Checking
In
Most Nantucket rental homes operate on a Saturday to Saturday schedule, although you'll find
a few rentals that have
a Friday or Sunday turnover day. Unless you make special arrangements in your lease, the
standard check-in time is 3
pm on Saturday. This is true across the island, so plan your arrival accordingly.
Getting
In
Your rental agent will open up the house and do a standard “walk-through” prior to your
arrival. The house will then
be left unlocked with keys for you left in an obvious area such as the kitchen counter or
table. In some cases the
rental agent will meet you at the house and open it for you. Every situation is different so
your rental agent will
go over this procedure with you prior to your lease date.
A “rental packet” will be provided to you with the name of the caretaker, cleaning service,
trash pick-up
days, Wi-Fi login credentials, and other useful materials that you may need to refer to
during your stay. Your
rental agent, in addition to our website, is a great resource for you to get oriented about
life on Nantucket. In
addition, some homeowners have additional guest instructions specific to the house you are
renting that could look
similar to the following sample.
The day you arrive is also a good time to review your check-out times and responsibilities.
In general,
check-out is at 10 a.m. or for some properties 9 a.m., to allow ample time for professional
cleaning before the next
tenant arrives. This being said, you'll also be expected to leave the house in an
orderly condition and take
care of a few housekeeping responsibilities prior to departure. Typically, these include
things like loading the
dishwasher, stripping the beds, starting the laundry process and taking out the trash.
The
Walkthrough upon Arrival and Departure
Before you settle into your vacation home, take a few minutes to walk through the property to
make note of amenities and condition. If you notice anything unusual, please notify your
rental agent immediately.
Use this rental walkthrough checklist to cover everything:
- Keep an eye out for any damage. If you notice something unusual, point it out ot your
agent and have them amke a note of it. Better yet, snap a photo. This is the best way to
avoid disputes about the security deposit later.
- Turn on the air conditioner and test any fans.
- Test the hot water in the shower, and get advice about how to operate any special
plumbing like hot tubs or steam showers so you can make the most of these amenities.
- Test the TV and make sure you understand how the cable or satellite channels work.
- Notice where the trash and recycling bins are kept.
- If parking is important to you, please confirm which parking spaces are yours to use.
- Make sure you are comfortable with using the key/lock system and make sure you
understand how the alarm works in case you would like to use it.
Be
a Good Neighbor
One of Nantucket's many charms is that it is a welcoming community where part of its
residents live year-round, and many islanders have called it home for generations. A good
traveler is also a good neighbor, so it is not unusual to introduce yourself to the people
in the surrounding homes. They may be renters, too, or they may be year-round residents.
Either way, it's courteous to identify yourself, and they may be a great resource to help
you get to know this beautiful island during your stay.