Vitarel — House & Pool Rules

By staying at Vitarel, you agree to follow these rules. They keep everyone safe, protect the property, and make your stay easy and enjoyable.

Quiet & Neighbors

1) Quiet hours: 21:00–08:00. Keep voices and music low outdoors. This is a rural farming community.

2) No parties or events without written permission.

Smoking & Vaping

1) No smoking or vaping indoors.

2) Outdoors, smoke at least 10 m (30 ft) from buildings and open windows/doors.

3) Dispose of cigarette butts in a bin. Any smoke-odor remediation will be charged at cost.

Security & Valuables

1) Lock all doors and windows when leaving the house(s) vacant.

2) The property contains unique furnishings and art. You received an inventory list; report any discrepancies within 12 hours of arrival.

Breakages & Damage

1) Please tell us immediately about any damage or breakage. We’ll replace everyday tableware at no cost.

2) For other items (furniture, art, fixtures, pool liner, etc.), repair or replacement costs will be deducted from the security deposit.

Furniture, Surfaces & Spills

1) Use coasters/placemats on wood and stone. Wipe spills (especially red wine or oil) immediately to avoid stains.

2) Do not place wet items on wood, marble, or stone.

3) Indoor furniture stays indoors. If you move any piece outside temporarily, return it inside and keep it out of rain.

Fireplace (Main House)

1) This is an “insert” fireplace; operate with the glass front lowered/closed.

2) Use the mesh/glass guard to prevent sparks. Never leave the fire unattended.

Climate & Windows

1) In hot weather (>30 °C): keep windows/shutters closed during the day; air out in the early morning.

2) L’Atelier A/C: operate only with doors/windows closed. See the studio book for instructions.

Weather & Storms

1) Before leaving for the day, close parasols and windows.

2) Storms may cause power cuts from minutes to days.

Energy & Solar System

1) The house uses solar with a ~40 kW battery. A flashing indicator shows emergency power during outages.

2) During outages, conserve electricity: use the BBQ, avoid washing machines/dishwashers, turn off A/C, and minimize lighting. Once the batteries are empty, Wi‑Fi/Internet will go down.

3) Peak solar production is 12:00–17:00. If possible, run dishwashers/washing machines then.

BBQ

1) The BBQ runs on a small yellow gas bottle. A spare is stored in [LOCATION].

2) See the how‑to video/manual (QR code or link in the house book) before changing bottles.

3) Place paper under the grease tray before emptying; clean the grill after use.

Insects & Country Life

1) This is the countryside—some insects are normal. Keep surfaces clean and food sealed to discourage visitors.

Water & Coffee Machine

1) Tap water is safe to drink. A softener may give a slightly salty taste; run the tap 5 minutes if needed. The Main House ice maker uses the same water.

2) L’Atelier coffee machine: use bottled water only (two 1.5 L bottles provided to start).

Waste, Recycling & Septic

1) The house is on a septic system: only toilet paper in toilets. No wipes, tampons, sanitary products, or plastics.

2) There is no curbside pickup. Use public bins: (1) glass; (2) mixed recyclables (cans/plastics/cardboard); (3) non‑recyclable waste. The main point is opposite Intermarché in Lauzerte.

3) Grease/oil: pour into a sealed plastic bottle and dispose with non‑recyclable waste. Do not pour into sinks.

Pets

1) Dogs welcome with prior approval. On departure, no evidence (hair, damage, odors).

2) No dogs in the pool—claws can tear the liner. Liner damage is chargeable at repair cost.

TVs & Equipment (L’Atelier)

1) Do not move the TV unit with the TV raised. Lower it first.

2) Keep the remote on the unit when not in use. Please prevent children from operating the lift mechanism.

Pool Rules & Safety (Legal Requirement in France)

1) Cover required when not supervised. The pool has a motorized safety cover with three buckle clips. When no adult is actively supervising the pool area, close and clip the cover. The responsible adult keeps the pool key with them. Failure to close the cover when unattended violates safety rules and may result in loss of access and deductions from the deposit if damage occurs.

2) How to open/close: the key is in the wall‑mounted unit by the shallow end. Optional control via the Aero XP app (Connected Slatted Cover); the code is on the sticker next to the wall switch. Before opening, undo all three clips. Attempting to open while clipped will damage the motor/clips (repair costs are chargeable).

3) While away from the property: even with no children in your party, keep the cover closed and clipped whenever you are off‑site.

4) Robot cleaner: the automatic pool robot is fragile; do not play with it. If it stops, gently push it to a corner of the deep end. Timers for the filtration system and robot may cycle off—this is normal. Report persistent faults.

5) Glass‑free zone: no glass in or near the pool or picnic table. Use the plastic glasses in the Main House kitchen (left cupboard).

6) Inflatables only: soft inflatables only—no hard or sharp items. Liner damage is chargeable.

7) If something looks wrong: report water color changes, unusual pump noises, or cover issues immediately. If unsure about water level, please ask.

Check‑Out (Summary)

1) Return furniture/items to their original locations; outdoor cushions/furniture brought inside if rain is forecast.

2) Wash dishes or start the dishwasher.

3) Take all trash/recycling to public bins.

4) Close and clip the pool cover.

5) Lock all doors and windows.

Contacts & Emergencies

1) Property contact (emergency): Bill Coombe — 06 84 39 18 76

2) International dialing: +33 6 84 39 18 76

3) Emergency services (France): 112