Rental Policies

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Sun Realty Vacation Rental Policies

Sun Realty is excited to host your upcoming Outer Banks vacation! Please review the following policies and guidelines regarding Outer Banks vacation rentals offered by Sun Realty. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions. We're available seven-days a week by calling (252) 441-7035.

Please remember that the Outer Banks rental homes and condos are individually owned and therefore reflect the tastes of each private owner. Properties are leased without regard to the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, family status, sexual orientation, or gender identity of any tenant. Please call your check-in office if you have specific questions regarding your rental home.

After your Outer Banks vacation reservation has been confirmed, please direct all questions to your check-in office instead of our general reservation line. The local check-in office will be most familiar with your particular vacation home and will be able to provide you with the best service. Feel free to contact your check-in office by phone or email with any questions.

Corolla: 252-453-8822  Corolla@SunRealtyNC.com   
Duck: 252-261-7911  Duck@SunRealtyNC.com
Kitty Hawk: 252-261-1152 KittyHawk@SunRealtyNC.com  

Kill Devil Hills: 252-441-7033 KDH@SunRealtyNC.com  
Salvo: 252-987-2766  Salvo@SunRealtyNC.com  
Avon:   252-995-5865    Avon@SunRealtyNC.com

How Do I Make a Reservation?

It's easy to make a reservation with us! You may search and book your vacation rental online or our Vacation Specialists are happy to walk you through the process!

  • We'll first ask for your name, email address and address for our mailing list.
  • We'll ask you if you've selected a cottage or condo and the dates you'd like to vacation.
  • If you have not made a selection, our Vacation Specialists will help you find the perfect rental for your needs.

Examples of questions we'll ask:

  • Which part of the Outer Banks would you prefer? (4x4 beaches, Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head or Hatteras Island)
  • How far from the beach would you like to be: oceanfront, semi-oceanfront, oceanside, soundside or soundfront?
  • How many bedrooms will you need?
  • What's your price range?
  • Do you have a check-in day preference? (Friday-to-Friday, Saturday-to-Saturday, Sunday-to-Sunday rental, or are you looking for a shorter stay)
  • Which amenities would you like: private pool, hot tub, pet-friendly, elevator?

From there, we'll provide you with a list of vacation properties that best meet your needs and preferences.

When Do I Sign My Lease and Make Payments?

After making a reservation with payment on our website or by phone, you'll receive an email with details about your reservation and vacation property. This email will include a link to sign your electronic lease. Once your lease has been signed, your reservation will be confirmed. Download a sample lease agreement here.

Payments may be made by electronic check* or credit or debit card. All payments must be made in U.S. Funds.

The balance of your rent and taxes will be due 45 days prior to your arrival.

For reservations made within 30 days of arrival, we must receive payment in full at time of booking.

Please note:

  • If you plan to pay by electronic check, please submit at least 10 days prior to your final payment due date (45 days prior to arrival date) to allow time for processing. We are unable to accept E-checks for last-minute reservations, arriving within 10 days of booking.
  • *Only a personal check, business check or savings account can be used for E-check payments.
  • We are unable to process credit card convenience checks or line of credit checks.
  • If you receive an error message when paying by money market or credit union checking, please contact your bank for ACH processing instructions (there is a $10,000 limit). 
  • There is a $35 fee for all returned checks.

Payments can be made 24 hours a day through your secure Guest Portal or you may call your rental office to make payments over the phone.

Do I Have to Stay for a Whole Week? Do You Offer Flexible Arrivals or Short Stays?

During our in-season period, we generally have a one week minimum reservation (excluding "freestyle" vacation homes). However, reservations for less than a full week are available on many of our properties during the off-season. These stays are called "mini vacations" or partial week stays. We take weekend bookings on many of our properties from mid-September through mid-May (excluding holiday weeks). If available, these dates can be chosen on the availability calendar, and rates for the requested time period will be displayed, as well as the minimum stay requirement. Depending on the property, holiday weekends in the off-season and mid-season may be booked 14-30 days in advance of the occupancy. All other in or prime season mini vacations may be arranged on the Monday prior to arrival. For last minute vacation plans, please call for availability - we're happy to help with all of your vacation plans!

How Much are State and Local Taxes?

North Carolina applies a 6.75% sales tax to all lodging in the state. Additionally, an occupancy tax applies to vacation rentals in Dare County (6%) and Currituck County (6%). That brings state and local taxes for both Dare and Currituck Counties to a total of 12.75%.

Please note that taxes are subject to change at any time. If a tax change does occur, your rental balance will be affected and will be adjusted accordingly at the time of your Check-In.

Do You Offer Monthly Rentals in the Off-Season?

The Outer Banks is a great spot to be in the off-season, if your schedule allows for a longer stay. Taking a sebatical, writing a book, just want a break from the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life, or even just escaping colder climates? Head to the OBX for some R&R! Many of our rental homes and condominiums are available during the off-season for special monthly rates. Call our rental office for rates and availabilities on a monthly basis. All monthly rentals also require a minimum $400 security deposit.

Are Security Deposits Required?

All rentals are subject to NCGS42 and 42A. Some of our properties and certain rental situations require security deposits which are to be paid with your initial payment. The purpose of the security deposit is to protect the property and its contents as well as you. Please report to our office any damages upon your check-in. Once you have checked out, our inspectors will ensure that the property has been left in proper order, clean and damage-free. Security deposits will be refunded to you within 45 days following your departure with any necessary deductions noted. You will be held responsible for negligence or willful damage. You must notify Sun Realty of any damage or theft to the unit during your occupancy. Please note that all properties are carefully inspected after each rental.

Can I Transfer My Reservation to Another Week?

Tenant requests for a transfer from one week to another available week in the same property must be made in writing. All transfers must be approved. There will be a service charge of $100.00 assessed for any transferred week. All transfers must be made at least 30 days prior to occupancy in order to allow Agent time to re-rent the original week. A new lease agreement will be created reflecting the change of dates upon receipt of the service charge. The prior lease will remain valid until the new lease is executed. Transfers can only be arranged within the original property rented and not to other properties and must take place within the same calendar year.

What If I Need to Cancel My Reservation?

Once your reservation has been confirmed by payment and you are unable to fulfill your obligation to occupy a rental unit, Sun Realty must be notified in writing. All attempts will be made to re-rent the property, but if we are unable to re-rent the unit, no money will be returned. If the property is re-rented, then rent consideration (rent, taxes, security deposit) previously tendered by Tenant will be refunded, less $250.00. Please note Travel Insurance premium paid (if applicable) is not refundable. If you have purchased Travel Insurance at the time of making your reservation, please refer to your policy for instructions on recovering your loss due to cancellation.

Additional Information on our Vacation Rentals

Accommodations

Every effort has been made to provide accurate and complete information; however, we are not responsible for errors, omissions, equipment failure, owners changing their listings, or views offered by the unit changing. Please confirm all information at the time your reservation is made. If you have any particular requirements as to cottage quality or personal needs, we recommend that you personally inspect the rental unit before making your reservation. Please note that although individual needs and tastes vary, we will be unable to make other arrangements when you arrive. Sun Realty shall not be held responsible for possible rate or printing errors.

All cottages and condominiums are equipped for normal housekeeping. If your rental unit does not include linens, please call our office for linen rental information. Please respect our owners' locked closets in the unit. These are not included in your rental.

Due to health department regulations, occupancy on homes served by septic systems is limited to two persons per bedroom, unless otherwise stated. We've listed the bedding arrangements in each description only to accommodate flexible sleeping arrangements, not to represent occupancy. Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding maximum occupancy allowed in the home you are renting. In addition, parking at each property is also limited. Please do not over-occupy. For your protection, each rental home is provided with at least one smoke detector. Our inspectors check smoke detector batteries on a routine basis, however, it is the renters' responsibility to check the smoke detector(s) upon arrival and to advise the office immediately if the smoke detector(s) is not working properly.

Family Groups Only

It is the policy of Sun Realty to rent only to family groups due to our obligations to our homeowners. Properties are leased without regard to the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, family status, sexual orientation, or gender identity of any tenant. A family group is defined as parents, grandparents, children and extended family members vacationing in one home. A non-family group is defined as: unmarried young adults, high school students, college students or any other group-type situation. Should Sun Realty discover a non-family group, the group is subject to immediate eviction with NO REFUNDS. No fraternities, school or civic groups allowed. Absolutely no house parties allowed. IDs must be furnished if requested. Violation of the above is grounds for immediate eviction. 

Check-Ins

Your vacation home will be ready after 4pm on the beginning date of your reservation, unless a priority check-in has been pre-arranged with our office (please call our office for pricing and arrangements). Information regarding your check-in office on the lease agreement and in pre-arrival emails and/or texts. Please be sure to update email address and cell phone number so we have accurate contact information for these communications on file. In order to allow sufficient time to prepare the property for your use, we ask that you not request early occupancy. We can make arrangements for an after-hours check-in if you expect to arrive late, only if your reservation is paid in full and the lease agreement signed. Remember, all properties are individually owned and should be cared for as your own.

Pets

Pets are not allowed in any rental unless otherwise indicated (registered service animals excepted). Cottages allowing pets are limited to no more than 2 house broken pets. A $160.00 fee plus sales tax is charged for professional flea extermination on all reservations allowing a pet. PETS FOUND IN PROPERTIES NOT ALLOWING PETS IS GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE EVICTION. To avoid eviction, please declare all pets.

Pools and Hot Tubs

Pool privileges are available only on those properties designated as such in the unit descriptions. Unheated pools are generally open the 2nd week of May – the 2nd week of October each year. Heated pools are generally open the 2nd week of April – the 3rd week of October. Hot tubs are open year-round, unless otherwise specified. Please check the listing or call our office for more specific information on pool opening/closing schedules which are always subject to change. Periodically, pools are closed for maintenance without notice. No refunds will be given. Some pools and amenities may require additional fees. These will be listed in the unit description. Additionally, some pools offer heating in the off-season. Please inquire about additional charges that may apply. Pets are not allowed in pools or in hot tubs! Please note that fireplaces (if applicable) are only to be used in the off-season (October through April).

Grilling

Grilling is not permitted except on concrete surfaces. Do not attempt to use outdoor grills on decks, porches or near wooded areas. Please be sure you clean the grill and empty the ashes before you leave so the next guest finds it ready for use.

Vacation Homes for Sale

Some vacation properties are for sale through our Sun Realty sales department. Please let us know if you are interested in learning more about investment properties while you are here on vacation. We look forward to the opportunity of working with you on the purchase of your beach property! We reserve the right to show each rental listed for sale to potential buyers. Efforts will be made to schedule the showing as not to interrupt your vacation.

Maintenance

From time to time, it may be necessary for us to enter the vacation home during reasonable hours for any purpose connected with the repair, care, or management of the property. If this is necessary, we will make every effort not to disrupt your vacation. Every effort is made to keep each property and its equipment in good working order. Please notify us of any difficulties you incur during your stay so repairs can be made. We will make every effort to eliminate any problems or have repairs made as soon as possible. Emergency contact numbers are normally listed on our voicemail after normal business hours. This number is for emergencies only. No refunds will be made for mechanical failures or malfunctions, unfavorable weather, early departure, interruption of utilities, maintenance problems, or construction in the area. As the Outer Banks continues to grow, construction may be taking place next to or near the home you rent. Please be advised.

Damages

We ask our guests to report any breakage or damages to us upon occurrence and settle the matter before leaving. If there is any damage to a unit, the lessee does agree to be responsible for any damages done by himself, his family, guests or pets. All rental units are checked between guests carefully by our inspection crews for breakage or damage. Items such as beer kegs, stereo speakers, fireworks, smoking in a non-smoking unit or three wheel vehicles on the property are considered a violation of our lease agreement. Infraction of this rule is grounds for immediate eviction. Tenants are not permitted to move furniture within the unit. Recreation vehicles are not allowed to connect to utilities on the property, nor may the maximum number of vehicles permitted for the property be exceeded when a recreational vehicle parks at the unit. Many areas do not allow three wheel vehicles or motorcycles. Please check with the town you are vacationing in prior to your arrival. Absolutely no fireworks allowed on property.

Check-Outs

All cottages and condominiums must be vacated by 10:00am check-out day. We ask that this policy be recognized by all tenants. If any member of your group does not comply, an additional day of rent will be charged unless advance arrangements have been made for a late check-out (limited availability and subject to additional fee). Our cleaning and inspection crews depend upon your departure so they may take care of preparing for the next scheduled tenants. Lessee is responsible for washing dishes, taking out trash, emptying refrigerator, leaving the AC set on 72 degrees in the summer or heat set on 65 degrees in the winter months, securing all doors and windows, and leaving the unit generally clean and damage-free so our housekeepers can clean and prepare the home for the incoming guests. Any excessive cleaning or excessive trash removal as deemed by Sun Realty will be billed to tenant at a minimum fee of $125.00. Please ensure you’ve packed all your belongings before checking out, as we cannot be responsible for items left. A $15.00 COD fee will apply for any items returned to you following your tenancy. Call our office for arrangements within 7 days after your departure, otherwise left items will be disposed.

Water

Properties in some areas including Currituck, parts of Duck, and Hatteras Island experience salty, distasteful, or discolored water occasionally since they are on individual wells. For these properties, you may wish to buy or bring bottled water for drinking purposes.

Federal Fair Housing Policy

In Sun Realty's endorsement of State and Federal Fair Housing Laws and National Association of REALTORS Code of Ethics; it is our policy to offer the services of the Company without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Further, it is the policy of Sun Realty to not be a party to any plan or agreement to discriminate against any such person or persons.

Please contact Sun Realty at (252) 441-7035 with any questions.
We look forward to hosting your next Outer Banks vacation!

 

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