Renter Guide for 3187 E.Sonora Road

 

The City of Palm Spring has several ordinances that must be complied with during your stay.

  • No outside amplified music.

  • The property renter must be over 25 years of age.

  • The occupancy limit is 12 - 8 adults and 4 children (under 12s). Daytime gatherings should be limited to 15. There are only two bathrooms so 12 people would be a lot!

Heidi will come and greet you shortly after your arrival. This is a Palm Springs City directive and not any attempt to spy on you! Heidi is very familiar with the house and will be able to answer many of your questions. Heidi can also organise extra cleanings or give you local information.

If you have any questions or concerns text, call or email. We will answer anytime and really want to solve your problems:

Emily Needle 510 495 7357

Check In: 3 p.m.

Check out: 11a.m.

 

Access

We will mail you your entry code. Please feel free to use the garage for parking or in front of the garage is also convenient. The garage door opener will be in the red tray in the front hallway. When you walk in please have a quick look around and see if there is any damage or if it appears something is broken or has missing parts. If you are concerned please email us photos so there is no confusion at the end of your stay.

Internet - 60mbps

(Please do not press the reset button on the router as this will reset the passwords to the factory passwords and the pool pump and TVs will go offline. If you are having problems call or text us and we will call Time Warner. There is a WiFi range extender in the kitchen to boost the signal to the far bedrooms – it will have 4 green lights if all is well.)

 Kitchen

We try to stock the kitchen with all the basics so you don’t have to buy everything to cook a small meal. Basics: coffee beans, tea, sugar, salt and some herbs and spices, oil/olive oil, random tins. Washing liquid, dishwasher tabs, paper towels… we’ll do the Costco run. There are some condiments in the fridge – feel free to add to the mustard and hot sauce collection. We have hosted people for Thanksgiving and Christmas and you should have everything you need to cook with including roasting pans - turkey not provided. If you can't find something call us and please don't be the person who ranted about not finding a potato peeler -THERE ARE 4!

If we have been there recently there will be a beers and maybe a bottle or two of something. Help yourself and maybe when you leave put something in the fridge for the next beleaguered traveler who has just got there after a long flight or drive!?

Outdoor Kitchen

Everything you need, except meat, should be in drawer under the grill. Please scrape the grill before and after every use.  Please be sure to turn off the grill after each use. There is a gas shut off tap inconveniently located behind the wall of the bar (we don't generally shut this off but it has been known to be turned off). Plastic-ware is in the kitchen. The plastic plates and cups are top rack dishwasher safe but shouldn’t go in the microwave. The ice chest needs at least 20lbs of ice and on a summer day won’t last the day.  Children should be supervised at all times near the grill.  

Bathrooms

We provide linens and towels for each guest. Laundry facilities are in the garage and cleaning can be arranged during your stay for an additional cleaning fee. If you need them there are toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, toilet paper, and any hotel sized pots and sachets we have picked up on our travels.

Pool and Spa

No glass by or in the pool. If we have to drain the pool to get broken glass out we will be emailing a ‘sad face emoticon’ (and you will lose your deposit so we can drain the pool). Plenty of plastic kitchen ware is available - platters, plates, bowl, cups, goblets and grill tools.

  • Watch the kids! Drowning isn’t cool and kids drown quickly. Public pools say you should be in arms reach of any non swimmers when they are in the water. We have plenty of safety aids, ‘water wings’, vests and rings.

  • Tile floors are slippery, there are mats to dry your feet so please use as the tile is very very slippery.

  • There are no extra fees for pool or spa heating and we will have the pool set to 80 prior to your arrival. It might take a few hours for the spa to be up to temperature once you turn it up. If you are having problems text or email early - we can have the pool guy there within 24 hours. See the pool heating app’ section below. It is not entirely intuitive but we can also access the app and set it up for you if you want to avoid the frustration.

  • Pool towels are provided.

Entertainment

All the TVs are connected the houses Netflix and Hulu accounts with login details on each TV.

Cable TV is only available in the sun room TV. Hulu can only be used on one TV or device at a time and Netflix can only be used on four TVs or devices at a time. Press the Smart TV button on the remote and give it a minute to connect to the internet. You can use the SMART TVs to access your own accounts for Amazon Prime, HBOGO or use your own accounts to watch movies. There is a Blu-ray player and a region 2 DVD player with a random collection of discs - many are not kid friendly. On one occasion the TV in the sunroom has been unable to connect to the internet and this was solved by returning it to the ‘factory settings’and reconnecting to the internet.

The sitting room has a record player with a selection of vintage LPs. Please feel free to use these but the equipment is vintage so please be gentle and keep volumes low. The records are nowhere near mint, nor rare, but i love them!

Family-friendly amenities

A Pack-n-Play is in the garage. There is a high chair and there are some toys, games and books. There are two inflatable mattresses.

Temperature control

The  thermostat is located on the wall between the bedrooms and front room. The Master bedroom cools more slowly than other rooms and is often 2-3 degrees hotter than the rest of the house - if you factor this in and turn the AC down early there will be no problems. I would also advise using the fan in the master bedroom as the vent is in the ceiling and this circulates the cool air much more efficiently. The AC is solar powered so leave it low guilt free. 76-78 is usually comfortable but at 72 and below the AC unit can freeze. Setting it below 72 will not cool the house any faster. Freezing the AC unit will cost us/you $5000.

Noise

Please be respectful of our neighbors and keep noise to a minimum from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. There is a hotline for noise complaints and in general Palm Springs elderly residents are keen to use it. As part of Palm Springs City Ordinances we have to have our representative at the house within 45 minutes of a noise complaint. This has never happened yet but if it does we will be charged $85 for this visit and a $1000 fine... which will taken from your deposit. They are particularly concerned about “amplified music” as this is a residential area.

Smoking

No smoking of any kind is allowed inside the house. We know this is one of the least enforceable rules. Rather than threaten you with a smoking penalty fee, we simply respectfully request that you strictly adhere to this rule. I am afraid even ‘E-cigarettes’- vapes etc inflame our daughters asthma. If you do smoke, please do it outside. Please be mindful of the environment, collect any cigarette butts, and thoroughly extinguish and dispose of cigarettes to avoid fire hazards.

Telephone

The house telephone number is: (760) 832-7171. Use +1 and area code for even local calls outgoing international calls are blocked but local and national calls are free.

Appliances

The washer and dryer are located in the garage.  There is washing detergent above the machines, we usually favour a hypoallergenic/eco friendly brand.

Pets

Please contact us regarding pets. There will not be any charges for pets but we need your assurance that the pet(s) will not cause any damage and will not be excessively noisy. Any repairs for pet damage and if the noise ‘hotline‘ is activated we will take this cost from your deposit. No cats please due to severe family allergies :( The lowest drawer to the right of the stove holds dog bowls, treats and sunscreen. Please remember the temperature affects your pets too, locals will leave engines running with AC on if animals are left in cars. The same goes for the house - leave the house AC low if you are out for the day. There were some ‘dog shoes ‘ for the months were the sidewalks are super hot. Sidewalks hold heat and can be 10-20 hotter than air temperature.

Basic amenities

The house is stocked with essential items such as a hair dryer, iron and ironing board. A first aid kit is in the kitchen. Additional supplies can be found in the garage, under sinks and coffee in the freezer. If we are running low on supplies, please let us know. There is a small desk to work at. First aid kit is above the microwave.

House cleaning

You have paid a cleaning fee that covers cleaning at the end of your stay and we know you don’t want to spend your vacation doing housework. However, we don’t want any permanent damage. Please clean any spills, wash any stains, clear up after pets.

  • Garbage pickup is Tuesday; you don’t have to do anything and they will move the trash cans to the curb and return them after.

  • Gardeners usually come Tuesday afternoon

  • Pool guy usually comes on Monday and Thursday before 8am

 

Check out procedures

1. Leave the back doors locked

2. Check outdoor grill is off

3. Email/text us update us on breakages so we can replace anything

4. No need to strip beds, wash towels, start dishwasher or clean.

5. Garage door opener back in the tray

6. Put the key back in the lock box.

 

Security Deposit

Heidi will visit to determine whether there has been damage to the property. If they see any areas of concern, they will take photographs. We ask that you inspect the property upon arrival so you can report anything that is broken or damaged.  We ask that you let us know about any damage that occurred during your stay; a broken glass or plate here or there is inevitable. We would rather know so we can replace it and minor items will not be taken out of the security deposit.

 

Quirks

  • Light switches are magical and unknowable. Research is ongoing but most lights have at least 3 switches with one hidden dimmer. Except the light over the dining table that has no switch, there is a pull switch on the light. Some of the light switches operate outlets so will turn TVs off! I have started to label some.

  • The SMART TVs need a minute to connect and the far bedroom’s TVs don’t always have a great signal. Some patience may be needed. Double check wifi range extender, by the kitchen door, is plugged in with green lights on. The Blu-ray player can also be used to connect to netflix and moved to any room.

  • Region 2 DVDs will not play on the Blu-ray player. Blu-ray discs will not play on DVD player.

  • The hot water tank makes spooky noises when refilling; this is normal.

 

Legal Bit

This property is privately owned; the owners are not responsible for any accidents, injuries or illness that occurs while on the premises or its facilities. The Homeowners are not responsible for the loss of personal belongings or valuables of the guest. By accepting this reservation, it is agreed that all guests are expressly assuming the risk of any harm arising from their use of the premises or others whom they invite to use the premise.

All rental rates and deposits are arranged through AirBnb or VRBO during booking and these sites to handle fees and return of deposits. The rental rates, cancellation policy and deposit policy will be established prior to booking on the booking website. Agreeing to the quote and making payment is taken as acceptance of these policies.

POOL CONTROLS

Prior to your arrival we will set the pool temperature to 80 degrees but please note if you booked last minute it may take 12-24 hours to get to that temperature. The pool controls get their own section because the app is less than intuitive and many things can go wrong! If you are concerned or flummoxed please just text us and we can adjust it for you.

 

On the kitchen counter is a tablet.

  • Please keep this plugged in because the battery only has about 8 hours in it.

  • Please don't use it for anything else other than pool control.

  • If you have reset the router in the sun room this app will not work.

 

 

iAquaLink App

 

1) Press the iAquaLink logo on the home screen

 

2) Click ‘Xanadu’ and three tabs will be shown across the top with ’HOME’ being the default screen.

 

The ‘HOME’ tab  gives you the options of:

  • Set Temperatures

  • Spa Mode

  • Filter Pump

  • Spa Heater

  • Pool Heater

 

The ‘ONETOUCH’ tab

Ignore this one!

 

The ‘DEVICES’ tab

  • Pool Light - ON/OFF

(Ignore Aux2, Aux3, & Extra Aux)

 

3) Heating Stuff

There is only one heater and you can choose to either heat spa or the pool. The filter pump needs to be on to heat either spa or pool. You will note a 15-30 second delay between setting the spa on and it saying “ON” and seeing the spa jets come on.

 

To Heat the Spa

  • Spa mode - ON

  • Spa heat - ON

  • Filter Pump - ON

  • Pool Heat - OFF

This will heat the spa about 4 degrees an hour.

 

To Heat the Pool

  • Spa mode - OFF

  • Spa heat - OFF

  • Pool Heat - ON

  • Filter Pump - ON

This will heat the pool at about 1 degree and hour.