Booking Terms & Vacation Rental Agreement

1. Parties, property and reservation details

Operator and contact: Core Creek Inn, managed by PMC Real Estate Services LLC, 263 Core Creek Road, Beaufort, NC 28516. Booking email: book@corecreekinn.com. Guest-service phone: (424) 252-2403.

Guest: the adult making and accepting the reservation is responsible for all members of the traveling party, permitted visitors and compliance with this agreement, to the extent allowed by law. Each booking confirmation identifies the contracting landlord or authorized rental agent, the lead guest, the rented unit (Farmhouse or Bungalow), the property address, arrival and departure dates, check-in and check-out times, maximum permitted occupancy, authorized parking, and itemized charges. The booking confirmation is incorporated into this agreement.

Scope: this agreement is intended for a leisure or vacation rental of fewer than 90 days by a person with a permanent residence elsewhere, when Chapter 42A applies. Employment-related, principal-residence and stays of 90 days or longer may be governed by different North Carolina laws and require a separate agreement.

2. Price, taxes, fees and booking acceptance

You see the complete itemized price before paying: lodging rent, any disclosed cleaning fee, any other lawful and expressly stated fee, applicable sales and occupancy taxes, discounts, total due, the amount charged today, and payment due dates. No undisclosed mandatory fee will be imposed after checkout. Cleaning fees cover ordinary turnover cleaning and are reasonably calculated and disclosed.

A reservation is confirmed only after we send a written confirmation and the required payment is successfully processed. Before payment you must receive this agreement and affirmatively agree to it, and a copy is emailed or made downloadable.

You must be at least 21 years of age to book unless applicable law requires otherwise, must supply accurate contact and party information, and must occupy the rental during the stay. We may use proportionate, disclosed fraud-prevention or identity-verification measures, consistent with privacy and nondiscrimination law.

3. Reservation deposit, balance and trust-account handling

For a reservation made more than 14 calendar days before arrival, 50% of the total reservation charges is collected when booked and the balance is due 14 days before arrival. For a reservation made 14 or fewer days before arrival, the full charge is due at booking. Scheduled card charges require proper authorization and advance disclosure. We send a reminder before the balance is due where practical.

If a payment fails or an installment is overdue, we will notify you and give a reasonable opportunity to correct the problem before cancelling where practical. Nonpayment may be treated as a material breach, but any retention of funds is limited by this agreement and applicable law; it is not an automatic forfeiture of a security deposit.

All advance payments required by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42A-15 are deposited within three banking days of receipt into a legally compliant trust account. Advance payments are non-interest-bearing unless a separate written provision identifies the recipient of interest. We will provide an accounting of such funds on reasonable request before occupancy, and will not disburse advance rents, tax collections or security deposits early except as Chapter 42A authorizes.

4. Cancellation and date changes

Cancellation requests must be sent to book@corecreekinn.com or submitted through the booking system. The effective time is when the request is received, measured in local Eastern time at the Beaufort property. The arrival date in the accepted booking confirmation is the reference date.

At least 30 complete calendar days before check-in: refund of 100% of lodging rent paid. 14 through 29 complete calendar days before check-in: refund of 50% of lodging rent. Fewer than 14 complete calendar days before check-in, no-show, or voluntary early departure: no lodging-rent refund under this standard schedule, except as otherwise required by law or an approved exception.

Any taxes attributable to refunded charges, and any cleaning charge for services not performed, are refunded. Other fees may be retained only if separately disclosed, lawful, and actually incurred or earned. Payment-processing fees are not automatically shifted to you.

If cancelled dates are rebooked, we will assess an additional refund or adjustment reasonably reflecting recovered rental revenue and actual cancellation and rebooking expenses, so that we do not collect twice for the same loss. A credit toward a future stay may be offered by mutual written agreement, but is never substituted for a refund you are legally owed.

Requested date changes, unit substitutions or shortened stays are subject to written approval, price differences and availability. Without approval the original dates and cancellation schedule remain in force. We will not retroactively impose a more restrictive cancellation policy.

5. Cancellation by us; unavailable or uninhabitable unit

If the booked property cannot be provided in fit and habitable condition when occupancy is to begin, we will offer a reasonably comparable fit and habitable substitute where available, or refund all payments as required by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42A-17(b), subject to the mandatory-evacuation provisions of § 42A-36. A materially different replacement is optional for you and requires your consent.

We may cancel for verified safety hazards, fraud, material misrepresentation, illegal activity or another lawful reason. Refunds and remedies are determined by applicable law and the facts. We will not use this clause to avoid statutory obligations.

6. Storms, mandatory evacuations and travel disruption

If North Carolina state or local authorities order a mandatory evacuation covering the rental, you must obey the order. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42A-36, an eligible guest who complies is entitled to a prorated refund of rent, taxes and other occupancy-conditioned payments for nights that cannot be occupied because of the order, unless the specific statutory travel-insurance exceptions apply.

Core Creek Inn does not presently offer an evacuation-protection insurance product. You may purchase independent travel insurance.

Ordinary rain, forecasts, traffic, flight delays, illness, a personal change of plans, road congestion and voluntary departure do not automatically change the standard cancellation schedule. If access or essential services fail, we will promptly evaluate habitability, available remedies, safety needs and any nonwaivable legal protections.

7. Military deployment and change-of-station rights

Eligible members of the U.S. Armed Forces and covered spouses may terminate under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42A-37 following qualifying deployment or permanent-change-of-station orders, by written notice within 10 calendar days of receiving the orders, with a copy of official orders or commander verification. Where the statute applies, termination is effective upon receipt and refundable sums are returned within 30 days, apart from the narrow statutory third-party-fee exception. These rights cannot be waived or restricted by this agreement.

8. Damage, extra cleaning and replacement costs

The standard booking requires no cash security or damage deposit. The reservation payment is an advance payment toward the rental, not a damage deposit.

You are responsible, to the extent permitted by law, for the actual and reasonable costs of damage or loss caused by you, your occupants or permitted invitees beyond ordinary wear and tear. Ordinary use, aging, preexisting damage, defective equipment and events outside your control are not chargeable to you.

Please report damage, spills, leaks, breakage and safety problems promptly. Any claim will be itemized, and we will distinguish cleaning covered by the normal cleaning fee from exceptional cleaning caused by unusual conditions. Costs must be reasonable and reflect repair rather than replacement where practicable.

We aim to send an initial damage notice within 14 days after checkout. You may request supporting records and raise a dispute in writing within 10 days of receiving a claim. You will not be assessed automatic flat-rate penalties or charged without a lawful basis. Separate, express stored-payment-method consent is required before charging a card for incidentals after checkout.

9. Occupancy, visitors, pets and events

Only registered guests, up to the occupancy limit shown on the listing and booking confirmation, may stay overnight. Additional visitors must be approved in advance and may not exceed posted fire or occupancy limits. You may not sublet, transfer, use the address for unlawful purposes, or host a party, reception or other event without separate written permission.

Pets are not allowed unless explicitly approved in writing before arrival. This does not exclude service animals or other assistance animals where accommodation is legally required.

No smoking, vaping, illegal drugs, fireworks or open flames inside the accommodations. No tampering with alarms, locks, safety equipment, exterior cameras or internet and security devices.

10. Noise, neighbors, shared property and parking

Core Creek Inn includes distinct accommodations on a shared property, including the Farmhouse and the Bungalow. Other guests or occupants may be nearby and normal shared-property sounds may occur. Outdoor maintenance and authorized contractor activity may occur at reasonable hours, subject to safety and your right to quiet enjoyment and a habitable unit.

Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Eastern time unless a different schedule is disclosed and confirmed. Please control loud music, outdoor gatherings and vehicle noise at all hours. Designated parking is stated for the booked unit; do not block drives, neighbors, access lanes or emergency routes.

11. Check-in, access, use of the home and checkout

Check-in and checkout times, entry instructions, access-code delivery, parking, Wi-Fi and any special safety notes are provided in the booking confirmation or arrival guide. Early arrival and late checkout require written approval and may carry a separately disclosed fee.

Please use appliances, furnishings, plumbing, septic or sewer, HVAC and outdoor equipment as intended. Do not move heavy furniture, disable smoke or CO detectors, overload electrical circuits, flush wipes, or leave cooking equipment unattended. Children must be appropriately supervised. Report urgent maintenance or safety issues promptly; call 911 in an emergency.

At checkout: remove food and trash to the designated bins, wash or load used dishes, leave furniture in place, switch off unnecessary lights, lock the doors, and follow the unit's reasonable linen and towel instructions. The normal cleaning fee covers routine turnover — you do not need to perform professional cleaning.

12. Utilities, amenities, maintenance and access

We will provide and maintain the unit in a fit and habitable condition and keep required common areas and supplied essential facilities in safe order as required by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42A-31. You will maintain reasonable cleanliness, dispose of waste appropriately, avoid deliberate or negligent damage, and give prompt written notice of needed repairs as required by § 42A-32.

We or authorized tradespeople may enter when reasonably necessary for emergency, safety, repairs or required services, with reasonable advance notice where practicable. Outdoor amenities, internet, streaming apps and other nonessential features may occasionally be unavailable; a material reduction affecting essential services will be addressed promptly.

13. Safety, cameras, lost property and privacy

Please follow posted fire, storm and emergency guidance and keep access paths clear. Any operating exterior security cameras, doorbell cameras or noise monitors are disclosed in the unit listing and arrival information, including general location and function. No cameras are used inside private guest living spaces. Data collected is handled under the website's posted privacy policy and applicable law.

Lost items found after checkout are held for a reasonable period, with return shipping and handling at actual cost when requested. Personal property is brought at your risk except where loss is caused by legally actionable conduct on our part. We recommend securing valuables and considering travel insurance.

14. Breach, removal and nondiscrimination

A serious or repeated breach — such as exceeding maximum occupancy, an unauthorized event, threats or violence, illegal activity, dangerous conduct, major property damage, or nonpayment — may lead to warnings, termination of occupancy or other remedies permitted by law. Where Chapter 42A applies, expedited eviction is pursued only on grounds and through procedures that Chapter authorizes. We will not use unlawful lockouts, threats or self-help eviction.

Core Creek Inn will not discriminate or retaliate on grounds prohibited by applicable federal, North Carolina or local law. Nothing in these terms waives your nonwaivable rights to habitable premises, statutory refunds, or lawful process.

15. Property transfer and successor landlord

If ownership of the property changes, the parties' rights, notice requirements, continuation of bookings, refunds and transfer of advance rents are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42A-19. In general a purchaser takes title subject to a vacation rental scheduled to end not later than 180 days after recording of the new owner's interest. Applicable notice and refund rights will be honored.

16. Communications, refunds, disputes and general terms

Notices about booking, cancellation, payment, defects or damage should be in writing to book@corecreekinn.com, unless an emergency justifies a phone call first. Refunds are normally sent back to the original payment method; processing times depend on banks and payment providers, and any legally required deadline controls.

This agreement, the accepted itemized reservation confirmation and any expressly incorporated unit rules form the agreement for the reserved stay. Where there is a conflict, nonwaivable law controls first, then express reservation-specific provisions accepted before payment, then these standard terms. If a clause is unenforceable the remainder continues to the extent lawful. North Carolina law governs, subject to controlling federal law and mandatory consumer protections.

No blanket waiver limits our responsibility for our own negligence, willful misconduct, statutory duties, or rights that cannot lawfully be waived. No incidental charge, interest, collection fee or attorney fee is owed unless separately disclosed and permitted by law.