Rental agreements tend to be rather standardized but it's still a good idea to have an attorney review the document. Here are a few points that are easily overlooked by vacationers but are common to rental contracts.

The Premises

Often you will deal with companies that control a large number of rental units in the same general vicinity. In such a case, the contract should list the address or unique name of the residence to lessen the likelihood that at the last minute you could be given a different house than the one you initially chose.

Start and End Dates and Times

The document should specify when you can begin occupying the premises and when you must vacate. More than just the dates are needed. The times of day should be listed as well. Suppose you arrive at the premises at 10:00 a.m. only to be informed that it is being cleaned and won't be ready until the afternoon. There may be no safe place to leave your baggage for a few hours, and the owner/manager doesn't want you in the way of the cleaning crew. Similar problems can occur on departure. You may intend to sleep late so you'll be fresh for your 6:00 p.m. flight, but the owner/manager insists that you vacate shortly after breakfast. Once again, you find yourself in travel limbo trying to think of something for you and your luggage to do to kill time.

Pets

Don't try to sneak your pet onto the premises or you could make yourself vulnerable to a surprise eviction and perhaps a lawsuit. If pets are not allowed on one property, simply choose another property. You may love your animal but you must remember that its dander on the premises could prove a dangerous health threat to the owner/manager or to his next tenant.

If your pet is an unusual or exotic animal, inform the owner/manager. There may be neighborhood covenants or city ordinances or local or federal laws against someone keeping such animals as pets. You don't want your vacation ruined when the local animal control office carts the family mascot away.

Grilling/ Barbecue

Before you slap those steaks on that travel grill make sure that you have permission to do so. It may be common for people to grill in the backyard in your neighborhood back home but perhaps it's not welcomed in your temporary neighborhood. Even more importantly, for reasons of insurance and safety, the owner/manager may specify in the rental agreement that outdoor cooking is not allowed.