CREDIT CARD ACCEPTANCE: Villa Network accepts American Express, Discover Card, MasterCard and Visa for deposits and payments with an added service fee of 2.5% - 3.5% of the amount charged. However, for bookings and/or payments made within 60 days of arrival, we reserve the right to limit payments to checks, cashier's checks, money orders or wire transfers.

CONTRACTS/RENTAL AGREEMENTS: A signed rental contract is required for most of the properties we represent.

DEPOSITS & PAYMENTS: Confirming a reservation at one of our vacation homes will require a deposit of 30% - 50%, depending on the selected property and the time period requested. All rentals are on a pre-paid basis with balances due 60 - 90 days prior to arrival. Most deposits and payments are non-refundable unless your reserved time period can be re-rented. Please click on "Terms & Conditions" for full details.

HOUSE RULES: Many property owners have printed house rules that typically include any owner-imposed restrictions on the use of the property and that take into account the neighbors and neighborhood within which the property is located. Please inquire for details.

INSPECTIONS/PROPERTY PREVIEWS: You are invited personally, or via a third party representative, to inspect any property prior to committing to a rental. Property inspections can be arranged by appointment at a time when the property is not occupied by guests.

MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENTS: Most homes have a 7 night minimum stay except for the Christmas/New Year holiday season when a 14 night minimum is common. There are a few properties, which do have seasons when 5 night minimums are accepted, and some, which have a one month minimum. Minimum stay requirements are on the fact sheets for each home.

OCCUPANCY LIMITATIONS: Unless otherwise noted on the fact sheet for an individual property, occupancy (including children) is limited to no more than two persons per bedroom.

PARTIES/WEDDINGS/EVENTS: Most of the homes we represent specifically prohibit using the property for parties, events, wedding, receptions, etc. The private homes are not equipped or provisioned to handle additional guests and most properties and neighborhoods do not have parking facilities to accommodate extra vehicles.

POOLS AND SPAS: Many of the homes we represent have swimming pools and/or spas or hot tubs. Most of the pools are not heated. Please be advised that Hawaii state law does not require that a separate, child-proof fence be erected around pool or spa areas and that most properties do not have such fences or any other restraints or barriers which prevent access by small children. Parents are advised to consider this factor in making the selection of a rental property.

SECURITY DEPOSITS: Guests are required to pay a refundable security/damage deposit in addition to the base rental rates. This deposit is assessed to cover any items damaged or missing from the rented property, extra cleaning costs or long distance telephone charges. The deposit, less any documented charges, is typically refunded 30 - 45 days after guest departure date. Many properties also require that guests provide a major credit card guarantee.

STAFF: Unlike many locations in Mexico and the Caribbean, rental homes in Hawaii do not come with resident staff. Maids, nannies and cook/chef services can be contracted through companies and/or individuals on your island of choice, subject to availability. Villa Network can assist you with obtaining quotes for services or by providing you with a listing of vendors.

TAXES: Vacation rental homes and villas in Hawaii are subject to the same accommodations and excise taxes as are hotels and resorts. The current tax rate is 11.42% of the rental amount.

THEFTS & BURGLARIES: While Hawaii's crime rate is lower than that of many other locations, thefts and/or burglaries can occur. Many of the vacation homes we represent are equipped with security systems - and, some are not. There is also a wide variety of system types and levels of sophistication. Please exercise proper precautions to help protect yourself and your property. Some recommendations include: do not travel with expensive jewelry or other such valuables; keep property entry gates and doors locked when not in use; and, do not leave valuables or personal items unattended in rental cars or at the pool or on the beach. Villa Network and/or the property owners are not responsible for losses due to thefts or burglaries. Please read the "Liability & Insurance" section above and inquire about any specific concerns.

TROPICAL PESTS: Although the vacation homes we represent have regularly scheduled pest control treatment, in a tropical environment there will always be a modicum of ants, roaches or other insects that defy even the most diligent efforts. After opening, food should be placed in the refrigerator or in sealed containers to avoid attracting insects. Geckos, our small island lizards, are harmless and are not treated as pests since they help reduce the insect population.

WEATHER/NATURAL HAZARDS: On a year-round basis Hawaii has one on the most ideal and benign climates found anywhere on planet Earth. However, there are some facts, advisories and precautions that may assist your planning and may help avoid certain circumstances and/or conditions that could affect your safety and enjoyment of your trip to the islands. These include:

Hurricanes - June through November is considered to be hurricane season. Although not a frequent occurrence, hurricanes have previously caused significant damage in Hawaii. The most hazardous component of a passing hurricane is the ocean storm surge that can be generated causing flooding and/or wave inundation of oceanfront property. See also "Tsunamis", below.

Ocean "critters" - Hawaii's warm and wonderful waters are also home to a number of creatures, such as stinging jellyfish and sharks, which can pose hazards which vary by season and location.

Rain - Due to the prevailing tradewinds the north and east shores of the islands tend to have more rain than do the south and west shores. Rainfall is more plentiful in the winter season.

Seasons - Hawaii does not experience a great deal of seasonal weather variance. In the November through March "winter season" daytime highs are typically in the low-mid 80s and night time lows are in the mid-high 60s. August and September are the two warmest months when temperature highs can reach the low 90s and lows are typically in the mid 70s.

Sun - Direct sunshine in Hawaii can be quite intense and it is possible to get serious sunburn even when there is an overcast sky. Visitors are advised to limit their exposure to the sun and to apply a sunscreen of an SPF factor suited to local weather conditions and your skin type.

Surf and ocean currents - Surf and ocean swimming conditions vary widely by location and time of year. Some beaches have offshore reefs that protect them from high surf; others are directly exposed to incoming waves. In the winter season the north shores of the islands often experience large ocean swells generated by storms in the north Pacific. Visitors are advised to check surf and weather conditions with local authorities before swimming in the ocean.

Tsunamis (tidal waves) - Tsunamis are ocean waves that are generated by undersea earthquakes or landslides and can originate hundreds, or even thousands, of miles from Hawaii but travel through the water at great speeds. Tsunamis may be barely noticeable in the open ocean but when they encounter shallow coastal waters they can cause waves capable of inundating oceanfront properties and other flood plain and low-lying locations. Almost all oceanfront homes in Hawaii are in tsunami danger zones. Warning sirens are positioned throughout each of the islands. Visitors are advised to consult the tsunami danger zone maps that are published as a part of the island telephone directories and that provide maps for evacuation routes and shelters.

Volcanoes - Scientists divide volcanoes into three categories - extinct (considered as no threat to erupt again), dormant (inactive, but subject to possible future eruptions) and active (currently or recently erupting). The volcanoes that formed the islands of Kauai and Oahu are classified as extinct; Haleakala on Maui is classified as dormant; and, Mauna Kea on the Big Island has been in a constant state of eruption since the early 1980s.

Wind - Due to direction of the prevailing tradewinds, the east and northeast shores of each of the islands typically experience more windy conditions than do the south and west shores.

ZONING RESTRICTIONS: Many vacation rental properties in Hawaii are located in areas that have state or local zoning restrictions and/or homeowner/neighborhood association covenants that govern items such as the minimum rental term (e.g. 30 days) or frequency of rentals (e.g. one per calendar month).