The Portly Whale
House Rules and FAQ's
We would be delighted to host you at The Portly Whale in North Topsail beach, North Carolina! Please take the time to review the following frequently asked questions and house rules before booking. A copy of these rules is also located inside The Portly Whale.
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We offer Saturday to Saturday, 7 night weekly rentals (you must check-in and out on a Saturday) from April - October.
There is a 3 night minimum November - March.
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Check-In & Check-Out
Check-in is at 4:00pm
Check-out is at 10:00am
Our cleaning crew thanks you for your timeliness, as do the guests checking in after your departure. Please remove all trash, food and drink from the house. Please remove all beach chairs and toys from the decks and boardwalk. Please make sure all dishes are clean and put away, or are being cleaned (dishwasher) upon departure. We understand life happens - please notify us or the property manager if anything is accidentally broken during your stay - we need to know if we need to replace or repair anything for the next guest. Thank you!
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A signed rental agreement (outlines rules in detail) and valid ID are required for all reservations.
This is a non-smoking, non-vaping property.
A single guest pet is permitted with limitations (see below).
Events are not permitted on the property.
Parking is provided for a maximum of five (5) vehicles. No additional parking is available - street parking is strictly prohibited by the Town of North Topsail Beach.
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Our property manager stocks the home with a starter supply of essentials, including paper products, trash bags and coffee items intended to get you thru a day or two. These amenities are not supplied for your entire stay.
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Our Cancellation Policy overrides the limited option provided by VRBO, and is in accordance with NCVRA 42A-36, and Article 36A of Chapter 14 or Article 1 of Chapter 166A of the General Statutes of North Carolina, and is included on our rental agreement.
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Should Guest have to cancel for any reason, the Guest must notify the Owner or Property Manager immediately in writing via email. Guest acknowledges that cancellation by the Guest does not relieve the Guest from the specific terms of the Agreement. However, the Owner will make every effort to re-rent the Property for the specified period. If the Property is re-rented for the specified period, advanced rent payments will be refunded to the Guest less any discounts/expenses required to re-rent and less the Travel Insurance Premium.
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Property Address
339 Goldsboro Lane
North Topsail Beach, NC 28460
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Access
Keyless entry code will be provided upon day of check-in shortly before 4:00pm. Please make sure your contact information is current with your booking platform.
Wi-Fi
Provided upon check-in.
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Walk-Thru Upon Arrival
We respectfully request that you take some time to do a walk-thru of the entire home upon arrival. We want you to be happy! Please let us know when you’ve completed your walk-thru, so that we know you’ve arrived safely, and also so that you can let us know if anything seems out of order or in need of attention. We understand you may not be able to catch potential concerns immediately upon arrival, but if there is something amiss, it is extremely helpful if you let us know about it as soon as possible. We ask that you contact us via the platform you used to book the reservation. If you are unable to access your booking platform, please call or text Property Manager Betsy Powell or owners directly at:
Betsy
Barbara 602-708-8034
Richard 512-320-8844
We do have one exterior camera facing the beach walkover with no audio. This camera is intended for weather advisory concerns only, and is not monitored on a regular basis, but is monitored during inclement weather.
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Parking
Maximum of 5 passenger cars permitted: there 1 spot in the garage and 4 spots on the driveway. Street parking is strictly prohibited by the Town of North Topsail Beach. Towing is enforced.
No Smoking or Vaping
No smoking or vaping inside the home or on the decks. Guests are responsible for the safe disposal of any smoking or vaping items in a suitable trash receptacle (i.e., NOT on the ground).
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Maximum 12 Guests / No Parties
This is a family-friendly home in a family/residential community, and not suitable for large gatherings or parties. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate more than 12 people (regardless of age).
Pets
One pet allowed per reservation.
$30/per night, non-refundable pet fee.
Your your pet must be crated when no adults are home with the pet.
Under no circumstances are pets to be left unattended (adult supervision required).
Under no circumstances are pets and/or crates to be left in the garage from April through October.
Pets must be leashed at all times when outside. We have lovely neighbors who do not rent their home, and we must respect their privacy.
Please refer to municipal rules and regulations regarding beach access for pets. North Topsail Beach Rules
Air Conditioning/Heating
We love the sound of the ocean, too! But… the air handlers will become overworked and stop working altogether if doors and/or windows are left open while the HVAC system is in use. Please (please) take care to close all of the doors and windows when the air handlers are in use.
Septic
Please do not flush/dispose of any paper products other than toilet paper (NO WIPES or feminine products) in the commodes. Please do not pour grease/oil in the toilets or any of the sink/shower drains. Our very sensitive septic system thanks you.
Sand & Sun Lotion/Creme
There is an outdoor shower on the ground level at the bottom of the stairs. Kindly rinse the sand and lotion off in the outdoor shower before sitting on the furniture. There is a foot bath (blue or gray plastic bin) next to the hose at the bottom of the stairs outside - it works well to fill it with a couple of inches of fresh water as often as you like to rinse your shoes/feet before entering the house. Please do not apply aerosol (spray) sunscreen inside the house, or sit on indoor furniture with fresh applications, as it can cause damage to flooring and other surfaces. We do provide water-resistant covers for the sectional sofa.
Laundry
Please remove shells and rocks, and other items from pockets and shake the sand out of laundry items (outside) before using the washing machine to avoid malfunction. Please leave the washing machine door raised when not in use to avoid mildew.
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Beach Toys/Chairs Storage
Leaving items on the boardwalk leading to the beach is not suggested - do so at your own risk. DO not leave anything on the beach overnight. Feel free to store your beach items in the garage; however, please rinse off the sand using the outdoor shower or with the hose under the stairs before placing items in the garage. We do not guarantee or warrant the condition or availability of any beach items. Many guests kindly leave beach items behind. We do our best to repair or remove items in disrepair at the beginning and end of each season. However, we gratefully rely on the courtesy of our guests to dispose of their own items that are in disrepair or may pose a danger to future guests.
Elevator
The elevator is intended for bulky item transport and for those with mobility concerns. Please monitor children carefully. Operating instructions are located inside the elevator. 2nd level access to the elevator is located in the bunk bedroom. Because this room is likely where children will sleep, we have added the following safety measure: calling the elevator from the 2nd level requires a code that will be provided upon check-in. Please do not share this code with anyone under the age of 14.
Grill
Fire code dictates there are to be no grills on any decks, near siding and/ or under the home. For safety reasons, we do not provide a grill, charcoal or propane. Guests may rent grills and/or propane so long as they do not allow any grill (charcoal or propane) within 10 feet of the home/structure. Everything Beach and Sweet Dreams offer grill rentals (and other beach and household items) with delivery and pick-up. Guest is responsible for clean up of ALL grill debris, residue, ash, etc. DO NOT (under any circumstances) place ash or grill debris in trash or recycle bins without FIRST ensuring it is completely cooled, and bagging and enclosing it securely. Guest assumes any and all risk and liability associated with the use of any grill on the property.
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Trash/Recycle
Wednesdays (and Saturdays in summer months)
Please place the bins at the end of the driveway by 7:00 a.m.; please return empty bins under the deck, next to the garage.
As a Courtesy
Accidents happen. We get it, and we really want you to enjoy your stay. But please consider future guests regarding the care of the furnishings and the home itself (unattended children, elevator use, food and drink consumption outside of the kitchen/dining areas, luggage, sand, wet towels, etc.). We are very happy to partner with on of Topsail Island's premier property managers in the offering of our home to guests, since we are remote and cannot be here to assist you. Contact information will be provided upon booking.