Splitting a Senior Week Rental: The Math, the Etiquette, the Checklist

The fair way to split a Senior Week rental is simple: one person books, everyone pays their share before the deposit is due, and the group agrees in writing what happens if someone drops out. Settle the math and the rules in week one of planning, not week one of Senior Week.

Sharing a condo or house with your crew is one of the best parts of Senior Week, and money is the fastest way to ruin it. Here’s the math, the etiquette and a checklist to run through before anyone hits “book.”

Before you book: check the age rules

Many vacation rentals set a minimum age for the person booking and for guests, and some don’t allow groups of recent grads at all. Read the policy before you fall in love with a listing, and get the rules (age, guest limit, quiet hours, deposit) in writing.

The math (example numbers)

The numbers below are an example only, not a real quote. Swap in your own.

Line item	Example
Rental total (incl. taxes and fees)	$3,000
People splitting	6
Each person’s share	$500
Refundable security deposit	$600 total → $100 each

Even split vs room-based split

• Even split: total ÷ people. Simplest, and best when the beds and rooms are similar.
• Room-based split: people in the private room with its own bathroom pay a little more, and people on the pullout pay a little less. Agree on the difference before you book.

Whatever you pick, write it in your group chat and pin it.

Collecting the money

• One booker, one tracker. The person whose card books the rental shouldn’t also chase payments. Assign a tracker.
• Collect before the deposit is due. Nobody should be fronting $3,000 and hoping.
• Use a payment app with notes (“Senior Week rental share”) so there’s a record.
• Keep a simple sheet: name, amount owed, amount paid, date.

When someone bails

Someone’s plans always change. Decide this up front:

• If they drop out before the rental’s cancellation deadline, do they get their share back?
• If they drop out after it, do they owe their share unless they find a replacement?
• Who has to approve the replacement?

Note that your Club Card has its own refund window: cards are refundable through the day before your week starts (May 30 for Week 1, June 4 for Week 2, June 11 for Week 3, June 18 for Week 4). Cards are non-transferable, so a replacement roommate needs their own.

The security deposit

• Take photos and video of every room at check-in and check-out.
• Report anything already broken to the host right away.
• Agree that whoever causes damage pays for it, so the whole group doesn’t eat the deposit.
• Do a group clean-up before check-out: trash out, dishes done, furniture back.

The etiquette that keeps the crew together

• Respect the guest limit. Going over it can get your whole group removed.
• Respect quiet hours and the neighbors.
• Split shared stuff: groceries, paper towels, trash bags. One grocery run on day one, split evenly.
• Keep your card and ID on you, not lying around the rental. Lost cards aren’t replaced.

Copy-paste group chat message

Drop this in your crew’s chat before anyone books. Fill in the blanks and get a thumbs-up from everyone:

The pre-booking checklist

1. Everyone has confirmed the dates and their Senior Week week (see the 2027 schedule).
2. You’ve read the age policy, guest limit, quiet hours and parking rules.
3. Total cost includes taxes, cleaning and booking fees.
4. Split method agreed and pinned in the chat.
5. Drop-out policy agreed.
6. Deposit amount, due date and refund terms understood.
7. One booker and one money tracker chosen.
8. Everyone has bought (or budgeted for) their own Club Card.

Building the full trip budget? Use our Senior Week budget worksheet.

Splitting a rental FAQ

Can 17- or 18-year-olds book a rental for Senior Week?

It depends on the property. Many rentals have minimum-age rules. Myrtle Beach Tours offers housing for ages 17+; text 843-353-6262 to ask.

What’s the fairest way to split the cost?

An even split works when rooms are similar. Otherwise, charge a bit more for private rooms and agree on it before booking.

Can I give my Club Card to whoever replaces me?

No. Club Cards are non-transferable, but they’re refundable through the day before your week starts.

Will my Club Card be delivered to our rental?

In Myrtle Beach or Surfside, yes. Call 888-523-9076 for FREE delivery. In North Myrtle Beach or Cherry Grove, pick up at Myrtle Beach Tours (Sat & Sun 1–5pm) or call for free delivery.