Planning the perfect cottage getaway
By Michelle Warren • Bankrate.com

Cottage country and remote areas are also sketchy when it comes to cellphone coverage. Many cottages have phones, from which local calls are free, but you'll be expected to use a calling card or credit card for long-distance calls. Also keep in mind that many cottages don't have touch-tone service, so you may not be able to hook up a laptop or even phone home to check your messages. If it's a working holiday or you need to keep in touch, make this clear when booking.

Water fun
Don't expect to rent a cottage and have access to the owner's speedboat. Most owners stay away from offering motorized watercraft to renters and opt instead for canoes, row boats and the odd paddle boat. In most cases, they'll provide life jackets, but ultimately it's the responsibility of the renters to ensure they have the proper equipment in the boat should they be stopped by police. Some owners have boats available at an additional charge, but many avoid all liability by completely staying away from watercraft and directing renters to a local marina for rentals.

When vacationing with children, it's always a good idea to invest in fitted lifejackets and encourage them to wear them at all times when they're outdoors at a waterfront cottage.

Furry friends
Some cottages allow pets; others don't. Respect the rules or you may be on the hook for the cost of a professional cleaning service. If you have allergies, don't assume that the rental cottage is pet free just because renters are not allowed to bring pets. Sometimes owners who only rent a few weeks a year have pets of their own, but restrict renters.

As for other four-legged creatures, namely fang-bearing wild ones, it may ease your mind to know that they're likely more afraid of you than you are of them. That said, avoid confrontations by never leaving food or garbage outdoors, closing patio doors and cleaning up after meals (you don't want to return to a cottage after a swim to find a bear in the kitchen eating your raspberry pie).

Fine print and other details
When renting a cottage, it's important to understand your rights and obligations. In most cases, you'll sign rental agreements and waivers, put down a deposit to hold the rental and supply some kind of security deposit. If you're renting through a company, you should be able to use a credit card, but private rentals usually mean sending cheques in the mail.

Expect to put down a deposit or use a credit card to hold a booking. The remainder of the rental fee is usually due a few weeks prior to your vacation, but some laid-back owners collect your cheque when they hand over the keys.

Don't be put off by requests for security or damage deposits, which are common and exist to ensure a cottage is left in the same condition it was found. If, upon arrival, you discover that something is damaged or the cottage is dirty, make the owner or agent aware right away so that you're not held accountable for a previous renter's mess. It's also prudent to ensure the owner has proper insurance that allows for renters -- ask about this from the outset to ensure that you're protected should something go terribly wrong.

Ask about cancellation policies and whether or not holiday cancellation insurance (usually five to six percent of the rental fee) is available. If you don't have insurance and have to cancel at the last minute, many owners and booking agents will attempt to re-rent the cottage. If they're successful, you may only be on the hook for a cancellation fee of a few hundred dollars, but if they're not able to rebook you'll likely lose your deposit and, sometimes, the full rental fee. Details should be clear in the rental agreement.

Renting offers would-be cottagers the best combination -- all the fun and none of the responsibility of ownership. That said, remember you're a guest (albeit a paying one) in what is often someone's second home. It's not hotel living. You have to clean up after yourself and ensure the cottage is in respectable shape when you leave. It's a small price to pay for the quintessential Canadian summer experience.

Michelle Warren is a freelance writer in Toronto.