house Manual
Welcome to Brookside Farmhouse! All adults are responsible for reading the below information, and the primary guest will take responsibility for any damage(s) and fees incurred during the booking. We love our home and use it ourselves, so hope that you enjoy and respect it as we do. If you find something damaged, and/or if you break something during your stay, please let us know as soon as possible. We are available to answer questions 8:00am–10:00pm and generally respond within the hour.
BATHROBES
There are bathrobes in each closet for your use on the property.
BROOK
Roaring Brook is frigid year-round. Guests access the brook at their own risk (cold plunges, fishing, drinking the water, etc.). Please respect the brook and the natural surroundings, and do not litter or damage the banks and trees. The opposite side of the brook is another person's private property; do not cross over.
"LITTLE FRANCIS" CABIN
The cabin is for quiet relaxation. Please take trash with you, and lock the doors to keep animals out. Sleeping overnight is prohibited. The severe flooding in Summer 2023 damaged the cabin power, so electricity can be intermittent.
COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Commercial filming or photography, including wedding photography, is forbidden without prior consent. Commercial photography is defined as any photography that may be used to promote a brand, service or product; or where the photographer is receiving money from a third party (including a registered guest) to take photos on our property. Contact us if you wish to use our property for a photo shoot. Violation will result in immediate eviction without negotiation or compensation, and possible legal action.
ELECTRICITY
Winter weather can be severe on occasion in the area, so wind and blizzards can damage electrical and cell service. We've never lost power for longer than 12 hours, and that was a single occasion. We will not offer price adjustments due to power and/or WiFi failure.
EV CAR CHARGING
Quick chargers are located at the Rutland airport, approximately ten minutes from the house.
EVENTS
We do not allow weddings or elopements on the property. For any other events, please communicate what it is you’d like to do and we will consider it. Loud and/or large gatherings are prohibited, and will result in a termination of the booking.
FIRE PIT
Guests can purchase firewood at the Cumberland Farms in Wallingford. Only firewood can be burned in the fire pit, and it must remain on the lawn (not moved onto the deck or to the cabin). Burning of trash or other materials is prohibited, including wood found in the forest next to the house, and may result in a fine.
FIREWORKS
Fireworks are strictly prohibited on our property, and in general, are illegal in Vermont, excluding sparklers and comparable small fireworks. Evidence will result in a minimum $250.00 fine, and a possible termination of the booking if our neighbors and/or first responders get involved.
GRILL
Grill tools should be hanging in the garage. The grill is located in the driveway and must stay outside. After use, please clean the tools, leave the grill covered, and be sure the propane tank is closed. Notify us if you find the propane tank empty; we have a spare onsite. The tanks can be swapped at the Cumberland Farms in the town center, and we will reimburse you if needed.
HOT TUB
Only guests associated with the primary guest's booking are permitted. The tub comfortably fits (4) adults and has a maximum capacity of (6) adults. Children under 12 are not allowed in the hot tub, and minors must be supervised. Alcohol and/or glass are prohibited in the hot tub. For healthy adults, a typical hot tub session should last 15-30 minutes. At higher temperatures, limit soaks to 15 minutes. Longer sessions, especially at higher temperatures, can increase the risk of overheating, dehydration, and/or skin reactions. The jets will turn off automatically after a certain period to maintain heat and energy. Do not put anything but people and bathing suits in the hot tub. Make sure the cover is in place and securely fastened when the tub is not in use. The hot tub is cleaned and balanced after every booking. Spare towels can be found in the basement on the bookshelf (right of the door against the wall). More than (6) adults in the tub will cause water to overflow. Broken glass and/or damage to the operating panel will incur a fee of $250.00.
INDOOR FIREPLACE - WAX LOGS
Woods fires are prohibited indoors, and only wax logs are permitted for burning indoors (no cooking in the fire, and/or burning of anything other than wax logs). (4) wax logs per booking are provided in the attached garage mudroom area under the work bench. Please use only one at a time; they will burn for approximately (3) hours. For additional wax logs, guests may contact us via Airbnb by 9:00pm to request the code to unlock the locked black bin in the garage. Additional wax logs are available at $5.00 per log on the honor system, payable by Venmo.
INDOOR FIREPLACE - USAGE
To use the fireplace, check that the flue damper is open by looking up into the chimney (we leave it open, and it should always be left open). Hold a flame for 20 seconds up the chimney to help start a draft. Use the fire screen, especially when leaving the room and at the end of the night.
KITCHEN
Please hand wash wooden kitchen items; everything else is dishwasher-safe. Do not pour kitchen or bacon grease down the drain.
LAUNDRY
The washer and dryer are located in the basement, along with detergent, an iron, and an ironing board. Iron only on the ironing board, and not on any other surfaces. Do not use bleach, since it will harm the septic system.
PETS
We have a strict no-pets policy. There will be an automatic fee of $500.00, or half the value of the total lease term (whichever is greater) to cover additional cleaning, fees for any replacements and/or damage, and there is potential for termination of the booking.
PRINTER
The printer is located in the basement; to use it, connect to the house WiFi.
SECURITY CAMERAS
We have multiple security cameras on the property running at all times, and they record both activity and sound. The cameras are located in the following locations: detached garage facing house; driveway door facing driveway/detached garage; front porch; detached garage facing back of cabin; backyard cottage facing house. Tampering with any/all devices will result in a termination of the booking.
SEPTIC
Do not flush any trash down toilets, including "flushable items," feminine products, contraceptives, ear swabs, floss, etc. Do not use bleach in the laundry. Do not pour kitchen grease down the drain.
SMOKING
Smoking indoors is strictly prohibited. Our indoor smoking ban includes tobacco (cigarettes and cigars), cannabis, and e-cigarettes. If there is visible evidence and/or a smell, there will be a cleaning fee of $500.00. Smoking of any kind is permitted in the backyard, but away from the woods. If smoking outside, please dispose of materials properly and safely.
SNOW & SNOW REMOVAL
In winter, please be careful if using the stone stairs by the driveway, and on the deck, which drops off and may be hidden by snow banks. Our property management’s plowing crew will do their best to make access safe and easy. In preparation for heavy snowfall (4-5” or more), please park cars in single file closest to the house (the right side of the driveway), which will give the plow the most access. Please keep an eye out for Airbnb messages from us during storms. We may text or call the booking’s primary guest at short notice. Guests are responsible for snow removal around the hot tub.
STEREO
There is a bluetooth speaker located in the living room, and it's connected to the record player. To use the record player, turn the speaker on and twist the dial to "PHONO." To use bluetooth, turn the speaker on and twist the dial to the bluetooth icon. To connect your device physically, turn the speaker on, attach your device using the cord, and twist the dial to "AUX."
TAP WATER
The tap water is completely safe to drink, and there is a pitcher for filtered water in the refrigerator.
THERMOSTAT & HEAT
The recommended setting for the house is 66º; the house retains heat very well. To change the temperature, the thermostats are located in the dining room and the second floor hallway. Use the slider to adjust the heat. If the house feels chilly, we advise against cranking the heat; the house is well insulated and will get hot quickly. Please be mindful that bedrooms in winter will get quite cool with the doors closed.
TRASH AND RECYCLING
Collection typically takes place around noon weekly on Wednesdays. Please make sure the driveway bins are accessible; the truck will come up to the house (i.e. bins do not need to be moved from their location by the side entrance). There are trash (black) and recycling (blue) bins under the kitchen sink, and waste baskets in each bedroom and bathroom. There are large trash and recycling barrels outside; recycling should remain loose, not in plastic bags.
TV MEDIA
Streaming services are available in the basement and living room (lower cabinet to the right of the fireplace). Guests are welcome to log into their own account if preferred. Please do not unplug our cables and sound bar, which are in place for all guests’ enjoyment. There is an open port on the rear right of the TV to plug in devices.
WIFI HEATER
There is a WiFi heater in the basement TV area. Please turn it off when not in use; there’s no need to set it any higher than 72º – it will heat the space quickly.
WILDLIFE & NATURE
We have seen bears and moose on the roads nearby, and foxes on the property, so please be mindful when driving and/or walking at night.