Humble TX – Policies

Welcome to your retreat on Lake Houston! People often say upon arrival that they feel immediately transported from Houston-metro to a place full of peace, tranquility, solitude, and relaxation. We hope you’ll enjoy your time here. Make yourself at home!

No heels on the soft pine floor, quiet by 10pm for respect of the neighbors.

Cars: Please park in garages per deed restrictions.

Wireless: The modem is in the music studio off the Master. Sometimes you have to unplug it to reset after electrical storms. Take the battery off the black modem, too, if you do need to reset. The service is through Comcast and is bundled with cable and phone.

Phone: The phone package is a flat rate for unlimited calling within the US and Canada so call away within those countries! No non-US and Canada calls please.

Cushions for deck chairs: They’re under the bench by the dining room table. Please bring in after each use. Bugs and raccoons love them! They also blow away easily.

Boat: Please don’t touch. You’re welcome to use the dock for swimming and sunset viewing.

Fishing license: You can buy them at Wal-Mart.

Grill: Gas tank is full. Please leave the grill where it is – away from the house.

Floor: No water or hard-soled shoes on the wood floor please.

Sound system: The Sony remote controls the surround sound. Select the function (radio, cable, DVD, CD) by turning the small dial to the right of the display screen. It gets a little hot in the cabinet so please leave the door open when the system is on.

TV: The black remote controls the cable box which controls the TV.

Thermostats: They’re programmed to conserve energy and dollars. The one in the master controls all bedrooms/baths. The one by the powder room controls great room, kitchen, pantry. The downstairs is not heated or cooled but benefits from the upstairs systems due to the openness of the plan. PLEASE ENSURE THAT THERMOSTATS ARE IN PROGRAM MODE BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

Washing clothes: Since we have filtered water and a highly efficient machine, you only need half a scoop of the powdered detergent between the machines. If dryer seems slow, first place to look is in the vent on the front porch. It seems to get blocked with lint or the “flapper” gets stuck about once a year. It was clean when you arrived so there shouldn’t be a problem.

Range: Turn knobs slowly to “high” and you’ll hear the automatic igniter clicking. If the burner doesn’t turn on or doesn’t burn evenly, then one of the burner components is slightly out of place. They’re very fussy! Take all the burners apart and then place the two rings and center cover in it’s special spot. There are small notches on each ring that make them fit together snuggly.

Bugs: Here on the lake, there are many! Of course, we exterminate regularly, but you’re likely to still see some.

Alarm: Please don’t use the alarm while you’re here. We’ll arm it after you leave.

Smoke Alarms: If there’s an electrical storm, the smoke alarms may go off. They are networked so if one goes, they all go. This typically happens about once a year at about 2:30 in the morning! It hasn’t happened since we removed the trigger-happy alarm in the master (which is 5 ft from another alarm) so we believe it’s fixed. If it happens, get the ladder and remove alarms until it stops.

Fireplaces: Upstairs: Lighter is located in the drawer adjacent to the fireplace. Turn on the valve in the cabinet below, then light quickly. Downstairs: Not operational. Don’t use.

Required Entrance Codes: We will call, text and or email you these on the day of your arrival to gain access to the community gate, garage, house door inside the garage.

Guests cleaning responsibilities prior to the 11:00 am check-out:
Please leave home in the normal check-in condition
1. Put all dirty towels & linen in the laundry room and start washing machine
2. Put all dirty dishes in the sink and start dishwasher
3. Put all garbage/recycling collected out by the street by 7:00am on the following days:

Garbage pick-up: Wednesday and Saturday mornings. They often come early. Bin with dated sticker on it is in the double garage. Put your bagged garbage in the bin and simply roll it outside in front of the garage. Then return bin to storage area after pick up if you wouldn’t mind.

After each check-out our professional housekeepers will then thoroughly make sure that the suites are fully stripped, cleaned and then re-stocked, clean dishes are put away, clean towels are folded and clean linens are made in the beds for the next guests to arrive.

Check-out Checklist:
We trust that you’ll give the house the respect it deserves.
- Make sure thermostats are in “program” mode before you leave
- Put used towels, sheets, and pillow cases in laundry room and start a load (leave comforters/pillows on beds).
- Put all garbage in/beside cans in double garage. If you’re checking out on a Wednesday or a Saturday, please put garbage outside double garage for pick-up. DO NOT leave bags out over night – raccoons!
- Make sure air conditioner and fan in bedroom by kitchen is off.
- Turn off all internal lights (external yellow lantern lights stay on)
- Put cushions and deck chairs in their original position.
- Lock all doors (leave the way you came in, through double garage and lock behind you).
- The house was built for children and is especially wonderful around the holidays! It’s set up for giving both adults and children their own space while facilitating family togetherness.
- Maximizing adult accommodations with upstairs greatroom, the dock, the decks, private bedrooms and bathrooms
- Containing kid activity with downstairs playroom, upstairs kid’s cubby, art room, outside
- Facilitating family events with huge kitchen, family room, dock, firepit, decks, etc.

The owners have 3 young children ages newborn to 11. The owners will be at the home in November and so, would be happy to set out the “kid stuff” for use in December. (Currently, it’s all on property in a locked storage room the owners reserve for their personal items.)

Great things for children to enjoy:
- The art room which has unfinished concrete floors and an art table that’s seen many a coloring, painting, gluing and craft session. There’s also a “rustic” sink and toilet in there as well — not a luxury accommodation but handy for kids doing art who shouldn’t run through the house with art supplies on their hands!). Allows you to contain the art sessions to one designated area that doesn’t have to be cleaned up before dinner, for example. Incidentally, the concrete floor is also great for tap shoes!
- The “kid’s cubby” which is off the kitchen and has a small doorway not meant for adults. It’s great as a club house, playhouse, lego room or whatever else the kids come up with. Your kids would be the perfect age to enjoy.
- Outside front: Because the neighborhood is gated and there are many other children on the street, the kids are pretty much free to ride bikes/scooters, etc. up and down the street. Typically at the holidays, there are grandkids in the neighborhood in addition to the local kids. (Typically 10-20 kids all under age 12.) The kids have a blast as they are free to run, and the house is situated on the hill so you can see much of the street from the window allowing both parents and kids freedom.
- Holiday cookie baking: The large kitchen is great for decorating cookies around the island.
- Firepit out back: In December, this is a magical place because the trees make you feel like you’re in the middle of a forest and the pelicans landing on the lake make you feel like you’re in an episode of Wild Kingdom. ‘Smores anyone? (You’d have to bring your own logs or stop by the side of the road to get some — often to green to burn right away.)
- Kayaks: The owners have often rented a group of kayaks for larger family gatherings. Exploring the islands and getting closer to the large pelican flocks are usually hits with kids.
- Play kitchen and other toys: The owners would leave their kid toys out for you to use while you’re there. The kitchen set is fully stocked with dishes and “food” perfect for your kids’ ages. Incidentally, the house is great for hide and seek and kids often host marathon hide and seek sessions.
- Wildlife and fireworks on the dock with adults: It’s always fun to see turtles, fish jumping, snakes, pelicans, deer and fireworks from the dock. Providing the weather is good, it’s also fun to take the kayaks out at night to watch all the fireworks being set off on the shores. You would need to bring life jackets for all kids. The owners recommend instituting a rule of “no lifejacket, no backyard.” If you to rent kayaks, lifejackets come with them.
- Deer out front: A herd of around 10 deer graze across the street every night. You’ll be able to see late at night and early in the morning. The owners report seeing them more often during the holidays since it gets dark earlier.
- Note the great “Santa” fireplace!
- Christmas Tree by request

Regarding questions about firewood:
1. The upstairs fireplace is gaslog. The gas valve is located inside the cabinet to the right of the fireplace. Inside the cabinet, you will see the turn key on the inside wall to the left of the wine fridge. There is a red ribbon tied to the turn key. Turn counter-clockwise 3 or 4 turns, then light quickly with the lighter in the drawer next to the fireplace. Turn clockwise to shut off the fire. Please do not leave burning over night!
2. Unfortunately, the downstairs fireplace is not in working order  due to previous guests. Do not use.
3. Outside fire pit. Bring dried hardwood if you’d like to have fires outside. (BTW: You’ll see people selling firewood by the side of the road. In our experience, this wood is rarely if ever dry enough to burn. Same with the logs they sell at the grocery store.) There are logs stacked by the firepit which look like they’re to burn, however, they are parts of a tree we had to have removed after the last hurricane. They are soft pine, don’t burn well, are VERY smokey, and do not work for recreational bonfires. Do not use. Technically, fires are not allowed per the neighborhood rules, but everyone has them. So be quiet and respectful and you shouldn’t cause any alarm from the neighbors. Please take care to remove all the highly combustible pine needles from the area before having a fire. If it’s extremely dry, consider not burning. Please pour water on the fire to ensure no remaining live coals.

Disclaimer: Acker Vacation Homes dba Acker Suites a Canadian company acts as booking agent for the home owner(s): Acker Vacation Homes are booking agents and specialize in the booking of privately owned vacation properties acting as agent for the owners of the properties. Acker Vacation Homes is not liable in any way as a result of any act or omission of an owner of a represented property, the condition or state of the property. The owners and agents of the rental accommodations that Acker Vacation Homes represent shall not be held liable for any damage, injuries, illness, or weather related problems or any circumstances beyond their control occurring during or affecting a guest’s reservation or stay. Should any of these policies not be followed Acker Vacation Homes and / or the owners of the property have the right to evict any guest and/or party, all pre-paid rents, deposits and purchases shall be considered earned and therefore be retained by the property owners. Acker Vacation Homes reserves the right to refuse or interrupt service to any customer and apply financial penalties due to the disregard of these policies, excessive noise and/or property abuse.