House Rules

So we're all on the same page at the lake.

A short, no-fluff list distilled from the renter agreement, so everyone knows what to bring, what to expect, and what not to do.

Jump to the rules

Read this before you pack.

Family logistics, not rental rules. Reading these means we won't show up short on towels, dinner, or pillows.

Top 5 Don'ts: read these first

If you only skim one part, skim this part.

The House Rules

13 short ones. No legalese.

  1. Nanna's on the hook. We all are.

    • She's the booked guest; she's responsible for every person in our group.
    • By joining the reunion, you're agreeing to these rules too.

  2. Stick to the headcount.

    • No unannounced tag-alongs, no subletting the place to anyone.
    • If a friend or plus-one is coming, Nanna needs to know in advance.

  3. No pets without the Owner's OK.

    • Period. No pets in the pool or hot tub, ever. That's an instant-eviction clause.

  4. Bring life jackets, especially for kids.

    • There's no lifeguard. Boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, the raft, the swim area: all at-your-own-risk.
    • Parents, watch your kids at the waterfront.

  5. Boat safety kit in every boat.

    • Includes a working flashlight.
    • Fishing boats don't have lights, so don't use them at night unless you bring your own.
    • Canadians: you need a powerboat license (www.BoaterExam.com).

  6. Hot tub & pool rules.

    • No soap, shampoo, oils, glass, or metal in the water.
    • Shower before you hop in.
    • If the water gets messed up, it costs us to fix.

  7. Bring your own towels & paper goods.

    • The cottage doesn't supply them.
    • Firewood is sold on-site if you want a fire.

  8. Leave it like you found it.

    • Take out your trash, clean up after yourself, no damage.
    • We put down a $500 hold; anything we break beyond normal wear comes out of it.
    • Excess costs (cleaning, hot-tub drain/refill, missing items) get billed.

  9. Be cool to the property.

    • No commercial activity, no illegal anything.
    • Stay within the posted capacity.
    • The Owner can inspect if they think something's wrong.

  10. Stuff we can't control.

    • Rural power outages happen. Plumbing might not get fixed on a Sunday.
    • Bad weather, mandatory evacuations, inoperable appliances: no refunds, by the contract.

  11. Phones are local-only.

    • Bring a calling card if you need long distance.

  12. Lost & found.

    • Owner ships items back at our cost.
    • Anything unclaimed after 30 days gets tossed.

  13. Safety waiver covers the whole Group.

    • Outdoor & water activities carry real risk (slippery decks, wildlife, sun, cold water).
    • By showing up, you're accepting that risk for yourself and your kids.

Questions or something to flag?

Spot something at the cottage or have a question about the agreement? Find Nanna. She'll be at the house with everyone all week.

These are our family-friendly house rules. Nanna has the full legal rental agreement if you want the fine print.