Check-in/Check-out: Most rental houses have a 3:00 pm check in and check out by 10:00 am; each listing in the Registry has the turnover day noted. The minimum stay is 1 week, although some homeowners welcome weekend renters in the spring and fall. Your agent at Beachcombers can advise you which homes are available for off-season weekends.

What to bring: blankets and bedspreads come with the rental house. Many homes come with linens and towels, In some cases you will be asked to bring your own. If bringing linens from home is inconvenient, they can be rented from a laundry service. See Link below.

Pets: Most homeowners do not allow pets due to allergies or for other reasons. There is a very reputable kennel in a central location of the Island, near the Airport: Animal Healthcare Associates at 508-693-6887, a great alternative if your rental house has a no pet policy.

Security deposits are typically between $300 and $500, with a few houses requiring a higher deposit. Our homeowners expect that their renters will leave their homes in good condition. Although we require that all our homeowners contract with a cleaning service to check their houses between renters, you are expected to leave the house neat, clean, and are responsible for cleaning and repair charges.

TELEPHONE/INTERNET: All houses have telephones with free calls anywhere on the island; long distance calls are to be placed using credit cards, calling card, etc.

An outline of the steps involved in renting a home...

1. Call Beachcombers as soon as you have made your decision. Weeks can fill up very quickly, especially for the peak season of July and August. If possible, have a second and a third choice available in case your first is taken.
2. After Beachcombers has confirmed the availability of your requested week(s) with the homeowner, we will send you 3 copies of the lease. Leases are to be signed and returned to this office with a 50% deposit immediately. Beach Plum will return 1 copy of the lease to you after the homeowner has signed it.
3. Making travel plans to Martha's Vineyard is the next step. If you are bringing a car to the island, obtaining a reservation from the Steamship Authority car ferry becomes a priority. (There is no "stand-by" option on summer weekends - every vehicle must have a reservation.) Again, don't delay; as with the rental homes, the most popular times get booked by the early-birds!
4. Approximately 10 weeks before the start of your vacation, we will send you a reminder notice for the balance of the rent and the security deposit. Detailed directions to your vacation home, along with information about key location or pick-up, will also be included.

These are some phone numbers which our renters frequently request. We are not endorsing or recommending their products or services, only providing a list of some available options!

Martha's Vineyard Online and the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce (508-693-0085) both have an extensive amount of information on island activities, restaurants, etc.

Ferry reservations are made through the Steamship Authority (508-477-8600).

Most major car rental agencies such as Hertz, Avis etc. do business on the island; call their "800" numbers for details. Also, check the Yellow Pages for independent local agencies.

Linens and towels may be rented from Takemmy Laundry (508-693-2788); they will deliver and pick-up.

Crib, high chair, play pen, strollers, etc. may be rented with delivery and pick-up provided: www.mvbabyrent.com (877-342-2229 toll free or 508-696-6093)

Bicycles may be rented from numerous shops; prices, availability of delivery and pick-up are variable, and locations are in all three down-island towns. Check the Yellow Pages for locations and phone numbers.

The Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority provides public transportation along most of the major roads on the Island.

Baby-sitting services are frequently advertised in the Classified Ad Section of the Vineyard Gazette, published Tuesdays and Fridays in the summer.