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How to Make Reservations
Search for 3 homes that interest you. Then check availability for those homes using the search capabilities of the website. Once you have decided on a home, you may either call our office with the dates you would like to come and the corresponding house numbers you have selected, or complete your reservation online. To book online, you will simply click on the "Reserve This Property" button found on each individual cottage page, and follow the prompts there. You may also call and have us help you complete your booking. You may reserve a cottage by mail, telephone, fax, or in person 7 days a week from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Even if you book online, we recommend that you CALL US. There is NO substitute for a conversation with an experienced reservations specialist to THOROUGHLY PLAN your Hatteras vacation.

A deposit of 50% of the total rent is required to confirm a reservation, and payment must be received within 10 days of making the reservation. Reservations are automatically cancelled if a deposit is not received within 10 days. In addition to the listed rental rates, 11.75% tax and the premium for travel protection insurance, if purchased, will be added to the cost of each rental. All deposits received by Colony Realty Corporation are placed in an interest bearing escrow account. All interest from that account shall accrue to the benefit of Colony Realty Corporation.

The balance of the rental fee is due 30 days before check-in. We do not send out a bill or reminder for this final balance. Payments made after the 30 days must be in the form of a cashier's check, money order, or certified check. We do accept credit cards. NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF CHECK-IN. All deposits from Canada must be in U.S. Funds payable by money order or cashier's check only. We cannot accept personal checks from Canada. TOP

Phone: (800) 962-5256 or (252) 995-5891
Fax: (252) 995-5744
Email: info@hatterasvacations.com

Cancellation Policy
Please notify our office as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel your reservation. We will make every effort to re-rent the home. If the unit is not re-rented for the entire cancelled period and for the full amount, your payments will not be refunded. If the unit is re-rented, your monies, less a $140 cancellation fee and the travel insurance premium, if purchased, will be returned to you. TOP

Maximum Cottage Capacity
Maximum occupancy limits are set by the Dare County Health Department. Limits are based on the capacity of the on site septic system and calculated at not more than two persons per bedroom. Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding the maximum number of people allowed to occupy a home. Tenants not complying will be asked to leave without a refund. We are authorized to rent cottages to family groups only. We are unable to rent to fraternities or school or civic groups unless prior approval is given by our cottage owners. Tenants not complying will be asked to leave without refund. TOP

Rental Rates 2009

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Partial Week Rentals
Mid and Off Season rentals can be arranged for a minimum of 3 days or more, and are not available in all homes. Partial week rentals are taken 21 days in advance and are subject to a $60.00 (2-3 bedroom) or $80.00 (4 + bedrooms) cleaning fee. The prorated rate for a 3-night stay is approximately 50% of the weekly rate, with additional nights equaling one sixth of the full weekly rate. Minimum 3-night rate is $250.00. TOP

Check-In
Homes are available for rent from Saturday to Saturday, or Sunday to Sunday. Please check the individual house listing for starting day. We request all guests to check in between 4:00 P.M. and 5:30 P.M., May 24 through September 1. Off-season check in time is 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. If you plan to arrive after 5:00 PM, please call our office for late arrival instructions. We will leave an envelope for you in our late check-in box, located next to the office front door. TOP

Check-Out
Check-out time is 10:00 A.M. We need time to ready the homes for the next guest. Guest check-out duties should be completed and keys returned to our office by 10:00 A.M. If you plan to leave prior to the opening of the office, please leave the keys in the key box located outside of our office door. TOP

Damage and Cleaning Deposit
Included with your rent is our Accidental Damage Waiver (ADW). Colony Realty does not require a separate security deposit or a security deposit waiver fee in addition to the rent. Under ADW you will not be required to pay for accidental damage to the home or the personal property of the Owner contained within the Premises, up to a limit of $2,000 per reservation. Colony Realty has undertaken this obligation as a part of our Property Management Agreement with the Owner. Damages exceeding $2,000 will be the responsibility of the Tenant. Under no circumstances does ADW release a Tenant or any member or guest of their party from obligations imposed by the North Carolina Vacation Rental Act with respect to maintaining the Premises, including but not limited to, the following: (a) keep the Premises as clean and safe as the condition of the Premises permit, and cause no unsafe or unsanitary conditions in the common areas and remainder of the Premises that You use; (b) dispose of all ashes, rubbish, garbage, and other waste in a clean and safe manner; (c) keep all plumbing fixtures in the Premises or used by the Tenant in working condition and as clean as their condition permits; (d) not deliberately destroy or negligently destroy, deface, damage, or remove any part of the Premises or render inoperable the smoke detector provided by the Owner, or knowingly permit any person to do so; (e) comply with all obligations imposed upon the Tenant by current applicable building and housing codes; (f) be responsible for all damage, defacement, or removal of any property inside the Premises that is in Your exclusive control unless the damage, defacement, or removal was due to ordinary wear and tear, acts of the Owner or the Owner’s Agent, defective products supplied or repairs made by the Owner, acts of third parties not invitees of the Tenant, or natural forces; and (g) notify the Agent in writing of the need for replacement and of repairs during the tenancy which continued presence or use would jeopardize the safety of Tenants and guests or harm the Premises including repairs to the smoke detectors or replacing the batteries as needed. You agree not to use the Premises for any activity or purpose that violates any criminal law or governmental regulation. Your breach of any duty contained in this paragraph after commencement of tenancy shall be considered material, and shall result in the termination of Your tenancy with NO REFUND OF RENT. Exclusions within the ADW specifically limit CRC’s obligation to repair/replace and does not cover or release the Tenant from liability for damage due to the following: 1) intentional, willful, reckless, or malicious acts of the Tenant or others on the Premises during the tenancy, 2) damage by pets, 3) theft from the Premises of either the Owner's property or property belonging to the Tenant, 4) gross negligence of Tenant or intentional misuse of furnishings, appliances, equipment, or other amenities provided with the home, 5) damage caused while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, 6) damages to real property, furnishings, or any vehicles resulting from operation of a motorized vehicle by a Tenant, 7) Damages related to smoking in “NO Smoking” homes. ADW is limited to tenancies of 30 days or less. The conditions of the ADW provided to the Tenant shall extend to all members of the Tenant’s party and guests of the Tenant. In order to not be charged for incidents described under the ADW all damages must be reported to Colony Realty before check-out. ADW is not available for non-family or large groups such as weddings, reunions, corporate retreats, etc. Colony Realty reserves the right to request a security deposit. The security deposit is to be accounted for in accordance with the North Carolina Tenant Security Deposit Act. TOP

Equipment and Furnishings
All homes are individually owned and decorated to suit the owner. They are fully furnished except for linens (sheets, pillow cases and towels), bathroom and paper products, and cleaning supplies. All cottages are equipped with cookware, dishes, coffee makers, toasters, a CATV hookup, pillows and blankets. TOP

Barbecue Grills
Some cottages provide barbecue grills. Check the brochure listing for your cottage. Be careful when using a grill, the wind direction or speed can change suddenly, turning over a grill. Grilling on decks or porches is prohibited. TOP

Fireworks
Dare County Law prohibits the possession, sale and discharge of ALL fireworks on Hatteras Island. Federal Law, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, prohibits fireworks. Use of fireworks will be reported to the Sheriff and the National Park Service. Please leave fireworks at home. TOP

Fishing License
All NC fishing requires a NC Fishing License. If you will be fishing from a charter boat or fishing pier, you are not required to purchase a license, the commercial license will cover you. However, if you are fishing, crabbing, clamming, etc., from the land or from a private vessel you MUST have a license. Information online at
http://www.ncfisheries.net/recreational/NCCRFL.htm. TOP

Refunds on Breakdowns
No appliance, air conditioner, TV, CATV, internet service, or hot tub service is guaranteed. We make every effort to keep these items in good working order. Any failures will be repaired as quickly as possible. There will be no refunds of any kind due to mechanical failure. TOP

Messages & Mail for Guests
Messages will NOT be delivered to rental units. There is a "Message Box" in the rental office for telephone messages and mail addressed to our guests. We regret that we CANNOT DELIVER messages to the units, and suggest that all emergency calls be directed to the Dare County Sheriff's Department (252) 473-3444. TOP

Items Left in Units
Colony Realty cannot be held responsible for personal items left in rental units. However, we will make every prudent effort to return items to you, given prompt notification of loss. Please let us know what you forgot within 7 days of your departure if you wish your property returned. We'll ship to you, and ask you to pay the cost of shipping, plus a $15.00 pick-up charge. TOP

Lost and Found
Items left behind and brought to our office by cleaning/checking staff will be tagged and held in our Lost and Found area for 30 days. After 30 days, items will be donated to charity. TOP

Telephones
Homes providing phones are for local and incoming calls only. Most cottages subscribe to a long distance call blocking service. Calls from these cottages can be charged with a credit card, calling card, or prepaid phone card. Long distance calls MAY NOT be charged to a cottage telephone. Calls charged to a cottage will be deducted from your security deposit with a $20.00 handling fee. TOP

Directions to Colony Realty
The Avon Colony Realty office is located on the Soundside at Highway 12 and Bonito Road, beside the Froggy Dog Restaurant, at Mile marker 54.6. We can provide to our confirmed Guests printed directions from your home to our office by fax or mail. Please call, and our staff will be happy to provide you with directions. TOP

Ferry Schedule
If you are traveling to Hatteras from the South, you may want to ride on the North Carolina Ferry System. You can view ferry schedules on this website. To receive a ferry schedule or for information about making reservations. please call (800)293-3779. TOP

Linen and Equipment
Rental Linens are NOT provided in rental units. It will be necessary for you to bring your own, or rent linens from us. In addition, we have high chairs available for rental, to make packing for your trip easier. If you would like to reserve any of these items, please call our office 2 weeks prior to your arrival. TOP

Prices are as follows:

Linen service
We offer guests, (great for late arrivals), the option of selecting linen service. This means WE MAKE THE BEDS, saving you the hassle. All beds will be made with fresh linen prior to your arrival. If you wish this service, call us for a price quote. TOP

Mid-Week Maid Service
We offer a mid-week cleanup by our cleaning staff for your unit. This service is designed to make your check-out easier. We will be happy to schedule this service for you prior to your arrival. Please let us know within 1 week of your check-in if you wish to schedule a mid-week cleaning. You must vacate your unit while cleaning is in progress. Prices vary according to unit. Please call for a price quote. TOP

Pets
Homes allowing pets are limited to 2 house broken animals. Pets must be declared at the time of reservation. A $75.00 pet fee will be charged per pet. Homes not allowing pets are marked NO PETS in the cottage description. Tenants not complying will be asked to leave with no refund. Guests are asked to clean up after their pets. TOP

Bad Weather/Hurricanes
Refunds cannot be made due to inclement weather. If Hatteras Island is threatened by a Hurricane, we ask that you adhere to the instructions of the Dare County Emergency Management Center and Colony Realty. If a mandatory evacuation is issued, you are required by law to leave. Once the Hurricane has passed, please call the office to make arrangements for your return to your rental unit. No refunds or credits will be given for hurricane evacuations. We suggest Travel Protection Insurance to safeguard your investment in your vacation. TOP

Travel Protection Insurance
Colony Realty offers each of our guests the opportunity to guarantee protection for your vacation investment. By arrangement with CSA, Inc. (travel protection specialists), you may insure your vacation against not only hurricanes, but also other unforeseen circumstances which could cause cancellation of your trip and forfeiture of payments made to us. Some of these coverages include: Trip Cancellation, Travel Delay, Medical Referral, Emergency Cash, Emergency Medical Transportation, and 24 Hour Emergency Hotline Services from CSA's designated assistance provider. You may obtain this optional valuable protection from us in most cases for a cost of 6.95% of your total rent amount. (Premium rates are subject to change without notice.) You will be offered this coverage when you make your reservation, and your lease agreement will include its fee. If you do not desire this protection, initial the advance rent request where indicated. Otherwise you will be automatically protected and charged. You may call CSA directly with any questions you may have at 1-866-999-4018. Claims must be filed directly with CSA by you. TOP

Things to Bring

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Renting Fun Stuff and Necessities

Ocean Atlantic Rentals
We recommend Ocean Atlantic for all your vacation equipment needs.

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