SO YOU WANT TO RENT OUT YOUR UNIT!
There are times it becomes necessary or convenient to rent out your unit due to job relocation, family demands, or a long-awaited extended trip around the world on a tramp steamer.
Markland Woods Condominiums caps the number of units that can be rented out to third parties at 24.
The policies and procedures for renting out units is laid out in the Declaration, with additional information in the House Rules, both available through the Governing Docs tab on this website.
Below are a few highlights to help you get started on the process as well as where to go for more information.
Section 11.4 of the Declaration and Rule R of the House Rules go into detail on the requirements, obligations, and restrictions connected with leasing out your unit.
You need to have owned your unit for at least 2 years before you can lease it out to an unrelated third party without living there yourself. You will need to enter into a written lease with the tenant and provide a copy of the lease to Port Gardner Management. Check the Declaration for more details regarding these leasing requirements (which includes requiring your tenant to have rental insurance). Tenants must be given a copy of the House Rules for their reference.
If there are already 24 units being rented out, your name will be put on a waiting list and when a space becomes available, owners will be contacted in the order in which requests were received.
As long as you occupy the unit, you can have roommates living with you and don’t need to provide a written agreement to Port Gardner Management. Providing contact information to Port Gardner Management is strongly recommended so they can be contacted in case of an emergency when you are not available. Your roommates should be given a copy of the House Rules so they know what they can and cannot do.
A relative (or relatives) can live in your unit even if you are not living there yourself and you don’t need to provide a written agreement to Port Gardner Management. Providing contact information to Port Gardner Management is strongly recommended so they can be contacted in case of an emergency when you are not available. Your relative(s) must be given a copy of the House Rules so they know what they can and cannot do.
When leasing out a unit, bringing in roommates, or having family live in your unit, be sure everyone is aware of the parking rules in particular, and don’t promise people they can “just park in visitor parking, it’s okay” if they own more cars than you have parking spaces, because it isn’t okay and you will be fined if visitor parking rules are violated too often. Tenants, roommates, and relatives will need to arrange to rent a spot or park offsite if that’s the case. Amendment #1 dated 8/19/2025 to the House Rules has the most recent information regarding visitor parking. The House Rules Section R has all other details regarding parking.
Speaking of rules, as the unit owner, you are responsible for making sure everyone living in your unit follows the rules and regulations that owners need to adhere to, and you will be fined if the rules are violated too often, not your tenants, relatives, or roommates.
The Declaration and the House Rules all include instructions and directions that are required under local, state, or federal law. Other requirements, restrictions, and obligations are there because living in a small community requires cooperation from every resident, not just owners, but tenants, visitors, and relatives as well.
Please remember laws and rules generally exist because somebody at some time did something that prompted creation of the law. Here at Markland Woods, we live in close proximity to each other. In the past, somebody at some time, whether a resident, tenant, visitor or relative, damaged the property, damaged someone else’s property, made living here miserable for their neighbors, or they violated local, county, or state law. The House Rules have been developed over time, and are intended to ensure everyone living here has equal opportunity to enjoy life and pursue happiness, to the greatest extent possible when surrounded by people with different schedules and expectations.
As an owner, please make sure your visitors, relatives, and tenants are aware of these obligations and know to follow them. It’s much simpler than having to deal with the paperwork caused when the rules are violated.
If you will be leaving your unit unoccupied for any period of time instead of renting, here are precautions you are encouraged to take in order to minimize damage to your unit or adjacent units.
UNOCCUPIED UNIT - BEST HEALTH AND SAFETY PRACTICES
If your unit will be left unoccupied for any length of time longer than 2-3 days, please consider the following recommendations as friendly advice from your board members who are trying to save you time, money, and heartache!
While your unit is unoccupied:
Plan to have someone check your unit every 2-3 days, or at least weekly so if anything happens it will be spotted and can get fixed before too much damage is done.
Water leaks can happen FAST and cause a lot of damage in a short time.
If a leak happens in your unit and you aren’t there to catch it, not only can it damage or destroy your own walls, floors, or ceiling, it can damage adjacent units.
If a leak happens in a unit above or next to you and you’re on vacation for 2 weeks, or longer - the damage could be significant by the time you’re back in your unit.
Mold starts growing on Day 1 of a leak - and if the leak goes unnoticed for days, weeks, or months - mold growth can require tearing your unit down to the studs and rebuilding, and can cost you your carpet, furniture, and personal belongings as well. Don’t let that happen - arrange for someone to check in periodically! See below for some options.
Sewer drain blockages can do serious damage in a short time as well!
Do not pour grease, paint, glue, cooked or uncooked grain, or solids down drains.
If you use a sink garbage disposal, check to be sure you’re using it correctly, not dumping inappropriate materials down the disposal, or not running it long enough or using enough water so food gets stuck in the disposal, trap, or further down the line.
DO NOT FLUSH WIPES OR DIAPERS.
Do not wash sand or dirt down the sink (for example. when repotting plants or cleaning off beach toys).
There are products made to help break down stuck paper, lime or calcium deposits that may help clear a sluggish toilet or sink drain. Use these sparingly as they can cause pipe damage.
Make sure to clear hair out of all sink, tub, and shower drains! Hair is a major contributor to sewer clogs.
When in doubt, call a plumber!
Check the Declaration and House Rules for unit maintenance requirements.
Declaration 11.6.4 - If your unit will be unoccupied (or even while it’s occupied) during the winter (October-April, first and last frost dates) please be sure to leave the power on and your thermostats set to at least 50 degrees F.
Declaration 11.6.5 - Be sure your vents and fans are all working. If you suspect you may have a leak somewhere, or your toilet runs all the time or clogs easily, get it looked at and repaired before leaving your unit unoccupied, even for a long weekend.
If you know your unit will be unoccupied for an extended length of time, consider turning the water off at each sink and toilet, the washer, the dishwasher, and at the water heater. Consider turning the hot water heater breaker off, as well. Don’t turn off electricity to your unit because you’ll need to leave the heaters on!
Check House Rules L and Declaration 13.7 for insurance requirements.
Make sure you have sufficient insurance as required by the Declaration and House Rules to cover the COA’s insurance deductible for water, sewer, fire, or other damaging events. In 2026, the COA deductible is $50,000.00 and you will need a policy for that amount. Check with your insurance agent for details.
Failure to carry insurance in a sufficient amount won’t exempt you from paying the COA back for your share of the deductible. A payment program can be set up, or other payment arrangements will need to be made.
Options for Unit Safety Checks.
Ask a family member or friend who lives nearby to stop in once in a while and take a quick look around. If they have to check on a pet or pick up the mail anyway, have them look in the bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room, too.
If you are a landlord and use a property manager, make sure they know to check on the unit periodically.
If you use an attorney, or have a trustee or someone with Power of Attorney for your care, make sure they have instructions to check on the unit during your absence.
Check the National Home Watch Association website for accredited professionals who can keep an eye on your unit for you while it’s unoccupied.
Check with your insurance agent and see if they can recommend an accredited home-sitting service to you.
If you have no other options for a short-term absence, or have an emergency and don’t have time to make other arrangements, ask a board member. Make sure to drop off a key in the cabana mail slot!