Ocean City Vacation Rental Policies

Important Vacation Rental Policies

The advance rent deposit required on all rentals is approximately 55% of the rent plus tax and fees. A total tax of 11% (6.0% State and 5% Local) is added to all rentals. The balance is due 30 days prior to check-in. Failure to pay the balance when due may subject you to a late fee.

We accept no personal or business checks unless received 30 days or more prior to check-in. MasterCard, Visa, and Discover are accepted prior to check-in.  If you choose to use a credit card there will be a $5.00 fee per charge.

Check-in time is between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on the reservation start date.  To assure proper care and preparation of the vacation rental property, we cannot give out keys before 3:00 p.m. in season.

Our offices normally close at 5:00 p.m. For late arrival (after 5:00 p.m.) you must make advance arrangements with us. Payment in full in advance is required for all check-ins after 5:00 p.m. You will also need to supply Century 21 New Horizon a copy of Drivers License in order to check in after 5:00 p.m.

Check-out time is prior to 10:00 a.m. on the day of departure. This is strictly enforced during the season.

In case of cancellation, a fee of 16% of the total rent will be charged. Cancellations will receive no refund unless the property is re-rented for the full amount of time and at the full price.

All guests who sign for a property are financially responsible for damage to the property, whether made by themselves, their family or their guests. An accidental damage waiver fee will be required in advance to secure your responsibility for any damages. These may not cover the full extent of your liability in the event of excessive damages to the property.

Specified limits on the number of occupants must be observed. Absolutely no sub-renting is permitted.

CENTURY 21 New Horizon is not responsible for articles left in rental units, or theft of any kind. If your missing items are found and identified, we will return them to you.

We rent to families and financially responsible adults who comply with stated rules of conduct. We reserve the right to exercise good business judgment in rental administration.

All rates and details on this Website and in our vacation rental catalogs and brochures were checked for accuracy at the time of publication. Rates and details are subject to change, and CENTURY 21 New Horizon is not responsible for printing or publication errors.

Lodging Agreement Terms and Conditions

PAYMENT AND CHECK-IN PROCEDURES

1. Advance Payment and Confirmation. You must sign this original “Lodging Agreement” and return it to us with any “Payment Due Now” by the specified due date . Please keep “Your Copy”. This agreement does not bind us until we acknowledge your payment with a “Confirmation”. If we do not receive your signed “Lodging Agreement” and payment by the date specified, we may re-rent the unit without notifying you. Your payment is acknowledgement of your acceptance of all of this Agreement, even if you have not signed the Agreement. In correspondence, please use the name printed on this agreement as “Registered Guest”.

2. Balance Due. The rent balance (plus a Damage Deposit if you declined the Damage Protection) and any other remaining fees are due thirty (30) days prior to your scheduled arrival date. You may pay by check, VISA, MasterCard, or Discover card. No checks are accepted less than thirty days prior to check-in.  There is a $5.00 fee per credit card charge.

3. Damage Protection or Deposit. You are required to pay for a Damage Protection Plan for $100.00 (included in your itemized charges), protecting you from liability for theft or accidental property damage within the unit up to $3,000.00. 

4. Check-In. Check-in is between 3:00 and 5:00 PM at a CENTURY 21 New Horizon office, as follows: Braemar Towers check-in at our on-site office located in the building. For all other properties, check in at 8606 Coastal Highway, Ocean City. Bring your “Confirmation” of this Lodging Agreement when checking in. Keys are not available until your unit is ready for occupancy. Our office closes at 5:00 PM. Check-in after closing is discouraged, and must be pre-arranged with us before 5:00 PM on [the starting date of your reservation]. If you have not checked-in within 24 hours of check-in time and have not called our office, your pre-paid rent and any other advance payments will be forfeited and we may re-rent the unit.

5. Cancellation Policy. If you must cancel your reservation, we will make every attempt to re-rent the unit for the same period and rent amount that you have contracted for. If we do re-rent for the same period and rent amount, you will receive a refund less 16% of the full rent you had agreed to. If we are unable to re-rent the unit as specified, you will forfeit all monies prepaid on your account.

6. Processing Fee. There is a non-refundable [itemized] processing fee for this reservation, plus tax, included in your charges.  The processing fee is $100.00 per reservation.

8. Guest Liability. By signing this Lodging Agreement as the “Registered Guest”, you acknowledge that you are also the spouse, parent, guardian, adult child of, or otherwise legally responsible for, all others in your party who may occupy the unit, unless and except if they have also signed this Lodging Agreement as co-Guest. All co-Guests must sign this Agreement and are jointly and severally liable. This Agreement may not be signed by a minor, under 18 years of age. You may not sell, assign, nor sublet all or any part of your interests in this Lodging Agreement. By signing below as the Registered Guest or co-Guest, you accept all of the terms and conditions of this Lodging Agreement, including all of those printed on the reverse side [paragraphs 10 through 35 which follow below], and you acknowledge any credit card charges for it.

9. Thank You. We appreciate your patronage, and look forward to hosting your visit. If you enjoy yourself, please tell your friends. If not, please tell us.

WHAT’S PROVIDED AND WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING

10. The unit includes all furnishings required for normal living conditions, except linens, soaps and paper products. You must furnish your own sheets, pillow cases, towels, soap, toilet paper and paper towels. (CAUTION: Automatic dishwashers, wherever provided, require automatic dishwashing detergent. Ordinary liquid dishwashing detergents will damage the appliance and cause overflowing of suds & water, for which you will be held responsible.)

11. Pillows, bedspreads and blankets are provided, however theses are for use as bedding on the beds only. You must bring your own blankets and towels for use on the beach, by the pool, on the balcony, etc. Units are set up for light housekeeping, including cooking and eating utensils, but you may want to bring your favorite special utensils. All units are equipped with cable/satellite hookup for TV. Internet access is provided only if so indicated in the details about your unit. Some buildings offer pay-for-use wireless service.

12. You can rent linens from an outside service through our office, by advance reservation. Please keep in mind that no maid service is provided during your stay. A vacuum cleaner is available for your personal use in most units.

13. Unless otherwise indicated, the unit includes one parking space. A nominal fee may be required by the building’s Condominium Association for a parking permit. Unauthorized vehicles parked in spaces on private parking lots are subject to towing or ticketing and a fine under Ocean City ordinances. Agent/Owner will not be held liable for towing of vehicles.

14. Sorry, we cannot deliver messages left for you at our office. Leave the phone number of your rental unit or your cell phone with the folks at home. In the event of an emergency, family or friends at home may call the Ocean City Police phone number (410-723-6600). The Police are open 24 hours a day.

CONDITION OF THE UNIT

16. Rental units managed by CENTURY 21 New Horizon are privately owned and reflect the personal needs and tastes of the individual Owners. Our standards are high. However, the condition of the unit as well as the furnishings will vary according to the Owner’s desires.

17. By accepting this Lodging Agreement as a rental “Guest”, you agree to be responsible for any damage to the dwelling or grounds and to the furnishing which occur during your stay through act or negligence of you, your family, friends or social guests. You agree to surrender the property at the time and date specified in as good condition as it was at the beginning of your stay, except for reasonable wear and tear, act of God, and/or other causes over which you have no control. If the unit is not left in satisfactory condition, you will be charged for repair and restoration to satisfactory condition, plus lost rents. Damages will be charged to your credit card, or your deposit will be forfeited to the extent of the damages and you will be billed for any damage in excess of these limits.

18. Upon arrival, you should notify us immediately of any missing or inoperative furnishings or equipment, of any weak or unsafe conditions which may result in injury, or of any cleaning issues. Occupancy by you and/or your party shall be conclusive evidence that the unit is in satisfactory condition and as represented. During your stay, please report any new problems to our office promptly, so that we might attend to them more efficiently for your safety and comfort, and that of future guests. We are not liable for unreported problems.

19. We cannot guarantee air conditioners, televisions, appliances, Internet service etc., and no refund or rate adjustment will be made for mechanical failure. We will make every effort to keep air conditioners, televisions, appliances, Internet service etc. in good working order, and in the case of a breakdown, we will strive to repair the breakdown as soon as possible after being notified by you of the problem. You will be responsible for the cost of repairing clogged toilets or garbage disposals and other abusive equipment failures during your stay. Common area facilities, including swimming pools, operated by condominium/homeowners associations are outside of our control and we assume no responsibility or liability for them.

20. In the event of a hurricane or other cause of voluntary or mandatory evacuation during the time period of your reservation, there will be no refund of rent for the evacuation period. If you purchased travel insurance your loss and related expenses may be covered; check your policy. If in our sole determination, the unit is rendered wholly unfit for occupancy during your stay due to fire damage or other casualty (asides from voluntary or mandatory evacuation), through no fault or negligence of yours, nor of your family, friends or social guests, you shall be entitled to a rebate, apportioned pro rata according to the length of time that such condition exists.

RULES, REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS

21. The premises shall be used solely as private dwelling accommodations for and by the “Guest(s)” who signs this Lodging Agreement, and his/her family, during the specified rental period. At all times during the rental period, no one shall be permitted to occupy the property unless the “Guest” who signs this Agreement also occupies the property and abides on the premises over night. Occupancy is strictly limited to the number of adults and children specified on the front of this Agreement. House parties are not allowed under any circumstances. Should a house party be found or reported in your unit, or occupancy in excess of the specified limits, your occupancy will be terminated immediately with no refund. No kegs or controlled substances are allowed in the unit. Police calls to the unit during your stay may be grounds for immediate removal from the unit and forfeiture of all rents and deposits.

22. You and all in your party must abide by the by-laws and house rules of the Condominium in which your unit is located, including restrictions against loud noise, late night partying and the hanging of any objects over exterior railings. You may not post or hang any signs, pictures, flags or ornamental objects, nor put holes or hooks on any interior or exterior wall or surface of the property. Violations of any of these provisions may be grounds for immediate removal from the unit, forfeiture of all rents and deposits.

23. Ocean City has adopted a Noise Control Ordinance that makes it unlawful to cause or permit noise levels which exceed those established by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene of the State of Maryland (COMAR 10.20.01). It shall be a violation of this Agreement and grounds for eviction under Maryland law if these noise levels are exceeded as a result of activity on this property. Ocean City has other noise ordinances, which are criminal offenses if violated.

24. Local ordinance and fire marshal regulations prohibit the use of barbecue grills on balconies and porches.

25. No pets of any kind are allowed inside or outside your unit, and no smoking of any kind is allowed inside your unit, unless permission for “pets” or “smoking” is clearly specified in your contract. Violations of this restriction are grounds for immediate removal from the unit, forfeiture of all rents and deposits and/or a charge of $300 as a special clean-up fee.

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

26. All of our rental property is privately owned. Occupancy may be refused or terminated for any cause considered sufficient by CENTURY 21 New Horizon, in which case any rent and/or deposits will be refunded pro rata, unless otherwise specified in this Agreement. We reserve the right to substitute alternative lodging accommodations if circumstances require. If for any reason whatsoever, you are denied access to this property or alternative accommodations, Owner and Agent’s liability shall be limited to the return of all funds paid on account by you.

27. If you, or any of your party, violate any of the conditions or restrictions of this Lodging Agreement, we may terminate the Agreement and enter the premises, and you shall forfeit all rents, advance rents, deposits and other payments. Upon notice of termination of the Agreement, you shall vacate the premises immediately.

28. To the extent possible, all housekeeping and maintenance will be done while the unit is vacant. However, housekeeping personnel may enter and remain in the unit as late as 6:30 p.m. on the date of your arrival, if necessary. The Owner or any authorized employee, repairman or agent of CENTURY 21 New Horizon may reasonably enter the unit during business hours of 9:00 am to 5:00 pm for any purpose connected with the inspection, repair, care or maintenance of the unit or any of the contents. Repairs are limited to 9 to 5.

29. All rents, advance payments, damage deposits and other charges will be deposited in an account with an insured financial institution. This may be an interest-bearing account, with interest accruing to the benefit of CENTURY 21 New Horizon. Advance rents will be paid to the property Owner on a monthly basis.

30. It is mutually understood and agreed that CENTURY 21 New Horizon is acting only as an agent for the property Owner and has no liability to either party for the other’s performance of any terms or covenants of this agreement.

CHECK OUT PROCEDURES

31. Check out time is between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. You should leave your unit in as good condition as you found it, realizing that housekeeping personnel have a limited time for cleaning before the next occupancy. Failure to return keys by check-out time may result in an additional late check out charge. Remaining in or re-entering the property after returning the keys shall be considered trespassing. No Trespassing Permitted.

32. Before departing, please clean and put away all cooking and eating utensils, clean all left over food and supplies from the refrigerator and cabinets, replace bedspreads on the beds, fold and return blankets to the closet, return furniture to its original location, turn off air conditioning, close all windows and drapes, lock all doors, and carry the trash out with you as you leave. Make sure that everyone who helps you pack for the trip home knows what you brought with you and what belongs in the unit. We will not be responsible for items left in the unit, but we will make a reasonable effort to return them if found and identified.

33. The refrigerator should be left on at all times.

34. In the winter, off-season, turn heat to a low setting (45°-50°). Do not turn the heat off.

35. Immediately after leaving the unit, please return all keys, pool and parking passes, etc. to the same CENTURY 21 New Horizon office as where you received them, so that we can make them ready for the check-in of subsequent guests. You will be charged for keys and passes not turned in to our office. The unit will be checked, and your damage security deposit, if any, will be mailed back to you, or you will be notified of damages and billed for any excess charges, within approximately forty days of your departure.

rev 10-21-13