Good Neighbor Policy
We live here too. Our commitment to the communities we serve in Southeast Wisconsin.
At Elite Lake Rentals, it is our sincere intention to be good neighbors to the communities we serve in Southeast Wisconsin. We strive to maintain proactive relationships with the city, local businesses, and our neighbors, as we too are residents and members of these communities. Our roots are planted deep here.
Tourism is a large part of life in the Lake Geneva area and a major part of our economy. Vacationers arrive for the myriad of activities and attractions in Lake Geneva. Whether it be to enjoy a day at Geneva Lake, a walk on the shore path, building a sandcastle at the beach or a romantic stroll along the lake, anyone who is blessed enough to live here understands the lure of our beautiful lakes and Midwest charm. We are fortunate to live our lives in the shadow of such magnificent beauty and many of us wish to allow visitors the opportunity to experience a taste of what it's like to live here.
Why Do Owners Rent Their Vacation Homes?
There are almost too many reasons to count. The most common are:
- As a vacation home. A place to use when they have a chance to visit, rented out to cover expenses when it would otherwise be vacant.
- Help with mortgage and maintenance costs. Many owners only stay at their property a few weeks per year and rent it out the rest of the time — including holidays and special events — to afford to keep their homes.
- So that the home doesn’t sit empty for months on end. An occupied property is a deterrent to crime and keeps deferred maintenance in check.
- Part of an investment or retirement strategy. Many homeowners purchase a home or plan to keep a home with retirement as the end goal, using it as a vacation rental to offset expenses until then.
- To keep the home in the family. Many of our homes are owned by families and children who grew up there, returning to enjoy summers in Wisconsin. Short-term renting allows them to keep the home in the family when not in use.
- Job transfers, out-of-town work, or absences to care for a loved one. Vacation rental income allows homeowners to hold on to their home and keep ties to Wisconsin until they return permanently.
How Do Owners Rent Their Vacation Homes?
Many destination-area homeowners across the country and the world choose to short-term rent their home at one point or another. Many take advantage of services such as Airbnb or VRBO where you can list your home for rent while not using it. For those not interested in DIY vacation rental management, there are professional organizations such as Elite Lake Rentals.
There are many advantages to employing a local professional. First, and most importantly, this means hands-on care for the property and taking responsibility for ensuring the home and neighborhood are respected by guests. For out-of-town owners, nothing beats that peace of mind. That said, there is a wide range of options with just as wide a range of accountability — so it's important for guests and homeowners to research before deciding on a management company.
How We Protect Our Neighborhoods
Our goal is to eliminate any issue before it happens. Here's how.
Guest Verification & Background Checks
All guests are verified through our identity and background check provider before booking is confirmed. We screen every reservation, every time.
Signed Rental Agreement
Every guest must read and agree to our Guest Rental Agreement before booking. The agreement clearly explains house rules, occupancy limits, quiet hours, and our zero-tolerance policy on parties.
25+ Minimum Age Requirement
The primary renter must be at least 25 years old and present for the entire stay. We enforce supervision ratios for younger guests. Age misrepresentation results in immediate eviction without refund.
Strict Occupancy Limits
We follow Wisconsin State Licensing guidelines for maximum occupancy and enforce them strictly. Day visitors are limited and must leave by 10:00 PM unless approved. Exceeding occupancy is grounds for eviction.
Minut Noise & Occupancy Monitoring
Every property is monitored 24/7 with Minut sensors that track sound levels (in decibels) and estimate occupancy through device detection. The sensors are 100% privacy compliant — they do not record audio. They alert us when sound exceeds 75 dB or when device count suggests occupancy may have exceeded limits, so we can proactively address issues before they disturb neighbors.
2-Night Minimum, Zero Parties
We do not accept rentals shorter than 2 nights. Parties are absolutely prohibited. The vast majority of our guests are families and friends with an average length of stay over 4 nights.
Common Issues — and How We Handle Them
Parking
Parking accommodations are clearly stated in each property listing and on Airbnb and VRBO listings. Guests are reminded of their parking allotment at booking. Most guests travel together or share rental cars, so parking is rarely an issue. Boats, trailers, and motorized vehicles require advance written approval.
Trash
We encourage all of our owners to provide an additional garbage can so trash never overflows. We ensure trash cans are rolled to the street at the appropriate time and returned to the property after pickup each week.
Overcrowding
This is a responsibility we take seriously. Excessive occupancy can result in property damage and noise disturbances. Each property has a clearly defined occupancy limit, and guests must abide by those limits or face immediate eviction without refund. We follow Wisconsin State Licensing guidelines for occupancy.
If There's an Issue, Call Us First
Our properties are monitored regularly to ensure guests are following policies and procedures. If you ever witness a non-compliance issue at one of our properties, please contact us immediately. We are available during business hours (9:30 AM – 9:00 PM CST) and 24/7 for emergencies.
The fastest way to reach us is by phone:
262-254-6688We respond to neighbor concerns immediately. If a guest is disturbing your peace, we want to know — and we will address it directly with the guest, including warning, fines, or eviction as appropriate.
Report a Concern
Prefer to send a written report? Submit it here and we'll respond promptly.
For urgent issues happening right now, please call 262-254-6688 — we respond 24/7.
We firmly believe a well-run vacation rental can coexist in any neighborhood, and that homeowners have the right to use their property as they see fit — as long as they don't create a nuisance. We will always be quick to respond to any questions or concerns and will continue to do whatever we can to ensure peaceful coexistence between short-term rentals, long-term renters, and homeowners in our communities.
