Frequently Asked Questions

Each rental home is individually, privately owned and reflects the taste of its owners, featuring diverse amenities, specialty items and decorations.

Locked closets – many of the home closets are locked and not accessible to guests. Tampering with these locked closets will result in a damage fee charged to the guest's credit card.

Every effort is made to accurately describe and list the amenities for each home. HOBVR will not be held responsible for errors, changes made by the home owners or matters that are out of HOBVR's control, e.g. noise, construction, weather, etc.

Complaints regarding accommodations must be submitted in writing to HOBVR prior to checkout for consideration by the General Manager. Gas fireplaces in homes are seasonal and are turned off June through the end of September.

We require a two (2) night minimum stay, and a three (3) night minimum stay for holidays. Occasionally, last minute cancellations provide additional availability.

To make a reservation:

1. Check our on-line availability or call 812-988-6429.
2. We require a deposit equal to ONE HALF of your stay, plus taxes, surcharge, cleaning fee and handling fee, paid at the time you make a reservation with a valid Visa or MasterCard.
3. Once you complete your reservation, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to you.
4. The remaining balance will be due 7 days prior to check-in.

All reservations require a $30 handling fee. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid with the deposit. Refunds are not issued due to inclement weather, snow or acts of God that are out of our control.

• Cancellations of a confirmed reservation must be made by the Guest who made the original reservation, not a representative of that Guest.
• Reservations cancelled more than 14 days prior to arrival incur a cancellation fee equal to 10% of the total charges before tax, plus the $30 handling fee.
• Reservations cancelled 8-14 days prior to arrival lose the deposit paid per the Reservations terms above.
• Reservations cancelled within 7 days of arrival receive NO REFUND.
• Within 14 days of arrival, the reservation cannot be shortened or moved.
• Within 7 days of arrival, reservations cannot be changed or altered. No exceptions.

We accept cash, money orders, cashier's check, personal checks, MasterCard and Visa. All funds must be payable in U.S. currency.

HOBVR will process checks only once. There is a $25 charge for checks returned for insufficient funds or a closed account, and the guest's reservation(s) may be subject to immediate cancellation.

We are open year-round Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. We are closed on Sundays and major holidays.

Check-in 4:00 PM | Check-out 11:00 AM. Our check-in and check-out times are strictly enforced to allow our cleaning crew to clean and check each home prior to new check-ins. Please do not ask for early check-ins or expect keys to be available prior to 4:00 PM.

The number of guests occupying each home is based on the number of bedrooms, sleeping accommodations and local codes. The occupancy for each of our vacation homes is listed on our website and on the reservation availabilities. All occupancies are strictly enforced.

• Occupancy is limited to: families, couples, friends or adults 24 years of age or older.
• Exceeding the stated occupancy constitutes a breach in your agreement and will be cause for immediate termination of stay without a refund. Additional per-guest charges may be added to the credit card on file.
• Only the number of guests paid and registered will be allowed on the property.
• You may have visitors to the unit; extra visitors will be charged a daily rate for use of the property (inquire at the office).
• Evidence of extra guests, other than those registered, could result in extra charges.

Check-in time is 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM. We have an extremely tight turnaround time frame between a guest's check-out and the next guest's check-in - in many cases homes require maintenance repairs, additional cleaning time, etc.

Maps and keys to your rental home will be issued at check-in at the Rental Office. If you are arriving after office hours, a packet will be left for you per your confirmation email in our locked mailbox located at our office. Sunday packets are placed in the mailbox at 4:00 PM.

Please note: hot tubs are serviced after each tenant or weekly, whichever comes first. A report on the condition is on file at the office at all times.

Unauthorized early arrival or entry may result in a $75 early access fee, plus any additional costs if early entry disrupts cleaning, maintenance, hot tub service, inspections, or causes damage. Early check-in is never guaranteed and must be approved in advance.

Many of the vacation homes and cabins are located in the country and not within view of neighbors. Even though it may seem "anything goes," this is not the case - you are still staying in someone's home and sharing land with full-time residents.

For your safety and the safety of neighbors, the following items and/or activities are strictly prohibited at all of our properties:

• Fireworks of any kind, including but not limited to Roman candles, sparklers, bottle rockets, etc. - including on the 4th of July holiday.
• Firearms - hand guns, pistols, BB guns, etc.
• Hunting - bow or guns.
• Off-road vehicles - ATVs, battery or gas powered, etc.
• Fires - only fires contained in an existing fire pit are permitted. No other type of outdoor burns or fires.
• Large parties - each home has a maximum occupancy; no large parties, gatherings or celebrations which exceed the occupancy are permitted. No exceptions.
• Cutting trees and/or removing live plants, objects, etc.

This is only a partial list and by no means limited to the above items. We ask that you respect the property and surrounding areas by not conducting any activities you would not normally do. There are no exceptions to these prohibited items/activities.

Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Keys are returned to the Rental Office by 1:00 PM on the date of check-out. Post-inspections and cleaning occur after each departure by HOBVR housekeeping staff to ensure our homes are clean and maintained for the next guest. Failure to comply with these departure procedures could result in an additional charge to your credit card.

Unauthorized late check-outs - guests may be charged up to double the daily rental fee if their departure extends past 11:00 AM.

Check-out procedures - you will find this list at each unit; it must be completed and initialed before departure:

• Used sheets and pillow cases have been removed and placed at the foot of the bed.
• Used dishes have been washed, dried, and put away in their original location.
• Used towels and wash cloths have been gathered and placed in a single bathtub.
• All furniture has been returned to its original locations.
• All food/drink has been thrown away or donated to a food bank (cabinets and refrigerators).
• All trash has been removed from can(s), bagged, and gathered on the kitchen floor, unless noted.
• All small appliances are off (TV, coffee pot, etc.).
• All windows and doors are closed and locked.
• All trash and ashes are emptied from the grill into a trash bag, if ashes are cool.
• Key is returned to the location where it was found at check-in by 1:00 PM.
• Home temperature is set to 65°F (winter) or 75°F (summer), unless noted. Do NOT turn the unit off.
• Gas fireplaces: make sure the fireplace is off, but do not mess with or shut off the pilot light. It remains on at all times that the fireplace is in seasonal operation.
• Smoking: while all units are non-smoking, exterior smoking is permitted at all units. Guests are responsible for disposing of every cigarette butt, used match, etc. before check-out, including items left in the yard, porch, or outside ash trays. All smoking debris and trash must be placed in a trash bag with the rest of the trash in the kitchen at check-out.

Please leave the unit in the condition it was found in at arrival. If the cleaning crew has to do any of the above items, the price will be deducted from the credit card on file.

Our maintenance staff is available from 8:00 AM–8:00 PM, seven days a week. There is an after-hours emergency pager number located in all homes: 812-345-5349.

Pager instructions:

1. Leave a detailed message on the voicemail with the nature of the issue/emergency, the name of the home you are staying at, and a return phone number.
2. You will receive a return call from our maintenance staff within 15-20 minutes.
3. If you are calling from a cell phone, make sure that you have clear reception.
4. All calls will be returned, however only true emergencies will be handled after maintenance hours.

We strive to keep all equipment, appliances, hot tubs and fireplaces in working order upon your arrival. Occasionally mishaps will happen, or prior guests have not informed us of an issue. Please report any inoperative equipment to the HOBVR office immediately - we will make every reasonable effort to have the problem corrected as soon as feasibly possible.

Under no circumstances will there be a reduction of rental fees or a refund for loss of utilities or mechanical failure of equipment and/or appliances, including but not limited to air conditioning, heating, dishwasher, washer, dryer, TV, blender, toaster, etc. Pools and/or hot tubs are occasionally subject to temporary closing due to extenuating circumstances; no refund or rate reductions will be given should this occur. Refunds are not issued due to inclement weather, snow or acts of God that are out of our control.

In the event a guest is locked out of the home during their stay, guests may borrow a key from the office during business hours.

After business hours, guests are required to call the after-hours pager at 812-345-5349 and leave a detailed message. An HOBVR representative will return the call and meet the guest at the office.

There will be a $20 service charge, $30 if a key needs to be delivered to the home. This fee will be collected at the time service is rendered, or charged to the credit card on file.

You are responsible for all keys given to you for your rental home. If you do not return the keys to the Management Office at the time of your departure, you could be charged a fee to change the locks and make new keys.

HOBVR will not be responsible for personal items left behind in the home. If your lost item has been found, you must send a prepaid envelope or package for return shipment of lost items within 10 days. No CODs.

Absolutely no pets are permitted in or on HOBVR rental properties, except in designated pet-friendly homes. Homes designating "Small Dog Friendly" will allow small dogs weighing up to 30 lbs. No exceptions will be made.

• If a pet is left inside a home that allows pets, it must be crated.
• Pets are not permitted on any of the furniture.
• It is your responsibility to clean up after your pet. Violation of this policy will result in immediate termination of stay without a refund.
• A non-refundable $75 pet fee is required for all pet-friendly homes. Additional fees may be charged to the guest's credit card to cover the cost of cleaning, spraying, etc.
• Having a pet in a non-pet-friendly unit will result in a $250 cleaning fee charged to the guest's credit card.

Indiana laws in regard to service animals are followed.

Smoking is permitted outside only. Please discard cigarettes and butts in ashtrays and/or garbage - do not throw butts in the yard, garden, fireplace or fire pits.

Smoking in a non-smoking unit will result in a $250 cleaning fee charged to the guest's credit card. This could include leaving the doors or windows open while smoking outside if smoke gets into the interior of the home, so please use discretion. We have no smoking-designated homes. Call HOBVR at 812-988-6429 if you need to clarify the rules.

Guests are responsible for any damages or theft during their stay. A valid credit card must be provided for compensation of all damages and theft.

• $50 charge for biohazard cleaning: any bodily fluids left on surfaces will result in an automatic charge for additional cleaning.
• Please report any damage upon occurrence.
• Charges to the guest's card may include, but are not limited to: damages over and above normal wear and tear, theft, phone charges, excessive cleanup, unreturned keys, unauthorized late check-outs and unwarranted service calls.
• If a fee is charged, correspondence via letter/email will be sent to the guest explaining the reason, outlining the details and the charges.
• Should the guest dispute the charges, or the credit card limit is not sufficient to cover the charges, HOBVR reserves the right to charge the guest with vandalism and pursue collection, with venue in Brown County, State of Indiana. All reasonable attorneys' fees will be at the expense of the guest should collection become necessary.

Should the confirmed vacation home become unavailable for any reason whatsoever, HOBVR will make every effort to inform the guest immediately upon notification that the home is unavailable, and to notify guests prior to check-in whenever possible.

Every attempt to relocate the guest to a comparable home will be made, unless the guest requests a full refund, in which case all monies will be refunded. If the comparable home's rental rate exceeds the original reservation amount, the difference in rate will become the responsibility of the guest at check-in.

Some HOBVR homes have telephones to be used for local calls only. Long distance calls require guests to use a credit card or calling card - if long distance charges are incurred during a guest's stay, the guest will be charged $20 in addition to the cost of the phone calls.

Cell phone service is limited or not available in some areas of Brown County, depending on location and cell service provider. HOBVR does not guarantee that cell phones will work.

The beauty and wilderness of Brown County make for a wonderful getaway. However, sometimes these very attributes necessitate compromise. It is very important that guests understand that internet access is not yet readily available in all areas of our community. Many of our homes are located in rural areas that have few, and sometimes no, options for access. The process of installing county-wide internet is underway, but it will take some time.

In the meantime, most of our home owners have made attempts at providing some sort of service, such as hot spots, satellite service, and DSL. Please be aware that these are not always reliable and are often monitored by the providers for usage.

Other things to be aware of:

• The service is open and available to everyone; therefore it is not a secure server.
• The providers do not guarantee the privacy of your data and communications while using the service.
• In many cases, the Wi-Fi has a limited amount of data and is not suitable for streaming, gaming, etc. In addition, depending on prior guest usage, Wi-Fi may not be available (inquire at the office).
• There are potentially serious issues with any computer connected to the internet, ranging from viruses, worms and other programs that can damage the user's computer.

When using these providers, we suggest that you confirm your computer has current antivirus software and proper firewall protection.

Each owner has furnished their home with basic needs for housekeeping, cooking, etc. Linens, pillows and bedspreads are provided. Paper products, condiments, and cleaning supplies are not provided.

• Gas fireplaces in homes are seasonal and will be turned off June through mid-September.
• Firewood is provided by HOBVR October–March for interior wood-burning fireplaces only. Wood is not always supplied for homes with approved outside fire pits - plan on bringing your own.
• Pools, hot tubs, whirlpools and other special amenities will be maintained as well as possible, but no refunds will be given with regards to the condition of these special amenities.

Hills O' Brown Vacation Rentals loves repeat guests! Advance reservations may be made up to one year in advance. Owners always have first priority, followed by returning guests. All reservation policies and deposits apply. Reservations booked for the following year are subject to price increases should they occur.

• Pregnant women, small children, or persons with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or low blood pressure should not enter the spa except under the advice of a physician.
• Avoid use while under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or raise or lower blood pressure.
• Exposure greater than fifteen (15) minutes may result in drowsiness, nausea, or fainting.

• Sauna use is optional and at the guest's own risk.
• Sauna use may involve risks, including overheating, dehydration, dizziness, fainting, burns, slips, falls, injury, or aggravation of existing medical conditions.
• Guests should not use the sauna if they are pregnant, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, feeling unwell, or have medical concerns, unless approved by a physician.
• Guests should limit sauna sessions to a safe amount of time, stay hydrated, and exit immediately if they feel dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, overheated, or uncomfortable.
• Children may only use the sauna with direct adult supervision.
• No glass, food, oils, chemicals, or foreign substances are permitted in or near the sauna.
• Guests may not tamper with the heater, controls, vents, or any sauna equipment.
• Guests are responsible for following all posted sauna rules.
• Guests are responsible for any damage, excessive cleaning, or service calls caused by misuse.
• By using the sauna, guests accept responsibility for themselves and their party and agree to release and hold harmless the property owner and Hills O' Brown Vacation Rentals from claims related to sauna use, except where prohibited by law.

Guest shall conscientiously and prudently take good care of the premises during and related to the Guest's use and occupancy. Guest shall exercise safe conduct and comply with this agreement and the rules of the premises. Guest shall actively and effectively supervise and control activities occurring on or related to the premises.

Guest hereby fully assumes the duties and accepts sole and exclusive legal responsibilities relevant to the Guest's use, occupancy, and supervision of activities. Guest also hereby fully releases and agrees to hold the General Manager and the Owner of the premises fully compensated, defended and harmless for all damages arising from or related to conditions, acts, or omissions directly or indirectly arising from or related to the Guest's use, supervision and/or occupancy of the premises, and for any related harm to the premises during the Guest's occupancy.

Please remember you are coming to the country — it is enjoyable, beautiful and very quiet. Here are some guidelines to help you enjoy your visit:

• Bring sunscreen, bug repellant, etc. If you are allergic to insects or pollen, be sure to bring your antihistamine.
• If you are lucky, you will only be greeted by our Brown County lady bugs upon your arrival - they are harmless and in fact quite beneficial to the environment.
• Our country critters occasionally greet our guests: wasps, ticks, spiders, skunks, mice, opossums, raccoons, snakes, bats, turkeys and frequent deer. Always be aware of them and respect their boundaries.
• Keep a constant eye on your pets and children, especially near ponds, lakes, creeks and while walking in the woods. HOBVR cannot control Mother Nature or her critters!