Garden City Realty Rental Policies & Guidelines

All Guests please check-in at our main office at 608 Atlantic Ave.

Driving Directions

Reservations

Most reservations are weekly, Saturday to Saturday. Nightly reservations are subject to availability. Inquire with one of our Vacation Specialists for rates.

Winter Rentals: Monthly reservations are available from October through March and require a minimum one month stay.

Planning Ahead? While on vacation, guests may take advantage of planning ahead for the following year. At Garden City Realty owners have top booking priority, followed by the guest presently occupying the property. If a guest has not made a reservation by Noon on the day of departure, the property is then reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. To make a reservation, call, or visit the office during business hours. The standard reservation payment policy will apply. Deposits are not refundable. Full details are available in the Garden City Realty reservations lobby.

Capacity of Accommodations

Occupancy is limited to guest capacity as indicated within this Website. Garden City Realty strictly enforces this standard. Occupancy must not exceed the sleeping capacity as stated in the unit description. Exceptions can be made for infants and toddlers.

Termination of Occupancy

Garden City Realty reserves the right to terminate occupancy without refund for activity deemed detrimental to the property, the facility, or is in violation of Garden City Realty's rules and regulations.

Check-In/Check-Out Time

Check-In: Check-in begins at 4 p.m., depending on property availability, and extends to the close of business. Although we make every attempt to ensure our properties are ready at 4 p.m. it is not guaranteed.

Please do not expect to check-in to your property upon arrival. If traveling with children, it may be beneficial for you to plan your arrival for a later time.

There are situations that can sometimes cause delayed check-ins. When this happens, Garden City Realty reserves the right to withhold keys from guests until the property has been deemed ready for occupancy. Contact the office in advance at 843-652-2555 for our hours (times vary per season) or to check if your rental is ready, if after 4 p.m.

Payment

Deposit Policy: All reservations require a valid MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express card on file. Our reservation payment policy, excluding monthly rentals, is as follows; a deposit equal to 10% of the total rent is required at booking (includes travel insurance, if applicable); an installment equal to 50% of the outstanding balance is due 180* days prior to scheduled arrival; the final payment of the remaining balance is due 30 days prior to arrival date.

*For reservations made within 180 days (six months) of scheduled arrival, a payment equal to the first and second deposit (10% deposit and 50% installment) is due at the time of booking.

If payments are not made by the specified due date, Garden City Realty, Inc. will automatically charge the credit card on file. Garden City Realty, Inc. is not responsible for any overdraft or over limit fees. All payments received are placed into an insured, interest-bearing escrow account to the credit of Garden City Realty, Inc.

Cancellations: Refunds are not issued for canceled reservations. However, if a reservation is canceled and the property is re-rented (entire length of canceled stay at the full amount of the original reservation) an amount equal to 80% of the payments received will be refunded. If the property is re-rented for a lesser amount, the difference will be withheld from the refund as well as a 20% cancellation fee.

A request to change reservations to a different property will be treated as a cancellation and therefore subject to this cancellation policy.

If a reservation is interrupted for any reason, including, but not limited to, a natural disaster with or without an evacuation order, no refunds will be issued. Click here for travel insurance information.

Click here to read the South Carolina Vacation Rental Act.

Taxes and Additional Fees

All reservations are subject to South Carolina Sales and Accommodation Taxes. Occasionally, tax rates will change. If such a change should occur, the guest will be responsible for the difference in taxes.

Reservation Fee: A reservation fee applies to all reservations.

Lodging Fee: A fee of $1.00 per night's stay applies to all reservations.

Waiver of Security Deposit: In lieu of a refundable cash security deposit, there is a non-refundable waiver of security deposit charged for each property, excluding monthly rentals. This fee covers up to $1000.00 of any accidental, unintentional damages to the property that are reported during your stay. This does not cover any damages resulting from a violation of this agreement. For information about monthly rentals, please Email Rentals@GardenCityRealty.com or call 843-652-2555.

Travel Insurance

Garden City Realty offers Red Sky Travel Insurance to guests. When a vacation is interrupted as a result of injury, sickness, death, mandatory evacuations or certain other perils beyond control, this program will cover non-refundable payments and other identified costs.

Travel: Protection for covered trip cancellation/interruption, and additional travel delay expenses.
Emergency: Coverage for emergency accident and sickness medical expense, and emergency medical evacuation.
Baggage: Insurance for delay, loss, damage or theft of your belongings.
All the help you need: 24/7 live support and concierge services.

Travel insurance is optional, but it is highly recommended. It may only be canceled within 14 days of including it and/or paying the premium. Any questions regarding travel insurance coverage should be directed to Red Sky Travel Insurance at 1-866-889-7409 or by visiting their Website Sun Trip Preserver. The description of coverage for travel insurance may be viewed by clicking here. Travel insurance may be added up to 30 days prior to your arrival or when making your final payment, whichever comes first, however, pre-existing conditions will not be covered if it is not purchased within 21 days of making the reservation.

Click here to read the South Carolina Vacation Rental Act.

To return claims:

By mail to Claims Department at Red Sky Claims, C/O Arch Insurance Company | 1350 McCormick Road, Suite 102, Hunt Valley, MD 21031
By fax at (443) 279-2901 | By E-mail: RedSky@ArchInsurance.com

For online claims, please complete the Trip Delay Claim form by clicking here.
For Assistance Contact Red Sky Travel Insurance Toll-Free: (866) 889-7409

Accommodation Substitutions

Reservations are non-transferrable; guests may not change accommodations after booking or upon arrival. We reserve the right to substitute an accommodation or refund your payments without further liability in the event the accommodation you choose becomes unavailable for rental.

Linens

Garden City Realty is pleased to announce that effective June 5, 2021, all vacation rental homes and condos will include towels and bed linens with each reservation. Therefore, there is no need to add towels and bed linens to your reservation or bring your own. We’ve got you covered. View more information on linens here.

Cleaning Policy

Cleaning supplies are not provided. Upon departure, Garden City Realty requests guests empty the refrigerator, remove all trash and load/start the dishwasher.

Check-Out Maid Service

Check-out maid service is included with all vacation rentals.

Amenities

Garden City Realty does not assure the efficiency of swimming pools, hot tubs, heating/cooling units (HVAC), plumbing, and/or other appliances/electronics within a property. Refunds are not provided for the failure of these items to function properly.

Condominium amenities such as swimming pool and elevator maintenance are strictly maintained by each complex and/or its Home Owner Associations (HOA). Garden City Realty is not responsible for the upkeep and/or maintenance of amenities such as elevators, swimming pools, and/or common areas managed by the association. Should a problem occur, please contact Garden City Realty and a representative will notify the appropriate property management company.

Parking

Parking is limited in our beach communities. Parking is enforced by the individual Home Owners Association of each condominium complex. Garden City Realty will evaluate reported parking issues but will not mediate parking disputes at private complexes if issues are in violation of HOA, city, or county parking regulations. Likewise, Garden City Realty does not monitor the use of parking permits issued by other vacation rental management companies, HOA, or owners. Instead, every effort is made by Garden City Realty to inform guests of parking restrictions based on information provided by the HOA. This information is included in the property description. If bringing multiple vehicles, please verify it is permissible within the rented condo complex. Trailers and golf carts are not permitted in condominium parking lots. Parking passes and parking lot configurations vary per complex.

Parking lots are maintained by each complex and/or HOA. Parking passes are issued in accordance with the rules and regulations set by each HOA. Overall, available parking is limited, and in some cases, on a first-come, first-served basis. Garden City Realty is not responsible for parking rules, vehicular towing or, parking tickets. Should a problem occur, please contact Garden City Realty and a representative will notify the appropriate property management company.

Beach home parking may be restricted due to the physical limitations of the property. Campers and motor homes are not permitted on the premises of any property. Some properties are in communities which may restrict motorcycles, trailers, or golf carts on-premise. If this is of concern, please verify when booking your reservation.

Damage and Liability

Aside from common wear and tear to the property and/or its contents, compensation for damages that occur as a result of willful neglect, intentional abuse or violate Garden City Realty's "Families Only" policy, as outlined in the rental agreement, are the responsibility of the occupying guests. Provisions for reported accidental damages are made possible within the Damage Waiver Fee. These properties are privately owned, and Garden City Realty reserves the right to refuse service to anyone and will not be responsible for accidents or personal injury to guests or for loss of money, jewelry, or valuables of any kind.

Do not move or rearrange items within the property. Home furnishings are provided by the owners. In the event that any furniture is damaged due to being moved the renter will accept full financial responsibility. Moving furniture could result in a loss of damage deposit.

Pest Control

The South Carolina coast is indigenous to many pests and insects including the Palmetto Bug or American Cockroach. All properties on our rental program are treated on a regular basis; however, they can enter the property during your stay if you're not careful.

As tempting as it can be to open the doors to allow in the ocean breeze, Garden City Realty suggests keeping all doors and windows closed. Below are a few additional suggestions we have during your stay:

• Refrain from leaving your windows and doors open unless you have screens on them to keep pests out.
• Avoid leaving food out and dirty dishes lying around. This will only attract more pests.
• Turn off and drain water when not in use. Standing water will attract pests.

Pets

Garden City Realty has a limited number of properties that are dog-friendly. Before booking a reservation verify if the property permits dogs. Unless specifically stated in the description of the property, pets are not allowed. Should a guest violate this policy they will be asked to provide proof of boarding for the pet for the remainder of the vacation stay and will be assessed a fee of not less than $350 per pet; will forfeit any coverage afforded by the waiver of the security deposit, and will be held liable for any damages resulting from the presence of the pet(s) for up to 90 days after their departure.

Renter must disclose dog breed, weight, size, and age at the time of reservation. The dog must be at least 16 months old, on routine flea treatment, and the renter must provide an up-to-date rabies vaccination record. The dog must be crated when left alone in the property.

Limit two dogs per dog-friendly property only, unless otherwise specified. Garden City Realty enforces a 70-pound maximum weight limit when bringing one dog, and a 50-pound maximum weight limit per each dog when bringing two.

Failure to abide by the above guidelines will result in the dog being removed from the property and boarded at the expense of the pet owner for the remainder of the reservation. Proof of such boarding will be required by Garden City Realty.

Click here for more information about our dog-friendly properties guest agreement.

Restrictions

Families Only: The vacation properties are designed for family use only. Garden City Realty does not rent to groups. Garden City Realty strictly enforces this policy. Garden City Realty considers a group to be, but not limited to, chaperoned or unchaperoned church, college, high school, or similar groups of young adults, whether or not they are related. Any misrepresentation on the part of the renter shall render the rental contract null and void. All monies will be forfeited by the renter. If you have questions, please contact the management prior to making your reservation.

Minimum Age: We do not rent to any persons under the age of 25 nor will we allow a guest under the age of 25 to check-in or retrieve keys on behalf of the guest who signed the rental agreement.