Auntie Belham’s Cabin Rental Policies

No Cancellation or Reschedule without the Vacay Stay Guarantee (VSG)

The VSG gives your reservation a cancellation policy. Without the VSG you will have a zero cancellation policy and zero reschedule policy. Should you have to cancel your reservation at any point, for any reason, you will lose what you've paid up to that point. No exceptions, since the cancellation policy is offered at booking. By not purchasing the VSG, you will accept that you forfeit all monies paid if you have to cancel your reservation. [Initial]

The Vacay Stay Guarantee allows for:

A 15 day cancellation policy for 1-3 bedroom properties.
A 60 day cancellation policy on 4+ bedroom properties.

For cancellations made outside of the 60 or 15 days, Auntie Belham's refunds the entire amount of your payments made minus the cost of the VSG (which is only 7% of the reservation total).

For cancellations made inside of 60 or 15 day time frame, when the cancellation policy has expired, you will be allowed to reschedule your stay in that same property within 1 year, but no monies will be refunded. After 1 year all monies are forfeited. With a reschedule, Auntie Belhams retains the cost of the VSG. So your payments, minus the cost of the VSG, will be applied to your reschedule.

Without the Vacay Stay Guarantee, absolutely no refunds.

If you are given a 1 year reschedule, you will be only allowed to repurchase the Vacay Stay Guarantee for your rescheduled reservation one more time, at the time of booking, but this does not allow you to a refund at any point. This only offers you the ability to reschedule your reservation for another 1 year. To explain, if at any point you cancel the reschedule that you've re-purchased the VSG for, you WILL NOT be refunded, you will simply be offered a 1 year reschedule that begins on the date of cancellation. No Vacay Stay Guarantee will be offered or available to you for your second reschedule. Therefore, the second reschedule will expire after 1 year if left unreserved, and all monies will be forfeited.

Without the VSG, you are not eligible to make any changes to your reservation. With the VSG, you can make 1 change to your reservation outside of the cancellation period but if you change the dates of your stay, your cancellation window will apply to the earlier date of either the original check in date or the date of the new check in.

All reschedules are required to re-book the same rental property. No downgrades will be accepted. Once the cancellation period has passed, reschedules are made available to you with the express purpose of allowing the homeowners to retain the cost of the booking. The homeowners held up their end of the deal by reserving the cabin for you, for your specific dates, therefore not allowing it to be booked by others on those dates. This is why reschedules are a fair compromise- you are allowed to stay in the cabin during a date that fits your schedule and the homeowner doesn't lose the booking.

For cancellations outside of the 60 or 15 period, Auntie Belhams retains the cost of the Vacay Stay Guarantee.

Without the Vacay Stay Guarantee, absolutely no refunds.

Absolutely no refunds for early departures for any reason including but not limited to weather, road conditions and personal emergencies. We are not responsible for such occurrences and cannot not be held responsible for them.

"The Smoking Section"

SMOKING INSIDE OUR CABINS AND HOMES IS FORBIDDEN.

This means ALL types of smoking, cigarettes or otherwise, and if we find that you have smoked inside we will charge the card on file a $420 fee.To help folks remember not to smoke inside, we’ve come up with some clever phrases that we enjoyed creating for you.

"You do 420, you pay $420"

"It’s pretty dope… to step outside to smoke"

"Watch your cash turn to ash - If you decide to smoke inside"

"These are the Smoky Mountains, not the Smoky Cabins" (not our best, but you get it)

"All jokes aside, don't smoke inside"

But seriously, we will charge or pursue a $420 fee if you've smoked inside, or even smoked outside but allowed the smoke and smoke smell to get inside the cabin. If you smoke on the decks and patios, be sure to have all windows and doors closed so smoke does not get inside. DO NOT litter the cigarette butts ,or any type of trash related to smoke products, this is why we provide our cabins with ash buckets. Be good to the nature that you came to the Smoky Mountains for, and take care of the cabins that we take care of for you.

THANK YOU FOR NOT SMOKING INSIDE.

Check-in / Check-out

Check-In hours are from 4pm until 8pm Monday through Saturday, and 4pm - 6pm on Sunday. Every effort will be made to have your property ready by 4pm- at times it may take longer if our housekeepers are delayed by heavy traffic and high volumes of check-ins. We do not refund for check-ins after 4pm. Please notify our office if arriving after 8pm (or 6pm on Sundays) for Late Arrival arrangements. Check-Out is 10am- NO unpaid late check-outs. Call or text to notify our office of departure.

Early Check-Ins are rarely available, but when they are, you can check in as early as noon for no additional cost. Please call for availability on day of arrival and not before. NOTE: Availability depends on maintenance, inspections & cleaning schedules and should therefore not be assumed for your arrival. With the high volume of back-to-back reservations, it is imperative we are afforded the opportunities to visit, inspect and prepare our properties for your visit.. Freely given early check-ins compromise our ability to spend extra time in our properties.

Late Check-Outs are rarely available, but when they are, you can check-out at 11am for a fee of $75+ tax. Please call for availability on check-out day. Calls only, no emails or texts. NOTE: Availability depends on cleaning, inspections & maintenance schedules and should therefore not be assumed for your departure. With the high volume of back-to-back reservations, it is imperative we are afforded the opportunities to visit, inspect and prepare our properties for the next guest.. Freely given late check-outs compromise our ability to spend necessary time in our properties. Guests found in the property after 10am will be charged $75+ tax in accordance with this policy.

There are no refunds or adjustments made after check-in.

Please call the office for after-hours check-in arrangements. Guest assume all risk for "late arrival".

Late arrivals will only be allowed for guests with a signed rental agreement and signed receipts received by our office prior to your arrival date. We will also require that a copy of your ID be sent to us via email for verification of your identity. Late arrivals should be avoided if possible.

The person the unit is registered to must be the person to check-in unless previous arrangements are made. Codes will only be given to the registered guest once the balance is paid in full.

Rates & Seasons

Auntie Belham's Office Hours: 9am - 8pm Monday through Saturday. And 9am - 6pm on Sunday.

Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Two-night standard minimum required. We require a 3 to 5 night minimum on October, holidays and special event dates. Call for holiday, October and special event rates.

Rates and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Taxes and cleaning fee are not included in the nightly rate,

Additional Guest: Additional persons may be accommodated up to the unit capacity but must be registered at time of check-in. Due to local fire codes, number of guests cannot exceed maximum number the house will sleep.

Reservations & Payments

50% of the total rental cost plus the cost of the Vacay Stay Guarantee (if purchased) is required at the time of booking for all reservations. Payment can be made by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. If your credit card transaction is declined, the reservation is null and void, you do not have a secured reservation. The remaining balance due will be charged to the card on file two weeks prior to the arrival date. If upon charging your card for the balance and the card declines, we will notify you immediately for resolution. If we do not hear back from you within 48 hours, the reservation will be cancelled. If you want to have it charged to a different card, you must make arrangements prior to two weeks of your arrival date. If you want to pay balance with a check, the check will need to be received 30 days prior to the arrival date. We only accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover unless arrangements are made in advance. If no credit card is used, a cash security deposit of $1,500.00 will be required. Please call the office for additional details. Security deposit is refunded by mail within 30 days of departure depending on condition of unit.

Multiple payments are permitted by credit card, cash, cashiers checks or money orders. Personal checks accepted only if 30 business days prior to arrival date.

Reservations that require changes that are in accordance with the cancellation policy are subject to a $25.00 service charge for each change made.

You acknowledge that you are not booking under false pretenses, and in order to prevent any type of credit card fraud you accept the following policy: Credit card holder MUST be present when checking in and provide the following: valid driver's license or state issued ID along with the credit card the reservation was made with. If the credit card holder (age 21 or 25 depending) is not going to be occupying the unit, but is paying for the reservation for someone else, the card holder MUST notify our office prior to confirming the reservation and provide the following documentation (not limited to): Faxed or E-Mailed copies of the credit card (front & back), faxed or e-mailed copies of the driver's license of the cardholder and signed Auntie Belham's reservation document(s.) Credit card holder assumes all financial responsibility for any damages/issues that occur during guest's stay.

Door Codes

Codes for locks/lock boxes will be issued upon check-in. There is a $50 charge for each set of keys lost or not returned. After hours, if you are locked out of your unit there will be a $50.00 charge for someone to return to the office to issue another set of keys. (Payment due before key is released.)

Internet Usage Agreements

If your rental property offers Limited Data Wifi, you agree to the internet usage policies stated below.

Do not stream, download or upload any files or data. Some examples, not limited to, are listed here:

No streaming, downloading or uploading of data such as music, music videos, movies, tv shows, games, YouTube videos, etc.
Examples: No online gaming, no Spotify, no Pandora, no Netflix, no Hulu, no YouTube, no Skype, no FaceTime, no app downloads.

Again, these are only examples of what you are not allowed to do on a limited data internet account. If you are unsure if your desired internet activities go against these policies, please call us so that we can help you.

Standard usage should not consume more than .48 gig per day. This will be fine for checking emails and social media pages, general Googling and web surfing. Abuse of our data policies can cause data to run out for the month, penalizing data usage for the next guests and taking away an important amenity that was likely a factor in their booking. We monitor billing and hourly usage reports, so excessive usage will be charged back to the guests who abuse these policies.

By signing below, you are consenting to the charge of $20.00 per gig abused. Charge will not be made prior to the attempt to make contact with you. Management does reserve the right to charge guest after 48 hours of no callback from guest. We will be happy to supply a copy of the data usage for days of your stay upon request.

Cable & Satellite Packages - Upgrading is FORBIDDEN

Switching the cable/satellite package in Auntie Belham's properties is strictly forbidden. This is tampering with the homeowner’s monthly bill and personal finances and considered a criminal act. If the cable package is switched during a guest’s reservation, they will be charged $100 by Auntie Belhams for every attempt made and may be subject to further action, should the homeowner request it.

Lost & Found / Damages

We are not responsible for personal items brought with you or left after your departure.

Items reported by guest after departure will be shipped to you COD if missing item was found. After 30 days of departure, items will be released from our office.

Guest(s) shall be responsible for any property damage, accident, death, injury to any person, or loss sustained by any person, including loss of money, jewelry and other items or personal property, arising out of or in any way related to the Guest's use of the premises.

All damages must be reported to Auntie Belham's prior to checkout. If damages are not reported to Auntie Belham's prior to guests' checkout, guest(s) will be charged in full for property damages. Only accidental damages are covered by the damage waiver. The damage waiver does not cover damages caused by pets, ESAs, or service animals. The damage waiver does not cover damages or extra cleaning costs caused by a violation of this contract.

Pet Policies

Only dogs are allowed in our Pet Friendly cabins. No more than 2 dogs per reservation, and they must be under 60lbs each. No other pets are allowed into our Pet Friendly cabins. If the cabin is not Pet Friendly, you cannot bring a dog or any other pet with you.

Dogs must be house trained and clean. Dogs are not allowed in the beds or on the furniture and must be crated if left alone in the cabin. If we have to clean up behind your dog(s) after your departure (waste, excess hair, excess slobber, etc) you will be charged an extra cleaning fee. Auntie Belham's will charge its customers if a pet causes damage or cleaning complications. The damage waiver does not cover damages or extra cleaning caused by pets, ESAs, or service animals.

Each dog, up to 2 dogs, will be $75 + tax each in a Pet Friendly unit. If we have proof that you’ve had a dog(s) in your cabin which has not been registered and paid for, you will be charged $75 for each dog. If we have proof that you’ve had a dog(s) in a cabin that is NOT pet-friendly, you will be charged $250 and may be required to vacate the premises without a refund of any type.

If you are bringing a registered Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal, please see the policies labeled "Service Animals" below.

Service Animals

According to the ADA, a Service Animal is defined as any dog or mini-horse individually trained to work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals to an impending seizure or protecting individuals during one, and alerting individuals who are hearing impaired to intruders, or pulling a wheelchair and fetching dropped items. Under the ADA, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) or "comfort animals" (whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support) are no longer considered service animals.

A person with a disability uses a service animal as an auxiliary aid. In compliance with the ADA, service animals are welcome on all Auntie Belham’s property and individual rental properties.

Auntie Belham’s guests that require a Service Animal for a disability must register the service animal with our reservations department prior to your visit just as you would with any other guest in your group.

Requirements of Service Animals and their owners include:

All animals need to be immunized against rabies and other diseases common to that type of animal. All vaccinations must be current.
Animals must be in good health.
The owner must be in full control of the animal at all times. The care and supervision of the animal is solely the responsibility of the owner/partner.
The owner/partner must provide Auntie Belhams with the following information upon registration:

Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability
What work or task the dog has been trained to perform
What kind of animal is your Emotional Support Animal

If you want to bring an Emotional Support Animal to the cabin with you, we will waive the Pet Fee if you stay in one of our Pet Friendly Units. If you do not stay in a Pet Friendly cabin, we reserve the right to charge the Pet Fee for your Emotional Support Animal. We do our best to save you from paying the Pet Fee for your ESA, which is why we offer Pet Friendly units. But if you do not stay in one of our Pet Friendly units, you will be charged the standard pet fee of $75 + tax per pet.

Reasonable behavior is expected from Service Animals and ESAs while on Auntie Belham’s property and individual rental homes. Auntie Belham’s reserves the right to charge its customers if a Service Animal or ESA causes damage or cleaning complications, as it is our regular practice to charge all customers for the same types of damages. Example: Auntie Belham’s can charge a guest with a Service Animal for the cost of repairing or cleaning items damaged by the service animal, just as we would charge other guests that cause damage during their reservation. The owners of disruptive and aggressive service animals and ESAs may be asked to remove them from Auntie Belham’s facilities.

Cleanliness of the service animal is mandatory. Consideration of others must be taken into account when providing maintenance and hygiene of service animals. The owner/partner is expected to clean and dispose of all animal waste.

The damage waiver does not cover damages or extra cleaning caused by pets, ESAs, or service animals.

Hot Tubs, Jacuzzis, Saunas & Pools

Remember there are certain health risks associated with the use of hot tubs, Jacuzzis, saunas and/or swimming pools. Hot Tubs are cleaned and chemically sanitized prior to each guest arrival. Please leave the bromine floater in the hot tub at all times. If your hot tub needs cleaned mid-stay, we will dump, clean and fill it for $50. There are health risks associated with the use of hot tubs, use with discretion and at your own responsibility. Please shower before using hot tub as some body lotions and products mixed with the hot tub chemicals can cause a rash on your skin as well as damage jewelry. Auntie Belhams assumes no responsibility for any occurrences associated with hot tub usage.

Each registered guest is responsible for informing their guests of the possible risks using a hot tub.

Hot tubs are for enjoyment only without the use of normal bathing products (soap, shampoo, bath oil, etc).

Hot tub covers are to be kept on hot tubs at all times unless hot tub is being used.

DO NOT SIT, STAND ON OR MISTREAT any hot tub cover, it will not support any persons weight. A $400 charge will result in any damages done to hot tub covers. Consult a physician if you have questions or concerns before the use of a hot tub, Jacuzzi, sauna and/or pool.

Certain units have swimming pool access during summer months. A pool pass is required for entrance into swimming pools. Make sure you have your pool pass before leaving the office. Pool locations vary.

You may call the office during regular business hours with any questions you may have concerning your hot tub. Certain swim wear may discolor using hot tubs and swimming pools. Guest takes full responsibility.

Fireplaces

Gas for fireplaces is provided in winter months only (October 1- March 31). Firewood is not provided but may be purchased locally.

Matches, kindling and/or fire starter logs are not provided but can be purchased at most local markets.

Wood burning fireplaces produce smoke, which cannot be prevented. If you reserve a unit with a wood burning fireplace, we will not move you because of a smoke smell. If you are allergic to smoke, please do not reserve a unit with a wood burning fireplace.

Driving & Weather Conditions

Snow tire chains and/or 4-wheel drive vehicles are required during winter months in the event of inclement weather.

Sorry, we cannot provide transportation and tow service.

No refunds will be given due to weather conditions or power outages. You acknowledge and accept that Auntie Belham's is not responsible for the weather or the local power grid and cannot be held financially accountable for it. We recommend the purchase of travel insurance which can help protect your investment in the case of inclement weather.

We do not guarantee any road surface condition. Most roads in our area are well maintained but a few may be curvy and/or steep due to being located in the Smoky Mountains. We do not refund for road conditions or road work.

Some units may have gravel drives and roads. No changes or refunds given due to fear of heights or roads.

For local road conditions, please call: State Highway Department 865-594-5800 or Local 436-5181.

Hold Harmless Agreement

The guest(s) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the cabin owner and Auntie Belham's Cabin Rentals's, Inc. from any and all claims, including those of third parties, arising out of or in any way related the the guest(s) use of the premises or the items of personal property provided therein. All guests assume the risk of injury, death or other losses related to any recreational activities or use of the premises and will hold the owner and its agents harmless with respect thereto. You agree to hold the cabin owner and Auntie Belham's Cabin Rentals, Inc. FREE AND CLEAR of any liability or compensation for damage to self or property, resulting from accident, injury, death, illness or loss of enjoyment resulting from weather or inoperable appliances, amenities, and/or equipment(including hot tub, Jacuzzi, internet access, BBQ Grills, electronic games, water, heat and air, i.e) Some properties have bunk beds, by renting a property with bunk beds, you are agreeing to hold the owner and property manager harmless for any injury or death that is resulting from the use of the ladder or any injuries that may occur from use of the bunk beds. [Initial]

Smart Devices

If your cabin comes equipped with any sort of smart technology such as a smart tv, Roku TV, Amazon Firesticks, Amazon Alexas, etc., please do not use your credit/debit cards to make purchases. If you use your personal card to make a purchase and do not remove this card from the account before your check-out, neither the cabin owner or Auntie Belhams is responsible for any charges that may occur during another reservation. If you use your personal login information for streaming apps, please be sure to log out before you check-out. Neither the owner or Auntie Belhams is responsible for any changes made to your streaming services if you do not log out before you check-out.

Housekeeping & Linens

Units are cleaned upon your departure. This includes hot tub.

There is NO daily maid service.

If your hot tub needs cleaned mid-reservation, we will dump-clean-fill it for you for a $50 fee.

Bed linens and towels are furnished at all units. We provide 2 towels and 1 washcloths per person. Dirty towels may be returned to the office and exchanged for clean towels during normal business hours. Most units have a washer and dryer, detergent is not provided. If a guest plans to use the Hot Tub or available pools, Auntie Belhams recommends that the guest bring personal towels to be used in those instances.

A starter supply of paper towels, toilet tissue and trash bags are provided.

Since each unit is individually owned, all owners do not provide blankets and pillows for sleeper sofas and extras are not kept at the office. We suggest guest bring pillows and blankets if they will be using the sleeper sofa.

Guest are responsible for cost of damaged or missing towels and linens. (Make-up stains, grease, wine stains, car clean up, etc.)

Cleaning fee is based on number of bedrooms and amenities.

Before you leave, please follow the checkout list provided.

Insects

Each unit is professionally treated by a licensed pest control service for critters and bugs on a regular basis. However, it is the mountains and occasionally critters do make their way inside. No refunds will be given in these instances.

Guests may occasionally encounter small amounts of lady bugs, flies, bees and etc.

General Information

Pet Friendly Units are available. Only certain units allow pets. Please see "Pet Policies" above for more information. The damage waiver does not cover damages caused by pets, ESAs, or service animals.

We do not supply coffee filters, salt or pepper, charcoal, firewood, laundry detergents, shampoos, lotions or any other personal use items. It is suggested that you bring supplies with you for your stay. I understand that the property is only stocked with starter supplies which includes 1 roll of paper towels, 1 roll of toilet paper per restroom, hand soap and 1 trash bag per trashcan. Towels and linens are supplied according to the property's sleeping capacity.

SMOKING INSIDE IS FORBIDDEN. This means ALL types of smoking, cigarettes or otherwise, and if we find that you have smoked inside we will charge the card on file a $420 fee. We will charge or pursue a $420 fee if you've smoked inside, or even smoked outside but allowed the smoke and smoke smell to get inside the cabin. If you smoke on the decks and patios, be sure to have all windows and doors closed so smoke does not get inside. DO NOT litter the cigarette butts ,or any type of trash related to smoke products, this is why we provide our cabins with ash buckets. Be good to the nature that you came to the Smoky Mountains for, and take care of the cabins that we take care of for you.

Accidental Damage Waiver: ALL reservations made will incur a mandatory, non-refundable fee of $39.00 for 1-3 Bedrooms properties, $49 for a 4 bedroom property, $59 for a 5 bedroom property, $69 for a 6 bedroom property, $89 for a 7 bedroom property, $89 for an 8 bedroom property and $99 for a 9 bedroom property plus taxes in lieu of a $1500 cash deposit for all properties. If you would prefer to leave a $1500 Cash Deposit, please contact our reservations department for details.

All damages must be reported to Auntie Belham's prior to checkout. If damages are not reported to Auntie Belham's prior to guests' checkout, guest(s) will be charged in full for property damages. Only accidental damages up to a certain amount are covered by the damage waiver. The damage waiver does not cover damages caused by pets, ESAs, or service animals. The damage waiver does not cover damages or extra cleaning costs caused by a violation of this contract.

No house parties, gatherings, weddings, receptions and/or meetings in violation of the local fire-codes (exceeds max capacity of persons allowed in property) shall be held in any unit. If caught in violation of the previous, I understand that I may be asked to leave the premises immediately, forfeiting all monies paid, and I will be responsible for any damages and/or extra cleaning the unit may have incurred.

Absolutely NO LIGHTING OF FIREWORKS on any of Auntie Belham's properties.

Unit must be registered to and occupied by someone of at least 21 years of age with a valid credit card and ID. 25 years of age for select properties.

Furniture is not to be moved at the property, if it is found that furniture is moved, the guest assumes a charge for moving the furniture back and assumes financial responsibilities for any damages incurred when they moved the furniture.

Each unit is privately owned and are decorated / furnished to suit the owner's tastes and needs. Do not assume or take for granted that a unit has all of the amenities you require. Amenities are subject to change by each property owner without notice.

We do not refund or reschedule for neighboring construction work, weather conditions, power outages, or public road conditions as these are out of our control.

On rare occasions, cabins/chalets are sold or become unavailable. Under these, and similar circumstances, reservations may be moved to a similar property.