BOOKING CONDITIONS

Contract of Hire

Holiday Homes & Cottages Ltd acts as Agent for the holiday home Owner. The Contract is between the Owner and the person making the booking (the Guest). The property is to be occupied only by the persons and pet(s) specified on the booking form and for holiday purposes only. Once the booking has been made the Guest is obliged to make full payment of the accommodation cost either as one single payment or as a deposit (1/3) and a balance (2/3) – see Payments below. The contract shall be subject to the laws of England.

Contract

When you submit a booking via our online reservation system you will receive an automatically generated booking summary by email to the email address you provide in the booking form. This does not form a contract between us or between you and the owner. A contract with the owner shall only arise when your booking is subsequently confirmed in writing via a letter of confirmation sent to you by post or email. By clicking the online "accept" button you agree to all of the Booking Conditions and Terms listed here without exception. By completing and submitting the electronic booking form you are making an offer to purchase a rental at a holiday property which, if accepted by us, will result in a binding contract between you and the property owner.

Payment

All payments must be made in pounds sterling. A deposit of not less than 1/3 of the total rental is payable at the time of booking. The balance is payable 6 weeks prior to the holiday date. Where the booking is made within 6 weeks of the holiday date, full payment is required with booking. Payment may be made by cheque (except for short notice bookings), Debit Card or Credit Card – a charge is made for payments by Credit Card. Payment may also be made by direct Bank Transfer provided that all charges are covered by the payer.

Arrival & Departure

The Guest and hi/her party may arrive not earlier than 3pm on the arrival day and must depart not later than 10am on the departure day unless specifically advised otherwise.

Care of the Property / Breakage & Damage

The Guest is responsible for leaving the property clean and tidy and for any loss, breakage or damage. Any breakage or damage, however minor, must be reported immediately by the Guest to the Owner or his/her appointed Caretaker, who will make the appropriate charge for repair or replacement. The Guest will be responsible for the cost of any excessive cleaning that may be required.

Pets

Pets are accepted only where indicated and provided that they are not left unattended at any time, they are not allowed on the furniture, nor in the bedrooms and that any pet hairs in the property and fouling in the grounds are removed before departure. Any pet(s) in the party must be declared at the time of booking and the additional charge paid.

Security Deposit

The Agency and the Owner reserve the right to charge a security deposit. Where a Security Deposit is required the Guest will be advised at the time of booking the amount and the method of payment.

Right of Entry

The Guest must allow the Owner, his representatives and/or the Agent reasonable access to the property.

Liability

Neither the Agent nor the Owner shall be liable to the Guest or any member of his/her party for any loss or damage to person or property arising from the letting.

Non Availability of Property / Facilities / Amenities

Should the property become unavailable due to circumstances beyond the Agent's control, the Agent will endeavour to provide suitable alternative accommodation or will refund all monies paid (or a proportion in the event of curtailment). The Agent and the Owner reserve the right to alter or withdraw without prior notice facilities and/or amenities which have been advertised, where reasonably necessary due to repairs, maintenance or any other circumstances beyond their control.

Booking Alterations

The Agent will charge an admin fee in respect of any alteration made to a booking. The amount of the fee will be confirmed according to the alteration made. The minimum fee will be £20.

Cancellation

If a Guest needs to cancel a booking he/she must inform the Agency immediately.

If the cancellation is necessary solely because of the unexpected illness or death of a member of the party named at the time of booking, provided that (a) the illness or death is not related to a medical condition which existed at the time of booking and (b) all members of the party are UK residents, the Guest will, subject to receipt by the Agency of a satisfactorily completed Cancellation Claim Form be refunded (if paid) the balance payment (2/3rds of the accommodation cost).

For Non-UK residents we strongly recommend that you effect your own personal travel insurance in the country of your residence to cover all transport, travel and accommodation costs.

Where the circumstances of the cancellation do not meet the above criteria the Guest remains responsible for the full accommodation cost and all payments must be made by the due date specified. The Agent will make every effort to re-let the property and if it is re-let, the Guest will receive a refund of the balance payment (2/3^rd of the accommodation cost).

In any event, the deposit paid is non refundable.

Complaints

Any complaint must be taken up immediately by the Guest with the Owner (or his/her Caretaker) who must be afforded the opportunity to address the issue raised. The Agent regrets that it cannot take up a complaint after the Guest has vacated the property.