Frequently Asked Questions

We manage vacation homes throughout North Lake Tahoe and the West Shore, from Kings Beach all the way to Tahoma, including Tahoe City, Carnelian Bay, Northstar, Tahoe Vista, Dollar Point, Chamberlands, and Homewood. 

Browse our North Shore and West Shore collections to see what's available in each area.

Browse our rentals online and book directly, or give us a call at (530) 583-7488 and we'll help you find the right home.

To confirm a reservation, we'll ask for a 25% deposit, a signed Rental Agreement, and a credit card on file to cover any damage beyond what our damage protection plan includes.

We also run a quick identity and guest screening as part of the process.

Your remaining balance is due 30 days before arrival. If you're booking less than 30 days out, we'll ask for full payment within 48 hours of your reservation. You'll find the full terms in the Rental Agreement.

Your total booking charge covers rent, a non-refundable cleaning and inspection fee, our Rental Unit Damage Protection Plan, and Transient Occupancy Tax and county assessment.

We accept all major credit cards, including American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa. We also accept digital wallet payments via PayPal and Venmo. We're unable to accept checks.

Booking direct means no third-party service fees, access to our full inventory (not every home makes it onto outside platforms), and a direct line to our local team whenever you have a question. 

Read more on why booking direct pays off, and check our Specials page for direct-booking discounts.

We know plans change, so here's how refunds work: cancel 30 or more days before check-in and you'll get your full payment back, minus any travel insurance you purchased. Cancel between 14 and 30 days out and we're able to refund half. Inside of 14 days, the full amount is non-refundable.

All cancellation notices must come to us in writing - you can find the complete policy in our Rental Agreement and on our Rental Policies page.

Yes, we offer optional Red Sky Mountain Trip Preserver travel insurance and highly recommend it. It can protect your trip if you need to cancel because of illness, injury, rough travel conditions, or other covered reasons, though it's entirely optional and not required to book.

Conditions like snow, severe weather, smoke, and road closures are simply out of our hands, so we're not able to issue refunds for them. That's exactly why we encourage picking up travel insurance when you book.

Check-in is 4:00 PM and check-out is 10:00 AM at all Tahoe Rental Company properties.

Check-in instructions and property access details are sent via text message at 3:00 PM on your arrival day, once your balance is paid in full and your signed Rental Agreement is on file.

We can't guarantee late check-outs when a home is booked back-to-back, which happens often in summer with last-minute bookings. We recommend calling at least 24 hours before departure to request one.

Unapproved late departures are billed at $150 per half hour past 10:00 AM.

It happens to the best of us - just know that a lost item comes with a replacement cost.

Maximum occupancy varies by property, so always go by the number listed on your home's listing. As a general rule, county guidelines allow 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 more, not counting kids under 12, with homes of 5 or more bedrooms topping out at 12 adults regardless of bedroom count. 

Up to two pets are welcome in our pet-friendly homes for a $125 pet fee (plus tax) - just let us know when you book, since an undisclosed pet adds a $350 fee. If your home isn't listed as pet-friendly, pets aren't allowed, since not every owner can accommodate them.

Check out our pet-friendly Tahoe guide for tips on traveling with dogs in the area.

All of our homes are strictly non-smoking. If we find evidence of smoking after check-out, an additional cleaning fee will apply.

Large parties and gatherings are not allowed at any of our properties. Our homes sit in real neighborhoods with year-round residents, so we ask guests to keep noise down, especially during quiet hours from 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM.

Outdoor hot tubs can't be used between 9:00 PM and 8:00 AM, per county ordinance. Hoping to soak after a day on the mountain? 

Browse our hot tub rentals to find the perfect home.

Outdoor fires and fire pits aren't allowed at any of our homes or anywhere in the Tahoe area — the wildfire risk here is real, and we take it seriously for everyone's safety. 

Parking is limited to the spaces listed for each specific property, and on-street parking is not permitted for renters — it can result in towing, ticketing, or fines.

Our Rental Unit Damage Protection Plan covers accidental damage to the rental interior, up to $1,000, whether that's a stain, a broken glass, or a lamp knocked over by accident. 

You must let us know at the time of the accident, otherwise it is considered standard damages subject to billing - explore the full terms on our Accidental Damage Waiver page. 

The plan doesn't cover intentional damage, pet damage in a non-pet-approved home, party-related damage, smoking or fire damage, extra cleaning from skipped checkout instructions, or anything that isn't reported before you leave.

Yes - any accidental damages exceeding the $1,000 the plan covers, or any damages not covered at all by the plan, will go on the credit card we have on file. 

Guests are expected to do basic housekeeping before departure: start the dishwasher's last load, take trash to the bear-proof receptacle, and follow the checkout instructions in the property binder. 

The included cleaning fee covers vacuuming, dusting, and linens; while excessive cleanings are billed at $85/hour.

Our kitchens come fully equipped with dishes and cookware for the home's max occupancy, along with a starter supply of dish soap and dishwasher detergent. You'll also find a starter amount of hand and bath soap, toilet paper, paper towels, and trash bags, though depending on how long you're staying, you may want to restock a few things.

Yes - We provide bed linens, blankets, and one set of bath towels per guest, up to max occupancy. We don't include beach, pool, or spa towels, so bring your own for those. 

Trash must stay inside the home or in the locked "Bear Box" at the driveway, and should be placed in the Bear Box the night before pickup. We'll let you know the pickup day at check-in.

Driveway plowing is included at every property, but we'll ask you to shovel walkways yourself and move your car out of the driveway when the plow trucks come through. 

Guests should never turn the heat off, even at departure — set the thermostat back to 55°F instead to conserve energy while preventing frozen pipes. Guests are responsible for damage caused by turning the heat off.

Most of our homes include Wi-Fi and a phone for emergencies, though since we don't manage internet or DSL providers directly, we can't guarantee service. 

HOA amenities like pools, hot tubs, clubhouses, tennis courts, and beach access aren't guaranteed, since they're managed by the homeowners association rather than us. 

Give our office a call right away - we also have an after-hours emergency line at (530) 448-2076 for anything urgent.

Guests with allergy concerns should notify Tahoe Rental Company at the time of booking. A "no pets" listing doesn't guarantee an allergen-free home, since property owners may keep pets in their own home when it isn't rented.

North Lake Tahoe offers beaches, hiking, skiing, and dining year-round; see the Things to Do guide and local events calendar for seasonal ideas.

In addition to short-term vacation rentals, Tahoe Rental Company offers seasonal ski leases and long-term rentals. See the Ski Lease FAQs and Obtaining a Ski Lease pages for details on that separate process.

We're a boutique, locally run vacation rental company based in Tahoe City, CA, specializing in North Lake Tahoe and West Shore homes, condos, and cabins. Learn more about us or meet the team behind it.