House rules

2 canoes are available at R60 per canoe per day. The canoes are in the boathouse and the paddles are under the stairs or in the boathouse.
Duvet inners, mattress protectors, pillows, and pillow protectors are provided. Please bring your own duvet covers, pillowslips, bottom sheets, and blankets.
If there are dust covers on the beds, please do not use these as sheets, but fold them away in a drawer while you are there.
Towels, Beach towels, and dish towels are not provided, please bring your own.
This is part of the Kogelberg biosphere, and we want to preserve the fynbos and protect the wildlife. A well-behaved dog is permitted. Owners are expected to keep pets off the furniture and clean up after them. Be aware that the property is not fenced, and baboons are occasional visitors. Any evidence of pets on furniture may incur extra cleaning fees.
If you are not at the cottage, please close all doors and windows, even if you are just down at the river. They have been known to come in through the burglar bars and small spaces. Please do your best to make them feel unwelcome and do not give them any food.
On arrival, please check that the kitchen bin and outside bin have bin bags. Extra bags are in the hall cupboard. The kitchen bin is for general household refuse.
The outside bin is for all recycling: plastics, glass, polystyrene paper cardboard, tins, etc
We are not doing compost at the moment because it attracts baboons but wants to be as green as possible so suggest you put compostable refuse in a separate bag or container and dispose of it at home.
When leaving, please take the bin bags to the refuse and recycling depot at the entrance to Pringle Bay, about 300m from the turnoff to Pringle Bay off the main road to Betty’s Bay.
The blinds in the loft room, to open please swivel them to the horizontal position before raising them or lowering them. One cord is for adjusting to horizontal or closed and the other is for raising the blinds.
This is a nonsmoking house, we ask that if you smoke you do it outside, and please dispose of your ash and cigarette ends responsibly. This is due to the property being situated on a smallholding in a high fire risk area and out of respect to other guests who may not smoke. We reserve the right to seek compensation (including consequential loss) for any damage and additional costs of cleaning (such as curtains etc.) caused by a guest smoking within any of the rooms. Consequential costs may be incurred where it is not possible to remove the smell of smoke from the house prior to the arrival of the next guest who subsequently demands compensation from us.
The client shall take all reasonable and proper care of the property and its furniture, pictures, fittings, and effects in or on the property and leave them in the same state of repair and in the same clean and tidy condition at the end of the rental period as at the beginning. You will be liable for the cost of any major damages, breakages, losses, and any extra cleaning or repair costs that are incurred due to non-compliance with this condition.
Please also refrain from jumping off the banks of the river to avoid erosion and subsidence of the banks.
We try to be respectful of our neighbors. For this reason, we avoid any noise or music that would travel over the open field. Music should not be audible outside the house. Note that there is another house on the property which is about 40m away, and is occupied most weekends.
Please leave the house in a state in which you would like to find it.
Report any damage done to property or its contents, beyond normal wear and tear.
Report any breakages or lost or damaged linens or household effects prior to departure.
Clean soiled dishes, glasses, and cutlery and replace them in their cupboards and drawers.
Return all keys as directed.
All charges accrued during the stay are paid prior to departure.
An advance payment equal to 50% of the rental rate is required to secure the reservation. The remaining balance of the rent is due 2 weeks before the arrival date. The advance payment will be applied toward the rent. Please make payments via cash or bank transfers.
The maximum number of guests is limited to four (4) persons for downstairs and eight (8) persons for the whole cottage.
No daily housekeeping service. A maid service is not included in the rental rate.
Any booking obtained under false pretense will be subject to forfeiture of advance payment, deposit, and/or rental money, and the party will not be permitted to check-in.
Any exceptions to the above-mentioned policies must be approved in writing in advance.
All persons entering Otters Creek do so at their own risk and indemnify the owners, their employees, and agents from any claims whatsoever. Be aware that intruders can access the property so due care should be taken to lock valuables away at night and when not at the cottage. Guests must accept responsibility for their own and their children’s safety, particularly in the river and on the beach.
The tap water is drinkable. The septic system is very effective; however, it will clog up if improper material is flushed. Do not flush anything other than toilet paper. No feminine products should be flushed at any time. If it is found that feminine products have been flushed and clog the septic system, you could be charged damages. These septic systems have natural organisms that live inside them therefore please only use the cleaning products provided or if you feel that you need a product that we have not supplied please ensure it is friendly to septic tanks.