Please read this page thoroughly before making reservations.

Welcome to our resort town, Bethany Beach, DE, and surrounding areas. We are eager to help you find the perfect property for your vacation.

Check-In Procedures

Please come to our office at 759 - B Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, DE 19930 [Directly across from WaWa on Rte. 26] in order to check-in at the appropriate time for your vacation home. If your arrival will be after 5:00 pm, please call our office at (302) 257-5555 to make pick-up arrangements. Our office closes PROMPTLY at 5:00 pm. We will make every attempt to contact you prior to closing; however, it is the renter’s responsibility to contact our office for arrangements.

Check-in day and time varies by property. Please refer to your contract to determine property check-in and check-out times. Due to the high volume of traffic and the amount of time it takes to ready a property for occupancy, we ask that you do not access the property earlier than your appointed time. Arriving at a property early interferes with the maintenance and cleaning of the property.

Check-Out Procedures

We ask that all keys, parking permits, and pool tags be returned at or before check-out time. Late check-outs may be subject to fees which will be deducted from the security deposit. You can return all items to the office personnel at 1st Choice Properties or drop them in the drop-box located outside of our main entrance.

Guest agrees to pay an excessive housekeeping fee if property is not left in the following condition:

• Remove all food from refrigerator, and trash from property, clean dishes and utensils and put them away.
• Make all beds.
• Leave furniture arranged as it was upon your arrival.
• Check for personal items.
• Lock all windows and doors.
• Excessive dirt should be swept or wiped clean including overflows on stoves, microwaves or ovens.

Guests are responsible for the property until all items are returned in the check-out packet.

Reservations

We have weekly rentals beginning Fridays and Saturdays. We also have mini-week rentals available for 3 or 4 night stays in the off-season and periodically throughout the peak season. It’s easy to make reservations with 1st Choice Properties, LLC. Visit our website 24 hours a day to make an online reservation. Resort Rental vacation specialists are also available 7 days a week to help you with your reservation. Reach us toll-free at 1-855-580-RENT.

Payment

We require one half of the base rent plus the non- refundable $100.00 administration fee within 7 days of making the rental reservation. Visa, Master Card, and Discover are accepted, but checks are preferred for rentals booked more than 60 days in advance. If the initial deposit and signed contract (digital signatures are acceptable) are not received by the afternoon of the 7th day, the reservation is cancelled without further notice.  All terms and conditions of the agreement are binding from the date the contract is mailed or sent electronically.  A convenience fee of 3% is charged to all renters using a credit card. We accept personal checks for payments made 30 days prior to check-in.  Final balance is due 30 days before the start of the reservation.  All reservations made within 30 days of the arrival date must be paid in full with certified funds or by credit card.

Cancellations

Cancellations with refunds will only be made within 14 days after making the initial hold. There will be no refunds after the 14th day unless the property is rented by another party, then a partial refund is given. The processing fee is non-refundable. All cancellations must be in writing. If a reservation is made within 30 days of arrival there are no refunds for cancellations at any time. It is strongly recommended that you purchase vacation insurance if you feel for any reason that you might have to change your plans. The owner or his agent reserves the right to cancel any reservation prior to occupancy, and will in this event refund all monies received.

Security Deposits

All our properties either collect a non- refundable $79.00 fee for the “Accidental Damage Protection Program”, or a refundable security deposit. The security deposits vary depending on the property owner. The minimum amount is $250.00. All deposits will be processed within 30 days of check out and will be returned to the guest less any costs for repairs or excessive housekeeping charges if property is not left as required. We will also withhold part of the deposit if all keys, pool tags, parking permits, and any of the owner’s personal property are not returned.

Parking

The number of assigned spaces varies by building. Some buildings cannot accommodate oversized vehicles and alternate parking is not provided. 1st Choice Properties, LLC is not responsible for illegally parked vehicles. Boat trailers or any other type of trailers are not permitted to park on city streets or in condominium parking lots. Arrangements should be made with a local marina. Many buildings charge a non- refundable building registration fee due at time of arrival at the building.

NO SMOKING

All our properties are no smoking. If smoking occurs and causes odors or damages, additional fees will be charged for remediation. Charges may exceed the security deposit.

Pets

Pets are not permitted in our rental units. Pets in rental units are grounds for immediate termination of the rental agreement with cleaning and extermination charges billed to the renter unless you have a Pet Friendly property. No pets are permitted in our rental units unless designated as pet friendly in the property description. However, we cannot guarantee that pets have never occupied our rental properties. If you have severe allergies, please disclose to your agent.  All pet friendly properties are charged a $250 non-refundable pet deposit. 

Telephones / Televisions

All of our weekly properties provide at least one color TV with local cable. (12 channels are available with local cable). However, this is a courtesy of the property owner, and should a TV, VCR, etc. break down, a replacement is not guaranteed. Not all properties provide phone service. If this is important, please verify with your agent. For properties that do not provide service, you may call Verizon (410-954-6260) at least 3 weeks prior to your arrival to arrange for service. The properties that do provide service generally have a block on long distance service, requiring a credit card or calling card to place long distance calls.

Swimming Pools

Most pools are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The opening and closing of pools varies and is at the community’s discretion. Pools are closed periodically for maintenance without notice.

Refunds

Guests shall not be entitled to any refund for inoperative appliances, air conditioners, or any other property defect. However, upon being notified of any malfunction, 1st Choice Properties will make every effort to have the problem repaired. Problems within the building itself such as an elevator, swimming pool, exterior lights etc. are the buildings responsibility, and again, there will be no refunds for any item not operable.

Linens

Unless specifically noted otherwise, properties are not equipped with linens. Plan on bringing your own sheets, blankets, towels, & paper products. 1st Choice Properties can have linens delivered for an extra fee at the renter’s discretion. This information is provided to you at the time of booking.

Hot-Tubs / Elevators

Some of our properties have either a hot-tub and/ or an elevator. The Guest will assume all responsibility for their party for the risk of using the hot tub or elevator and agrees to waive any claim whatsoever against 1st Choice Properties for accidents or claims arising from their use. Children should not be permitted to use either without adult supervision. Hot-tubs are winterized after a period of inactivity in the rental unit. Please contact your agent to verify availability of such amenities. Hot-tubs are all treated and cleaned once per week and elevators are serviced annually.

Agency Relationship / Noise Ordinance

1st Choice Properties, LLC has an agency relationship with owners of properties in our rental program. The agent has been hired and paid by Owners for services rendered. In all negotiations regarding these properties the Agent will be representing the best interest of the Owner. We are required by law to inform you in writing there is a “Noise Control Ordinance” in effect. It makes it unlawful to cause or permit noise levels which exceed those established by the Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene of the State of DE or MD. Upon notification that these noise levels have been exceeded as a result of activity on premises, guest shall vacate the premises, and no refunds shall be given.

Rental Properties

Each property is privately owned and reflects the taste of each individual owner. 1st Choice Properties, LLC makes every reasonable effort to match the needs and wishes of each guest with the available accommodation. If you have a specific need, please advise us prior to making your reservations as we will be unable to make substitutions or refunds upon arrival. Rates are based on weekly occupancy and are set by each property owner.

Rental Information

1st Choice Properties, LLC is not responsible for printing errors. This rental policy information serves as a guide only. Rates, policies and rules are subject to change without notice. Please call for specific information.