House Rules -

House Rules

You’ll be staying in a privately owned lake house. We ask that all guests treat the home, the lake, and the surrounding community with care and respect so everyone can enjoy a peaceful, memorable stay.

House Rules at a Glance

These are the most important expectations for your stay. Full details and required policies are provided below.

1. Maximum 10 registered guests
Only guests listed on the booking are permitted on the property at any time.

2. Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m.
Please be mindful of noise, especially outdoors and near the water.

3. No parties or events.
This is a quiet, residential lake property. Gatherings, celebrations, or unregistered guests are not permitted at any time.

4. Dogs welcome (disclosure required)
All pets must be approved in advance and included on the guest list.

5. No smoking indoors
Smoking inside the home is strictly prohibited.

6. Respect neighbours & shared lake space
This is a residential lake community — courtesy matters.

Full House Rules & Policies

The following sections provide full details for booking requirements, safety, and property use. Please review carefully before booking.

Most guests will never need to reference the sections below — they’re here for clarity and transparency.

All guests must be accurately listed on the booking prior to check-in.
Government-issued photo ID is required to verify the primary booking guest.
Minimum age to book: 30 years old (exceptions may be considered based on strong prior reviews).
Guest lists must be completed:
- 14+ days before check-in for advance bookings
- Immediately upon request for last-minute bookings
Failure to provide accurate guest information may result in cancellation without refund.

Unauthorized Guests:
Any undisclosed guest will result in a $250–$500 per person, per day charge, and may lead to immediate cancellation of the stay.

Check-in: After 4:00 p.m.
Check-out: Before 10:00 a.m.
Self check-in via keypad

These times are firm to allow proper cleaning and preparation.
Early check-ins and late check-outs are not permitted.

Failure to vacate on time may result in additional charges.

Maximum 2 dogs per booking (exceptions by request)
Pet fee: $195 (covers up to two dogs)
Additional dogs: $75 per dog
No cats permitted
Dogs must be:
- House-trained
- Calm and well-behaved
- Never left unattended inside the home

Undisclosed pets will incur a minimum $500 fee per pet.

This is a quiet, residential lakefront property. Guests must respect neighbours and the surrounding community at all times.
Quiet hours are strictly enforced from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., including outdoors and near the water.
No parties, events, gatherings, or excessive noise are permitted at any time, regardless of hour.
Only registered guests listed on the booking are permitted on the property at any time.

Violations may result in:

Immediate cancellation of the reservation without refund
Removal from the property
Fines, enforcement costs, or other penalties as permitted by law

These rules exist to protect the home, neighbouring properties, and your stay.

Exterior Security Cameras

The property is equipped with exterior security cameras for safety, security, and property protection.
Cameras are located outside only, monitoring areas such as entrances, driveway, and exterior common areas.
There are no cameras or recording devices inside the home, and no cameras monitor private interior spaces.
Camera footage may be reviewed only when necessary, including for:
- Safety concerns
- Property damage
- Unauthorized guests
- Noise complaints
- Violations of house rules or the renter agreement
Tampering with, disabling, obstructing, or interfering with cameras is strictly prohibited and may result in:
- Immediate cancellation without refund
- Removal from the property
- Liability for damages or enforcement costs

Fire pits may be used unless a fire ban is in effect.
Fires must be fully extinguished with water.
Motorized boats are welcome.
No jet skis or Sea-Doos permitted on the lake.

Water levels fluctuate seasonally as part of the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Water shoes are recommended, especially for children.

Shoes off inside the house
No rearranging furniture
No food or drinks on the pool table
BBQ must be cleaned after use
Dishwasher must be emptied before departure
Garbage must be sorted properly (instructions provided)

Additional cleaning fees may apply if extra work is required.

Guests assume full responsibility for all activities including swimming, boating, hiking, and use of amenities.

Children must be supervised at all times near the lake and outdoors.

By booking, guests acknowledge and accept all risks associated with cottage living and waive liability against the owners.

Purpose of the Code
The purpose of the Renter’s Code of Conduct is to acknowledge that Short-Term Rental Premises, are permitted in residential neighbourhoods and that other residents of these neighbourhoods have the right to enjoy their properties without nuisance. It also outlines specific requirements for short-term rentals and imposes responsibilities for both Owners and Renters of such Premises and that Licensees bear the primary responsibility of conveying this information to Renters of the Premises.
2.
Objectives of this Code
The objective of this Code is to establish acceptable standards of behaviour for Licensees and Renters to minimize any adverse impacts on their neighbours and the neighbourhood while protecting the health, safety and well-being of people.
3.
Residential Area
The Renters acknowledge for themselves and on behalf of Guests that they will be occupying a short-term rental located in a residential area.
4.
Guiding Principles
The guiding principles for Short-Term Rental Renters are:

The Premises that you are occupying is a home.
Treat the Premises as your own.
Respect the neighbours of the Premises; and
Leave the Premises as you find it.

Maximum Number of Renters and Guests:
The maximum number of Renters including Guests permitted at a short-term rental premises shall be limited as per the Short-Term Rental Licensing By-law (2024-32).
6.
Noise and Residential Amenity:
No person shall make noise to cause a disturbance or conduct themselves in a way that is likely to disturb others. Examples of noise that is likely to disturb others at any time include:
a) Loud music
b) Outdoor or backyard gatherings or activities involving excessive noise or disruptive behaviour
c) Late evening/early morning disturbances; and
d) Yelling, shouting, singing or conversing loudly.
2
Renters and Guests are not allowed to disturb neighbours or interfere with their enjoyment of their properties, or the public realm, at any time of the day or night. Failure to comply with the conditions of the Municipal Noise By-law 2006-45 may result in charges or legal action being taken.
7.
Access and Parking:
Please familiarize yourself and your Guests with the on-site parking available on the premises to ensure ease of access with minimum disturbance to neighbours. All short-term rental premises have vehicle parking requirements as part of the licensing process. Failure to comply with the conditions of the licence or violation of the Parking By-law (2008-10) may result in penalties.
8.
Garbage and Recycling:
Please familiarize yourself and your Guests with the waste disposal sites provisions that have been made for waste management and the hours of operation. Waste information and hours of operation are available on the Municipality of Highlands East website.
9.
Dwelling Units on Lots on Private Sewage Disposal Systems:
Maximum occupancy of a short-term rental is based on a maximum of two persons per Bedroom. Exceeding the maximum occupancy may result in the malfunctioning of the septic system and pollution of the ground water system.
10.
Burning and Fireworks Regulations:
Setting off consumer fireworks is only permitted on certain dates, zones, and times of the year, as outlined in By-law 2024-51. All fireworks are prohibited on properties that are zoned R2 (Hamlet Residential), as stated in By-law 2024-51 and in accordance with the Zoning By-law.
Open air fires in Highlands East are regulated and may be subject to total fire bans during high-risk periods. Please consult www.highlandseast.ca before starting any campfire if you are unclear about the current fire regulations.
Illegal burning can result in costly penalties, impact the ability of first responders to respond to true emergencies, and at worst, cause property damage, injury or death.
11.
Fire and Safety Precautions:
All short-term rentals must have operating smoke alarms in accordance with the provisions of the Ontario Building Code. In short-term rentals that have a fuel-fired appliance or solid fuel-fired appliance installed or an attached storage garage, the Licensee must ensure that the building is equipped with carbon monoxide alarms outside of the sleeping areas. Further, the Licensee must regularly test the alarms to ensure that they are operational. If a Renter discovers that any of the alarms are not operational, the Renter shall immediately notify the Licensee of the deficiency. No person shall disable a smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarm.
12.
Emergency Situations:
All short-term rentals must have the civic address and emergency contact information posted inside the short-term rental accommodation. Renters should be aware that rental premises that are located on privately maintained roads or are water-access only may have delayed emergency response times in the case of an emergency.
In the case of an emergency, renters must call 9-1-1.

I/we having read the above, acknowledge that I am/we are renting this Premises from a valid Licensee in the Municipality of Highlands East and undertake to conduct myself/ourselves and those that are occupying this Premises at the same time in accordance with this Code and all other applicable by-laws. I/we understand that my/our actions, if found in contravention of a by-law, may subject the Licensee to Demerit Points against their License and may include enforcement measures against myself/ourselves, Guests or the Licensee(s).