House Rules & Good Stuff to Know
Below are the house rules that we update from time to time based on our experiences with guests. Many of these fall into the "I never thought I would have to write that down as a house rule", but if its in here, it's for a reason! ;) By booking Casa Azul, you have agreed to honor these house rules and are responsible for those staying with you under your reservation to also honor these house rules - please read them carefully to ensure a wonderful experience!
Be Cool.
We hope all of our guests feel like they are treated with the thoughtfulness and care of a good friend. In turn, we ask that our guests treat Casa Azul like they would if they were staying with a good friend. 😉 We consider it a privilege to host in the neighborhood we live in!
Pool Area Hours.
The pool area is open for mutual respectful use by guests of Casa Azul and the Casita from 9 am – 10 pm (11 pm weekends) – it’s a noise and respect issue for our guests and neighbors. After hours, no guests are permitted in pool area. All our neighbors have our number, they have (and will) text us if there are folks in the shared pool area after hours. Saturdays during football season are celebrated in the neighborhood, with sounds of music and outdoor festivities – if any issue after-hours, don’t hesitate to let us know and we can lob a neighborly “Hey, turn it down” their way.
Working-From-Home Hours.
If you’ve rented both Casa Azul and the Casita, you can skip this section! For our guests that work from home, we understand a quiet space may be needed during weekday, non-holiday working hours (8:00 am to 5:30 pm), such that music or loud noise from the pool area would be distracting. To maximize fun + provide for a quiet WFH space, we’ve equipped Casa Azul and the Casita with signs on the glass pool doors – one side says “Working, Kindly Keep It Down” and the other side says “All Good – Do Your Thing!” When needed, flip your sign over to let the other house know that if they’re hanging out in the pool area, it needs to be without amplified music or loud noise. Chilling by the pool with headphones or a book – totally fine. On the flip side, when you’re headed to the pool area, kindly check the other pool door sign to see what level of noise would be appropriate.
Parking.
You are welcome to park up to 2 cars in the driveway, exclusive for our Casa Azul guests. If you have a third vehicle, you may park on the street, but will need the hang tag provided in the house binder after 9 pm. Please use caution to pull in at an angle if you have a low clearance vehicle, as the approach up the driveway is steep, especially the right side. There is additional parking for 1 car (or 2 small ones) in the casita driveway, accessible via the alley.
Food Delivery.
DoorDash, GrubHub, and UberEats are common food delivery drivers in our area. There are also at least 8 restaurants within a 5-minute walk for easy take-out.
Security, Tech, & Privacy.
Security Devices. There are audio-enabled security cameras around the perimeter of Casa Azul and the Casita (front door, side gates, and back parking area), as well as in the shared pool area and pool equipment area, which are recording at all times. Rest assured, we have no interest in actively monitoring them unless we receive a notification of unexpected / after-hours activity. There are also door/window opening monitors throughout the property and sensors on artwork. There are also NoiseAware noise monitors that will send you a text if noise levels exceed local ordinance thresholds (they do not “listen” like Alexa or Siri, it’s solely a decibel monitoring service). Much of our security relies on strong internet signal – for that reason, do not unplug, move, tamper, or otherwise interfere with any security devices, including routers, Ring hubs, door/window monitors, art monitors, or Eero Wifi boosters. If you see or suspect an issue, please message us asap. My heart breaks that there is a small group of guests that would tamper with these devices to “get away with” activity that is not permitted at Casa Azul (e.g., smoking, extra guests, outdoor activity after hours, nudity / unpermitted activity in the shared pool area, theft, etc.). If security devices go offline, we will message and/or call, and if necessary, arrive in person to confirm everything is okay.
Lock Cars and Doors. We love our neighborhood, but like anywhere, there’s always the possibility of passers-by looking for an easy take, especially from cars. Please do your part to minimize risk by hiding or removing all valuables from your car and keep the doors/gates locked.
Outdoor Outlets. Please do not unplug anything outdoors - we utilize smart plugs and timers for outdoor lights and sprinklers.
Owner Areas. There are a few areas reserved for host and cleaning staff use, labeled as “private” and locked as appropriate – a couple kitchen cabinets, the garage, and the master bedroom closet. Kindly respect the privacy of those areas.
Activities Not Permitted.
No smoking or vaping of any substance (tobacco, weed, etc.) in or near Casa Azul, including the pool area, as a condition to our insurance coverage and as a courtesy to our other / next guests. No illegal activities (i.e. poker games, companions of the night, illegal drugs, underage drinking). No glass, nudity, or sexual activity of any kind in the shared pool area (our neighbors have children and a kitchen window line of sight – and yes, this is in here because prior guests have done it – so awkward for us and our neighbor – please don’t – we will terminate the reservation immediately.) We understand and respect discretion and privacy, as long as house rules are observed!
Scary Weather.
**Wind + Rain + Tornado Precautions**. This is Texas – if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes – which is a ridiculous thing to say, until you experience it first-hand. Rain + wind + tornados can come on fast. If there is wind or rain in the forecast, please close, lower, and velcro the umbrella and place all cushions and pillows in the covered patio area and/or shed alongside the Casita – they take forever to dry out when it rains and will get moldy if left soaking wet. If EXTRA windy (rare, but it happens), please stack/move the lightweight furniture to the covered patio area or the shed – especially the turquoise chairs – the wind will (and has) blown them across the pool area into the oversized windows and is so startling, it will make you wish you were wearing your brown pants. We’ll do our best to monitor the weather and reach out / come help you if a bad storm is coming. There are tornado siren tests the first Wednesday of every month at noon. If you hear sirens any other time, take them seriously. In Casa Azul, the laundry room is the best place to take shelter. Grab blankets, pillows, and a flashlight/candle/lighter if at night. If you are not from tornado country and are concerned, always feel free to call or text – we’ll talk you through it. We follow @WFAAWeather on twitter for real time updates on weather – it’s specific, updated often, and does not require you to be in front of a television to track.
(Not) Moving Furniture.
Please leave the furniture in its existing location. Some are attached to the wall for safety, some will scratch the floor, some are more delicate or heavier than they appear. It’s not within our housekeeping team’s ability to move furniture back to its original location. If you have a need to move the furniture, please message us and we’ll take care of it for you!
Artwork.
Luis Fernando (one of your hosts) is a professional artist, with paintings in private collections around the world and featured in museums. He paints in the cubist futurism style (think cubism = similar to Picasso, reducing figures to their most fundamental shapes + futurism = a singular object painted at several moments close in time). Many of the paintings in Casa Azul were painted by Luis Fernando and, while his active art dealer days are on pause, he still sells from his private collection from time to time. If any of the pieces speak to you, he’d be delighted to share its story and price point, if desired, which start at $2,500. Please refrain from touching or moving the artwork – most are outfitted with security devices that can be startlingly loud if triggered + we’ll receive notifications and come say hi to confirm all is well. A few of the paintings feature tasteful nudity – if you’d prefer to have those pieces stored elsewhere during your stay, don’t hesitate to ask – we want you to be comfortable.
Dogs.
We love doggos! We welcome service dogs and up to 2 dogs if non-aggressive, non-destructive, and potty trained. We do not allow cats (owner is highly allergic).
Dog-Safe Spaces. There is no grass in the pool area, but for late night / early morning quick potty breaks, guests of Casa Azul may let the doggos out, provided that guests must pick up poo biscuits with the doggy bags provided as they happen, rather than waiting for the end of your trip – the flies and rain make it difficult and grody to clean and no one likes poo by the pool. 😉 We’ve provided doggy bags inside Casa Azul! There are also great dog parks nearby! Leashes and doggy bags are required by our HOA when walking in the neighborhood. Dog guests of the Casita are not permitted in the pool area to avoid West Side Story – Dog Edition. They have their own private courtyard in the back. If any issue, feel free to message us and we’ll remind our Casita guests.
When You're Away. We encourage guests to bring crates for the dogs while you are out to protect your dogs from getting into anything harmful or damaging anything in Casa Azul (e.g., plants, air freshener plug-ins, rugs, etc.) If you do leave your dogs uncrated in Casa Azul, please leave them in an area where they will not be distressed / all day bark off with the Casita guests should they use the pool area while you’re away. We like the master bedroom / bathroom with the shades closed.
Damage. By bringing and/or leaving your dogs in Casa Azul, you are assuming the risk and responsibility of payment for any damage. We choose not to collect an extra pet deposit on the trust and expectation that our guests will make things right if their dog causes damage. If we have a reasonable belief that guest dogs are distressed, we will reach out to you to find a good solution - we're happy to let a dog outside to potty if needed in a pinch! We will not enter Casa Azul without your advance permission unless a guest dog is in imminent danger.
Cleaning Up After Doggos. Kindly put tied, used potty bags in the grey outdoor garbage bin by the front gate entrance. If any accidents, please see the front of the house binder for details on cleaning supplies!
Shared Pool Area.
Shared Space. The shared pool area is shared only with the guesthouse (the Casita). The key to this space is mutually respectful use – we’ve never needed to step in, but if you have an issue with guests of the Casita violating the house rules and don’t feel comfortable chatting with them directly, we totally understand and will happily take care of things – just let us know!
Maintenance. The lawn maintenance team comes on Tuesday mornings, but does not enter the pool area – front yard only. We’ll stop by on Thursday nights to put the trash / recycle bins on the curb and on Friday to return them to the pool area. We’ll also stop by from time to time as needed to check on the pool water levels (it evaporates quickly in the summer!), water the plants, and attend to any major debris in the pool – we will do our best to message you in advance so as to not surprise you (emergencies notwithstanding). If the pool should need a refresher during your stay (e.g., flowers/leaves gathering on the surface), don’t hesitate to reach out – we’ll take care of it. Guests are welcome to use the pool net as needed – just be mindful not to gouge the house or snag the overhead electrical wire between the Casita and Casa Azul with the pole – it’s long!
Visibility / No Exhibitionism. Floor to ceiling windows are abundant, all of which (except the Azul living room) have full window shades or drapes. Please close them for your privacy and be respectful about bedroom activities that can be seen through open windows - as a courtesy to our other guests, neighbors, and outdoor pool area cameras. If being seen / caught is your thing, yay – have fun, but this is not your Airbnb and your reservation will be immediately terminated with no refund.
Guest Seating. The seating area and chaise lounges close to the main house are reserved for guests of Casa Azul. Floats and noodles are first come, first serve!
Casa Azul Dogs in the Pool Area. Guests of Casa Azul may allow their dogs to use the pool area for quick potty breaks, with the understanding that poo biscuits are to be picked up as they occur. Please don't leave anything outside in the shared pool area that would harm, or be damaged by, a curious pup.
Pool and Hot Tub.
Please be mindful of the following rules that allow for safe and mutually respectful use of the pool area, particularly so given the close proximity of the pool/spa to our neighbors and other guests. If you are unable or unwilling to follow these rules, please do not use the pool area.
Pool Area Hours. Guests are welcome to enjoy the shared pool area from 9 am - 10 pm (11 pm on weekends), as long as there is no lightning, heavy rain, or other potentially dangerous condition (to you or the pool equipment). Please don’t exceed these hours thinking “oh, we’ll just be quiet” – sound travels easily, right into our neighbor’s guesthouse and the Casita.
What to Bring Outside. Swimsuits, regardless of whether the Casita is also booked. Yetis or solo cups (no glass). If you have a portable speaker, please keep volume at a respectful level (and if the Casita has flipped their sign to “Working, Kindly Keep It Down”, please wait until they’ve flipped it back over before playing music). Sunscreen and bug spray are provided!
What Not to Bring Outside. No glass, smoking, or loud music near/in the pool area. No children under the age of 18 are permitted alone in the shared pool area.
Use at Your Own Risk. Use of the pool and spa is at your sole risk. There is no lifeguard, and owners will not monitor your use of the pool / spa. Please be respectful / use good judgment. We ask the guests of the Casita to do the same!
No Glass. Insulated and plastic cups are stocked in Casa Azul - no glass outside, not even in a koozie. Draining and cleaning the pool for broken glass is crazy spendy and puts the pool out of commission for the next guests. We’re not priced to absorb that type of urgent repair / re-homing of the next guest and would need to pass that expense to our guests, estimated at several thousand dollars.
Pool Equipment. Guests are not permitted to operate pool equipment – we control it from our phone! Message us for details! If you attempt to use the equipment, you may drain the spa and/or pool, and the cost to replace the water will be passed along to the guest. Yes, it has happened. Kindly don’t.
Spa. The spa can be heated upon request once daily for your soak (roughly one hour to heat up when it’s super cold out) and is included in the rental cost (up to 2 hours after heated). Please message us with your desired soak time and we'll have it ready for you – we control it from our phone! Do not attempt on your own – it’s easy to accidentally drain the spa. Please remember that the shared pool area closes at 10 pm (11 pm weekends).
Heating the Pool. The pool can be heated for additional cost per day, which varies depending on the outside temperature and desired temp – message us for details! It takes about 24 hours to heat. We need at least 36 hours’ notice prior to your use to schedule a pool cleaning and start the heating process.
Additional Guests. Additional guests are not permitted in Casa Azul or pool area beyond the registered number of guests on the reservation without prior host approval, but we’re happy to recommend great spots nearby to meet up!
Children in the Pool Area. Casa Azul and the shared pool area are not intended for unsupervised young children (we love little ones, but to childproof and stock Casa Azul and the pool area for little ones would be prohibitively expensive). Parents traveling with older children will exercise their best judgment when allowing them into the pool area, with outdoor supervision (not from the inside) by a parent, sitter, or sibling over the age of 18. No running, screaming, diving, or other potentially dangerous activity in the pool area / pool. There is no lifeguard or life preservation device. Use of the pool area by guests / minors is exclusively at the risk and responsibility of the guest. Owners will not be responsible or liable for monitoring the pool area or any injury, death or damage caused or suffered by guests / minors using the pool area. (Bear with us, I'm a lawyer and this stuff is meant to be here if the unthinkable should happen!)
**RISK FACTORS** Please do not use the pool or spa if you are drowsy, intoxicated, pregnant (if pool/spa are heated), or otherwise experiencing a condition that would expose you to increased risk by using the pool/spa. Please refrain from excessive drinking alcohol in or before you hot tub – the combination of booze and hot tub can unexpectedly make walking/balance difficult, cause you to slip, fall, fall asleep, and/or feel drunk very quickly, among other conditions. Short version: booze + hot tub = much more intoxicated than you expect. The general recommendation is to limit your time in the hot tub to 30 minutes, drink plenty of water, and end your session if you feel dizzy or otherwise abnormal.
Reservation of Rights. We want you to have fun and be safe. We reserve the right to remind our guests of these rules, by message and/or in person and/or to direct guests to exit the pool area at any time to honor our primary goals of safety and respectfulness of the owners, neighbors, and other guests.
Prep for Departure.
The front of this house rules binder has a quick reference chart for departure preparation instructions. Here’s the long version: For our cleaning crew's safety (and to keep your cleaning fees lower and our turn times quick), we ask that you place all used towels / robes in the dirty clothes hamper in the laundry room, place all trash (in bags) in the outdoor grey garbage bins located in the shared pool area (near the front gate), and start the dishwasher before you leave (please hand wash wooden knives, cookware, and wine glasses!). Do not strip the sheets - it's easier for our cleaning team to identify areas that may need to be pretreated. To help them "spot the spots", if there's anywhere in Casa Azul that needs careful attention - spilled coffee, mud, etc., there are "Spot the Spot" tent cards located in the house manual - just place the card over the spot and our cleaning team will pre-treat accordingly!
Upon Departure.
Please message / text us upon departure so we may alert our cleaning team and start preparations for the next guest. Thank you for your help and safe travels home!
Damage & Violation of House Rules.
We believe humans are generally good and those who book Casa Azul will treat it respectfully. We’ve never had an issue, but in an abundance of caution, to the extent not in conflict with the PeerSpace terms and conditions, please know that violation of the house rules, including without limitation, unauthorized guests, smoking, or a disregard of quiet hours in the outdoor areas, will incur a fine of $300 per violation (unless expressly stated otherwise) and may result in the immediate cancellation of the remainder of the reservation, at the option of the host, without refund. Guests are responsible for immediate payment of all costs to repair, replace, or otherwise restore the property to the same condition as existed prior to a guest’s arrival, regardless of whether such costs arise from or relate to a guest’s violation of the house rules or of PeerSpace's terms (if booked through PeerSpace). A security deposit is not a cap on guest liability for damages. Ordinary wear and tear is expected, and we are reasonable, flexible hosts who love sharing Casa Azul with our guests, but trust you understand that this is our former home and our wonderful experiences with our guests are based on mutual trust and respect. We manage Casa Azul in a manner that we would feel comfortable with if we were a neighbor. If you're not sure about the house rules, always feel welcome and encouraged to ask for clarification, before or during your stay. By booking Casa Azul, you are agreeing to honor these house rules and are responsible for those staying with you under your reservation to also honor these house rules.