FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Welcome to your Vacation Rental
Congratulations, you have selected a fully equipped self-catering home for your vacation here on the beautiful Gulf Coast of Florida. Although hotel-type service is not included, we will do everything possible to ensure your stay here is an enjoyable one.
Please have a look at our frequently asked questions, which should help you better understand your the procedures and amenities of your rental home.
For additional questions please call our office at (941) 366-9485
Inside of the property
What do I do if I need to adjust the temperature in the home?
Please do not lower the air condition controls to below 75 Degrees. If you do, there is a risk of damaging the unit making it inoperable (it will freeze up), depriving you of its cooling ability. If this happens you will be responsible for the resultant repair costs.
To help keep your home nice and cool, may we suggest you do not leave doors and windows open any longer than absolutely necessary.
Garbage/waste products – What do I do with leftovers?
Please be aware unrefrigerated food products will attract insects! Please do not leave food on kitchen counters and in bedrooms. Insects can really can find their way through any small nook or cranny, so be aware! For your own comfort and sanitation, please dispose of rubbish properly to avoid unpleasant smells and unwanted ants/bugs which can be a serious nuisance.
During your stay- Garbage Disposal
Please dispose of approved materials in the electrically-operated waste disposal unit in the kitchen sink. Bear in mind, when using this appliance, COLD water MUST be running at all times. The on-switch is located on the wall near the kitchen sink (looks like a light-switch). Please note to feed the garbage disposal vegetable matter only – no bones, shells, seeds, fats, oils, paper towels, or onion skins. These will jam and damage the unit!
Garbage disposals are very powerful and can be very dangerous so do not put your hands into the unit under any circumstance.
During your stay – Garbage/waste products
Please dispose of leftover food items that cannot go in the garbage disposal in the large garbage can in the garage or outside the home (always make sure there is a trash bag in the trash can). Due to our sub-tropical climate here in Florida, if you leave leftover food in the garbage cans inside the home (even if only for a day or two) it will start to rot and emit a very unpleasant smell and attract bugs into your vacation home.
Please make sure to take the large trash can curbside on trash pickup days to avoid the accumulation of unpleasant garbage smells if left over an extended period of time.
Upon your departure – Garbage/waste products:
Please do not leave food leftovers in any trash cans inside the home upon your departure. Please leave all leftover perishable foods in the refrigerator and place any unused dry goods on the kitchen counter for disposal by housekeeping.
Should you have any personal items (shoes, clothing etc.) which you no longer want, leave them in a plastic bag indoors and we will donate them to charity on your behalf. The same applies to any U.S. small change you no longer want or need.
What is the Recycling policy?
Recycling is mandatory – all paper & cardboard products plus bottles and cans must be recycled.
As you accumulate these recyclable items, please place them in the bins in the garage (rinse them out if necessary) – for example, bottles and cans in one bin and paper and cardboard in the other.
For garbage collection/disposal, place these bins curbside early in the morning (starting from 6 a.m.) on collection day or better yet, the night before and then return them to the garage or spot outside the house later the day when empty.
For reference, this is the sticker on the blue recycling bins in Manatee County.
What can I expect from the plumbing system?
The diameter of our plumbing is less than that it is in Europe and as a result cannot handle anything other than basic bathroom tissue. Even excess quantities of toilet tissue can cause blockages. DO NOT PUT DIAPERS, SANITARY/FEMININE, PRODUCTS, WIPES, OR KITCHEN TOWELS IN TOILETS.
If you experience a blockage, do not flush the toilet repeatedly as that will cause it to overflow. The home is equipped with a toilet plunger which should easily clear a minor blockage. If excessive or forbidden items have been flushed down the toilet, and a plumber must be called out, the guest may be liable for the charges of the plumber’s service.
I would like to move things around a little – do you mind if I do so?
We would rather you did not, but if you absolutely have to, then please return everything you have moved to its original home. Failure to do so may result in furniture moving charge!
Oops – I’m so sorry, we have had an accident and have broken something?
If you do accidentally break something, then please tell us so that we can provide replacements for arriving guests. We will not charge you for minor breakages, i.e. the random wine glass. If there has been major accidental damage, please let us know right away so that we can process this appropriately. Often this will be covered by security deposit or accidental damage insurance. If not, we will notify you in writing before processing a charge.
If you notice anything amiss when you arrive, please let us know immediately so that we can make a note of it.
What about the electrical appliances we have brought with us – will they work here?
The voltage is 110 V in the USA unlike the 220V/240V in Europe. If you have brought your hairdryer or other appliances, you will need an adapter (Walmart and other stores supply these) but make sure these appliances can be switched to 110V otherwise they will not operate. However, for your convenience, we do provide hairdryers in all bathrooms.
Internet/Wi-Fi
All houses have internet and wi-fi access. If your internet stops working oftentimes it can be re-set by simply unplugging the power cord at the wall-outlet from the router. Wait 2-5 minutes and then when you plug it back it in, it usually works again! However, if unplugging it does not fix the issue, please call our management office to troubleshoot.
I need to call home, can you help me?
There will be an international long-distance call block on the telephone. Should you wish to make any such calls during the course of your stay, you may purchase a calling card from local convenience stores/petrol stations/supermarkets. However, local calls are always free of charge. For contacting family and friends internationally consider apps such as WhatsApp, iPhone FaceTime, or Skype.
We need a crib and/or high-chair for our baby, can you help?
Yes, most certainly. We can suggest a rental company for baby/toddler furniture and toys.
ABC Rentals has beach supplies, baby supplies and furniture for rent. They even offer delivery. If you choose to have items delivered before arrival please make us aware so that we can put them inside the property for you!
Their website is: https://www.abcbabyrental.com/
We shall be going out to dinner and would like to pre-book a taxi. Can you help?
Yellow cab (941) 748-4800
Checker cab (941) 359-1304
Check out Uber or Lyft apps on your smartphone. They are available in our area and very convenient.
May I smoke inside the home?
All of our villas are strictly NO SMOKING, smoking is forbidden inside the homes. If you wish to smoke, please use the patio area making sure doors and windows are closed. Please dispose of your waste properly, and never leave a lit cigarette unattended to under any circumstance.
Important Information
“RADON GAS: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that, when it has accumulated in a building in sufficient quantities, may present health risks to persons who are exposed to it over time. Levels of radon that exceed federal and state guidelines have been found in buildings in Florida. Additional information regarding radon and radon testing may be obtained from your county health department.”
Outside of the property
Please tell me what I need to know about my swimming pool?
Pool depths vary from 3 to 6 feet. Swimming is at your own risk & absolutely no diving. Children must be supervised at all times. If you are using a community pool, always take note of and abide by all of the community pool rules.
We know you are here to relax and enjoy our wonderful sun-filled days but when relaxing in the pool area please remember to cover our sun loungers with beach towels to protect them from suntan lotion discoloration.
Is the pool heated?
Please be aware that the pool controls outside the home have a powerful electrical charge, so under no circumstances should you tamper with them.
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions that you signed at check-in: The pool heater will run from approximately 9 am to 6 pm for the dates that have been paid for/booked. The pool heater can only run when the pool pump is running to circulate the water. Pool heaters will warm the pool to between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit when operating optimally. Pool heaters will warm a jacuzzi or hot tub (only where available) to between 88 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit when operating optimally. Electric heating pumps, while still operating, are not effective during cold weather days, when the outside ambient temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold temperatures at night can significantly cool down the pool, so it needs to be reheated during the next day.
Note: Evaporation may cause water levels to drop. If water level is too low, the pool heater will automatically switch off. Please re-fill as necessary with the hose provided, for guidance the level should be midway of the top decorative tiles.
If you would like pool heating and did not pre-book it, please call our local management office.
Was there a storm?
Should there be rainfall both before and during your stay, then the chemicals could possibly become unbalanced and you may notice the change in water color or debris accumulation on the bottom of the pool. This does not mean that the pool is unclean or unsafe to use and this imbalance and debris will be rectified during the next pool service visit.
Pool service is weekly, typically at the beginning of the week.
We also know you are here to have a good time and we certainly hope you do. However, please consider the neighbors when enjoying the pool. They probably have to go to work the next day. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Am I allowed to use the BBQ Grill?
Of course, you are! But please keep in mind that it belongs to the Owner. It must be cleaned after each use.
If you run out of propane, you may purchase a refill at Wal-Mart or petrol stations. Please take the empty propane tank with you so you can exchange it for a new full one. Keep your receipt, take a photo, and email it to us so we can credit you for the new propane!
May I smoke inside the home?
Please note, all of our villas are strictly NO SMOKING, smoking is forbidden inside the homes. If you wish to smoke, please use the patio area making sure doors and windows are closed. Please dispose of your waste properly, and never leave a lit cigarette unattended to under any circumstance.
General Questions
Help, I need a Doctor – what shall I do?
If you have a serious medical emergency, please call 911 without delay making sure to give the 911 operator your address and nature of your call. This address can be found on the fact sheet in the home.
What should I do to best protect the safety of myself and those traveling with me?
You are in a lower-than-average crime area. However, please be cautious and always aware of your surroundings. Always make sure all doors and windows are locked when you are going out. You do not need to lock the patio-screen doors as our pool maintenance crew may need to enter for weekly maintenance, and the screen is not a form of protection.
Please be careful not to accidently lock yourself out. If you lock yourself out of the home or room inside the home, a charge for locksmith will apply.
What should we do before we check-out?
Latest check out time is 10:00 a.m. on the day of your departure.
Please dispose of any rubbish in the outside bins (excluding food items), commence one load of laundry, and run the dishwasher before departure. Additionally, leave perishables in the fridge and nonperishables on the counter for housekeeping to dispose of.