General conditions

Acceptance of the agreement confirms agreement to the terms, conditions, limitations, rules and regulations of the subject property. The following agreement is between guest and assigned representatives of the property whether the role is property manager, agency or owner. THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V acts as an agent/intermediary on behalf of the guest and is not bound by terms and conditions or liable for losses, damage or injury stemming from property rental.

Reservation Restrictions

Head guest must be over 18 years of age and be present at check-in and check-out. Each guest needs to be registered prior to check in. Proper and valid identification will need to be presented upon check in. Guest acknowledges that he/she along with registered guests will personally occupy the property for the entire lease period and will not sublet any portion of the property. The total number of persons allowed in the rental property at any one time is restricted to the maximum occupancy set forth in the confirmation. Renter may not invite or host additional unauthorized guests at any point during the stay. No parties, informal dinners or gatherings that exceed the registered number of guests is permitted without prior consent. Should a rental party misrepresent themselves, they will be required to pay for the excess persons immediately, and/or shall vacate the property without refund. Guest agrees that the premises shall not be used for any illegal or unlawful purpose.

Payment Policy

Deposit is due upon reservation. The remaining balance due must be paid in full 30 days prior to the Guest’s arrival. Failure to make either of these payments on time may cancel your reservation automatically. All advance payments from guest are held in escrow by the property manager of the rental property.

All the fees associated with the payment must be covered by the guests.

Payment Methods

Payments are to be directed to THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V and accepts payment by wire transfer or credit card.

Travel Visa & Passports

Guest is solely responsible for ensuring proper travel visa and documents are valid for travel to their destination. Please verify your passport is valid and will not expire prior or during your stay. Please check with the embassy regarding necessary travel visas to enter the destination. THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V is not responsible for counseling guests on necessary travel visas. No refunds will be provided in the event guest is refused entry to a destination.

Additional Charges

All charges beyond prepaid rent which may include, but are not limited to additional nights, additional cleaning service, provisioning, rental items such as cots or cribs will be charged through the subject property directly unless prepaid through THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V in advance. THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V is not responsible for any above stated charges incurred during guest’s stay, unless prepaid.

Cancellations/Transfers/Substitutions:

For cancellations greater than 30 days prior to arrival, 50% of gross rental rate is forfeited. For cancellation between 30 to 15 days of arrival, 50% of gross rental is forfeited. Cancellation 14 days or less, 100% of gross rental is forfeited.  

Given the nature of the strict cancellation policy with rental agreements, THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V highly recommends the consideration of travel insurance to protect against unforeseen cancellations. 

No-shows, late arrivals and early departures are non-refundable.

If at the time the guest is to begin occupancy of the property, the property owner, property manager, rental agency cannot provide the property in a fit and habitable condition THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V will assist in acquiring a substitute property of equal or superior standard for the consideration of the guest. If such property is not deemed acceptable, he owner/property manager shall refund to the guest all payments made. The responsibility of a refund is assigned to the property manager/property owner that is required to hold submitted funds in escrow. THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V will act on behalf of the guest to obtain consideration of a refund when terms of use have been violated by the property manager/owner or property is inhabitable.  Guest acknowledges that in no event shall THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V be held liable for refunds, any consequential or secondary damages, including but not limited to, any expenses incurred as a result of moving.  Should the present property owner transfer title to the property, which is subject to this agreement, the property owner will disclose to the Grantee certain information regarding existing leases.  If such Grantee does not agree to the future rentals, guest will be notified in writing and will receive a refund of any payments made for said rental if a comparable accommodation is not acceptable to guest.

Locked Areas

Locked pantries, rooms and closets for which Guest is not provided a key are reserved for the use of the property owner and are not included in this rental. Forced entry into these areas is cause for immediate termination and Guest will be charged for damage and/or missing items. 

Lost Stolen or Abandoned Articles

Most units are equipped with programmable safes for storage of valuables.  Neither THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V, property owner, rental agency nor property manager shall have any responsibility or liability for lost, stolen or abandoned items.  Guests are strongly urged to lock up all valuables in the safe and to use appropriate safety measures.

Maintenance, Damages, Utilities and Housekeeping

All normal utilities (except for phone calls) are included in your rental price unless otherwise specified. Guest acknowledges that unless front desk/rental agency/property manager and THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V are notified on day of check-in of any damage or cleaning concerns, all damages or concerns to the property during the occupancy will be guest’s responsibility.  Guests are required to notify the front desk/rental agency/property manager and/or THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V immediately of any damages to the unit and/or its contents during their stay.  Guest hereby agrees to pay the cleaning or replacement costs for all damages to personal property or to the real estate, which may occur as a result of guest’s occupancy, excluding normal wear and tear. 

Property owners, property managers, and/or rental agency shall make every effort to keep properties in good working order.  In the case of a maintenance problem, they will strive to repair the problem as soon as possible after being notified.  If maintenance issues arise during the guest’s stay the front desk/property manager/rental agency and THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V MUST be notified to try and rectify the problem.  Properties are privately owned units and THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V takes no responsibility for maintenance issues, but will do everything they can to rectify the problems.  No refund or rate adjustment shall be made for unforeseen mechanical failures such as the supply of electricity, internet, telephone service, water, pool filtration systems, air conditioning, television or cable service, appliances, etc. However, if the outage is deemed to be prolonged and creates an unfit environment for the guests, THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V will work in concert with the property manager to find an alternative accommodation of equal or superior standard.  Management firm, property owner, resort staff or their representatives have the right to enter the premises during tenancy to provide room service, inspect, make repairs or show property for sale.

Liability

Guest agrees to indemnify and hold harmless property owners, property management, rental agency and/or THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V for any liabilities, damage, cost or expense whatsoever from or related to any claim in connection with your use and/or occupancy of the property rental, including, but not limited to, any claim or liability for personal injury, damage, loss of personal belongings or theft of property which is made, incurred or sustained by you and/or anyone you invite to use the property as your guest. Guests are responsible for their rented property during occupancy, and must lock unit windows and doors securely at all times. THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V is not responsible for any damage to or misuse of real property or real estate by Guest.  Renter/Guest assumes all liability and is responsible for premise during their stay.  Use of pools pose risk ranging from infections to drowning.  Special care and attention is required for children.  Guest may use these facilities, and agrees to do so with care and at their own risk. 

Damage Deposit:

A damage deposit of $500 is required for most units unless otherwise noted. The damage deposit will need to be paid on booking date. 

In the event of a damage claim, breakage, missing keys, long distance calls, extra cleaning or missing items, THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V shall notify guest of the claims made by the manage.   For claims exceeding the security deposit amount, guest is responsible for paying claims directly to the owner/property manager. THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V requires that guests have proper insurance with their travel insurance or homeowners insurance policy to cover excessive damages.

Evacuations

If local or resort authorities order a mandatory evacuation in an area inclusive of rented property, the guest in possession of the property shall comply with the evacuation order.  Upon compliance, the guest shall be entitled to a refund for each night that the guest is unable to occupy the property because of the mandatory evacuation order.

In the event of a hurricane, if the destination receives a hurricane warning during the commencement or duration of the stay, the client has the option to cancel with refund of any unused nights.

Smoking

There is no smoking inside any property.

Pets

Pets of any kind are not allowed on the property without prior consent and registration.  A pet or evidence of a pet found on premises will result in additional fees and may subject renter to immediate eviction, and the forfeiture of guest’s entire rent and deposit. Pets must abide by the destinations quarantine and travel requirements including but not limited to recent health check and up to date vaccinations. Please refer to the destination’s policy regarding the import of pets. THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V is not liable for insuring the pet’s safe arrival or stay. 

Termination

If the Guest or any member of his party violates any of the terms of this agreement, THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V and/or property manager/property owner may, at its sole discretion, terminate this rental agreement with no refund of rents and may enter the premises and remove guest, the members of his/her party and their belongings.  Guest acknowledges and understands that he/she is subject to expedited eviction if guest (1) holds over possession after his or her tenancy has expired, (2) commits a material breach of this Vacation Rental Agreement, (3) fails to pay rent as required by the agreement, (4) obtains possession of the property by fraud or misrepresentation.

Rates & Printing Errors

The information pertaining to each property on THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V’s websites is constantly updated.  THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V is not responsible for errors or inadvertent omissions. All rates and property details are subject to change without prior notice. Please note, in rare occurrence, bed configuration is subject to change and may be done without notice.  THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V will do it’s best to update client of any material changes to the property as information is provided to company.

Guest understands the property is privately owned, including furnishings, and neither the property owner nor THE HILLS RESIDENCE B.V shall be responsible for providing any additional furnishings or equipment not presently on the premises.  Rearranging the furniture or removing any items from the units is not allowed. 

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, and the rights and obligations created hereby shall be governed by the laws of St Maarten. Guest agrees that any causes of action shall be brought in the court of St Maarten in Philipsburg and that jurisdiction is proper in the same. This Agreement may be accepted by Guest by ticking the box and shall be deemed a binding and enforceable contract.