FREQUENTLY ASKED                

                                    

 

HOW DO I RESERVE A VACATION PROPERTY?

You will see a Rental Agreement on each property page. When you decide to book a specific property, we will email you a blank rental agreement, or you can print it from the web site. You will need to complete the rental agreement, including names of everyone (yourself included!) staying at the property and send it to Judy or David with your refundable reservation/damage deposit. When we receive your rental agreement, we will sign and return a copy to you, for your records. The reservation deposit will hold the property for you. Your payment for rent, cleaning, pet fees, and taxes will be due 6-8 weeks in advance of your arrival. When we receive this payment, we will send you directions, lock box code to get in the property the first time, and other important details. When you arrive at the property, the reservation deposit becomes a damage deposit; assuming no problems, it will be refunded within two weeks (usually much sooner) of your departure.

MOST OF YOUR PROPERTIES ALLOW DOGS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT ODORS AND PET HAIR. SHOULD I LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR A PET - FREE PROPERTY?

Not to worry! We have very strict rules regarding pets (see the Pet Agreement on all pet friendly property pages) and our renters with pets are almost always extremely conscientious! Pets and not allowed on furniture or bedding and we have NEVER found a flea in one of our pet friendly properties! You will not smell any odors or see any pet hair, that we promise!

I WANT TO BRING MY DOG WITH ME. WHAT ARE YOUR RULES ABOUT PETS?

Most of our properties are pet friendly and we have been very pleased with the care that pet owners take. We have a Pet Agreement on each pet friendly property page of the web site; be sure to read it since you will need to sign it if you bring your pet. Basically, our pet rules are:

• $200 fee for first pet and $100 for second. This fee is non-refundable
• Maximum two pets; acceptance will depend on size, age, and breed; no puppies are accepted
• Pets are not allowed on furniture or bedding
• Dogs must be leashed on the beach
• You are responsible for cleaning up after your pet
• We cannot accept dogs that bark; if we get complaints, you dog will have to go to a kennel.

WHAT SUPPLIES WILL I FIND AT THE PROPERTY?

Each property is completely equipped in terms of bed and bath linens, kitchen equipment and appliances, beach chairs, and beach towels. Some properties may have fishing poles, boogie boards, beach umbrellas, and the like; you should check with the manager of a specific property about details.

In terms of products, we supply large tie trash bags, laundry soap, dishwasher and dish soap, dish towels, and cleaning supplies. We provide starter rolls of paper towels, toilet paper, and hand soap. You will need additional paper products and your own bath soap.

You may find non-perishable items such as spices and vinegar in the pantry. We do not supply these but we do leave those items that previous renters have left.

WHAT IS THE SOUTH PONTE VEDRA/VILANO BEACH AREA LIKE? ARE CARS ALLOWED TO DRIVE ON THE BEACH?

South Ponte Vedra and Vilano Beach lie just south of Ponte Vedra  Beach and east of Jacksonville. This area consists primarily of single family homes plus a couple of small condos, a few great restaurants, and several small grocery stores. The beach is wide, sandy, and car free. It is never crowded and you can walk for miles in solitude! However, you can be in Ponte Vedra, a golf mecca, or St. Augustine, America's "Oldest City", in just a few minutes! We think we have the best of both worlds  ....a peaceful beach where you can totally relax without worrying about cars or crowds, but lots of activities and attractions within a very few minutes drive!

WHAT ARE YOUR RATES FOR A LONG TERM STAY?

It is easy to determine the monthly rate per property. In January and February, we offer a month for 75% of the weekly rate  x 4 weeks. in all other months (except June-August) we offer a monthly rate for 80% of the weekly rate x 4 weeks. All utilities are included in your fees: water, trash collection, telephone, cable TV, and Internet. Electricity is also included except that we have a reasonable cap for each property. For houses with gas fireplaces, we will provide a full tank of propane; you are responsible for any refills. Taxes, cleaning fees, and deposits are required additional fees.

QUESTIONS...AND ANSWERS

WHAT IF I HAVE TO CANCEL MY VACATION? DO YOU OFFER TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE OR A REFUND?

As noted on each rental agreement, we have a specific hurricane policy which insures that your monies will be refunded in case of a mandatory hurricane evacuation. We also have an "oil spill" amendment which we are happy to provide you that guarantees a full refund if the beaches are closed by local authorities due to the oil spill. Otherwise, we do not offer refunds. However, there are several trip cancellation insurance companies listed under Things to Do, and we do encourage all our renters to take advantage of their offerings.

HOW CAN I BE SURE I WILL GET MY DAMAGE DEPOSIT BACK?

Easy...just respect our property and grounds! Pretend you are home...or a guest at a friend's house! You wouldn't throw cans and bottles over  the balcony would you? You wouldn't smoke in your friend's smoke-free house! You wouldn't let your children write on the walls, would you? Would you open all the doors and windows and let flies in? Would you let the kids bounce on your friend's bunk bed and break it? Of course not! Believe me, if wine glasses or a couple of dishes get broken, we understand! That can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. We keep deposits, or part of them, ONLY when renters have broken our few rules or treated our properties with disrespect. The damage deposit is for the protection of our property AND our renters. Because the renter before you has paid it, YOUR chances of coming to a tidy, smoke free, vacation property are much greater than if we had no damage deposit requirement.

CAN I HAVE A WEDDING, RECEPTION, FAMILY REUNION, OR OTHER SUCH GATHERING AT THE HOUSE?

If your gathering is restricted to the people staying in the house plus no more than 5 additional guests, you are welcome to enjoy a small party. However, we do have rules and extra fees when renters want to host a larger gathering. Some of our properties can accommodate a wedding, reception, or other party of up to 50 people, but you will need to make special arrangements for parking.  Let us know the type of party the number of people expected and we will do our best to accommodate you.

WHAT KIND OF WEATHER CAN I EXPECT IN THE MONTH I WANT TO COME?

December, January, and February are the most unpredictable in terms of temperatures. Sometimes they are very warm and sometimes they are cold! The winter of 2010-2011 was the coldest in history (almost everywhere in the U.S.) but the year before,  all three months were like spring!

March, April and May are usually delightful, with highs in the mid 70s and low humidity.

June, July, and August are usually HOT, with ocean breezes and/or afternoon showers to cool things off a bit.

September and October are sometimes rainy as a result of hurricanes (although none have come our way since 1964!), but generally these months are very pleasant, with daytime temperatures in the mid 70s and cool nights.

Below is a table showing the past 10 year average temperatures and precipitation per month:

WHAT IS THE SERENATA BEACH CLUB AND HOW CAN I JOIN?

All guests staying at a Wren Beach Rentals property have the option of obtaining a "tenant membership" to the Serenata Beach Club. This great facility is located on the ocean, 1-7 miles from our properties. The Club has three huge pools, one of which is heated in the winter, a work out facility, great indoor-outdoor dining room and bar, structured activities for kids, rentals of kayaks and other ocean toys, special dinners and events, plus golf and tennis privileges at several area clubs, including Marsh Landing Country Club. Tenant memberships are offered by the week or longer and currently cost $290 ($190 Club Fee and $100 Owner Fee). Memberships must be obtained from Wren Beach Rentals, NOT through the Club, and all fees must be paid at least 10 days in advance of your arrival. You can see a link to the Club and instructions for obtaining a membership on every property page.