Alarm
If you inadvertently activate the alarm; to deactivate it, enter your door code into the alarm panel located in the garage followed by the away button (NOTE: # is also the away/stay button on the alarm panel).
When the alarm is activated the security monitoring company ‘Code 9’ will call the villa telephone to check if this is a false alarm. Please answer the phone and the password they’ll ask for is “commonage”. If you do not answer, either the security company will send a patrol to check there is not a break-in or the Fire Brigade will be dispatched if a fire is suspected. Call out fee/emergency fee up to the value of NZ$1,500 fine may be charged to you.
Assistance
Staysouth offers assistance to guests between 09.00 am and 06.00 pm every day. Staysouth can be contacted via phone at +64 3 442 4420 or email at admin@staysouth.com.
If there is an emergency and you need to contact Staysouth after hours, dial +64 3 442 4420 and follow the voice prompts.
Bath / Spa Bath/ Sink Plugs
The sink plugs in the bathroom sinks are operated by a lever located behind the tap. Lift the lever to close and push the lever down to open.
The spa bath plug in the master en suite is located in the middle of the tub. On the inside of the bath is a silver circular dial and turning this anti-clockwise will close the plug allowing you to fill the bath with water. Once the water is above the level of the jets you can push the button on the top of the bath for them to activate. Once you are finished in the bath, turn the dial clockwise to open the plug. The power switch is located underneath the heated towel rail.
The baths located in the downstairs en-suite bathrooms are filled by turning the silver dial on the inside of the bath clockwise to close the plug, and anti-clockwise to open.
Please note: The plugs do not sit flat/flush in the bath. The laundry sink has a standard plug.
Check Out
Check-out time is 10:00 am.
While we can make no guarantees, we occasionally have the availability to offer a late check-out (at an additional cost). If this is of interest, please reach out to us before your departure date. Alternatively, we can assist with luggage storage on-site until the early afternoon. Please reach out to our reservations department to assist with the arrangements.
Cooking Hob
If cooking and creating a lot of smoke, please open all doors and windows immediately to prevent the alarm from going off. If the alarm does go off, the Fire Brigade will be dispatched as a suspected fire and the call-out fee/emergency fee up to the value of NZ$1500 fine will be charged to you.
In this situation, please call 111 and advise the street address ‘15 Kerry Drive’, your villa number and let them know it’s not an emergency. The fire officer will come to your apartment to check if the situation is safe.
Hob
For each knob, the corresponding burner is indicated. The device is fitted with an electronic ignition. Simply press and simultaneously turn the knob counter-clockwise on the low point flame symbol, until the burner is ignited. Regarding models with valves, push the knob for approximately 2 seconds to keep the flame burning and activate the safety device. The burner might go off when the knob is released.
In this case, repeat the previous steps, keeping the knob pressed for more than 2 seconds.
If one of the elements is not working the most common cause of this is that the cast iron plate was not put back on the element correctly often after cleaning. Check they line up correctly and the spark is not blocked by the cast iron plate. If you can still not get your hob working, please contact Staysouth for assistance.
Damages
All Staysouth apartments are furnished with top-quality chattels, therefore any damage to the property or chattels caused by guests will be charged to your account.
Should you find anything damaged or not working during your stay, please advise us immediately. Failure to do so will deem you to be responsible for the condition of the property upon your departure.
Dishwasher
Load the dishwasher correctly, and be careful not to overload or stack dishes too high.
Push the on/off switch, select the desired cycle depending on the dirtiness of the dishes and insert the powder/table provided (located under the sink). DO NOT use the dishwashing liquid.
If the wrong product is used or the dishes are stacked too high, the system may malfunction. Any costs associated with remedying technical issues associated with incorrect product use will be charged against the security bond.
Please take extra care when loading the extra large plates, as some of the dishwashers are physically not big enough to accommodate them, and they should always be washed by hand.
Door Phone
The intercom for your villa is situated at the entrance to the kitchen, in the form of a white phone. This can be used to talk to people at your front door. To unlock the front door, simply press the middle button and instruct guests to push the door.
Dryer
Make sure the power is turned on at the wall. Push power, select the type of dry, temperature of dry and then the duration of the cycle. Then push start. If the washing is completely saturated then the hour-long setting would be standard if they are just a little damp you would select the ‘extra dry’ setting. It is recommended to empty the lint filter after each cycle to ensure the next cycle runs at its best.
Electric Blankets
If your villa is equipped with electric blankets, please use them to warm the bed only and switch it off before you get in (to avoid overheating). Overheating can be life-threatening, especially for the very young, ill, or elderly.
Putting clothes or other items on the bed while an electric blanket is switched on could cause the blanket to overheat and may start a fire. Never leave an electric blanket unattended for long periods when it is switched on.
Emergencies
For Fire Brigade, Police or Ambulance dial 111 from any phone in New Zealand.
Entry to Your Villa
Keys are not allocated to the villas and entry is gained via the keypad at the front door. To gain entry, enter the number you have been issued and press the hash (#) key. When you hear the subtle click – gently PULL the door towards you, then PUSH the door open.
When leaving the villa please ensure you pull the door firmly behind you to lock.
Please note: Should you lose your code and you are unable to gain access to your villa after hours, please contact Reservations (charges may apply if after hours).
Fire / Fire Extinguisher
You will find a fire extinguisher in the garage behind the side entry door, along with instructions on how to use it.
All villas are fitted with combined security and smoke/fire alarm. These are monitored by a security company ‘Code9’.
In the event of a fire
Evacuate the building using the nearest exit. Make your way to the meeting point, which is located at the top of the driveway, in front of the “Commonage Villas” sign. Ensure that all of your party is accounted for. The Fire Brigade, security company and management will be automatically contacted and on their way.
Please stay at the meeting point until one or all of the above have arrived with further instructions.
Please note: Dial 111 if there is a fire outside the villa, as this will not set off the smoke detectors. Give them the following address: ‘15 Kerry Drive’, Queenstown, and your villa number.
First Aid
A basic first aid kit can be found in the kitchen. The local Medical Centre is located at 9 Isle Street Queenstown, the telephone number is +64 3 441 0500.
EMERGENCY DIAL 111 from any phone in New Zealand for Fire/ Police/ Ambulance.
Garage / Parking
Your villa has a private garage with internal access. Please do not park in front of your garage as it obstructs the driveway. If you have a second car or visitors with a vehicle please ensure they park roadside (outside of the complex, on the road). If your vehicle is too large please park roadside.
Parking on the villa driveway outside the garage is prohibited.
Garage door operation
Hanging inside on the back of the front door is the garage door opener/remote. Please ensure this is left on the hook when you leave (if lost you will be required to pay $200 for a replacement remote control). Most garages are also equipped with an internal switch fixed to the wall. This will either be on the same switches as the light switch or fitted separately from the light switch.
Gas Fireplace
There is a gas fire located in your villa living area and in winter the pilot light should always be running to ensure ease of use. The on & off buttons and fan switches are located to the left, under the shelf/hearth below the fire. The button is to ignite the flames, and the switch turns on the fan that blows out the hot air. The ignite button is set on a 2-hour timer for safety, and to re-light, simply use the switch under the shelf/hearth again.
If the pilot light is not lit, remove the black cover, push the black dial in, and turn it anti-clockwise. You will hear a click, it may take 2 or 3 clicks and a flame will ignite.
Given the system is a gas fireplace, please do not throw anything onto the flames.
Lastly, please do not leave the fire on whilst sleeping or when you leave the villa, and always have a window open for safety and ventilation.
Hot Water
The hot water cylinders at the Commonage are finite (there is a limited amount of hot water in the system), and the likelihood is that the system has depleted and now needs time to reheat. If there have been numerous showers, baths or loads of washing completed, this is likely the cause of the lack of hot water. The time required for the entire system to reheat can be over 2 hours.
If you believe the lack of hot water is power-related (a lack of power in the villa), a fuse may have tripped somewhere. In this instance, please contact the Staysouth reservations team for assistance.
Internet Access
We offer FREE Unlimited Fiber in all villas. Your WI-FI username and password can be found in your arrival letter, and by scanning the QR code in the compendium.
The Internet usage at this property is to be used for legal purposes only. Should any illegal downloads occur, the guests in-house at that time will be held fully liable for their actions and any resultant fines that may be incurred.
Lift
If your villa is situated in the back row, (villas 1, 3 or 4), your villa is equipped with an internal lift.
The lift stops on all 4 floors from the garage to the master suite on the 4th Floor. Maximum Capacity is 4 people with a combined weight of 320kg.
Please do not overload the lift; any call-out fees will be passed on to the lead guest.
Lift emergency
In the event of an emergency, press and hold the emergency button in the elevator for 7-10 seconds. This will put you in contact with the support team.
- Never overload the elevator
- Watch your step – the elevator car may not be perfectly level with the
- Children are not to play in the elevator and be supervised at all times
- Never use the elevator during a fire or earthquake
Light Controls
The light controls for the main living area are located inside the door leading into the room and at the entry to the kitchen. Press the corresponding silver button once to turn the lights on/off. Press and hold the same button to increase or dim the lights. Press the ‘Next’ button to move to the next screen/page of lights.
Multi-Villa Use
If you have booked more than one villa across the complex, is it imperative that all guests understand that the items belong to each particular villa (all of the villas are privately and individually owned). If any items do go from one villa to another, they must be returned to the original location. If a sort and replacement exercise is required by our staff, this will be charged at NZ$50 per hour with a minimum of 2 hours charged (deducted from your bond).
Noise
Please be respectful of other guests staying at Commonage Villas. Please report any excessive noise, affecting your stay directly to the Queenstown Council Noise Control on +64 3 441 0499 (available 24 hours).
Please be aware that should Noise Control be activated or called due to excess noise from your villa, all associated costs will be passed on to you and your card charged.
Occupancy Limitations
The villas have specific occupancy limits and rules of conduct, and these are strictly enforced. The number of adults and children to occupy the villa must be stated at the time of booking and must not exceed the allowed number of guests.
Quiet hours are observed between 9.00 pm and 7.00 am each night. Increased occupancy, vehicle traffic, excessive noise, or illegal activity, will result in a penalty fee, eviction, and the forfeiture of all prepaid rentals. This penalty fee will be charged either by way of your security bond or, to the credit card used to pay for the accommodation.
Oven
Your oven will not work unless the clock is set. If there has been a power cut and the clock is flashing, you will need to reset the clock for the oven to work. If you require assistance, please contact a member of the Staysouth team.
Please ensure: All switches on the stove are turned “off” when not in use.
Parties & Events
The use of the property for a function/party is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Use of the property for purposes other than a residential dwelling will result in eviction from the property, termination of the booking, forfeiture of all prepaid rentals and a penalty of $5,000 (incl. GST), deducted from the credit card provided at the time of booking or through legal proceedings.
Phone
Your villa has a cable landline phone. Your villa phone number is listed within your arrival letter and written on the device itself. Local calls are free of charge, and mobile phone and international calls are blocked.
Power Cut
If you experience a power cut during your stay due to work in the area or a storm. The power is generally not off for long. A torch, matches and candles are located in the kitchen.
Rubbish & Recycling
There is a black bin located in the garage for 'temporary storage' of your excess rubbish, and if excessive amounts of rubbish have accumulated, remove all rubbish from your villa to the large red-top bins at the top left of the complex driveway.
Additional rubbish bags can be found under the kitchen sink.
Safe Instructions
Upon your arrival, the safe should be unlocked and ready for use.
The instructions for you to set your code should be printed and readily available inside the unlocked safe.
If you happen to lock the safe and have forgotten the code, please call a member of the Staysouth team for assistance (+64 03 442 4420 ext1). After-hours call-out fees may apply (post 6 pm).
Sale of Villa / Real Estate
Occasionally there is an opportunity to purchase a rental property at one of the Staysouth-managed properties. For further information, please contact Staysouth Management.
Security Bond
Staysouth manages the villas on behalf of individual owners and does everything possible to ensure the upkeep is maintained at the highest level. Accidents do happen, but the security bond protects the owner from costs associated with any damage incurred or additional cleaning that needs to be completed after a stay.
The amount held against your credit card’s available limit will be released back onto the card when an exit inspection has been completed to confirm that there are no missing items and that there is no excessive cleaning required.
Servicing your Villa
Staysouth properties are self-catered and self-contained, and unless you are staying for eight or more nights, servicing during your stay is not included in the overnight rate. Staysouth is happy to provide additional servicing upon prior arrangement, additional costs apply and depend on guests’ requirements. Please enquire well in advance as staff availability cannot be guaranteed.
Smoking
Smoking inside the villas is not permitted at the Commonage Villas.
If tobacco odour is noted on check-out; Staysouth reserves the right to charge a penalty fee plus any additional cleaning and fumigation costs. All costs and fees will be charged to the credit card held on file.
Sports Equipment Storage
Please do not bring any sporting equipment (skis, snowboards, bikes or golf clubs) into the villa; they must be left in your car or the garage. Do not walk on the carpet with wet or muddy, cycling shoes or ski/snowboard boots.
Television
Your villa has a Smart TV in the lounge in addition to TVs located in the master and guest bedrooms. The TV in the lounge is operated by a pro control universal remote and is equipped with full Sky TV.
The bedroom TV remotes are kept on the bedside table closest to the door. They each have built-in free-view.
Please note: Place the pro-control universal remote back on the docking station to recharge the batteries.
To connect to Netflix or any other "smart app" (YouTube, for example) on the living room TV, select the Smart Hub or Netflix button, and sign in to your desired application using your log-in details.
Tradesmen and Service Technicians
If at any stage your villa needs to be accessed by a serviceman or a tradesman; Management reserves the right to allow access to your villa. We will make every effort to contact you in advance should this be required.
Please Note: Should a tradesman or technician be required to repair damage incurred by a guest, all associated costs will charge to the card held on file.
Umbrellas
These are located in the garage. Please note that the umbrellas (2) need to be returned to your villa after use otherwise a replacement cost will be incurred.
Use of Outdoor Areas
As Commonage Villas is zoned residential, one of the regulations in the resource consent bylaw stipulates the following:
- The outdoor areas shall not be used between the hours of 9:00 pm to 7.00 am except for arriving or departing the premises.
- Guests may not use the outdoor areas for congregating or socialising between 9:00 pm and 7.00 am.
Failure to adhere to the rules outlined above will result in a $150 fine.
Visitors
If you have visitors with a vehicle please ensure they park in your garage or on the roadside (outside the complex).
Please Note: Parking in front of the garage door is prohibited.
Washing Machine
Make sure the power is turned on at the wall. Put in laundry powder, press power, select stain level, select type of washing, select water temperature and then press start. The type of washing is based on the contents, linen, delicates, wool etc.
Waste Disposal
When using the waste disposal ensure the cold tap is running. The switch to turn it on is found at the end of the bench.
The waste disposal is designed for small food scraps; please do not put banana skins, onion skins or bones down the unit as it is likely to fail.
Take care when using and keep children out of reach.
Winter Temperatures / Heating
Your villa should be nice and warm when you arrive. Please ensure you do not adjust the under-floor heating dial in the switch box located in the downstairs bedroom above 25°C as this can warp the wooden floorboards.
Throughout the villa at ankle height, silver switches are resembling light switches they are labelled Under Floor Heating – make sure these are on to allow the Under-Floor Heating to heat all areas throughout the villa.
The bathrooms have heated towel rails, under-tile heating and a wall-mounted fan heater.
Please ensure: In the interest of fire safety, please ensure that no items are on or near any of the heaters.