Sample short term rental agreement

1. Dear (Guestname):
The following pages include your Rental Agreement and other information for your stay. Our
Rental Agreement is also a bit of a guide that will answer some common questions about what
to expect from your rental at our property. (There will be a detailed Welcome Guide in the
apartment when you arrive, full of local area recommendations and “Use & Care” pointers
about the property.)
Please read these pages carefully. They are the keys to our mutual happiness should you
choose to stay at our home. Our intention is not to scare anyone off with legalese, but to show
we are serious about offering you a quality and professional vacation. It protects you, the
Renter, as well as us, the Owners. As mentioned in the contract, some items are negotiable.
We are flexible on certain things and are happy to discuss any concerns you have in the
Rental Agreement so that it might be amended to suit your stay. For example, if we do not
have a guest coming in immediately after you, we will be happy to adjust your checkout time.
(We don’t like waking up early on vacation either.)
For the most part, this agreement is intended to protect the property from the occasional bad
apple. This way we can hope to share the house with our return guests for years to come.
While you may be familiar with the Los Angeles area, we would be remiss in not mentioning
this: you are heading to our beautiful Southern California home. It is not a homogenous chain
hotel. Inside the house are our personal artwork and eclectic furnishings. We hope this is what
you are looking for and expecting, and that you treat it with same care and respect as you’d
want a guest to treat your own home.
Thanks again for choosing to stay with us.
(Owner name)
(Property name)

2. RENTAL AGREEMENT
Renter: ___________________________
Arrival Date: ___________________ Departure Date: before noon, ____________________
Rent: $____/night x ____ nights = $_____ + 14% tax+ $____ exit cleaning fee + $45 damage waiver fee
Premises : (Property address)
1. TERM, RENTAL FEES, DAMAGE DEPOSIT, CLEANING FEE AND TAXES
Term. This agreement covers the above-noted dates (“The Term”) and does not extend past the Departure Date.
Should Renter desire to stay longer than the Term, a new rental agreement must be executed. Stays longer than
29 days are not permitted. Month-to-month occupancy is not permitted under any circumstance.
Rental Fees. For reservations booked within thirty (30) days of rental, all rental fees are due at time of booking.
Reservations are not confirmed or guaranteed until payment has been received and cleared. We will always make
an attempt to contact the first inquirer to give them right of first refusal, however we cannot hold dates without
payment. One-half of total rental fee (plus 14% City of Los Angeles Lodging Tax), and full Damage Deposit (if
elected, please see Optional Extra Charge below) is due at time of booking to secure your reservation; payment
balance (balance of rental, tax and exit cleaning fee) is due upon arrival.
Exit Cleaning Fee. A mandatory, non-taxable exit cleaning fee of $50 (1-bedroom unit) or $150 (3-bedroom
unit) will be included in your total booking cost.
Damage Waiver Fee. A non-refundable Damage Waiver Fee is required for all reservations whenever a full
Damage Deposit is not paid. You must provide a valid credit card number in addition to pay the Damage Waiver
fee. The Damage Waiver Fee relieves you of the cost for unintentional damages to our property and its contents,
not to exceed the amount of $1,000 per booking for a fee of $30 (1-bedroom unit) or not to exceed $1,500 per
booking for a fee of $45 (3-bedroom unit). The Damage Waiver Fee does not provide any coverage to your
personal property, nor does it cover intentional damage, theft, unauthorized entry into the owner’s supply closet,
unauthorized pets, extraordinary cleaning required at check-out, damages caused by service animals, smoking,
having an unauthorized party, exceeding occupancy limits or parking limits, and any other charges/policies in
this Rental Agreement including any fines imposed on owner by the City, County, or State as the result of
violation of any law, ordinance, rule or regulation or any fines or costs levied against you, your guests or visitors
(Excess Damage Costs). You will be notified of any Excess Damage Costs in writing. Any such costs will be
charged immediately to your credit card. You assume full responsibility for any items found to be missing or
damaged due to misuse or negligence by you or your guests and visitors (except in cases of normal wear and tear
if reported within 48 hours of check-in. Upon check-out, the apartment will be inspected within 24 hours. If
damages are found, you will be notified by email of repair/replacement cost, and photo documentation provided
where possible. That cost will be deducted from the authorization amount, which will then be charged, and the
balance of that amount will be refunded to the credit card provided.
Optional extra charge. Please initial _____ if you prefer to pay a refundable Damage Deposit instead of the non-
refundable Damage Waiver Fee. The Damage Deposit is $1,500 for 3-bedroom unit, and $500 for 1-bedroom
unit. If initialed, the Damage Waiver Fee will be deducted from your total booking charge. Damage Deposit is
required along with rental fee deposit at time of booking.
Late Check-in Fee. You must schedule a check-in appointment prior to day of arrival. Check-in is available
between 3-7 PM. 7-10 PM check-in is available for a $50 fee. 10 PM-12AM check-in is available for a $100 fee.
Check-in is not available 12 AM-12 PM. Early check-in is possible only if the unit is vacant the day prior to
arrival. A $50 fee will be incurred for arrivals later than 45 minutes past the appointed time.
Booking Confirmation. Once your Rental Deposit and Damage Deposit payments have been received, along with
a fully-executed copy of this Agreement, your reservation is confirmed and will be recorded on the property’s
rental calendar. The balance of the rental fee, along with full Damage Deposit, is due upon check-in. Directions
and some info for your stay will be sent to you by email the week before your arrival. You will also receive a
request for your arrival details, so that we can coordinate your check-in. You must confirm your check-in time in
advance, and provide us timely updates if your arrival plans should change. Please note that we do not reside on-
site, and it is your responsibility to ensure that we know when you are arriving and that we are mutually agreed
as to your check-in time.
1

3. Your Damage Deposit will be returned to you within 10 business days of departure (usually within a few days) if
the following provisions are met:
- Checkout procedures have been followed and keys returned;
- No damage is done to the home or its contents;
- No linens, household items, art or media are missing;
- Agreed-upon check-in and check-out times are honored;
- The home has not been smoked in and smoking policy is respected;
- No portions of this agreement that pertain to your Damage Deposit have been violated.
2. PAYMENT
We accept payment by credit card. We will email payment options details once you have requested a booking.
Once payment is made, you will be sent a receipt which will serve as your confirmation of dates booked.
3. CANCELLATIONS
- If you cancel more than 30 days before check-in: We will make full refund of payment in the form of original
payment method (minus any transaction fees incurred).
- If you cancel less than 30 days before check-in, you will forfeit your deposit.
- No credit is due to renter for shortened stays due to late arrival or early departure for any reason.
- No cancellations due to weather.
4. HOUSEKEEPING & GENERAL GUIDELINES
When you arrive, the home will be clean with bed linens provided. We offer as a courtesy the following supplies
to begin your stay, though you may need to restock, especially for longer stays:
- bath towels, hand towels, wash cloths, paper towels
- dish soap, hand soap, shampoo, bathroom tissue
Daily housekeeping services are not provided as part of your rental.
This is a non-smoking home. Smokers must use the ashtrays provided on the outdoor decks. Cigarette butts are
to be disposed of properly and not left anywhere on the property except for the ashtrays. Violations of this
smoking policy will incur a minimum fine of $100 per type of offense plus any housekeeping charges associated
with restoring the house or property to a smoke-free environment. This fine and any associated charges will be
deducted from the Damage Deposit or charged to the credit card on file.
Renter is responsible for bringing trash & recycling bins to curbside on Monday evening for Tuesday morning
pick-up and returning them from the road on Tuesday (if this falls within their rental dates) unless special
additional housekeeping services are requested. Renter will be notified if the day of pick-up changes for any
reason such as a holiday schedule. If renter neglects this procedure, they may be liable for charges for a special
pick-up if it becomes necessary.
All utilities are included within your rental fee.
Please report any maintenance problems, accidents or broken items to Owner as soon as possible so that such
issue may be dealt with appropriately. Renter is responsible for replacement costs for lost house keys and garage
door opener ($50 each), and any labor associated with such. We are not liable or responsible for personal items
left behind, lost, or stolen. We will, of course, make a reasonable attempt to return any items found after
checkout at our convenience. Renter will be responsible for any shipping or housekeeping costs to return item(s).
4. PETS
Pets are allowed with prior approval via email or telephone and after renter has signed the Pet Addendum to this
Rental Agreement. Guests who bring a pet or pets without notice and approval will forfeit their Damage Deposit
and may be evicted from the property.
5. OCCUPANCY
The home has a maximum sleeping occupancy of six (6) people (3 bedroom unit), including children; or two (2)
people (1 bedroom unit). Renters who exceed these maximum occupancy limits without prior written
authorization, or who falsify occupancy information at the time of reservation, are subject to immediate eviction
and forfeiture of the entire Rental Fee and Damage Deposit. Guests MAY NOT stay the evening or else they are
considered renters and subject to additional fees. The property is in a quiet residential neighborhood. Should the
police or fire department be called due to excessive noise or for any other reason you may forfeit your entire
2

4. Rental Fee and Damage Deposit (or be charged the Damage Deposit amount to the credit card on file) and be
liable for any fine imposed by authorities.
6. ADDITIONAL TERMS
You must disclose if you are under 25 years of age and provide proof of age if requested. Failure to do so will
result in immediate eviction and forfeiture of all fees and deposits, or full Damage Deposit charged to the credit
card on file. Commercial video filming and commercial photography is prohibited under this contract. Such use
must be negotiated under contract as a location fee. If any image or likeness of the home, property or its contents
are used for commercial purposes without written permission, the renter agrees to pay a minimum of $10,000 per
day of their Rental Agreement for film or digital video shoots for location fees. Additionally, if any independent
or personal photo shoot or film shoot that goes the beyond the scope of ‘vacation photos’ is done without written
permission, regardless of its intended distribution or non-commercial intent, renter agrees to pay the same fee of
$10,000 per day of their Rental Agreement for location fees. Reasonable location fees will gladly be negotiated
in advance. Owner is not responsible for loss of cable television signal or loss of internet connection beyond
their control. Guest shall not alter set-up of anything electrical that is plugged in, especially the set-up of any
audio/visual or internet equipment and will be liable for labor costs in restoring such to its original state.
7. FORCE MAJEURE
If there are circumstances beyond our control and contemplation, in which the property might not be available
for your booking, we will do our best to make alternative arrangements for you where possible. If we cannot, or
if the alternative arrangements are not acceptable to you, then we will refund all monies paid, pro-rated. This will
be the extent of our liability to you in such circumstances, and we will not be responsible for any other costs
connected with any such cancellation, howsoever arising. Examples of Force Majeure include (but are not
limited to): destruction of or severe damage to the property that would make it unrentable; utility company
equipment failure; loss of cable TV or internet signal. All representations made by owner/ owners representative
with respect to this vacation home are complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge and made in good
faith. Owners’ representative is not responsible for issues outside of their control such as the failure of the water
supply, gas, electricity, heating, television, cable TV service, internet service, appliances, BBQ, entertainment
equipment, etc. Renter is reminded that you are an invited guest and that we are not a hotel and therefore do not
have round-the-clock maintenance staff. We will endeavor to arrange for any such problems to be corrected as
soon as possible and practical. If you have any such problem during a rental period, you must notify owners’
representative immediately so that we can try and remedy the situation. No refunds will be offered for any issues
that are outside of owners’ control.
8. LIABILITY
Renter understands that they are renting a property in a desert/beach environment. Extreme weather, terrain,
flora and fauna are not within the control of the Owner and all reasonable precautions should be taken by the
Renter to protect themselves from such. Additionally, Renter is responsible for familiarizing themselves with the
property Welcome Guide and the guidelines contained therein. This is the guidebook for our home and property
that will be provided at the premises. Owner shall not be liable for any personal injury to you or your guests in or
about the premises, except if injury is caused by Owner’s gross negligence, criminal negligence or criminal act.
You expressly agree to hold Owner harmless for personal injury or personal property damage, except as above-
noted.
9. DAMAGES
Renter is responsible for any damages to interior or exterior of the property and to the contents contained therein.
If Damage Deposit does not cover damage, Renter agrees to pay the reasonable cost/value for repair/replacement
within 15 business days of receipt of an itemized statement from Owner. An inventory of all items in the home
will be checked by housekeeping prior to refunding your Damage Deposit. Renter will be responsible for any
missing or broken property. Please note that normal wear and tear in the house is continuously documented and
updated by housekeeping and the Owners. Owners are aware that some items, especially vintage and antique
furniture, may already have defects.
10. REVIEWS/DEFAMATION
Certain websites allow reviews that are unchecked with regard to reasonable sentiment. Renter agrees that even
minor unreasonable negative sentiment can unjustly cause damages to owner’s future business. Therefore,
Renter accepts and is hereby notified that homeowner does not participate in reviews from websites that are not
owned or controlled by homeowner and the business transaction between all parties should remain private. This
Paragraph is a material provision this agreement. All communications related to this transaction shall remain
private. Specifically, renter and invited guests agree not to criticize, make any statement which disparages or
post any review on any website unless requested in writing by the homeowner or agent. If any review is posted
3

5. by Renter or invitee thereof, and found to contain unreasonable negative sentiment in the sole opinion of the
homeowner and is not removed within 72 hours (the Review), renter agrees that a copy of this rental agreement
shall serve as renter’s full authorization to request and oblige the third party or website hosting or displaying the
Review to remove it promptly upon request by homeowner or owner’s agent. Failure to remove the Review will
be considered a breach of this Agreement, and homeowner will consider this act to have irreparably harmed by
loss of business and goodwill due to violation of this provision. In this event, homeowner will seek damages of
up to $10,000 from renter and renter agrees to pay all such damages requested by owner upon written demand.
Renter will pay any additional legal fees necessary to enforce demand should renter not comply.
This short term Rental Agreement shall be governed pursuant to the laws of the State of California. Invalidation
of any portion of this Agreement shall not invalidate the remainder. Any exceptions to the rules and regulations
as written here must be approved in writing in advance.
11. ARBITRATION
All claims and disputes arising under or relating to this Agreement are to be settled by binding arbitration in Los
Angeles, California by an arbitrator to be determined by Owner. The arbitration shall be conducted on a
confidential basis pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Any
decision or award as a result of any such arbitration proceeding shall be in writing and shall provide an
explanation for all conclusions of law and fact and shall include the assessment of costs, expenses, and
reasonable attorneys’ fees. Any such arbitration shall be conducted by an arbitrator experienced in tenant law
and shall include a written record of the arbitration hearing. The parties reserve the right to object to any
individual who shall be employed by or affiliated with a competing organization or entity. An award of
arbitration may be confirmed in a court of competent jurisdiction.
I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS. I CERTIFY THAT I AM AT LEAST
25 YEARS OF AGE OR THAT I HAVE DISCLOSED OTHERWISE TO THE OWNER. I UNDERSTAND
THAT I WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THIS PROPERTY BEING RENTED UNDER
MY NAME. I ACCEPT FULL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES OR EXTRA CLEANING
FEES SHOULD THEY BE NECESSARY DURING OR AFTER DEPARTURE.
Owner and Renter agree that Renter’s performance of and compliance with each of the terms hereof, and with
Owner’s House rules which are incorporated herein by reference, constitute a condition on Renter’s right to
occupy the Premises. Any failure of compliance or performance by Renter shall allow Owner to forfeit this
agreement and terminate renter’s right to possession. The parties below agree to the terms stated above.
____________________________________________________________________
(Renter’s Signature)
____________________________________________________________________
(Print Renter’s Full Name) (Date)
__________________________________________________
(Owner’s Signature)
__________________ ____________________________________________
(Owner’s Full Name) (Date)
____________________________________________________________________
(Renter’s Address)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(City) (State) (Postal Code)
____________________________________________________________________
(Phone) (Email)
____________________________________________________________________
(Driver License # - you may be asked to provide photocopy for verification)
4

6. by Renter or invitee thereof, and found to contain unreasonable negative sentiment in the sole opinion of the
homeowner and is not removed within 72 hours (the Review), renter agrees that a copy of this rental agreement
shall serve as renter’s full authorization to request and oblige the third party or website hosting or displaying the
Review to remove it promptly upon request by homeowner or owner’s agent. Failure to remove the Review will
be considered a breach of this Agreement, and homeowner will consider this act to have irreparably harmed by
loss of business and goodwill due to violation of this provision. In this event, homeowner will seek damages of
up to $10,000 from renter and renter agrees to pay all such damages requested by owner upon written demand.
Renter will pay any additional legal fees necessary to enforce demand should renter not comply.
This short term Rental Agreement shall be governed pursuant to the laws of the State of California. Invalidation
of any portion of this Agreement shall not invalidate the remainder. Any exceptions to the rules and regulations
as written here must be approved in writing in advance.
11. ARBITRATION
All claims and disputes arising under or relating to this Agreement are to be settled by binding arbitration in Los
Angeles, California by an arbitrator to be determined by Owner. The arbitration shall be conducted on a
confidential basis pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Any
decision or award as a result of any such arbitration proceeding shall be in writing and shall provide an
explanation for all conclusions of law and fact and shall include the assessment of costs, expenses, and
reasonable attorneys’ fees. Any such arbitration shall be conducted by an arbitrator experienced in tenant law
and shall include a written record of the arbitration hearing. The parties reserve the right to object to any
individual who shall be employed by or affiliated with a competing organization or entity. An award of
arbitration may be confirmed in a court of competent jurisdiction.
I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE RULES AND REGULATIONS. I CERTIFY THAT I AM AT LEAST
25 YEARS OF AGE OR THAT I HAVE DISCLOSED OTHERWISE TO THE OWNER. I UNDERSTAND
THAT I WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CARE OF THIS PROPERTY BEING RENTED UNDER
MY NAME. I ACCEPT FULL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGES OR EXTRA CLEANING
FEES SHOULD THEY BE NECESSARY DURING OR AFTER DEPARTURE.
Owner and Renter agree that Renter’s performance of and compliance with each of the terms hereof, and with
Owner’s House rules which are incorporated herein by reference, constitute a condition on Renter’s right to
occupy the Premises. Any failure of compliance or performance by Renter shall allow Owner to forfeit this
agreement and terminate renter’s right to possession. The parties below agree to the terms stated above.
____________________________________________________________________
(Renter’s Signature)
____________________________________________________________________
(Print Renter’s Full Name) (Date)
__________________________________________________
(Owner’s Signature)
__________________ ____________________________________________
(Owner’s Full Name) (Date)
____________________________________________________________________
(Renter’s Address)
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
(City) (State) (Postal Code)
____________________________________________________________________
(Phone) (Email)
____________________________________________________________________
(Driver License # - you may be asked to provide photocopy for verification)
4