Northern Properties Vacation Homes of Drummond Island, MI Rental

RENTAL TERMS
The person reserving is responsible for the home and any guests who will be at the home, so it is important that everyone has read and agrees to the rental terms.
The person reserving must supply the credit card information and agreement form.
You are committing to your reservation at the time of making your deposit, NOT when the agreement form and/or credit card is provided. Please make sure you have read and agree to the rental terms, and that the home's location and amenities work for you BEFORE BOOKING. *If you are unsure, please ask.
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Booking Process:

Check availability before you book a home. Each home has its own calendar and our calendars are up to date. *Keep in mind there are times when two online reservations can be made after our normal business hours that may be for the same house/dates. We take online bookings in the same order they come in. If this were to happen, we would call you on the next business day with other home options or a refund of your deposit.
A WEEK IS 7 NIGHTS. Some homes require a full week (Sunday-Sunday OR Saturday-Saturday), and some are flexible and only require a 3-night minimum (requirements are posted on each home's page).
We do not take bookings more than one year in advance, and bookings for the following year are not accepted until the first day of the following month in the current year (for example, you'd like to book for a week in August 2023. You MUST wait until September 1, 2022 to make your reservation.) If you are staying at one of our homes and would like to re-book that home for the following year, please contact us during your stay to guarantee your dates.
Online Bookings must be approved by management. The email that you receive immediately after booking a home is not from a real person, it is automatic. Once management receives and successfully reserves your online booking you will receive a confirmation with your rates and balance due, along with an attached copy of our agreement form to be filled out and returned, and additional information pertaining to your stay.
Do not book online if you plan to arrive within two days. Your reservation may not be confirmed, and you may not have a place to stay. Please call and book over the phone instead.
There is a flat cleaning fee that applies to all rentals. These fees are posted on each home's page.
Reservations remain in tentative mode until there is a credit card and agreement form on file.
The balance is due two weeks prior to your arrival day. We can charge the card on file, or you may choose to send a check. If sending a check, please allow enough time for the check to reach us two weeks before you arrive. If you book within two weeks of your arrival date, payment is due within 24 hours of booking.
Peak Season is Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Off-Peak Season is all other times.

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Deposits & Payments:
A deposit is a partial payment on a home that we agree to save for you. Deposits go towards the balance due. Deposits for weekly rentals are $500 per week. All bookings less than a week are $250.

If you pay your deposit online and use a debit card or e-check, there will be a delay. We do not receive notifications of reservations made online until payments have cleared, which means you may lose out on your home! Please notify us so we can save the dates for you until it clears. *Using a credit card is recommended.

If you would like to send payments, the address is below:

Make checks payable to Northern Properties
Mail to: PO Box 277, Drummond Island, MI 49726

You can also call or email us to apply payments using your credit card that we have on file.
Sales Tax 6% Michigan sales tax, 5% room tax and 1% UP tax will be added to all rentals.
Non-Sufficient Funds A service charge of $30.00 will be charged for any NSF check. We cannot re-deposit. You must send a certified check or money order for the amount of check + $30.00 fee.

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CANCELLATIONS:

Cancelling during Peak Season: Deposits are non-refundable unless we are able to fill your spot.
In the event the home were to re-book for the dates you cancelled, you would get your deposit back, minus a $50 booking fee.

Canceling during Off Peak Season: Deposits are refundable, minus a $50 booking fee.

ALL cancellations must be made IN WRITING a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the arrival day.
Guests who do not show up to their rental home, or who cancel within 2 weeks of the arrival day will be responsible for the FULL balance of their stay.
We are sorry for the inconvenience, but while holding the home for you, we have turned others away!

Home Transfers:
Deposits can be transferred with no penalty, but guests must provide a legitimate reason for this request. Transfers are not allowed simply because a guest did not properly look at what a home offers. *Home transfers are not permitted for ANY REASON if notified less than one month prior to your arrival. Max of one transfer is allowed.

You commit to your dates at the time of booking. We cannot shorten your stay prior to arrival or give refunds for early departures.

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Check in/Check Out Procedures

Check in:

CHECK IN TIME IS 3 pm OR LATER: If you arrive earlier than 3 pm, we cannot guarantee your home will be ready for you and you may have to wait. We cannot give out keys until the office is notified the home is clean.
DIRECTIONS TO OFFICE: When you exit the ferry, follow the main road (M-134, also called Channel Rd) 7.6 miles. We are a log building on the left, immediately following Esthers Mexican Restaurant.
YOU MUST CHECK IN AT THE OFFICE FIRST: At check in you will receive your key, directions and information about your home. *We do not give out home addresses other than for emergency purposes, as GPS units do not work well on the Island. DO NOT go directly to the home, even if you are a repeat and have been there before.
LATE ARRIVALS OR IN THE EVENT THE OFFICE IS CLOSED: There is a check-in box located to the left of the front door at the office. We will have a packet with your name and the name of your home on it. Everything you need will be inside the envelope, including directions to your home, home instructions and a key.
CONTACT INFO: Your paperwork will have the office number on it. The office voicemail contains an office cell number in case of an emergency. If you have any problems or need anything once you arrive at the home, please call so we can help. We can't help make your stay better after you're gone...so please do not wait until check out to call or leave notes with complaints.
GUESTS: If you have guests that will be staying with you and will be arriving at a later time, please make sure they know how to get to the home. We are happy to send directions in advance that can be given to your guests.

Check Out:

There is a list posted at each of the homes with check out procedures. Please be sure to follow these procedures to help keep our reservation process running smoothly and avoid any unnecessary fees.
Check out time is 9 am peak season, and 10 am off-peak season.
Our housekeeping and service crew will show up at, or shortly after, check out time. If an un-approved late check out interferes with their schedule, there will be a fee of $50 charged for every half hour they have to wait.
Late check outs can NOT be determined prior to check-in day, or any later than the day prior to your departure day. Late check outs are NEVER permitted if there is an arrival on your departure day, or during the months of July and August.
Homes are inspected after each guest. Any items that are damaged or missing upon your departure will be charged to the card on file.

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Pet Policy and Fees
Failure to follow our pet policy that would require excessive cleaning due to hair on furniture or bedding, cleaning up after your pet outside, or damages caused to the home or property will be billed accordingly to the card on file.

Pet friendly homes are clearly listed under the home's amenities.
Pets are a flat fee of $50 per pet, and all homes have a 1-2 pet limit *if you are not sure please ask.
We DO NOT discriminate on pet size or breed, but we DO trust that all pets staying at our homes have responsible owners.
We are sorry, but cats are not allowed.
All pets MUST be reported. If you bring a pet and do not report it (or bring more pets than what was reported), the card on file will be charged for the required fees.
Pets are NOT allowed in homes that are not pet friendly. If you bring a pet to one of these homes you will be asked to leave immediately, with no refund, and you will be charged a fee of $200 to return the home to pet free. *You may be transferred to a pet friendly home if there is one available.
You must clean up after your pet, inside and out! Please bring the necessary tools to do so. (Shovels/bags, etc.). You will be charged if we have to clean up after your pet(s).
Pets are NOT ALLOWED on the beds or furniture.
Pets are NOT to be left at homes alone UNLESS CRATED.
Please do not let your dogs roam onto neighboring property.

Our selection of pet friendly homes is limited due to past guests who did not feel the policy applied to them. We love dogs, so it is VERY important that this privilege is not abused so we can continue to offer pet friendly homes.

Service animals are allowed at homes that are not exclusively 'pet free'. *Pet free homes are noted under amenities. Service animals must meet all ADA qualifications and be properly trained to perform the necessary tasks needed for the disabled owner who will be at the rental home. If you will be vacationing with a service dog, please let us know at the time of booking. WARNING: It is against the law to represent your pet as a service dog if it has not undergone the proper training and met all ADA qualifications. 10-minute online applications/application fees do not count as proper qualifications.

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Boats & Dock Space

Docks are pulled during the winter and may not be available during the spring and fall season.
If your rental home says it comes with a fishing boat, they are aluminum boats with NO MOTOR. You can bring a motor or rent one at a local marina.
Water levels can fluctuate and can affect docks. If you have concerns that a dock may not work for your boat, please call prior to bringing your boat.
Homes that have docks guarantee space for one boat only.
We cannot give refunds if a dock space is not adequate for your boat, or if water levels affect a docks usability.
It is the boat owner's responsibility to bring their owner bumpers, and to pull their boat if weather conditions are not ideal. Neither we nor the homeowners are responsible for boats that are damaged while at a rental home.
Docks that are damaged due to a guest's negligence will be billed accordingly.
Don't have your own boat? You can rent fishing boats and pontoons at different marinas around the Island by the day or week.

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Hot Tub Units

Prior to your arrival, the hot tub was cleaned, and chemicals were added. During a normal week stay (or less), a hot tub should not require extra cleaning, water, and/or chemicals. To help maintain the hot tub water, make sure you are clean and free of lotions or perfumes, and do not allow children to jump in and out of tub repeatedly, which will affect water levels. If you require us to service a tub during your stay, there is a fee of $45, which can be charged to the card on file. If, for some reason, you are not satisfied with a tubs cleanliness this must be reported BEFORE it is used so that any issues can be diagnosed.
Children should NEVER be allowed to jump or dive into a hot tub and can NEVER be left alone without adult supervision.
The homes have well water; there may be white flakes in the tub that can be confused as sand/dirt when seen or felt.
Northern Properties and the homeowners will not be held responsible for injuries that occur while using a hot tub; use of a hot tub is at your own risk.
Do not bring items into the hot tub that can get caught in the filter or scratch the hot tub surface, such as toys.
If you damage a hot tub or hot tub cover, you will be responsible for any charges that are incurred for fixing it.
Do not leave the cover off when not in use. The tub will get full of leaves/dirt.
Hot tub covers are expensive to replace. When uncovering the tub, handle the cover carefully & be sure all straps are unclipped. Do not sit/jump on the cover. They are only made of Styrofoam! Most hot tubs have cinch straps on them. This is to keep the wind from blowing the cover off. PLEASE replace the straps when not being used.
Try not to push the buttons on the control panel. If you need to adjust the temperature, just press that button. Pushing a sequence of buttons will put the tub in sleep mode and it will not heat up.

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Miscellaneous Info:

Lawn Care & Snow Plowing - During your stay there may be someone stopping by to mow grass (or plow, depending on the season). We are sorry for any inconvenience, but we want to make sure that everything is nice for our guests, and unfortunately this cannot always be scheduled on departure days.

Trash Removal - Please have your trash in the garbage cans outside of the home. We will come by during the week to collect it (weekly stays only). We will not collect trash that is too large for the can or trash containing animal/fish remains. If these items are left for us to take care of, the card on file will be billed to dispose of it. *Our dumpster provider will not allow us to put fish remains in the dumpsters.

Vehicles & Trailers - Remember these are privately owned homes and some have limited parking. It is the guests' responsibility to make sure the parking is acceptable prior to booking. ALL vehicles are to stay on designated parking areas ONLY and are not allowed on grass or beach areas. Failure to keep vehicles and trailers off of restricted areas that results in damages to lawns, septic drain fields, etc. will be your responsibility.

Non-Smoking Homes - ALL OF OUR HOMES ARE NON-SMOKING. *This includes cigarettes and marijuana. If you or your guests smoke inside of a home, you will be billed for the cost to restore the home to 'non-smoking'. Costs involved include washing all blankets & pillows, window treatments, furniture, walls, etc. All cigarette butts MUST be contained outside. DO NOT throw butts all over the yard for our service crew to pick up. If this happens, there will be a fee for their time.

Capacity & Guests - Do not exceed the amount of people that is allowed in the home (kids are considered people too). *Babies 2 and under are an exception. The number of people allowed is based off what a homeowner is comfortable having in their homes, not necessarily how many it can sleep. If a homeowner will make an exception with more than what is posted, there is a $10 per day fee per person charged. Please get permission ahead of time for guests and pets arriving during the week. Our homes cannot be used for large functions such as weddings, rehearsal dinners, family reunions, etc. UNLESS the max amount of people at the function DOES NOT exceed the homes capacity.

Neighbors - Please remember that your rental home is located in a quiet neighborhood. Keep noise to a minimum after 11pm. No fireworks and no trespassing on property that is not part of your rental home (this includes pets). Many homes are located down private drives, please drive SLOWLY.

NOT Allowed:
Fireworks, Air conditioners, space heaters, campers and/or tents.

NO PARTIES! Our homeowners are sharing their homes for the intent of a relaxing and enjoyable vacation experience. If you do not plan to treat your rental home with respect, please book elsewhere.

Telephone, Internet and Satellite Pay Per View - Homes with a phone do not have long distance. You must use a calling card or call collect. Do not order Pay Per View channels on the Satellite TV. A $25.00 collection fee will be charged in addition to charges on a phone or satellite bill. If your home does not have WIFI we can help you find locations to connect for free on the Island.

Homes furnishings and supplies - Each of our privately owned homes reflect the taste of its owner. Many homes have a locked closet that belongs to the owner. Tampering with locked doors will result in a charge to your credit card and legal action by the owners. The furniture at the homes are places where the owners want it and CAN NOT be moved. *This includes bonfire pits outdoors* Moving furniture around can damage flooring and the furniture, which can be expensive to replace/repair. These homes are loved by their owners, please take care of the home and the furnishings as if they were your own. Turning the heat up and then opening the doors and windows is a waste of energy and money. Please help us keep our costs down so we don't have to raise rental rates. All of the homes are equipped with items such as bedding and basic kitchen items needed for cooking and serving. For more information on what each home provides and what you will need to bring along, visit WHAT TO BRING.

Damages, issues, malfunctioning equipment - If there is a problem due to MALFUNCTIONING EQUIPMENT, report it immediately! Do not wait until your departure day to call or leave notes, as we may have been able to take care of it for you while you were here, and it could also affect the next guests. We do our very best to fix or replace malfunctioning items, however there are a limited number of service contractors in our area and sometimes things cannot be repaired as fast as we would like. We cannot issue refunds for problems with Satellite TV, phone, internet, VCR/DVD players, hot tubs, games/pool tables, dishwashers or anything else that is not considered a necessity.

Welcome and not so welcome guests: During your visit you may see some visitors in the way of wildlife which adds to the experience, but you may also have some unwelcome visitors such as spiders, snakes, raccoons, mice, etc. Keep in mind you are 'UP North' now. Please understand we do all we can to help with the unwanted, but we cannot be held responsible for nature and things that are out of our control.

Neither Northern Properties nor our Homeowners will be held responsible for any accidents or injuries while at your vacation home, the home's surrounding property, or while using any amenities that are provided at the homes.
Northern Properties reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.