Booking terms and cancellation policy

Last updated October 16, 2026

These are the booking terms for homes rented directly through Rent Martha’s Vineyard, managed by Grace Hagerty Real Estate, Inc. (“GHRE”, “we”, “us”). The rental agreement you sign for your stay is the final word: if anything here differs from your signed agreement, the agreement controls.

1. How booking works

When you request dates on our website, we check them with the homeowner and reply, usually the same day. Your reservation is confirmed only when the rental agreement is fully executed (signed by you and countersigned by the homeowner or our office) and your 50% deposit is paid. Until then, the dates are not held and may be booked by someone else.

Prices shown on the website come from our booking system and include rent, any cleaning or service fees, and Massachusetts room occupancy tax. The total in your rental agreement is the amount you owe.

2. Payments

• Deposit: 50% of the total, to secure your dates.
• Balance: the remaining 50%, due 60 days before your arrival date.
• Booking within 60 days of arrival: the full amount is due when you book.

We accept payment by card, check (payable to Grace Hagerty Real Estate, Inc., mailed to PO Box 2341, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, with your booking number on the memo line) or wire. We never send wire instructions by email. If you ever receive an email asking you to wire money, call our office at 508-627-0476 before you send anything.

If a payment is late, we may cancel the reservation under the cancellation policy below.

3. Security deposit

Many homes require a refundable security deposit, taken as a credit card hold, a check or a wire, as stated in your rental agreement. A card hold is an authorization, not a charge. The deposit covers damage beyond normal wear, missing items, extra cleaning, and any rent or fees still owed. It is returned after checkout once the home has been inspected, less any amounts owed, as set out in your rental agreement.

4. Cancellation policy

This is the cancellation policy from our rental agreement, word for word:

8. Cancellation Policy. In the event of cancellation by the TENANT, the TENANT shall notify GHRE immediately in writing. The TENANT shall be responsible for all rents due under this Agreement unless the Premises can be re-rented at the same or higher rate. If re-rented at the same or higher rate, the TENANT will be issued a refund of payments received less a cancellation fee equal to 15% of all rent due, which shall be retained by GHRE. If re-rented at a lesser rate, the difference shall be retained from the original TENANT and the refund adjusted accordingly. If a replacement TENANT cannot be found, the TENANT is responsible for paying all rental fees per the dates and terms of this Agreement.

What that means in plain terms

• Tell us in writing, right away. Email hello@hagertyremv.com. The sooner we know, the better the chance of re-renting your dates.
• If we re-rent your dates at the same or a higher rate, you get back what you paid, less a cancellation fee of 15% of the rent.
• If we re-rent them for less, the difference is kept from your refund, along with the 15% fee.
• If we can’t re-rent them, you owe the full rent for your dates, on the payment schedule in your agreement.

Weather, ferry or flight cancellations, illness, and changes in travel plans do not change this policy. That is why we strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and interruption. Buy it soon after booking: many policies only cover reasons that come up after you buy.

5. Your stay

• Check-in and checkout times are shown on each listing and in your Guest Hub (most homes: check-in after 4pm, checkout by 10am). Early arrival or late checkout only with our OK.
• Occupancy: no more guests than the listing and your agreement allow, and no events or parties without written approval.
• Pets only at homes that accept them and only with our written OK first. Pet fees may apply.
• No smoking inside any home.
• Please follow the house rules in your Guest Hub, including trash, parking and checkout steps. Town noise and parking rules apply.
• Something wrong? Report it through your Guest Hub or call 508-627-0476 as soon as you notice it, so we can fix it during your stay. We can’t offer refunds for problems we weren’t told about while there was time to fix them.
• Access: the homeowner or our team may need to enter for urgent repairs, with notice whenever possible.

6. Taxes

Massachusetts room occupancy tax applies to stays of 31 nights or fewer and is included in your total. Oak Bluffs also charges a 2.75% Water Protection Fund fee. See our tax guide for the current rates.

7. If the home becomes unavailable

On rare occasions a home can’t be rented as planned, for example after storm damage or a sale. If that happens, we will try to find you a comparable home. If we can’t, or you don’t want the alternative, we refund what you paid. Our responsibility is limited to that refund.

8. Booked through Vrbo or Airbnb?

If you booked one of our homes through another website, that website’s payment and cancellation terms apply to your booking, and refunds are handled through them.

9. Questions

Call us at 508-627-0476, email hello@hagertyremv.com, or write to Grace Hagerty Real Estate, Inc., PO Box 2341, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. See also our privacy policy.