Weather happens

No matter how well you plan your vacation, weather happens and can sometimes interfere with your guests’ arrangements.

Look out for unexpected severe weather

Severe unexpected weather can challenge the relationship between an owner and guest. Neither anticipates it but it can affect travel arrangements and even access to a home or unit. For example, Rogers Pass in BC can be closed at any time of the year, due to severe weather conditions, and travellers might not be able to arrive at a rental in Banff or, coming from Calgary, in Kelowna.

Prepare for it

Severe weather can happen at any time of the year

Your confirmation or rental agreement should define your policy for weather-related refunds to avoid an argument later. Define what you consider to be severe weather (e.g. a ski resort does not have enough snow to operate, a hurricane has hit the resort, highways are closed etc.).If a catastrophe impairs a vacation rental, you should make it clear that you are not responsible for finding alternate lodging for your guest or their financial losses related to transportation or alternate lodging. However, we suggest some compromises as follows.

If, on the arrival night, your vacation home is uninhabitable, not reachable by usual means of transportation or access has been prohibited by authorities, you should either refund all payments (including deposits) or offer replacement nights on a reasonable basis.

Having checked in, if the guest has to evacuate the resort before the end of their stay, the owner should refund/credit a pro-rated portion of the unused rent.