Rental Agreement

• A full refund of prepayments will be issued for cancellations made 30 days or more prior to arrival.
• A 50% refund of prepayments will be provided for cancellations made at least 15 days prior to arrival.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date.

• Arrival time: 4:00 pm or anytime after.
• Departure time: 11:00 am or before.
• Early check-in and/or late check-out with an additional fee may be available upon request, but is not guaranteed. Please call (812) 947-8989 to inquire.
• Check-out procedures must be followed to avoid additional fees.

• Fireplace, fire pit, and charcoal grill are dangerous: Never leave a fire unattended. Keep children away from all open fires.
• Before you leave the house, make sure all fires are completely extinguished.
• Lessee must keep property locked & secure when not there. Keypad code is not to be shared outside of Lessee's party of registered guests.
• SECURITY CAMERAS: There are no interior cameras of any kind. Exterior cameras, video doorbells, keypads, smart home technology, etc., are installed for the safety and protection of the property and its Lessees and may not be tampered with or disabled. Lessee will be immediately evicted with no return of funds paid upon violation of this policy. We respect our Lessee and his/her guests privacy and review footage only upon a report or cause.

• Refunds are not issued for maintenance malfunctions or maintenance issues.
• Lessor will respond as quickly as possible to resolve issues. A move to a comparable property may be offered if necessary.

Lessee agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Lessor of the property harmless for from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damage, cost or expense whatsoever (including attorney's fees) arising from or related to any claim in connection with your use and/or occupancy of the Vacation Rental and its amenities, including, but not limited to, any claim or liability for personal injury, property damage, wrongful death, accidents, allergic reactions, illnesses or any other casualties or health problems, including viruses, which may arise during the tenancy or as a result of said occupancy, loss of personal belongings or theft of property which is made, incurred or sustained by you and/or your registered guests. Lessee agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Lessor from any claims, damages, legal fees, or liabilities arising from their occupancy or use of the premises, amenities, and surrounding areas.

Lessee understands that safety precautions undertaken by Lessor are not foolproof, and Lessee shall hold Lessor harmless from all claims to person or property arising out of the use and occupancy of the premises.

Lessee is responsible for the actions of any other person on the rental premises. Only registered guests who are included on the reservation are permitted to stay at the cabin. Please ensure that the correct number of guests is reflected in your reservation request. Visitors must be approved in advance. For example, hosting a dinner or BBQ in which guests other than those included on the reservation will attend must be approved.

Lessee assumes full responsibility for the safety and behavior of all individuals in their party, including children and visitors and acknowledges that certain property features such as hammocks, swings, horseshoes, swim spa, hot tub, outdoor terrain, and wildlife pose inherent risks.

Lessee acknowledges that the Lessor has not made any representations or warranties regarding the safety or condition of the Amenities. The Lessee accepts the Amenities in their "as-is" condition and agrees that the Lessor shall not be held responsible for any defects, malfunctions, or hazards associated with the Amenities.

Lessee acknowledges that the Lessor insurance may not cover any injuries or damages sustained while using the Amenities. The Lessee is encouraged to obtain their own insurance coverage to protect against such risks.

Lessee acknowledges that acts of nature, power outages, internet disruptions, and weather-related inconveniences are outside the Lessor's control, and no refunds will be issued for such occurrences.

Lessor reserves the right to cancel or modify reservations due to unforeseen circumstances, property damage, or maintenance issues that make the home uninhabitable. In such cases, a full refund or alternative accommodations may be offered at the Lessor's discretion.

• Lessee must report any dissatisfaction or issues to the Lessor within 24 hours of discovery.
• Lessee must allow Lessor's team to inspect and remedy any issues before filing complaints with the booking platform. Refusal to cooperate forfeits refund eligibility.
• Photographic evidence is taken after each cleaning and before each check-in to verify property conditions.
• Fraudulent claims or attempts to mislead Lessor, credit card companies, or booking platforms for refunds may result in immediate removal from the premises without refund and potential platform account suspension.
• Lessee falsely reporting maintenance issues that require technician visits will be responsible for service call fees.
• Due to the rural location, occasional pests inside the home are normal despite regular pest control treatments.

Lessee may be evicted without refund for:

• Violation of occupancy limits
• The use of firearms and fireworks (including sparklers) of any kind
• Smoking or vaping indoors ($250 fine)
• Unauthorized events or misrepresentation
• Disruptive or unsafe behavior
• Engaging in activities that disturb neighbors

• Lessee always agrees to respect the rules of the establishment. This commitment also extends to people accompanying the Lessee and his or her guests.
• The cabin may be rented for vacation purposes only.
• The cabin has a maximum capacity of 4 people. A $25 per night fee applies for each additional guest beyond 2.
• Lessee may not transfer his/her rights under this rental agreement or sublet the cabin.
• If, on the date of departure, the Lessee does not leave at the time stipulated in the agreement, additional charges may apply.

We love pets and know how hard it can be to find pet-friendly accommodations — which is why we welcome them at the 1891 Schoolhouse Inn ONLY. Pets are NOT allowed at Helmsburg Homestead under any circumstances. We require that all guests strictly follow our pet policy to ensure the property remains in excellent condition for future visitors. Please be respectful of both our home and those who will stay after you when bringing your four-legged family member.

• Swim spa at Helmsburg Homestead: 88°F in warm months and 104°F in cold months.
• Hot Tub at 1891 Schoolhouse Inn: 104°F year-round.
• Lessee and his or her guests use at their own risk and must supervise children.
• Lessor is not responsible for injuries or accidents related to Swim Spa or hot tub use.
• Do not use under the influence of alcohol or drugs or while pregnant.
• Please review our Swim Spa cover instructions.

• Report any damage before departure.
• Leave the house in the same condition as upon arrival.
• Return all furniture to its original placement.
• Strip beds and place linens together.
• Place all used towels in the laundry bin.
• Wash and put away used dishes.
• Remove all food and drinks.
• Set thermostat: OFF (cooling season) / 55°F (heating season).
• Turn off lights and close windows.
• Collect and dispose of all trash and cigarette butts.
• Lock all doors upon departure.