Policies, Fees, Payments and Refunds
We're confident your stay at The Birdhouse will be a pleasant respite from the daily grind, and that you'll find us to be gracious hosts. Nonetheless, we believe it's important to be clear about our strict policies regarding payments, refunds, and conduct.
Policies
Number of Occupants
The maximum number of occupants is two adults, two children (<18 years old), and two dogs. Two small folding beds are available for the children.
Visitors
Visitors (non-paying guests) are not allowed without prior permission from the hosts.
Check-in and Check-out Procedures
Check-in time: 2-6 PM. Check-out time: 8 AM-noon. Checking in or out slightly earlier or later might be possible if arrangements are confirmed at least 24 hours in advance. When you arrive, we will greet you in person, hand you a key, and show you around the guest unit. There will be no need to follow Vrbo’s online check-in/key procedure. When you depart, we will retrieve the key from you in person.
Conduct
Excessively loud talk, excessively loud music, and use of illegal drugs are not allowed. You will have a great deal of privacy at The Birdhouse, but keep in mind that the hosts do live on-site. We reserve the right to immediately terminate any guest’s stay for conduct we deem to be destructive, aggressive, or threatening, although, given the type of guests we try to attract, this will hopefully never be necessary.
Quiet Hours
10 PM until 7 AM
Smoking
The Birdhouse is a no-smoking facility, including the entire property.
Pets
Dogs are welcome at The Bird House, with a few caveats. There is a limit of two dogs. They must not be allowed to roam the grounds – delicate plants might get trampled or small animals might get chased or injured. They can not be left alone for more than one hour. Your security/damage deposits will be used to repair any damage caused by your dog. There is a dog yard attached to the guest quarters, with a doggy door that permits dogs to move between the bedroom and the yard. Pet feces deposited anywhere on the property must be picked up immediately. Plastic bags and trash receptacles are provided for this purpose.
Contacting Us
Prior to booking, all communication will be done via. email, at mbbirdhouse@gmail.com. Initial contact can also be made through our Vrbo listing (no. 3027939), whereafter we will ask you to switch to our gmail account. After your booking has been confirmed, we will provide a personal cell phone number for one of the hosts – which we request you use only for urgent matters.
Fees
Nightly lodging rate. Covers the first two guests, regardless of age. This rate can vary by date. See the fee schedule below for the current base rate.
Additional guest fee. For 3rd and 4th guests (each), who must be under 18 years of age. See the fee schedule below for the current rate.
Cleaning fee. A non-refundable one-time charge per stay. See the fee schedule below for the current rate.
San Luis Obispo County Taxes. Currently we are required to collect three County taxes: occupancy tax, tourism marketing tax, and business improvement tax. At the time of writing (summer 2022), these taxes sum to 12.5% of the lodging subtotal. See the fee schedule below for a complete list of taxes and rates.
Damage deposit. Our damage policy is set by Vrbo, the listing service that handles our booking and payment transactions. A fully-refundable damage deposit will be collected by Vrbo at the time of booking. See the fee schedule below for the amount that will be held. The purpose of this deposit is to cover the cost of any damage caused by guests or their pets, as well as replace any pillows, blankets, electronics, small appliances, books or DVDs that go missing during your stay. Within a few hours of your departure a host will inspect for damage or missing property. If no damage or property loss is observed, Vrbo will refund your security deposit in full to your credit card 14 days after check out. If damage or property loss has occurred, we will file a claim with Vrbo. Vrbo will then refund the balance of your deposit, if any, to your card 14 days after check out. Vrbo also offers Damage Insurance. If you have purchased damage insurance from Vrbo, no damage deposit will be collected from you.
Late departure fee. The guest unit must usually be ready for the next guest by 2:00 PM. However, if the unit is not booked for immediate turnover, it might be possible for you to check-out later than the noon deadline. Such late departures must be approved by a host 24 hours in advance, and there will be an additional hourly late departure fee. See the fee schedule below for the current hourly rate. If you have not removed your personal property from the guest unit by noon on check-out day, the hosts will relocate your belongings to a secure storage area, and the hourly fee for late departures will be applied. This fee must be paid in cash because Vrbo does not offer a late departure payment option.
Fee Schedule
Nightly Base Rate (up to 2 people, regardless of age). This rate may be higher on selected dates (please check our Vrbo booking calendar for date-specific pricing)
$135.00
Additional Guest Fee (3rd & 4th guests, must be under 18 yrs., per child, per night)
$ 20.00
Non-refundable Cleaning Fee (per stay)
$ 30.00
Fully-refundable Damage Deposit (per stay)
$200.00
Late Departure Fee (per hour, after noon)
$ 20.00
County Occupancy Tax
9.0 %
County Tourism Marketing Tax
1.5 %
Vrbo Payment Processing Fee
8.0 %
Payments
All payments (except late departure fees) must be made through Vrbo or one of its affiliated companies. By paying the Vrbo processing fee you are ensuring your payment information will be handled with the best available security measures. The Birdhouse will never have access to this information. If you book more than 14 days prior to your stay, 50% will be charged at the time of booking and the remaining 50% will be charged 14 days prior to your stay.
Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellations. We use Vrbo’s most “relaxed” cancellation policy. If you cancel your booking at least 14 days before the start of the stay, you will receive a full refund. If you cancel your booking at least 7 days before the start of the stay, you will receive a 50% refund. If you cancel less than 7 days before the start of the stay, you will receive no refund.
If we find it necessary to cancel your booking due to unforeseen circumstances on our end, or if a guest has indicated they intend to violate our House Rules (see Policies above), we can cancel a booking at any time, with a full refund.
Early departures. If you check in on time, but depart prior to your scheduled departure, you will be charged 50% of the nightly rate for booked days subsequent to your departure (including taxes and other applicable fees).