House Rules

These rules are for the entire Deaconess Guesthouse/Bungalow. If you require less space, we have several other listings for this property (private floor rentals) or per unit rentals. Additionally, we offer another private home with water views (occupancy of 12) in the same neighborhood. Please contact us if interested in any of these options.

— By booking this home, guests acknowledge and agree to the following House Rules. Please DO NOT book unless you and your guests have thoroughly reviewed and consented to all House Rules and rental conditions.

Upon booking, you will receive a rental agreement via our Property Management software, OwnerRez (an Airbnb-approved and preferred Partner). This agreement requires acceptance of the house rules. Additionally, the agreement includes a request for an off-platform security deposit “hold,” which will not be placed until two days before arrival and will be released seven days after departure, provided no damages are reported. Airbnb has approved off-platform security deposits through API-connected partners, including OwnerRez.

FOR THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE, DERBY, and BOURBON & BEYOND BOOKINGS:

By booking for these events, guests agree to a STRICT CANCELLATION POLICY (No refunds once booked).

1. CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT TIMES

  • Check-in: 4:00 PM EST
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM EST

Early Check-In/Late Check-Out Requests:

  • We cannot guarantee early check-in or late check-out but will try our best to accommodate requests.

Check-Out Time:

  • Failure to check out by 10:00 AM EST may result in delays for our housekeeping team. If you are running late, please notify us immediately via text, inbox message, or email to avoid penalties.
  • Late check-out penalties include:
    1. $25/hour (weekday) or $50/hour (weekend).
    2. The cost of ad-hoc cleaning services.
    3. The cost of canceling the next guest’s reservation, if applicable.

Early Check-In/Late Check-Out Rates:

  • Up to 2 hours: $100
  • 2 to 4 hours: $250
  • Over 4 hours: Full nightly rate
  • Requests must be approved in writing by the host via text, message inbox, or email to be valid.

2. PRE-ARRIVAL GUEST REGISTRATION

  • Guests must send a picture of their photo ID within the first hour of booking via Airbnb/VRBO Messages.
  • Provide full legal names, birth years (or age), and an emergency contact name/number for all guests.

3. AGE REQUIREMENT

  • You must be 25+ to book this home.
  • No refunds will be issued if this requirement is not met.

4. CHECK-IN PROCEDURES

  • The home is equipped with electronic keypads.
  • Access codes will be sent 24-48 hours before your arrival, provided you have completed the “Pre-Arrival Guest Registration” and confirmed that you agree to the House Rules.

5. PARKING

  • Private Parking Lot: Fits up to 10 vehicles (size-dependent).
  • Additional street parking is available at the front of the house (subject to availability).
  • Street blocking is prohibited at all times.

6. ACCESS

  • You will have access to the home and its private amenities.
  • Non-accessible areas: Owner’s closet and explicitly marked private spaces.
  • Unauthorized access will result in a $500 penalty.
  • Tampering with locks incurs a $250 fine plus damages.

7. PET POLICY

  • House-trained pets are welcome.
  • Fees:
    • $300 for the first pet.
    • $250 for the second pet (max of 2 pets, 50 lbs each).
    • Airbnb/VRBO only charges for one pet; additional fees will be requested via the resolution center or direct payment.
  • Guests are required to clean up after their pets. A $35 fee per pile will be charged for uncleaned waste.
  • Pets cannot roam unsupervised outdoors.
  • Damages caused by pets will incur a minimum $300 fine for upholstery or carpet cleaning.

8. NEIGHBORHOOD RULES

  • Strictly Prohibited: Littering, loud disturbances, trespassing, smoking, or fireworks.
  • Quiet Hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

9. VISITORS/ADDITIONAL GUESTS/MAX OCCUPANCY

  • The home sleeps up to 24 people.
  • Unregistered visitors staying overnight will result in a violation of House Rules.
    • Fee: $200 per person/night + additional cleaning charges.

10. TRASH DISPOSAL

  • Bag and dispose of trash in containers located in the back parking lot.
  • For additional bags or bulk waste, contact the host.

11. AMENITIES

  • Private Amenities:

    • Backyard Oasis: Dome, hot tub, fire pit, BBQ grill, outdoor games.
    • Balcony & Porch: Front-facing river views.
    • Coffee Bar: Shared exotic coffee station in the main-level lobby.
    • Gaming Zone: Located in the upper lobby.

  • Kitchen: Fully stocked with cookware, bakeware, utensils, spices, oil, coffee, and standard appliances.

  • Towels & Toiletries: Start-up supplies are provided. For extended stays, guests may need to restock.

12. INTERNET/CABLE

  • High-speed Wi-Fi and 13 SMART TVs w/Roku, including one in the gazebo.

13. SECURITY

  • Outdoor Cameras: Ring cameras monitor the front and back (parking lot). Tampering is prohibited.
  • No Indoor Cameras are installed.

14. REFUNDS

  • No refunds for weather, natural disasters, or major holiday/local events, including Derby, Thunder Over Louisville, and Bourbon & Beyond.

15. ITEMS LEFT BEHIND

  • We are not responsible for forgotten items. Guests may contact us for assistance but return is not guaranteed.

16. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIABILITY WAIVER

Guests agree to release the Owner from liability for:

  • Injuries, illnesses, or losses incurred during the stay, including use of amenities (e.g., hot tub, fire pit).
  • Damages caused by negligence or failure to comply with safety instructions.

STRICT CANCELLATION POLICY (Derby 2025):

  • 100% refund if canceled 6 months before arrival.
  • 60% refund if canceled 3 months before arrival.
  • No refunds for cancellations within 3 months of arrival.

For questions or concerns, please contact the host via text, messages, or email. Thank you for respecting our policies!

Safety & Property

1. No Candles / No Fire — For safety reasons, no fires inside or out (except the indoor fireplace and the outdoor fire pit).
Indoor fireplace: We have an ELECTRIC fireplace TV cabinet in the great/ living room and it is operable by the remote on/in the cabinet. Please do not put any logs in it or fiddle around with it.
Outdoor fireplace: We have an outdoor gas fire table and a small firepit in the backyard. We provide a propane tank for the table, and for the pit, you will need to buy the logs. Please extinguish the outdoor fire by 9pm. Failure to follow these instructions or any unauthorized fires (including candles) will be charged $500 plus damages. Please use the fireplaces’ responsibility and AT YOUR OWN RISK!

2. No Mylar Products — For safety reasons, guests may not bring mylar products (e.g. mylar balloons, glitter, mylar / metallic ribbons, etc…). These items conduct electricity, are a fire hazard, and are strictly prohibited.

3. Dock — The property has its own private deck but the river is deep and the water levels tend to rise high during winter. So for the safety reasons, the guests are NOT ALLOWED to go beyond the safety railings on the main level. The guest will be penalized $500 for breaking the rule & will be solely responsible for their action.

4. Decks — For safety reasons, guests are not allowed to move furniture, including from inside the unit to the decks. For safety reasons, guests also agree to not climb on the deck railing, sit or lean on the railing, or behave in any way on the decks that compromises guest safety.

5. Deck Doors — For safety reasons, guests agree to never vacate the premises while leaving the deck doors open or unlocked. Leaving the deck doors open may result in (1) animals, insects, and debris entering the home (2) damage to the home from weather, (3) strangers entering the home, and (4) other risks that may compromise guest safety, theft, or damage to the home. Guests found to be in violation of this House Rule will incur a minimum charge of $250 to cover the costs of additional cleaning, and the full costs of any other related damages.

6. No Weapons — Guests are not permitted to bring any weapons of any kind into this home.

Cancellation Policy

1. 75% refund if canceled at least 30 days before arrival.

2. 25% refund if canceled at least 14 days before arrival.

3. No refunds for cancellations within 14 days of arrival.

4. Note: No refunds are provided for weather, natural disasters, or during major holiday weeks.

Please note that for cancellations of bookings made on platforms other than Airbnb, a Stripe card processing fee of 3% will be deducted from the total refund.