House in Ballarat
Reasons to book
About this house rental
🏡 Welcome to McDougall Hideaway – House Rules
We’re thrilled to host you! To ensure a safe, clean, and respectful experience for all guests, neighbours, and local wildlife, please take a moment to review the following guidelines.
💰 Refundable Security Bond
- A $500 refundable bond is required for all bookings.
- This bond covers potential damages, excessive cleaning, or breaches of house rules.
- It will be refunded in full within 7 days of checkout, provided the property is left in good condition and all rules are followed.
🎉 No Parties or Events
- Strictly no parties, events, or large gatherings.
- Quiet hours: 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM.
- Noise complaints may involve police and result in removal.
- Damage or excessive cleaning will incur charges.
🚭 Smoking & Vaping
- Permitted only under the pergola by the bar.
- Use provided butt buckets and empty them into the outdoor bin.
- Clean buckets in the laundry sink only.
- No cigarette waste in the garden — cleanup fees apply.
🐾 Pet Policy
Dogs
- Dogs under 25kg only, with prior approval.
- No aggressive breeds.
- Must be supervised and not left alone indoors.
- No barking between 10:00 PM – 8:00 AM.
- Not allowed on beds. Excessive hair or odours = $100 cleaning fee.
- Pick up droppings (bring your own bags), refill holes, and sweep pergola area.
- Bring your own bedding and supplies.
Cats
- Must be fully litter-trained.
- Keep off beds and couches.
- Bring a scratching post/mat.
- Spraying or marking will incur cleaning fees.
👥 Registered Guests Only
- Only guests listed in the booking are allowed.
- Unregistered guests = penalty charges.
- Neighbours will report excess occupancy.
🔐 Security & Safety
- Outdoor cameras monitor the car park only.
- Lock all doors/windows when leaving.
- No overnight guests without approval.
- No climbing on furniture or structures.
- Report damages immediately.
- Lost key fee: $25.
- No open flames, fireworks, or unattended BBQs.
- Do not enter neighbouring properties or paddocks.
🌿 Wildlife & Environment
- Do not feed wildlife.
- Supervise children outdoors — this is a rural area.
- Do not move or throw river stones — gardener fees apply.
🚽 Septic System
- Only flush toilet paper.
- Use bins for all other items.
💡 Sustainability
- Turn off lights/appliances when not in use.
- No outdoor lights left on overnight.
- Sort rubbish and recycling as labelled.
🧼 Cleanliness
- Remove shoes indoors.
- No eating/drinking in bedrooms.
- Use coasters and placemats.
- Don’t use towels for spills, makeup, or pets.
- No tanning products, henna, or hair dye.
- Towels/sheets are not for outdoor use.
- Stained or missing linen will be charged.
📦 Checkout Instructions
- Place used towels in the bathroom laundry basket.
- Leave beds unmade.
- Check for stains and notify host.
- Load dishwasher, take out rubbish, and check for belongings.
🕒 Check-In & Check-Out
- Check-in: After 4:00 PM
- Check-out: By 10:00 AM
📅 Booking Policy
We accept bookings up to 30 days in advance.
Looking to stay longer or plan ahead? Send us a message — we`re happy to consider longer stays or custom dates on request!
💻 Technology & Conduct
- Wi-Fi for light use only — no illegal downloads.
- Don’t tamper with routers, cameras, or smart devices.
- No drones or recording without permission.
- No climbing trees, fences, or outbuildings.
- Respect furniture — no jumping or standing.
- For power outages, check the white box in the bedroom off the kitchen.
- Contact us immediately for any issues or breakages.
- Special requests must be made in advance.
- If anything isn’t right, please message us before leaving a review — we’re here to help!
