non-refundable.

Telephones, Internet, Mail and Faxes back to top

All homes have telephones available for local calls only. The telephone number will be printed on the Vacation Rental Agreement. Toll calls must be made collect or on a credit card. No direct dialed long-distance calls, directory assistance calls, or incoming collect calls are permitted. Some homeowners have "long distance blocks" on their telephones. If the phone at the vacation home you have rented has a long distance block, you will need to go to a pay telephone to make long distance calls. Some vacation homes provide wired and/or wireless high speed internet access for tenants. Wired high speed internet access will require the use of an Ethernet cable. Wireless high speed internet access may require the use of a wireless notebook card. These items are not provided. Tenants will need to bring these items. Mail may be sent to you c/o General Delivery, Topsail Beach, NC 28445-9831 and must be picked up at the Post Office. If you are planning to send or receive faxes during your stay, please call our office and we will give you locations and numbers of fax machines available to the public.

Don't Forget To Bring … back to top

• bed linens (sheets & pillowcases)
• blankets (especially during spring and fall)
• bath towels
• kitchen towels
• baby items (pack-n-play, high chair, baby gate, etc.)
• beach items (beach towels, beach chairs, sunscreen, beach toys, boogie boards, etc.)
• iron & ironing board
• paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, etc.)
• kitchen items (aluminum and plastic wraps, cleaning supplies, plastic garbage bags, liquid dishwasher soap, food and condiments)
• personal toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, etc.)
• laundry detergent
• flashlights
• battery operated radio
• Ethernet cables and/or wireless notebook card (for homes that advertise high speed internet for tenant use)

If you would like to rent linens, towels, baby items, or beach items please contact Topsail Sunsational Rentals or Me and Mom Rentals.

All vacation homes are set up for simple housekeeping and cooking. Each vacation home is furnished according to the owner’s taste. Vacation homes vary in amenities, décor, furnishings, etc. All vacation homes provide bedspreads, pillows, a vacuum cleaner, broom, mop, coffee maker, toaster or toaster oven, microwave, and other kitchen items for simple meal preparation and serving. If you are planning special meal preparations you should bring the necessary preparation equipment such as a food processor, blender, special or extra large pots and pans, chef’s knives, etc. with you. Beach chairs are usually not provided. Our office does not have linens or other items for rent.

Other Important Information back to top

Emergency and after hours phone numbers: For emergencies call 911. For non-emergencies that can’t wait until our office opens at 9:00 AM, our after hours number is posted beside our office front door. The number may change depending on which employee is covering after hours calls.

Fireworks, firearms, or bonfires are not permitted in accordance with local and state laws.

Town zoning ordinances in Topsail Beach and Surf City restrict the hook-up of any camper, bus, van, or motor home to any vacation home.

Sand dunes: Please use the designated beach access walkways and do not walk or play on the dunes. The sea oats and beach grass help prevent beach erosion. Please do not pick or destroy them. Please don’t litter the beach with trash or cigarette butts — leave only your footprints behind.

Parking space is limited at most vacation homes. Please ask our reservationist about available space for cars and boat trailers. Parking off driveways may damage septic systems.

Maintenance: All equipment in the house should be in proper working order. Promptly give our office written notification of any equipment problems.  Every effort will be made to correct the problem. However, no refund or rate adjustment will be made for mechanical failure.

Inspections and repairs: It may be necessary for Topsail Realty staff or representatives to enter the vacation home for inspections or to make repairs.

Items left in vacation homes by the tenants: We are not responsible for articles left in vacation homes or theft of any kind. If you request that we attempt to locate and mail any forgotten articles to you, you will be charged packing and mailing charges plus a $25.00 service charge. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity or discarded at the end of each month.

House for sale: Occasionally a vacation home may be on the market for sale. Owners reserve the right to have their property shown to qualified buyers. Every effort will be made to schedule the showing at a convenient time and not interrupt your vacation.

Property substitution: If your vacation home becomes unavailable for any reason, we reserve the right to transfer you to another vacation home or to refund your money, less non-refundable insurance payments. Please read your Vacation Rental Agreement for details.

Tenants’ responsibilities:  Tenants are responsible for abiding by all rules, regulations, and instructions provided to Tenants, posted in vacation homes, in the N.C. Vacation Rental Act, the Vacation Rental Agreement, on our website, and in the current rental brochure. Any exceptions to the above mentioned rules, regulations, and instructions must be approved in writing in advance by the President of Topsail Realty, Inc

Statement of responsibility: Topsail Realty is not responsible for circumstances beyond our control, not limited to but including inclement weather, utility failure, disturbances on nearby property, construction noise or debris, or acts of nature.

Disclosure: In accordance with the National Association of Realtors Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, it is hereby disclosed that Topsail Realty, Inc. has a contractual relationship with the Owners represented in Topsail Realty’s advertising. This contractual relationship employs us to act as the Agent of the Owners and treat all parties (Tenants and Owners) honestly, fairly, and in good faith.

Errors and omissions: Every effort is made to ensure that all information in Topsail Realty’s advertising is accurate and complete. However, Topsail Realty cannot be held responsible for possible typographical errors; omissions; price changes; changes in taxes; or changes made by vacation home owners in furnishings, equipment, or bed arrangements. Rental vacation homes are privately owned and changes may be made to some of the vacation homes or their contents.