Our Vacation Rental Management Policies
for Home Owners

About Crystal Vacation Rentals: We have been in existence for over 35 years and are widely recognized in the Benzie and Manistee County areas. We have a large and diverse number of renters from all over the United States. We pride ourselves in providing the most comprehensive property management services available in the area.

Crystal Vacation Rentals, Inc. is family owned and operated and we are committed to a goal of constant improvement in our management services. It is our goal to allow you to rent your vacation property “hassle-free”, to give you flexibility for personal use, and to achieve occupancy as close to 100% as we can possibly achieve, with satisfied and loyal customers.

Our rentals run for one week, from Saturday to Saturday, during the peak season - from June through mid-September. Rental rates are based on size of the property and maximum occupancy, location, special accommodations, etc. Prices are typically about 25% lower in the off-season.

Owners may reserve any weeks they choose for their own use. If you make arrangements directly with a third party to use the property, we consider that an owner use week. Owners are given first rights to any dates they wish to reserve on, or before, January 15 each year. After that date, pre-reservations of customers are confirmed and the owners are asked not to request weeks that are already confirmed with a renter. If an owner wishes to “bump” a renter that has been confirmed, they will be asked to pay the commission lost by Crystal Vacation Rentals, Inc., unless we are able to find other accommodations for the renters. Owners may reserve any week that has not already been reserved without penalty.

If you are looking for comprehensive property management, Crystal Vacation Rentals is the answer to your search. We provide immediate service for minor maintenance needs, such as leaky faucets or running toilets, at reduced rates and you don’t even have to be bothered with it. We provide excellent cleaning services after each renter, so you need not worry about that either.

Our web site, www.crystalvacationrentals.com is well regarded and provides on-line availability information, pictures and information about each property, rental rates, occupancy information, policy information, as well as reservation capabilities.

Our office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, from 9 AM to 5PM EST and our staff is kept busy answering calls from those with further questions about particular cottages, or desiring to make a reservation. On Saturays, we are busy with check-ins and check-outs.

Rents are collected in advance and on the 10th of each month, the owners portion of each rental is sent out, along with a statement showing the rental history, any repairs needed or other expenses for the cottage.

Michigan requires the payment of a 6% use tax on each rental that is less than a month long, as well as a 2% CVB, or hotel, tax. Crystal Vacation Rentals collects these taxes from the renters and files the reports for you.

Other services, such as, handyman service, lawn care, snow removal, cleaning after an owner’s stay, Winterization/Spring opening, Spring cleaning, dock placement or removal, and carpet cleaning is available on request and for minimal charges.

If you desire to have us manage your property, or have further questions, please feel free to contact us at 231-4020.

All rental rates include tax and cleaning fees. The rates are for peak season rentals. There is a refundable damage deposit on all properties. This amount varies from property to property, but is fully refundable within 30 days of departure as long as the property is left in good condition. For more information please read our vacation rental policy.