Rental Agreement and Policies

A rental agreement will be mailed to you shortly after you make your reservation; whether you made it through our reservation department or booked online. This must be signed and returned within 10 days with your advance payment of 50% of the rental amount (plus the Trip Insurance, if you choose to purchase it). Each reservation has a $60 administration fee. Reservations are cancelled if the payment is not received within 10 days. Personal checks, Visa and Mastercard are accepted and all monies must be in US funds. Please note that any credit card used for payment must be in the name of the leaseholder.

The balance of your rent, taxes, fees and security deposit is due no later than 30 days prior to arrival. Reservations made within 30 days of arrival require payment in full by Visa, Mastercard, certified check or money order. No personal checks can be accepted within 30 days of arrival. State and county taxes are subject to change without notice. There is a $25 service charge for any returned check.

All funds are placed in an interest bearing account at East Carolina Bank, Ocracoke/Nags Head, NC on which interest shall accrue to the benefit of Silverwater Traders dba as Ocracoke Island Realty.

Trip Cancellation Insurance is highly recommended. This insurance is available to cover hurricane evacuations. According to NC law, if trip insurance is offered and you decline it, you waive your right to a refund in the event of an evacuation. The insurance may also cover some illnesses or a death in the family that would keep you from coming. Trip insurance is currently 6.5% of your rent plus taxes and is well worth the premium. It will be a line item on your rental agreement. Once it is paid it is non-refundable as it has been paid to the insurance carrier and your protection is in place. If you do not want the trip insurance you must sign to decline it. Trip insurance may not be purchased once the reservation is paid in full. For more information about this insurance, click here.

Cancellation Policy: If you must cancel your reservation after making payment, we will do our best to re-rent your vacation period to another party. If re-rented at the full rental rate, your rental monies will be refunded. You may be subject to a $50 cancellation fee. If the property is not re-rented, all monies paid will be forfeited. If re-rented at a lower rate, any monies is excess of the original rental rate will be refunded. Trip cancellation insurance is non-refundable as it is paid to the carrier immediately upon receipt.

Check your paperwork carefully. Note the arrival date and day of the week and check your calendar. Believe it or not, we've had folks arrive on Sunday only to realize their property was a Saturday to Saturday and they have already missed a day!

Security Deposit: A Security Deposit may be required at Agent’s discretion. Tenant is responsible for intentional damage due to willful negligence and/or any damages by pet(s). The amount of security deposit varies for each property. The property should be left generally as you found it (trash removed, dishes cleaned, furniture where you found it, damage free). All bedding and kitchen items should be accounted for. Please walk through the house after you check in and report any damage to the house as soon as possible. If a security deposit is required, you may pay by check or credit card with your final payment and it will be refunded within 45 days of departure according to NC law. You will be notified by mail or e-mail of any damages and the total will be deducted from your security deposit.

Ocracoke Island Realty welcomes all vacationing families and responsible groups but our contractual agreements with our homeowners do not allow high school or college groups.

By signing the Rental Agreement, tenant acknowledges that he/she will occupy property and is a minimum of 25 years old representing a family group.

More Information

• Vacation Rental Information
• What to Bring on Vacation
• Advance Year Reservations
• Pets on Ocracoke Island
• Ocracoke Hurricane Information
• Travel Insurance Information
• Why Buy Travel Insurance?