Maintenance Tips | Deep Creek Lake Maryland Vacation Rentals
Maintenance Issues / FAQ
(301) 387-5832 from 8:30AM-6:00 PM DAILY and Voicemail for after hours calls.
Unfortunately, mechanical failures can and do occur. Please contact our office to report any maintenance issues. We apologize for the inconvenience and will do our best to resolve the situation as promptly as possible. Please call the emergency pager line if you encounter a substantial or property-damaging emergency after hours. Long and Foster responds to emergency after-hours voice mails ONLY if the problem is truly an emergency. If the issue is one that can wait until 8:30 the following morning, leave a message on the office line at 301-387-5832 and the property management department will handle it first thing when the office opens. The person on after hours duty is only permitted to handle true emergencies. Any unnecessary calls after hours will be charged to the customer.
Please DO NOT rearrange any furniture or move any items throughout the home. There is a thorough inspection prior to and just after every stay. You will be responsible for anything rearranged. Please be courteous to Long and Foster and our homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why isn’t the refrigerator cold?
Prior to guest arrival, housekeepers empty and clean all refrigerators. The refrigerator doors are left open for long periods of time during this process. After you stock the refrigerator and freezer with warm food, it will likely take 24-48 hours for the appliance to cool. Keeping drink cans and bottles in a separate cooler will expedite the refrigerator’s temperature recovery process. Please keep refrigerator and freezer thermostats on medium settings. Moving the dials to the coldest setting will cause the appliance to freeze and not cool at all.
What if the air conditioner doesn’t seem to be working?
During the hot summer months, it may take air conditioning units up to 24 hours to cool a home once turned on or adjusted to a cooler setting. Our homes are heated and cooled by one or more heat pumps that function best when thermostats remain at a constant temperature. Do not set the thermostat below 72o; setting it for a lower temperature may cause the HVAC unit to freeze and no longer function. All windows and doors should be closed when using the air conditioner. In very hot weather, the upper floors may not cool down until after sunset. Try closing window shades and blinds for additional relief. WE DO NOT GUARANTEE AIR CONDITIONING.
What if the toilet gets clogged?
Every home is equipped with a plunger. Please try plunging the toilet prior to calling our office for assistance.
Why don’t some of the burners on the stove get hot?
Occasionally, electrical burners are not inserted correctly after being cleaned. With the burner controls set to the “OFF” position, pull out and reinsert the burner coil. This will often correct the problem. If this does not help, please give us a call.
What about smoking?
Smoking is ABSOLUTELY NOT permitted in our vacation rental homes unless specifically stated within the individual home. Please be courteous and smoke outside; distinguish and dispose of cigarette/cigar butts appropriately. Any additional cleaning fees will be charged to the contract holder for any party not willing to abide by this policy. In additional, there will be a minimum fine of $1000.00 added to the reservation.
What is this grey tote on my front porch?
The tote outside your front door is full of linens for the next stay at that home. PLEASE DO NOT open this tote. There is a mandatory fee charged to the reservation holder for the full crate if the linen tote is found open after your departure.
Where do I put my trash?
Every home has a designated area for trash, whether it is a bear proof container on the property or community dumpsters. Please check your property binder (in the home), or on the refrigerator for the exact location. If in question, call us to inquire. Please keep the bear proof trash containers locked, and never set bags of trash outside. If there is excessive trash upon departure there will be a charge to the reservation holder to cover the expense of trash clean up or to carry the excess away. Please be courteous!
What about snowplowing?
Each home has a snowplow vendor assigned specifically to them. Plowing should occur every 4 inches. If there is a major snowstorm with significant accumulation, the drivers will get there as soon as possible. Rest assured that we know you are there and we will make every effort to get you easy access in and out of your vacation rental.
What if the hot tub heat or jets won’t work?
If your home is equipped with a hot tub and you find it is not functioning, it may need to be reset or the water level may be too low.
• For optimal function, maintain water levels indicated by the manufacturer. You will find the indicating mark on the inside edge of the hot tub. When the water level drops below this mark, please refill with the necessary amount of water.
• If your hot tub will not heat to the desired temperature it may have entered a power-saving mode (78o = sleep mode and 92o = economy mode) and require a manual reset of the electronic components. To do this, simply turn off the power by pulling the electrical disconnect located in the black or grey electrical box near the hot tub or by turning off the circuit breaker located in the main electrical panel inside the home. Shutting off the power for about 30 seconds resets the electronic control pad and often resolves the problem.
What if I am staying more than 10 days?
For those vacationing longer than one week, mid-stay cleaning and linen service is available (once per week) upon request. These service are complimentary but must be arranged IN ADVANCE. Please contact our office as soon as possible if you would like to make arrangements.
What if an appliance such as a coffee pot/toaster or electrical outlet isn’t working?
Please check the circuit breaker box and/or ground fault indicator (GFI) receptacle (usually located in a bathroom or kitchen electrical outlet). If flipping the switch and/or pressing the reset button on the outlet does not restore power, please give us a call.
What should I know about the grill?
Please note that keeping the grill clean is the guest’s responsibility. Be considerate and keep the grill clean with the brush provided. Please alert Long & Foster if your home does not have a grill-cleaning brush. Place charcoal ashes in the bucket provided. Empty propane tanks may be exchanged at Long & Foster’s office during business hours. Note: Safety ordinances prohibit grilling on decks or porches. Grill on the ground level at least 10 feet away from the house and vegetation. Please do not move the grill. Guests will be charged to move a grill back to its original location. Grills are a seasonal amenity and are NOT guaranteed.
When are fireplaces available?
Fireplaces are available for use November 1 through April 30. Gas fireplace units are not guaranteed if the property has another source of heat, and does not warrant an emergency.
What if I get locked out of the home?
If you are locked out of your rental home during business hours, you may obtain another key or key less entry code from our office. If the lock out occurs outside of our business hours, please call the emergency pager number for assistance. Guests are responsible for locksmith payments, and/or trip fee of employees.
Why are some of the closets in my vacation home locked?
Some homeowners store personal belongings in locked closets or utility rooms. Attempts by guests to force open these rooms are taken very seriously and will be reported to the police if items are found missing. Please notify Long & Foster immediately if you discover an unlocked closet that appears to contain personal belongings.
Why is the water discolored or smelly?
Because many homes at Deep Creek Lake rely on well water, the water quality varies in these areas. It is advisable to stock bottled water for drinking during your visit. While the water is perfectly safe for consumption, showering, etc., it’s probably not what you are used to, even though most of these homes have water treatment systems. Please be advised that clothes washed in this water may also become discolored. Long and Foster has no control over the water quality and there will be no relocation or refunds in regards to this matter.
Are fireworks legal?
Fireworks are strictly prohibited at Deep Creek Lake.
What if there are damages done to my rental property during my stay?
Any damage done to your rental property during your stay is the responsibility of the contract holder. If the damage is accidental in nature, please report it to our office right away. If damages are found and not reported, they are deemed malicious and intended and the guest is responsible. Every property has a full inspection just prior to check-in and another damage inspection just after departure to ensure that our staff catches any damage right away. Please be considerate and take care of your rental home to ensure there are no issues.
What if additional cleaning is needed upon our departure?
Please be considerate of the cleaners and upcoming guests. If we find that additional cleaning is needed after your stay, you will be responsible for any extra charges. It is not fair for the vacation home owner to pay for this additional cleaning if it is something that could have been avoided by cleaning up after yourself. There will also be extra charges for additional trash if the cleaner has to haul them away, or if linens are stolen or damaged.
What if I get locked out?
If a lock out occurs during normal business hours, you may borrow another key from the office. all lock outs that occur after office hours must call the emergency number for assistance. An agent can meet you at the office as soon as feasible after hours if called before 11 PM. Due to safety issues, we cannot deliver the key to the home. There is a $45 charge for this service, which is payable to the agent upon receipt of keys.
Where can I recycle in Garrett County?
Local Recycling Site Locations
Kings Run/Mt Nebo Site-1/4 mile east of Rt 219 on King’s Run Road
Bumble Bee Road Site-Bumble Bee Road 1 mile east of Garrett Community College
Hours:
Monday-Friday 7:00 am until 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am until 6:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm
Contact the County for Holiday Hours 301-387-0322
*Remember, pets are only allowed in Pet Friendly Homes. If a pet is reported and caught in a home that is not pet friendly, immediate eviction will result with no refund. Unfortunately, we have had this issue arise recently, and we take this policy very seriously. It is a liability.
