Rules and Policies
Rental Policy
Our Palm Springs vacation homes are well loved and used frequently by the owners, family and friends. We hope that you will make yourself at home and think of the property as Your Vacation Home.
The houses, pools and landscapes are meticulously maintained and we strive to provide everything for your safety and comfort during your stay, as if you were staying at a friend’s house. This includes linens and towels, condiments, paper towels and TP, laundry and dish soap. Many of the toiletries [shampoo, lotions, etc.] and kitchen pantry items [canned goods, breakfast cereal, salad dressing, etc] have been provided by previous guests. Please feel free to make use of these items and feel free to leave items that have been handled in a sanitary manner for future guests.
Our local property manager will greet you personally and is available throughout your stay either by telephone or in person to answer questions or assist with any problems that may occur.
Pets
Pets are welcome at Harriet’s Hideaway and will be considered on an individual basis at Desi’s Desert Pad. An additional deposit and/or cleaning fee may be required. The additional cleaning fee covers thorough vacuuming and housecleaning to keep the house allergy free for the next guest. Pet hair on the beds and furniture or if waste removal is necessary significant additional fees will be charged against the Security Deposit.
Check-In / Check-Out
Check in time is 2:30 pm and check out is 10:30 am. Arrival and departure times can be flexible if there are no other guests scheduled immediately before or after your stay. Both check in and checkout requires coordination with our local property manager who will greet you at the property to check you in and show you around and to close the property after you leave.
When the Rental Agreement is processed, you will be given the address and directions to the home and the phone number of our local property manager. Please call one day in advance to coordinate your arrival time. We can be flexible on arrival and departure times if there is no party immediately adjacent to your stay.
Occupancy
Our vacation homes are not to be occupied by more than the intended persons allowable for overnight accommodations as indicated in the property description and in the Rental Agreement. Homes are to be used as a private vacation residence for contracted guests only. All guests are to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb the neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of their properties. Noise levels on the property must not be audible to the neighbors at any time. Homes are not to be used for any improper or illegal purposes. Student groups, bachelor parties, etc, are prohibited without prior written approval.
No Smoking
Smoking is not permitted inside. Smoking is permitted outside and ashtrays are provided. In the event smoking is detected inside the property the entire security deposit will be subject to forfeiture. Cigarette butts on the pool deck or in the landscape may result in fees for removal.
Internet, Cable TV and Phone
Each home has cable television service, wireless broadband internet and digital telephone service with unlimited calling inside the US and Canada. Each Master Bedroom and most of the guest bedrooms have flat screen TVs with a DVD player. Each Living Room has a large screen HDTV with DVD player and Showtime with hundreds of network shows and free movies On Demand.
Housekeeping
Please assume that after your 10:30 am departure another family will be arriving at 2:30 pm. We expect you to leave the premises in reasonably the same condition as it was when you arrived. Please leave sheets on beds, towels in bathroom, kitchen sink empty and any dishes loaded in dishwasher. If you can assist us by reporting any damage or special attention needed so that we can rectify the situation prior to the arrival of the next guest, we will do our best avoid any charges against your deposit.
Owners Closet
Each house has a small locked cabinet for the owners’ personal items, typically things of no value such as swim suits and a shaving kit which are more convenient to leave on the premises than to squeeze through airport security each time we visit. We ask that you respect this space and any attempts to unlock or otherwise tamper with these areas will be considered a serious violation.
Palm Springs Vacation Rental Ordinance #1748
Effective October 17, 2008 the City of Palm Springs passed vacation rental ordinance #1748, and the event house ordinance #1745.
Among the many requirements:
1. No outdoor music
2. Maximum daytime and overnight occupancy is monitored and enforced
3. Owner must respond within 45 minutes to any neighborhood complaints
4. Owner faces fines up to $500 per incident and/or suspension of rental permit for excessive complaints [examples: noise, excessive trash, parking violations, excessive occupancy.]
We must request our guests' full cooperation in the above and that they share in the expense of any violations. For detailed information, please access the city’s website at http://www.palmsprings-ca.gov/index.aspx?page=567, scroll down to "Vacation Rentals and Event Houses."
Minimum Stay
Typically we request a 3-night minimum stay unless stated otherwise. In the Winter/Spring season it takes an entire day prior to your arrival to heat the pool so the water is ‘swim-ready’ when you arrive.
Special Events
Harriet’s Hideaway and Desi’s Desert Pad are next door neighbors with private access between them and are available together for large family gatherings of up to 12 persons. Pricing is based on double the rate of Desi’s Desert Pad.
Payment Information
Rates
Published rates are in U.S. dollars, and based on standard occupancy. Rates are subject to change without notice and [unless specified] include an 11.5 percent City of Palm Springs room tax [on stays less than 29 days]. pool heat and cleaning fees. Holidays and special events may be offered at premium rates. Please ask about our ‘Seniors Always Special’ for guests over age 55.
Reservations
Your reservation is confirmed when your Deposit is processed and we have sent you a fully executed copy of our Rental Agreement. Payment of the ‘Rental Balance’ is required 60 days in advance of your arrival.
Deposits and Payment Methods
An initial payment [booking deposit] and signed Rental Agreement are required in order to reserve the dates you request. The balance will be due 60 days prior to arrival. Vacations booked less than 60 days before arrival must be paid in full at time of booking.
We will send an electronic invoice via PayPal for you to make your payment online. We accept Visa and MasterCard. Sorry, we cannot accept checks.
We do try to send a reminder invoice but it is your responsibility that your balance due payment is received by the due date. Payments not received by the due date can mean loss of your reservation and prepaid deposit.
The Security Deposit is refundable within a reasonable period after the end of your stay (usually within 7 days). Charges for damage beyond normal wear and tear will be deducted from this deposit amount, as will charges for additional cleaning services, missing items or other unauthorized expenses incurred by the tenant.
Cleaning Fee
A minimum cleaning fee applies to all rentals. The cleaning fee is non-refundable and covers typical maid service after you leave. This includes washing and changing bed linens and towels, cleaning kitchen and baths, vacuuming and mopping floors, and limited reasonable trash removal. Additional fees may be charged for heavy cleaning or excessive trash removal.
Transient Occupancy Tax
Transient Occupancy Tax [aka: Room Tax, Bed Tax] is an 11.5% tax imposed by the city for short term rentals of 28 days or less. The tax is calculated on the rent and any utility charges, not on the deposit or cleaning fee. The taxes are submitted by the owner on a monthly basis and it is required that the tenant be charged for the tax. When we quote you an all inclusive Package Deal, we will calculate our tax payment to the City as part of that package price.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations & Refunds
If you need to cancel or reschedule your stay, please notify us right away. There is no charge to reschedule your stay as long as the dates are available.
Cancellations made at least 60 days prior to arrival date will be refunded less 5% to cover the credit card transaction fees; 30-60 days prior to arrival, the deposit is forfeited; less than 30 days any refunds depend on our ability to rebook the property.
We would much rather rebook the property than keep your deposit, so notify us right away and we promise to make every possible effort to rebook.
No refunds are made for early departure.
Rental Policy
Our Palm Springs vacation homes are well loved and used frequently by the owners, family and friends. We hope that you will make yourself at home and think of the property as Your Vacation Home.
The houses, pools and landscapes are meticulously maintained and we strive to provide everything for your safety and comfort during your stay, as if you were staying at a friend’s house. This includes linens and towels, condiments, paper towels and TP, laundry and dish soap. Many of the toiletries [shampoo, lotions, etc.] and kitchen pantry items [canned goods, breakfast cereal, salad dressing, etc] have been provided by previous guests. Please feel free to make use of these items and feel free to leave items that have been handled in a sanitary manner for future guests.
Our local property manager will greet you personally and is available throughout your stay either by telephone or in person to answer questions or assist with any problems that may occur.
Pets
Pets are welcome at Harriet’s Hideaway and will be considered on an individual basis at Desi’s Desert Pad. An additional deposit and/or cleaning fee may be required. The additional cleaning fee covers thorough vacuuming and housecleaning to keep the house allergy free for the next guest. Pet hair on the beds and furniture or if waste removal is necessary significant additional fees will be charged against the Security Deposit.
Check-In / Check-Out
Check in time is 2:30 pm and check out is 10:30 am. Arrival and departure times can be flexible if there are no other guests scheduled immediately before or after your stay. Both check in and checkout requires coordination with our local property manager who will greet you at the property to check you in and show you around and to close the property after you leave.
When the Rental Agreement is processed, you will be given the address and directions to the home and the phone number of our local property manager. Please call one day in advance to coordinate your arrival time. We can be flexible on arrival and departure times if there is no party immediately adjacent to your stay.
Occupancy
Our vacation homes are not to be occupied by more than the intended persons allowable for overnight accommodations as indicated in the property description and in the Rental Agreement. Homes are to be used as a private vacation residence for contracted guests only. All guests are to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb the neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of their properties. Noise levels on the property must not be audible to the neighbors at any time. Homes are not to be used for any improper or illegal purposes. Student groups, bachelor parties, etc, are prohibited without prior written approval.
No Smoking
Smoking is not permitted inside. Smoking is permitted outside and ashtrays are provided. In the event smoking is detected inside the property the entire security deposit will be subject to forfeiture. Cigarette butts on the pool deck or in the landscape may result in fees for removal.
Internet, Cable TV and Phone
Each home has cable television service, wireless broadband internet and digital telephone service with unlimited calling inside the US and Canada. Each Master Bedroom and most of the guest bedrooms have flat screen TVs with a DVD player. Each Living Room has a large screen HDTV with DVD player and Showtime with hundreds of network shows and free movies On Demand.
Housekeeping
Please assume that after your 10:30 am departure another family will be arriving at 2:30 pm. We expect you to leave the premises in reasonably the same condition as it was when you arrived. Please leave sheets on beds, towels in bathroom, kitchen sink empty and any dishes loaded in dishwasher. If you can assist us by reporting any damage or special attention needed so that we can rectify the situation prior to the arrival of the next guest, we will do our best avoid any charges against your deposit.
Owners Closet
Each house has a small locked cabinet for the owners’ personal items, typically things of no value such as swim suits and a shaving kit which are more convenient to leave on the premises than to squeeze through airport security each time we visit. We ask that you respect this space and any attempts to unlock or otherwise tamper with these areas will be considered a serious violation.
Palm Springs Vacation Rental Ordinance #1748
Effective October 17, 2008 the City of Palm Springs passed vacation rental ordinance #1748, and the event house ordinance #1745.
Among the many requirements:
1. No outdoor music
2. Maximum daytime and overnight occupancy is monitored and enforced
3. Owner must respond within 45 minutes to any neighborhood complaints
4. Owner faces fines up to $500 per incident and/or suspension of rental permit for excessive complaints [examples: noise, excessive trash, parking violations, excessive occupancy.]
We must request our guests' full cooperation in the above and that they share in the expense of any violations. For detailed information, please access the city’s website at http://www.palmsprings-ca.gov/index.aspx?page=567, scroll down to "Vacation Rentals and Event Houses."
Minimum Stay
Typically we request a 3-night minimum stay unless stated otherwise. In the Winter/Spring season it takes an entire day prior to your arrival to heat the pool so the water is ‘swim-ready’ when you arrive.
Special Events
Harriet’s Hideaway and Desi’s Desert Pad are next door neighbors with private access between them and are available together for large family gatherings of up to 12 persons. Pricing is based on double the rate of Desi’s Desert Pad.
Payment Information
Rates
Published rates are in U.S. dollars, and based on standard occupancy. Rates are subject to change without notice and [unless specified] include an 11.5 percent City of Palm Springs room tax [on stays less than 29 days]. pool heat and cleaning fees. Holidays and special events may be offered at premium rates. Please ask about our ‘Seniors Always Special’ for guests over age 55.
Reservations
Your reservation is confirmed when your Deposit is processed and we have sent you a fully executed copy of our Rental Agreement. Payment of the ‘Rental Balance’ is required 60 days in advance of your arrival.
Deposits and Payment Methods
An initial payment [booking deposit] and signed Rental Agreement are required in order to reserve the dates you request. The balance will be due 60 days prior to arrival. Vacations booked less than 60 days before arrival must be paid in full at time of booking.
We will send an electronic invoice via PayPal for you to make your payment online. We accept Visa and MasterCard. Sorry, we cannot accept checks.
We do try to send a reminder invoice but it is your responsibility that your balance due payment is received by the due date. Payments not received by the due date can mean loss of your reservation and prepaid deposit.
The Security Deposit is refundable within a reasonable period after the end of your stay (usually within 7 days). Charges for damage beyond normal wear and tear will be deducted from this deposit amount, as will charges for additional cleaning services, missing items or other unauthorized expenses incurred by the tenant.
Cleaning Fee
A minimum cleaning fee applies to all rentals. The cleaning fee is non-refundable and covers typical maid service after you leave. This includes washing and changing bed linens and towels, cleaning kitchen and baths, vacuuming and mopping floors, and limited reasonable trash removal. Additional fees may be charged for heavy cleaning or excessive trash removal.
Transient Occupancy Tax
Transient Occupancy Tax [aka: Room Tax, Bed Tax] is an 11.5% tax imposed by the city for short term rentals of 28 days or less. The tax is calculated on the rent and any utility charges, not on the deposit or cleaning fee. The taxes are submitted by the owner on a monthly basis and it is required that the tenant be charged for the tax. When we quote you an all inclusive Package Deal, we will calculate our tax payment to the City as part of that package price.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations & Refunds
If you need to cancel or reschedule your stay, please notify us right away. There is no charge to reschedule your stay as long as the dates are available.
Cancellations made at least 60 days prior to arrival date will be refunded less 5% to cover the credit card transaction fees; 30-60 days prior to arrival, the deposit is forfeited; less than 30 days any refunds depend on our ability to rebook the property.
We would much rather rebook the property than keep your deposit, so notify us right away and we promise to make every possible effort to rebook.
No refunds are made for early departure.