Treat a vacation Rental like it's your own home
By Patti Pietschmann, Travel DivaCondo living in Mau photos by Richard Pietschmann
One of many condo properties in Maui
Staying in a rental condo? Good choice. It's a very economically-sound idea. But there are some rules of Etiquette you should follow for the sake of the person or people who actually own the unit. Condos are owned by people, just like you and I, who rent them out for extra income or to defray the cost.
Renters should consider it like staying in a friends home where I'm use etiquette would play a role.
Well as an owner of a condo in Maui I can tell you some renters really do their best to abuse the privilege of sharing someone else's home.
Some steal things. Others break stuff. Many leave the AC on with the doors open or don't shut it down when they leave the unit. They take beach towels home (and other stuff) and some ever confiscate silverware, napkins and other items that fit into suitcases. All this costs the owner a lot.
So if you rent a vacation condo please follow these few rules of etiquette:
Don't take anything home or leave it outside. In Maui we offer beach chairs and equipment which can of course be taken down to the ocean, but not left there. We have to buy new ones.
Always turn off the lights, TV and AC when you leave the unit. Electricity is very expensive in Hawaii and owners suffer the cost and sometimes need to raise rates because of this abuse.
Be respectful of furnishings like not bringing sand inside (shoes should be removed when entering any home in Hawaii (it's a local tradition) and condos are no exception. There are beach showers to rinsing off the sand.
Don't put EVEYTHING into the dishwasher, only plates, silverware and glass items, no pots and pans please.
Basically treat your home away from home just like that, And treat it as though it were yours, which it is for the time you rent it. Be respectful of others property.
By the now everyone knows that smoking isn't allowed in rooms or on lanais in any Hawaii rental so please don't. there are also big fines if you are caught puffing in the wrong spot. There are outdoor areas for the habit.
I realize there are many people who do follow most of the above suggestions but it just takes a few to spoil if for the rest. Just remember that the owner or owners of the condo you're using bare the brunt of the costs of any damage or theft when you leave.
Mahalo.
