AGE REQUIREMENT – You must be at least 25 years of age to make a reservation. We cater to families and responsible adults and do not rent to students vacationing without adult supervision. Singles under the age of 25, not accompanied by a parent or guardian, will not be allowed to register and will lose their deposit. Reservations made under false pretenses will result in loss of deposit.
PETS – No pets are allowed in any of the vacation rentals.
OCCUPANCY – Over occupancy is considered a violation of your rental agreement and you will be asked to vacate the property immediately. Maximum occupancy limits for each unit are set by the State Fire Marshall’s Office and may not be exceeded. Children are counted in total occupancy unless they are under the age of two.
ACCOMMODATIONS – All homes are privately owned. Therefore rates, descriptions, bed sizes, furnishings, and the like may change without notice, due to malfunctions or owner changes. We strive to maintain everything in good working order, but neither we nor the owner are obligated to give refunds for the failure or absence of any item, or for any public utility. Rental furnishings are the property of unit owners. Do not move items from one rental to another.
LIABILITY – All guests understand that they are solely responsible for any property damage, accident, death, injury to any person or persons, or loss sustained by any person, including the loss of money, jewelry and other items of personal property, arising out of or in any way related to a guest’s use of the premises. Furthermore, the registered guest shall be liable for all accident claims or personal injury claims by any member of the vacationing party or guests thereof.
All guests shall inspect and be familiar with the proper use and application of all items in the vacation rental prior to using them. The guest(s) agree to indemnify and hold Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Realty, Inc. and/or the homeowner(s) harmless from any and all claims, including those of third parties, arising out of or in any way related to a guest’s use of the premises or the items of personal property provided therein. All guests assume the risk of injury, death, or other losses related to any recreational activities or use of the premises and will hold the owner and its agents harmless with respect thereto.
DEPOSIT – A 50% deposit is required to reserve your vacation rental. We accept cashier’s checks, traveler’s checks, certified checks, personal checks, money orders and all major credit cards. The final balance is due fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled arrival date. The final balance will be automatically charged to the Credit Card on file if no other payment arrangements have been made. If full payment is not made, the reservation will be canceled and no monies will be refunded. Rates are subject to local and state sales tax. In the event the reservation is made less than fourteen (14) days before your arrival date, a deposit of %100 will be required.
REFUND OF DEPOSIT – If your reservation is canceled thirty (30) days before your arrival date, then there will be a 10% cancellation fee based on the the total rent charged including sales tax. However, you may reschedule your reservation one time and apply 100% of your deposit toward the rescheduled reservation. If your reservation is canceled less than thirty (30) before your arrival date, then there will be no refund issued and the entire deposit will be forfeited and the reservation may not be rescheduled.
CHANGES MADE TO RESERVATION – Only the guest named on the reservation may cancel or make changes to a reservation. We reserve the right to change the rental assignments without prior notice or liability in the event of a sale of the rental cabin, mechanical failure, or other necessary reasons. No changes are allowed within 14 days of your arrival. You may upgrade to a larger unit, subject to availability, any time prior to check in. You may add a night to your reservation, subject to availability, at any time. No credit will be issued for unused portions of time in case of late arrival or early departure. No shows will forfeit all monies paid.
REFUNDS – Chances are the owner has equipped the property with amenities to make your stay more enjoyable. Unfortunately, we cannot refund monies or relocate guests due to any of these (TV, VCR, DVD, gas log fireplace, jetted tub, hot tub, pool table, gaming system, small appliances, etc.) not working or malfunctioning. No refunds will be made for acts of God, loss of electrical power, water, air conditioning, or cable outages. All of our properties are privately owned. Descriptions, bed sizes, amenities and names of cabins are subject to change without notice. In the event of a mechanical failure, we will make every effort to have all reported malfunctions corrected as promptly as possible.
CHECK-IN/CHECK OUT – All reservations must be paid in full fourteen (14) days prior to arrival. Check in for our guests is after 3PM Eastern Time. We make every effort to ensure all homes are clean and ready for occupancy after 3PM Eastern Time. However, during holidays and peak season, check-ins could be later. If you need to check in after hours, please notify our rental office and we will prepare a late-arrival package for you. This package will include directions and a key code to your cabin and will be available at our office. Late check-ins must contact the office by 12PM the following morning to check the status of your paperwork. Check-out is at 10AM Eastern Time. If you check out later than 10AM Eastern Time on your scheduled check-out date you will be charged no less than $25 per hour. If your name is on the reservation, you need to be the first to arrive and check-in; plan your arrival time accordingly. We can not check the rest of the group in if the person whose name is on the reservation is not present. We are unable to release the address of the cabin anytime prior to check in for any reason and only to the person listed on the reservation. Verification of the responsible party’s state issued driver’s license or ID card and a valid major credit card must be presented at check in.
REGISTERED GUEST RESPONSIBILITY – All charges must be paid in full before access is given to the cabin. Guests hereby authorize Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Realty, Inc. to charge any expenses related to the repairs or cleaning of the unit beyond normal wear and tear, or related to any theft or vandalism of any property from the unit to the guest’s credit card on file. Property will be replaced at current retail value plus a $25 service fee. An inventory of the cabin is taken prior to check-in and after check-out. Upon arrival, we ask that you inspect the rental property and report any problems within two (2) hours. If items are not reported within the allotted time, your credit card will be charged for any damages that are found at check- out inspection. Many of you will be vacationing with other couples, family members, or friends, but only one person signs the rental agreement. That person, the registered guest, is responsible for all facets of the rental agreement as outlined herein.
HOUSE PARTIES – If guests are found to be having a party in any of our units, everyone will be asked to vacate the premises. No refunds will be given. Please be mindful of your neighbors. Keep noise to a minimum. Quiet time is from 11PM until 9AM.
WHAT WE SUPPLY – When you arrive at your cabin you will notice some of the supplies that are provided, including but not limited to; paper towels, toilet paper, soap, dishwasher detergent, and trash bags. Once you have depleted the provided items, you are responsible for purchasing any additional items. All bed linens, towels, kitchenware, and utensils are inventoried upon check out. The registered guests will be charged for missing or damaged items.
CAUTION – When entering areas that are near water or moisture sources, the flooring in the region of the water source may become slippery when wet or damp. This includes but is not limited to, bathtubs, showers, sinks, indoor jetted tubs, outdoor hot tubs, and pools. All guests assume the risk of injury or death when entering these areas that contain a water or moisture source and will hold the owner and its agents harmless with respect thereto.
HOUSEKEEPING – Your vacation rental was thoroughly cleaned and inspected prior to your arrival. Please call our office immediately to report any housekeeping issues. We will correct the problem as soon as possible. Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Realty, Inc. is not responsible for trash strewn about by animals so make sure the lids are closed properly.
WILDLIFE & PEST CONTROL – Your vacation rental is treated once a month for insects. Unfortunately, on occasions, these creatures still find their way indoors. While we cannot refund any monies for insects, should it arise, we will take the appropriate measures to correct the problem. In the Smoky Mountains there are a number of different animals and wildlife species you may encounter. It is imperative that you DO NOT FEED ANY ANIMALS you come in contact with. Feeding the animals directly or by not securing your trash can result in bodily injury or death.
MAINTENANCE – As with any home, your vacation rental has components that could possibly break or malfunction from time to time. Our maintenance staff is here to assist you and provide timely service. Please be respectful that emergencies take precedence over non-emergency issues.
POWER OUTAGES – Sometimes in the mountains we experience power outages. If you are staying in a cabin when the power goes out and it is on a well, you will not have water until the power comes back on. A well requires electricity to work. Having an extra gallon or 2 of water on hand is always a good idea. You can at least have something to drink and wash your hands. Flushing the toilet also requires water. Being prepared can make all the difference in the world. If you do experience a power outage during your stay, contact the Sevier County Electric System at 865-774-6300 to report the problem and obtain more information.
DRIVING CONDITIONS – Mountain roads can be tough at any time of the year. We do not guarantee any road surface conditions. Most roads in our area are well maintained, but they are curvy and steep. Some units may have gravel drives or roads. Each individual resort’s Home Owner Association is responsible for the routine maintenance of the roads in their resort. Typically these roads are well maintained, but they may be bumpy at times. Some smaller resorts do not have any type of maintenance or plowing services. In the late fall, winter, and early spring it is not uncommon to occasionally have hazardous road conditions and in some cases resorts may be closed by the Home Owner Association or access may be limited. It is strongly recommended that all guests during these seasons have four-wheel drive and/or chains. Four-Wheel Drive and/or chains does not guarantee that you will be able to access your cabin. Winter road conditions and maintenance are not guaranteed. We do not issue refunds due to poor road conditions caused by the lack of maintenance by any resort Home Owner Association, other third party sources, or due to inclement weather or otherwise. Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Realty, Inc. does not and cannot plow or provide maintenance on roads leading to any of our cabins. You are responsible for your transportation. We cannot provide any transportation for guests nor are we responsible for any towing charges you may incur during your stay. When mountain roads are deemed by the Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Realty, Inc. management team to be unsafe for guest travel, Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Realty, Inc. reserves the right to transfer or cancel any reservation and issue a gift certificate. It is the guest responsibility to check weather forecasts and road conditions prior to departing for their getaway. If the weather permits you from leaving on your scheduled check out day, you will be responsible for the additional night(s) rent. If you have any concerns about road conditions leading to your cabin please contact our guest services office at (865) 366-7479.
POOLS and HOT TUBS – Please consult a physician if you have any questions or concerns regarding use of hot tubs, pools, spas, saunas, and the like.
Mandatory Procedure for Use of Hot Tubs
1.) No persons with heart problems, pregnant or under the age of 16 may use the hot tub.
2.) Shower before entering hot tub. Bacteria on your body can result in bacteria in the hot tub.
3.) Do not use any type of oil or bubbles.
4.) Shower off immediately after hot tub use.
Hot tubs are cleaned between each guests stay. If you would like the hot tub cleaned again during your stay, there will be a $25 charge for us to clean and sanitize the tub. If any items such as soaps, bath products, food, alcohol, etc. are found in the hot tub, the guest will be charged $150. Any damage to the hot tub cover will result in a $400 charge. We cannot be responsible for the opening and closing of subdivision pools. Use all pools and hot tubs with extreme caution and at your own risk.
FIREPLACES – Fireplaces are open from October 1-April 30. From May through October 1, fireplaces are NOT to be used. Please adhere to this policy. If you are staying with us during the time when fireplaces may be used, please be aware that we do not supply firewood. This is the guests’ responsibility. At no time should lighter fluid be used to start a fire in any wood burning fireplace. Many of our cabins have gas logs with timers. Please read the instructions carefully before using these fireplaces. Gas logs are not to be rearranged for any reason. Occasionally these fireplaces need repairs and we do not offer any refunds or relocations for them being out of order.
GRILLS – Grills are provided for your enjoyment at each rental home. If the rental has a gas grill, then you will be responsible for making sure you have enough gas to use the grill before you begin cooking. Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Realty, Inc. nor the owner of the vacation home will be responsible for lost or ruined food if you run out of gas while cooking on the grill. If the rental has a charcoal grill, then you are responsible for providing your own charcoal. Do not bring grills inside the rental homes and do not put charcoal in a gas grill. If you burn charcoal in a gas grill, then you will be charged for the purchase of a new gas grill.
SMOKING – All vacation rentals on the Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Realty, Inc. rental program are non-smoking. Smoking is permitted outside only. Please dispose of cigarette or cigar butts property and not on the decks, porches, or in the yard of the rental property. A cleaning fee of $150-$750 will be assessed for any deviation.
TELEPHONES – All rental homes are equipped with 911 services for your convenience and safety. Long distance calling can vary from unit to unit. Some homes have blocks for direct long distance calls unless otherwise specified. Bring your calling card, credit card, or cell phone for long distance calls.
DEPARTURE – All good things must unfortunately come to an end. Check-out time is promptly at 10AM Eastern Time. Guests checking out late will be charged $25 per hour. There are no refunds for early departure. Guests understand and agree that they will perform the following housekeeping duties before vacating the property:
1.) Place all dirty dishes in the dishwasher and run cleaning cycle or wash by hand.
2.) Place all used towels, hand towels and washcloths in the main floor bathroom tub.
3.) Secure the cabin by locking ALL doors and windows.
4.) If the cabin has a lockbox, please ensure that the key is secured inside the lockbox before departing.
LOST AND FOUND – We make every effort to locate and return lost items, however, Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Realty, Inc. will not be held responsible for things you leave that we don’t find. When you leave something behind, give us a call and we will alert housekeeping to search for the missing item(s). If found, we will have it shipped to you at your expense. Lost and found items unclaimed after thirty days will be turned over to local charities.
Prepaid rent is held in an interest-bearing escrow account with interest accruing to the benefit of Smoky Mountain Vacation Rentals and Realty, Inc.