Etiquette Questions for Renters

Answers to five common etiquette questions for renters

Somewhere in the insanity of getting your family packed, to the airport and through security, your BlackBerry disappears. All your contacts, all the details of your trip -- including check-in arrangements you've agreed to with the owners of the vacation rental home you booked at your destination -- GONE.

Now it looks likely you'll arrive much later than you thought. But, no use stressing even more than you already are. It's not like they're going to give away your room like a hotel would.

Right?

Well, right. However, if the vacation rental owners at the other end don't know about your small crisis, they'll be waiting to greet you at the agreed upon time. If you don't arrive by midnight or even the next day, and they can't reach you, they're going to be the ones stressing.

When you rent a vacation home, you're not the faceless occupant of one of hundreds of hotel rooms, you're a guest in someone's home. So, it makes sense that a different etiquette applies. The best policy: act as if you're staying with a friend. Because that's the way many owners welcome you.

Here are guidelines (most, simply good manners) for the most common etiquette questions.

1. If your plans change, let someone know.

Many rentals provide entry codes or a lock box containing the house key on the front door, so you don't have to "check in". But if you're made specific arrangements to pick up the key from the owner or manager, it's nice to call (use a pay phone, if necessary) with your new schedule or a status report.

2. If want to invite guests, ask first.

Many rentals have specific policies about hosting parties and inviting guests to sleep over. The best policy: ask for permission. If you try to "get away it" and you're found out, you may forfeit some or all of your deposit.

3. If you break something, 'fess up.

And don't worry. Most owners will chalk up a chipped plate or broken glass to "wear and tear". Still, it's polite to admit it, so they can keep tabs on inventories of dishes and silverware for future renters.

4. If you have a couple of minutes, do a few chores.

Of all five etiquette questions, this can be the most problematic for renters. This is your vacation, you shouldn't have to do chores. I get it!

But you get to stay in a comfortable home -- with no maid tapping at your door in the morning. So rolling the trash to a designated space and stripping the bed linens is really not a big deal.

5. If you had an awesome time, leave a note.

Or a drawing, or a photo, or a poem. I seen examples of all -- along with even more creative entries in rental guest books.

Sharing your favorite moments will remind you why you chose a rental instead of a hotel in the first place.

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