What is a vacation rental?
A vacation rental is a home away from home. It can be a private home, condo, villa, or cabin that includes a kitchen and all of the amenities you would expect to find at home. The kitchen should be fully stocked with everything you need to cook and serve a meal.
What is a vacation rental owner?
Owners of vacation rentals are typically private citizens or sometimes a company, who own properties in resort areas and rent them on a short term basis to vacationers.
To book your vacation rental you need to contact Southernmost Vacation Rentals to check the availability. You can make a reservation over the phone. To process your reservation using a personal or business check, please provide the following:
1) Driver’s license number printed on check
2) Copy of driver’s license
In order to process your reservation using your credit card, please provide the following:
1) Card number and expiration date
2) Three digit security code on back of credit card
3) Billing address for credit card
4) Copy of cardholder’s driver’s license
How do I cancel my reservation?
Cancellations must be made in writing to Southernmost Vacation Rentals, 1219 Duval Street, Key West, FL 33040.
Cancellations made within 60 days of scheduled arrival dates are non-refundable.
Cancellations made 60 days prior to arrival date will be subject to a $250 cancellation fee with the balance refunded via the method of initial payment.
What if there is a problem with my vacation rental?
All rental properties should be in good condition upon check-in. If there is something that you find unsatisfactory, please contact your agent at Southernmost Vacation Rentals immediately. In your check-in package you will find all the contact information.
Where do I go to Check In?
Please print your confirmation letter and map to our office and bring them with you. Call or email us at least one day prior to your arrival to confirm your arrival time and method. If you are coming by cab, leave luggage in cab, come in and register, obtain keys and receive directions to your unit. The cab will wait for you to accomplish this before taking you to your unit.
Units will be ready for check in at 4 p.m.
What about Check Out?
Check-out time is 11 a.m. There is a $50 extra cost for early check-in or late check-out and must be approved first. Late check-outs not approved may by subject to an additional day of rental fees. Please contact us by phone the day before your departure to arrange for a walk-thru on the day of your departure.
What about keys?
Guests agree to return all keys to agent or pay a $50.00 lost key fee. Late Check-in guests may pick up their envelope with keys and check-in instructions. (See next question for more)
What are your office hours?
Our check-in office is located at 1219 Duval Street, Turn left onto Duval off Truman and the office is two blocks down on your left.
Our office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
If checking in later than 5 p.m., please advise us of your arrival time and we will have 2 keys and directions in an envelope in the lock box located next to our office door. The code to the late night check in box is included in your confirmation letter so please bring it with you. If you forgot to bring your letter, please call the emergency phone number for the code. Please come by the office the next day to register, obtain extra keys, maps, concierge information, etc.
What is included in the Rates?
Published rates are subject to change without notice and do not include 7.5% State sales tax and 4% County tourist tax, $75 Registration fee, $200 cleaning fee and other additional fees some properties may incur. Festival and holiday monthly rates include Christmas, New Years and Fantasy Festival. They are 20% higher than the High-Season rates. Booking for less than a week and staying only Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, there will be an additional charge of 10%
How much money is required up front?
A deposit of 50% of the total rental (including taxes, pet fees and any additional fees) is required upon signing the emailed or faxed rental agreement.
What forms of payment are accepted?
Payment can be made by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) or by check. Checks must be received within 10 days of reservation confirmation and will not be accepted 60 days prior to scheduled arrival date. Balance is due within 60 days of arrival.
Is a security deposit required?
A security deposit of $1,500 is due with the final payment and must be a certified check. A refund check will be issued within 30 days after departure. You will be charged if damages occur, for extraordinary cleaning and laundry, telephone charges, pet damage, dirty dishes not loaded into dishwasher, garbage not disposed of properly in outdoor container and furniture not left in the original location.
Is there a cleaning fee?
A cleaning fee of $200 is due with your initial deposit.
What happens if my check is returned?
A $75 check fee will be charged if a check is returned to us by the bank for insufficient funds.
What if there is a Hurricane?
Effective June 1 to Nov. 30:
We do not refund for inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control. We strongly encourage the purchase of Travel Insurance to protect your vacation investment!
Please note that we do not sell Travel Insurance, but provide a link on this website to Travel Guard International, one of the most reputable and comprehensive providers in the travel industry.
In the unlikely event that a hurricane evacuation is ordered while you are a guest, and you have not purchased travel insurance, you will be issued a voucher for the unused portion of your stay. Guests holding a confirmed reservation, who are unable to travel because of the closing of the Key West Airport or connecting roadways due to a mandatory evacuation and have not purchased travel insurance, will receive a voucher in the amount of the room deposit held. Vouchers are redeemable between June 1 and December 1, up to two years from the issue date, excluding special events and holidays. (Exception: Vouchers issued for cancellations of Fantasy Fest reservations can be applied to future Fantasy Fests in the ensuing two years.)
No voucher will be issued if the hurricane is not a threat to Key West and you are unable to travel because of canceled flights or adverse travel conditions outside the Keys. We strongly encourage the purchase of Travel Insurance to protect your vacation investment!
Can I bring my Pets?
Pets are allowed in certain units and do incur an additional $300 charge per pet for the month. There is a maximum weight and number of pets per reservation. Please inquire about specifics when making reservation.
Is smoking allowed?
Smoking is allowed outside only and ashtrays are provided. If you do choose to smoke inside, an additional cleaning fee of $250 will be charged.
Is there parking?
Unless specifically noted, no parking is included in the reservation. Key West is a small island and parking is limited. If you have special parking requirements, you must make prior arrangements.
How are the homes furnished?
All properties are individually owned and furnished/decorated to the taste of the homeowner. Properties come with the amenities of home, however some consumable items may need to be replenished.
Who takes care of maintenance?
Our maintenance and housekeeping staff are here to make sure that your vacation home is in good, working condition. If you should discover otherwise, please report it to us immediately and we will correct it as quickly as possible. Please be aware that due to our remote location and availability of repair companies, there are no guarantees. An authorized employee of Southernmost Vacation Rentals or repairman may enter the premises for the purpose of repair, care and management of the property.
What are the guest responsibilities?
Guests assume all responsibility for behavior of self and their guests and agree to abide by all rules and regulations of the condominium or development. The total number of persons allowed in the property at any time is restricted to the stated limit for each property. This limit includes all persons of any age occupying the property, regardless of available bedding. Eviction without refund is the penalty for guests that do not abide by the rules, regulations or restrictions. Should guests behavior necessitate eviction (including a complaint of noise or any other violation set forth by the County of Monroe in the City of Key West, or any applicable condominium or homeowner's association rules and regulations) all prepaid rents and deposits shall be considered earned. No occupants under the age of 25 are allowed unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Guests are responsible for the completion and timely return of any required rental forms, payments, including but not limited to rental agreement, security deposit forms, check in procedure forms and any required lease approval forms.
Will you book my activities for me?
Our office staff is always eager and available to set up any type of water, land or air excursions for you, either in advance or upon your arrival. We will also be happy to give you recommendations for restaurants and other activities on our island.
We can have food, drinks and other items in your unit for your arrival. You can either email or fax us a list with specifics, there is a $25 plus 10% of the total purchases fee added to your charges for this service.
DEFAULTS: If a guest defaults in the performance of any obligations contained herein and a suit of law is brought against guest or persons accompanying guest, Southernmost Vacation Rentals shall be entitled to recover all costs and expenses, including court costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
