Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
about
BBL's Cottage Rental

Cottage Life Magazine's Recommended Standard Questions

Is Black's Bay Lodge right for me ?

Traveling  to & From Black's Bay Lodge

Cottage Facilities

Safety_at_the_Cottage

Water, Waterfront, Beach

Town of Providence Bay & Surrounding Area

Activities Available at Black's Bay

BBay's Policy for Pets, Multi-Family, Extended Family, or Group Rentals

Rental Contracts, Rates, Costs, Restrictions

Example on Calculating Your Rental Fee

Cottage Life's Recommended Standard Questions

The following standard questions were extracted from page 71 of Cottage Life magazine, March 2005.  These questions are recommended to be asked before renting any cottage, so as to avoid disappointment.  BBay's answers to each of these questions is provided.

The kitchen is fully equipped with a service for approx. 12, plus all pots, pans, bowels, etc.  We don't have the fancy equipment (ie. no blender, soufle pan, etc.).  There is a microwave, toaster, bread machine, propane barbeque (outdoors beside deck).

There is no TV, but there is a AM/FM/shortwave radio, and a CD player boom box.  There are numerous books, board games, Scrabble, cards, chess, etc.

Pictures of cottage bedrooms

In 2010, we installed a reverse osmosis purification system with triple filters and an UV sterilization light to guarantee potable water.  This produces soft (low hardness) water at a special tap in the kitchen.  We use the water for use in double boilers when we make homemade yogurt, and for rinsing glassware so as to avoid hardwater spotting.

Based on the above, I believe it is potable water.

There is a cell phone high gain antenna on the roof of the cottage with the connection cable in the kitchen.  If you have the patch cable, you can connect your cell phone to the antenna cable in the kitchen for excellent reception.  Otherwise, there are 2 pay phones in town (2 km. away).

Animals susceptible to fleas must be treated for fleas (ie. flea collar, spray, pill, etc.) at least 2 weeks before they arrive, and be flea-free on arrival.  There is a significant flea population in all wooded areas from wild animals, so your flea treatment must continue during your rental period; especially if the animal goes into or woods, or walks along road or paths.

Those pets susceptible to rabies must be vaccinated at least 1 week before they arrive, and must have been vaccinated within 18 months before the end of your rental period.  This ensures they have built-up antibodies from vaccination before they arrive & during their stay.

Dogs and cats are acceptable inside the cottage, provided they are house broken, do not damage the cottage or contents (ie. chewing,  scratching, spraying, etc.), and you clean up after them (shedding, paw prints, etc.).  If there is damage (eg. chew, flea infestation, odours, etc.), you will be paying to correct the situation.

Other pets will be considered (please contact me and discuss in advance).

Dogs that are on the wild side (ie. they chase squirrels, chipmunks, porcupine, skunks, or deer; won't come when called, bite, etc.) should not be allowed to run free.  It is against the law to harass the wildlife, and the wild animals may bite back if cornered or sufficiently harassed. Owner or guardian is solely responsible for pet's actions.

Pet waste in & around the cottage, on the road or paths, etc. needs to be cleaned up.  In the woods, it can stay where it falls, composting over time. 

We are 0.5 km from nearest neighbour, but continuous barking travels a long way in the quiet woods.  Consider thy neighbour.

We have hosted weddings and receptions with 25 people sleeping over and 50 partying for wedding reception.  Property is big enough for party your 200 closest friends, but we would have to have some very special arrangements before we would agree to this.

Rental rates are based on a family of up to five persons (children under 5 are free).  Extra people are charged extra (above the minimum rental fee).

There is a very comprehensive operating manual, posted on this web site, with a copy in the cottage (colour photos and full descriptions).  The manual is fully indexed by keywords so that it is very easy to find whatever you are looking for.

Is Black's Bay Lodge right for me?

While we are just 2 km. from the town of Providence Bay, we are a remote, self-reliant cottage in a 113 acre forest.

By self-reliant, I mean:

• The cottage is "Off the Grid". We generate our own electricity and pump our own water.  There is a radio for news, weather, music, etc. We haul in our own fuel supply via propane tanks, and cut our own firewood from our forest.  Nobody delivers fuel  to us through a pipe, nor electricity over miles of poles & wires to the switch on our wall.  We do this for ourselves. Also, there is no handyman on site to run everything for you.  The owner lives 6 hrs. away by car.  You are expected to be self-reliant.

• To help you achieve self-reliance,
• There is an Operating Manual & Renter's Guide in the cottage.  Most people are able to get along fine without referencing this manual.  It describes most systems, how they work, troubleshooting, operation, etc..  You can see the index to the manual on this website.  If you wish, you can look at the entire manual to know exactly what is expected & how things work.
   
• There is a mini-manual, 15 pages in total, one page for each of the major systems.  This is enough for most people.
  
  
• The owner, designer, builder, & technical expert of BBay will be available 24 hrs. per day by phone for any questions or concerns you may have (live, immediate response; or leave a message & I will call you back).

By remote, I mean you will be the only people in a 113 acre forest.  This property is part of a 5,000 acre forest on the South Shore of Manitoulin.  There is no connection to the outside world except the road through the forest. The nearest neighbours are 1 km. away.  If you want to be with other people, you will have to go to town, or go visit the neighbours (very friendly people). Remember, there are more white tail deer on Manitoulin Island than people.  Except for the few towns & villages, Manitoulin is not urban, it's countryside as it was 100 years ago. 

Especially if the stay is short, this is not my idea of curling up with a good book.

There is a 15 page short manual, one page for each system (ie. solar/wind power, electrical generator, water supply, stove, fridge, propane supply, hot water tank, cottage electrical panels, well pump, etc.) just in case you need it.  This should be enough for most people, especially if everything is set up before you arrive.

The big manual (all 150 pages) has everything I know about the cottage & all of its systems, in case I get hit by a truck. The big manual is fully indexed so you can find anything in 30 seconds or less.  If you don't want to read it, that's OK with me.  You probably don't need to do so.  However, it's probably a comfort knowing it's there if you need it.

A copy of both the mini- and full manual are in the cottage just in case.  Also, I'm available by phone 24 hrs a day if you prefer that method of solving any problems. Most people do quite fine without either of these solutions.

The commercial fishing boat goes by 2 to 3 times per week on the lake, about 1 mile out, has a loud engine, and can be faintly heard from the cottage deck, but not inside the cottage. The occasional Seadoo goes by in mid-summer, about 1 or 2 times per week. There are other boats that can be seen about 1 to 5 miles away on the horizon, but not heard.

You have over 0.5 km of private beach on BBay's property. The neighbour's beaches are similarly deserted 99.9% of the time. I see someone on the beach (or foot prints from other times) 1 to 3 times per year.

There are many nature trails to enjoy on our property as well as the ~5000 acres of private lands in the area.

Neighbours do hunt, but it doesn't sound like a "war zone". However deer hunting season (3rd week in November) does have significant amounts of gunfire that can be heard when you are outside the cottage (you're not able to hear it inside the cottage). At worst case during other times of the year, you may hear a .22 or shotgun go off once per week, if at all.

There are many nature trails to enjoy on our property as well as the ~5000 acres of private lands in the area.

For 51 weeks of the year, you can walk in the woods everywhere with relative safety.

I would not suggest walking in the woods during deer hunting season for rifles (3rd week in November).  If you insist on walking in woods during this week, I would strongly recommend a hunting orange vest and hat for each person to virtually eliminate the added risk.

Wolves and bears are generally not a problem for adults. Small children need to be within arms length of adults at all times while they're in the woods, or off the deck of the cottage; regardless of the wild animals. This is mainly precaution of them wandering off, and getting lost in the woods (more likely), as well as protection from the wild animals (unlikely).

Instructions for bear proofing yourselves are in the full manual.

Traveling to & From Manitoulin

It's a 3.5 hr drive from Toronto.  For the scenic route, take Hwy 401, 410, 10, 24, 89, and finally Hwy. 6.  As you have breakfast, lunch, or supper on the ferry, you continue to travel to your destination.  After the 1.75 hr crossing, it's 30 a minute drive through Manitoulin countryside to reach Black's Bay Lodge in Providence Bay.

For the "fast" route, go North on Hwy. 400, then cut West along  Hwy 89 to Aliston, then up Hwy 6 to Tobermory

Take the Chi-Chemaun ferry to Manitoulin Island.  See maps on website for trip on Island side.

It takes between 3 to 4 hrs. to get from TO to Tobermory (non-rush hr. traffic)

Cottage Facilities

Bedroom # 4  8' x 18'   Has bunk bed with 5" foam mattress that will sleep 2+2=4 adults comfortably.  Room has window looking out over woods.

 

Bedroom # 5   8' x 14'   Has dresser drawers and access to attic loft.  One double bed is currently set up in this bedroom.  Room has window looking out over 2nd. floor deck.
 

Living room has pull-out couch that will sleep 2 adults (in  semi comfort ?).  Has 2 large picture windows (4' x 16') looking out to waterfront.





Travel Trailer:    14' x 7' trailer has 2 bunks which sleeps 2+2= 4 adults on 3" foam mattresses, has icebox, propane stove, dining table (converts to one bed), propane light, electricity from camp generator, located 100 ft. from main cottage, 14' x 14' deck with swing seats, private location surrounded by trees.


Total Maximum sleeping capacity:  8 adults in beds.

1. There is an indoor full size tub, and shower in the main bathroom with a propane fired 50 US gallon hot water heater for piping hot water.  You can run the generator (to run the well water pump), or use the small DC water pump.
   
   
2. There is one of the world's biggest bathtubs available at BBay (Lake Huron).  We suggest using Ivory bar soap; as it always floats and you don't lose it.  In addition, it is very environmentally friendly compared to soaps with oils included (ie. Ponds, Dove, etc.)
   
   
3. There is an outdoor shower with solar water heater.  For those who are impatient (or need a shower on a cloudy & cold day), there is an auxiliary electric water heater (requires generator).  See BBay's Auxiliary Cottage Facilities for more info and pictures.
   

There is a microwave oven, bread making machine, toaster oven (as well as for the gas stove), full set of pots, pans, cooking, & eating dishes, glasses, utensils, etc.

The Operating Manual has a full listing of what's in the cottage, and what you should bring with you.

The cottage is nestled in a bank of trees, so even this is dark during a full moon; similar to having a nightlight on in your bedroom.

Mornings get bright when the sun comes up around 7:30 AM in late October. If you want blackout curtains, feel free to bring your own. Currently, none of BBay's windows have any window coverings whatsoever.

 I would likely use the lights of an evening.

What's the difference between the generator and the solar or wind generator?
 

This system supplies approximately 3100 watt-hrs. of power each day; sufficient for most people so they never have to run the generator.

Most people use a maximum instantaneous power draw rate of 200 watts in the average day.  The wind/solar system has a continuous power capacity of 1500 watts, and can supply up to 2000 watts for 10 minutes.  Therefore, most people only use 13% of the system's maximum power rate capacity.

Most renters use a total of 1700 watt-hrs of solar-wind electricity per day. This represents 55% of the total power generated by the system on a typical day.

If it's cloudy and no wind, you will generate less power.  This is when the batteries will supply sufficient power.  At 1700 watt-hrs used per day, and assuming no wind and no sun whatsoever, there is 3.5 days of power available by taking the batteries from 100% full charge to 50% full.

During normal days of wind and/or sun, and normal rates of power usage by the renters, you can go forever without running the generator.  Even though the solar/wind power is more than adequate for most people, you are expected to use the solar/wind power reasonably (consume no more than what you generate (so there is battery power for the next renters after you leave).  It can take up to 6 days to recharge the batteries if you run them down completely).

If you do run the generator, it's inside its own building, but can be heard as a soft noise (about 60 dBA) inside the cottage even with the windows closed. It never bothered me before we got the wind/solar power system, but I notice the generator running now when I'm working & need the generator for my power tools.

Safety at the Cottage

The risks can be managed.  Just like in the city, you will have to watch small children like a hawk.  This is what we did with our own children when they were little.

The cottage has not been "child-proofed".  There are no child gates on the various stairs. There are no child locks on the cupboards, etc.

Our Operating Manual covers the major risks and our suggestions to avoid or protect.  Once your application has been approved, I will send you a copy of the Operating Manual to review with everyone.  Kids have a fantastic time with the freedom, the outdoors, and all the neat things to do.  However, the cottage has all the risks that a city home has, plus the risks of rural living, plus the risks associated with a forest in Northern Canada.

I first brought my two children to Manitoulin Island when they were 4 weeks old. They are now 19 and 16 yrs old; having survived many summers on Manitoulin.

The waterfront is very shallow close to shore and slopes out to deeper water very, very slowly.  At the Point (way out at the tip of Black's Bay), the water is approximately 1.5 ft deep at the shore.  This is where I usually go swimming.  Also, Lake Huron is a BIG lake. Boats, canoes, kayaks, dinghies, inner tubes, etc. should only be used with life preservers and close supervision by adults able to rescue. Hypothermia is an issue, even in the hottest part of summer.

Lake, Waterfront, Beach

Town of Providence Bay & Surrounding Area

Activities Available at Black's Bay

• Rock collections.  This area has a collection of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks of all shapes & sizes.  Did you know that gold freezes out in igneous rock right next to quartz (the bright white or clear crystalline rock)
  
  
• Fossils.  The sedimentary flat rock at the beach is dolomite formed on the bottom of a vast ocean millions of years ago.  There are millions of fossils in this rock; plants, animals, insects, fish, etc.  Looking for 5 minutes is bound to find a fossil.  Look longer, and you will find some important discoveries.
  
  
• Nature Trail  The property has numerous trails, meadows, swamps, forests, and grasslands.  There is a different ecosystem in each.  Look for the birds, insects, mammals, flowers, garter snakes, frogs, fungus (mushrooms), trees, and bushes in each of these areas.  There are numerous guide books in the cottage.  Take a very slow walk in the woods.  Stop occasionally, then stand very still for 5 minutes (laying down on the ground is even better).  After 5 minutes as a statue, the woods will resume normal activity, and you will experience it first hand.  Some things you will only hear; others are completely noise free but you can see what's going on.  Every trip will be different.
  
  
• Stars & Planets   Manitoulin Island is recognized as one of the darkest skies in Ontario, almost as good as Algonquin Park.  There are star charts in the cottage.  Wait 20 minutes to get your night vision & find your stars by bare eye observations, or with one of the 3 pairs of binoculars.
  
  
• Satellite Watching   If you lay flat on your back, look straight up, and stare; watching for something moving, you will see a satellite traveling across the sky about every 30 minutes.  You don't need binoculars; in fact, I've never been able to find a satellite with binoculars, even after I spotted one with my bare eyes..  They are very small (ie. a grain of sand at 1 ft. from your eye), sparkle slightly from the sun reflecting off of them, usually traveling from North-east to South-west (they really go due South, but the earth's simultaneously rotation makes it look different).  No where else will you be able to see a real satellite in flight.
  
  
• Deer Watching   The deer move first thing in the morning (approx. 30 minutes after sunrise for about an hour), and last thing at night (1 hr. before sundown).  To increase your odds of seeing a deer, place a cup of corn/oats mixture (there is a full bin in the Mud Room) on the ground for aa day or two, watching who shows up.  If only the corn is eaten, it was a rabbit or a bird.  Only the deer (and bears) eat both the corn and the oats.  Only a cup at a time isn't worth while for a bear, but the deer will certainly participate once they find it.  It takes 12 to 24 hrs. for the smell of the corn/oats to travel sufficiently for the deer to reliably find it.  Bring your camp stools and your camera.  Sitting in the car keeps the noise and human odor to a minimum, increasing your chances.
  
  
• Art Contest   Crayons, pencils, watercolours, or oils; it's all the same.  Do one of the local scenes, or use your imagination.
  
  
• Bonfire & Weenie Roast   Sharpen a stick and stick your favorite sausage in the fire to a golden brown.  Serve with flaming marshmallows.  There is a shaking pan for making popcorn over the open fire
  
  
• Fire Building Skills   Give everyone 15 minutes to find their own tinder (no man-made materials allowed) and 3 matches.  Who can get the first fire to burn?  Who can get the cup of water to boil first?
  
  
• Card & Board Games  For the Phase 10 card game, luck, skill, pattern recognition, memory, and probability calculations (combinations and permutations) all help win this game.  There are many other board games (Scrabble, Monopoly, Uno, etc.) available as well.
  
  
• Waterfront   The shallow, warm water in the bay is the home of newly born fish.  They are very small and well camouflaged to protect them from being eaten by the birds and bigger fish.  If you use a net or stay very still by the water (they are scared by the slightest vibration in the ground or moving shadows over the water) you will be able to watch them.  There are also thousand of crayfish in the bay.  Families of raccoons come down ever night to catch the crayfish by moon or starlight.  You can catch them too.  Build a rock cairn to mark your stay.
  
  
• Woodcrafts   There are numerous wood tools in the work room.  There are many branches, cut trees, birch bark, and other raw materials.  Feel free to make yourself something.  Take a rock and all kinds of different seeds, pine cones, dried flowers, etc. arrange them to look like something familiar (ie. an animal), then glue them on the rock as a decoration & souvenir of your vacation at Black's Bay (much better than a plastic souvenir made in China).
  
  
• Water Sports   Swimming, swimming races, longest holding of the breath under water contests, snorkeling, throw a rock & dive for it, water skiing (requires boat or powerful swimmer pulling you),
  
  
• Canoeing   There is a 16 ft. plastic walled canoe (Kawartha brand), adequate for 750 lbs. of people & gear, but weighs only 69 lbs. (my wife can lift it by herself).  It comes complete with 2 paddles, safety equipment, & buoyancy vests.
  
  

  Length: 15'6" Width: 35" Weight: 65 lb. Capacity 750 lb

  The Kawartha is the perfect family canoe. At home on the lakes or in the rivers, this versatile canoe can take all the abuse you can dish out. The hull is constructed with a three layer linear polyethylene sandwich. This creates an exceptionally stiff canoe with reasonable weight. Our standard trim includes 2 webbed wood seats (ash), a carry yoke (poplar), a thwart (ash), and 4 carry handles (2 plastic tube & rope, 2 wood) .

  
  

• Sunsets   On a clear evening, start 1 hr. before sunset, walking along the beach to the West.  Wear a good pair of boots with ankle support & bring 2 or more flashlights (in case 1 fails or is dropped).  Bring a camera.  When you reach the point between Black's Bay and Dean's Bay, sit down on the rocks and admire the sunset.  You can return by continuing to walk West and then join the Concession Road (check it out from the road side first so you don't get lost in the woods at night), or walk back along the beach by starlight &/or moonlight (it's amazing how much you can see after you get your night vision), or use your flashlights.
  
  An even better sunset trip is to drive out to the lighthouse at Meldrum Bay (far West end of Manitoulin Island), a 100 km. drive each way.  Be sure to start out at least 2 hrs. before sunset (I recommend 3 hrs minimum, or leaving after lunch is optimum) so you have time to explore the town, the lighthouse, the quarry, etc., topped off by the sunset at the end of the day.  Take a picnic lunch, binoculars, camera, coats (it gets cool at sundown with the wind off the water), & sturdy shoes/boots.
  

You are not stranded in the woods.

In the cottage, there are a number of board games for the kids, playing cards, kids activity books, and a reasonable library.  After the rain is over, get on your boots and go see the stream on the East part of the bay.  The water flows through the woods can be very interesting.

Rental Contracts, Rates, Costs, Restrictions

Are there any special rules about pets?

Our insurance policy does not cover any damages done by people who rent the cottage.  Therefore we have established a policy of only renting to "responsible" adults (ie. people who meet our risk management requirements). Families or mature adults are readily welcome.

For our protection , you will be asked to complete a rental application form, sign a waiver and indemnification agreement, and pay a damage deposit (usually 50% of the rental fee).  If you damage or destroy something, you will be expected to pay to put it right.  So far, everyone has treated our place with great respect, and there has been no monies forfeited by any renters to pay for damages.

After your rental period, the place will be inspected.  If there is no damage, you will be refunded your damage deposit promptly thereafter.

If we know exactly when you will be arriving, BBay's staff will have the place ready for you.  The unit will have been checked & confirmed clean by the previous renters, or they will make it right.  The water tank in the attic will be filled & chlorinated, ready to go.  The stove pilot lights will be lit, the fridge will be on and cold when you arrive, and the hot water heater will be on & full of hot water ready for your first shower.

Beyond that, you are expected to be self-reliant.  To help you in this, there is a hard copy of the manual in a 3-ring binder inside the cottage, awaiting your arrival. The Table of Contents for the Operating Manual is available on the BBay Website.  There is also a short 15 page version that is adequate for most people.

While you are at BBay during your rental period, I will be available by phone ( 24 hrs. a day) for any emergencies you may have.

There is a "handyman" in town (15 km from BBay) who is somewhat familiar with BBay's facilities.  You can contact him and arrange for any additional assistance you think you may require (at your own cost).

Before you arrive, we will sent you an electronic version of the BBay Operating Manual.  It is very comprehensive (with over 50 colour photos showing what is being described in the text) so that most capable people can flourish on their own.  There is a Table of Contents and a detailed index in the back so you can quickly look up any question or problem and find what page in the manual it is discussed.

We accept US or CDN funds via cheque, money order, credit card payment on the Internet through PayPal (a subsidiary of E-Bay), or direct deposit to our bank account.  For cheques, you must allow 2 weeks to clear for a CDN cheque, 3 wks. for a US cheque, and 1 month for an International cheque.

If payment must be made faster, we can provide banking information so that you can direct deposit or wire the funds to our bank account.

Pricing is set up to cover the cost of our time to do applications, cleanup & security check after the guests leave, property taxes, wear & tear, insurance for renters, capital cost & depreciation to build the place, residual risk, and fair market value.

I agree there are sites much cheaper, but they are not waterfront property, and/or have neighbours (often rowdy ones) less than 10 ft. away from you.

At BBay, the nearest neighbour is 0.5 km away, and are not often there, so it's really 2 km. from the nearest neighbours in town. We therefore feel our off-season rates are more than reasonable.

We would be disappointed to lose you over a few dollars difference. We believe the feeling of peace and rested tranquility you will feel after your stay is priceless.

The pricing is set so that 3.5 days of daily rental is the same as 1 week of rental. If you are planning on more than 3 days, it's cheaper by the week. The choice is yours.

Follow the link for how rental rates are calculated

Calculate how our rates compare to a motel room with 2 double beds.  Instead of a 12' x 14' room, you get an entire house for less money.  You have 113 acres of forested privacy instead of a 4' x 8' balcony or patio.

• Cleaning up any extra-ordinary messes, or "family projects"
• Putting everything back in its standard storage location
  
• Doing all the dishes, drying, & putting them back in the cupboards
• Wiping out the kitchen sinks, sink strainers, and the dish pans
  
• Wiping down all the kitchen counters, appliances, dining room table, and top surface of the wood stove
• Straightening up the coffee table and the books in the living room
  
• Emptying out the fridge, defrosting it, and wiping out the inside
• Sweeping or vacuuming the floors (whichever you prefer, not necessary to do both)
• Collecting the garbage & recyclables & putting them out at the road (beside the gas barbeque)
• Ensure the fuel (propane & gasoline) and electrical system are safe before you leave.
• Cleaning the bathroom sink, tub, shower, and toilet
• Locking up the cottage, all out buildings, and the chains at the security gate

BBay Staff will also do some minor duties to ensure everything is in good condition for the next family (ie. remove the garbage and Blue Box contents, wash the windows once per month, clean the oven, rotate the central toilet composting drum, etc.).  If there is anything missing, damaged, or excessive cleaning required to get ready for the next renters, BBay Staff will document it, try to remedy the situation, and report back to us on the situation.  We will then discuss the situation with you, and determine the most appropriate adjustment to the damage deposit under the circumstances.

If you wish to pay an extra $100, I will arrange for a housekeeper to come prepared after you leave to do all the cleaning for you during the 3 hr. window between renters (11:00 AM till 2:00 PM).

While there are many interpretations of what "suitably clean" means, I think the Golden Rule goes a long way.  Hopefully the "cleaning perfectionist" rents prior to the rustic "good enough" cleaner comes to rent; not visa versa.

My wife, in spite of years of my smiling & shaking of my head in disbelief, will always clean the house in preparation for the arrival of our cleaning lady.  She also washes the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.  Why?   I'll never understand, excepts she doesn't feel right doing otherwise.

• A renter does something to themselves (e.g.. swan dives into 2 ft. deep water & becomes paraplegic), but wants to blame everybody else, especially us, for their problem, & sues everybody in sight.  As an example, there was a recent case where a homeowner was sued, losing his house & everything they owned (in spite of their house insurance) when a neighbour climbed up onto the roof of their garage to jump into their pool (breaking his neck in the process).  The owners & everybody else present (including the victim's wife) repeatedly told him not to do it & come down via the ladder he had taken out of their garage without permission.  In our case, we face losing our cottage, our life savings, our home, our car, etc. (with or without insurance) because of what somebody else does to themselves.
  
  
• A renter destroys our cottage (e.g.. smoking in bed, burns down cottage & starts forest fire).  We lose what has taken 25 years of hard work & financial sacrifice to build.  Who was responsible and did the right thing when they explained the risk of fire & prohibiting smoking in the cottage, especially smoking in bed?  Who was irresponsible & should be held accountable?  

Either way, we lose big time.

Whether or not you sign a waiver, the risks exist.  We have tried to be honest, upfront, and depend on informed consent.  What have the other people who rent their cottage done?  With others, each side assumes (or hides) the fact that they believe the other party will be fully responsible if something happens.  If something happens, these conflicting assumptions then take many lawyers & millions of dollars in fees to settle.  Everybody loses except the lawyers.  Our way, we minimize losses, and cut out the lawyers from being the only winners.

If someone borrows a neighbours lawnmower, but hits a rock while cutting their lawn and breaks the mower, should the neighbour receive their lawnmower back in a broken condition?  Is it right to expect the person who borrowed the mower to repair or replace the mower so it is as good as before it was borrowed?

The waiver tries to explain the risks so you can make a responsible decision.  We have tried to do what is right and reasonable, but you have to take BBay as it is.  This is reality.  Our web site is designed with  the goal of full disclosure in mind, so you have no surprises.  We expect a person to be careful & responsible for themselves.  If this is too great a burden, then they should find something else more to their liking.  If what we have to offer seems too risky to you, or you're not prepared to be responsible for yourself & your actions, we'll understand your decision to go elsewhere.  After all, our policy is to only rent to responsible adults.

In our opinion, you carry unknown risks and unknown expectations with other places who don't disclose all.  Also, most of those people who rent their cottage are in the neighborhood & can watch over their place, or have a decade of experience renting to the same friends & family.  We are located 6 hrs. travel from our place, and only in our 2nd year of renting.  We can't watch over each day of the rental.  We have to carefully screen who rents, then trust.