Crabtree Cottage Terms and Conditions

Please read our booking terms and conditions carefully before booking, as these booking conditions shall be deemed to have been accepted by you when you have paid a deposit or total for our property, whether via an online booking or through any other form of booking.

The contract
The contract entered into is between the owner of the holiday accommodation and the holiday maker (The Hirer). The contract is only effective once the completed booking form and required payment has been received and email confirmation has been sent to the Hirer. The contract is subject to English Law. 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. The contract shall only arise when your booking is subsequently confirmed in writing via email. The owner of the holiday cottage reserves the right to decline bookings at their discretion.

Booking / Payment Method
When reservations are made, a deposit of fifty percent of the total rental cost is payable. The outstanding balance should be paid two weeks before the holiday start date. Alternatively, if the booking is made less than two weeks before the holiday start date, the entire holiday cost should be paid.

Security/Breakages Deposit
For our cottage a security/breakages deposit is required to be held at the time of initial payment (to be paid by debit/credit card authorisation). The security/breakages deposit for our cottage is £500, in line with a standard home insurance excess. If you pay using a credit or debit card your card you are giving us authority to pre-authorise it for the security deposit. Please note that unless there is an issue upon departure we do not undertake this procedure. The security deposit will not be taken from pre-authorised cards unless there is a problem found in the cottage after departure. All or part of the security deposit will be retained if the cottage is not left in the clean and tidy condition in which it was found, to cover the cost of any additional cleaning and laundry required over the usual designated amount, removal of excess rubbish, any damage to the property content or the replacement of bed linen or towels, or the homeowner’s insurance excess if a repair or replacement exceeds the specified deposit amount.

Cancellation
The Hirer is advised to arrange holiday insurance to give protection in the event that the Hirer is unable, for any reason, to take up the holiday accommodation at the agreed time. The Hirer should notify Crabtree Cottage of any cancellation immediately. For any cancellation before or after the arrival date, not only will the booking fee and deposit be forfeited but also the balance of the holiday will be payable by the Hirer. If the property can be re-let then an appropriate refund will be made, but the booking fee and deposit are always non-refundable.

COVID19-related distruption/cancellations

If guests are unable to take up their holiday because Covid19-related governmental travel restrictions prevent them from visiting without breaking the law, we will offer to postpone the holiday within a 12 month period from the original booking. We will invoice guests for any shortfall between the costs of the original and revised bookings, and will return to guests any overpayment if a less expensive holiday is re-booked.

If guests choose not to postpone their booking, they may cancel their break under the terms above.

If guests cannot travel because they are unwell with symptoms of Covid19, have tested positive for Covid19 or are self-isolating, they may cancel their break under the terms above.

If guests become ill with Covid19 symptoms, or receive a positive test result whilst at the property, they must report this to the property owners urgently. Unless against medical advice to do so, guests will be expected to depart for home to self-quarantine at the earliest possible opportunity. Guests will be responsible for any costs relating to additional transport or accommodation they may need in these circumstances.

Booking Alteration
Rarely, for reasons beyond the control of Crabtree Cottage we have to cancel or alter arrangements made for the Hirer – in this event we will contact you as soon as possible to offer a full refund of monies paid to date. We will not accept consequential damages and liability is limited to a full refund of monies paid. Any alterations may be subject to an administration fee of at least £50 plus vat.

Complaints
Procedure In the unlikely event of a problem, all complaints must be received before the end of the holiday rental to enable any issues to be resolved. Please note that no correspondence can be entered into concerning complaints made upon departure or after your return home. Crabtree Cottage shall endeavour to resolve any complaints on behalf of the owner however can accept no liability as this will rest with the homeowner.

Force Majeure
If, as a result of unavoidable or extraordinary circumstances, meaning an event beyond our control, that the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken, we are forced to change or cancel a reservation, we will be unable to make any refunds, pay compensation or meet any costs or expenses you occur. Crabtree Cottage will seek to make you aware as soon as is practically possible. This supersedes the Booking Alteration clause.

Out of Hours Emergency
In the event of a maintenance issue or other problem that requires urgent attention outside office hours, Rebecca de Stacpoole must be called on +44 7776 385837.

Liability
The homeowner Richard Haines accepts no responsibility for any damage or injury caused by the use of the accommodation and any amenities and such use is at the Hirer’s own risk. The details and prices in the brochure/website may be subject to change. The information given in the brochure and on our website is believed to be correct and true at the time of going to press. The Owner cannot be held responsible for (and cannot accept liability for) issues outside their reasonable control such as breakdown of domestic appliances, plumbing, electrical problems, structural repairs, non-working Wi-fi, poor TV reception, invasion of pests, infestations or damage caused by exceptional weather conditions, or by noise and disturbance resulting from nearby building works, noisy neighbours or local events. By agreeing to the terms, all risk of trampoline and hot tub if used by agreement of owners is done at the risk of the Hirer. There is also a drop by the kitchen window and of course the stairs.

Properties with character
The owner will do their best to maintain the property and ensure that the background heating is kept on sufficiently to compensate, even when the property is empty. Condensation can be alleviated by opening windows and allowing the air to circulate. If you have any concerns, please ask us at the time of making your reservation. Also, please remember that should traditional property features (steep stairs or low beams, for example) be a problem for any member of your party, you must consider this prior to booking. Properties in the country do attract spiders and therefore cobwebs. It does not mean that the cottage is dirty or has not been cleaned as cobwebs can be spun almost as quickly as they have been cleaned.

Occupancy
It is not permitted to exceed the maximum occupancy (stated on the website), unless prior agreement is given as this can invalidate the home owners’ property insurance. You must not hold events, such as parties’ celebrations or meetings at the property without the prior consent of the owner. You should advise us of the party size at point of booking and any changes prior to arrival

Guests Undertakings
On booking a cottage you become responsible for all members of your party and you all agree to keep the cottage clean and tidy; not to commit or allow any of your party to commit any act which breaks the law; not to use the property for any commercial or illegal purpose; not to sublet the property as a whole or any part thereof or otherwise allow anyone to stay whom we have not previously accepted and informed the owner as being part of your party; not to behave in an anti-social manner, breach the peace or otherwise act in a way which may disrupt, affect the enjoyment of or cause nuisance to any others particularly the occupants of the neighbouring properties.

No Smoking
Smoking of tobacco in any form or E-cigarettes is not permitted inside any of our properties.

Dogs/Pets
Dogs/pets are not permitted inside the property.

Bed Linen and Towels
Bed linen and towels are provided in Crabtree Cottage. Bedding is not supplied for cots or travel cots. Towels must remain inside the property and should not be used as beach towels. If you are staying in a property for 2 weeks or more, bed linen and towels can be changed weekly on request.

Refuse Collection
It is the guest’s responsibility to make sure the correct rubbish bins (black, green, blue) are moved to the correct location ready for collection. Please be advised that Black and Green bins are collected by the local authority on an alternate fortnightly basis which is generally a Monday or Tuesday. Crabtree Cottage cannot be held responsible for the removal of excess rubbish. Excess rubbish which requires removal shall be charged to The Hirer at a minimum charge of £50 plus vat. Return of Personal Belongings In the event of any items being left in the property, Crabtree Cottage will attempt to locate, collect, package & post the items back to you, but return cannot be guaranteed. There is an administrative charge of £10 for this, plus the postage costs.

Arrivals and Departures
Cottages will be available after 4pm on day of arrival (unless otherwise specified) and must be vacated by 10.30am on day of departure. Please do not arrive early, or depart late (unless previously arranged), as time is needed to thoroughly clean the property between lets. In the event of any difficulties gaining access to properties booked, Rebecca de Stacpoole must be called on +44 7776 385837. You must allow the Owner and any representative of the Owner (including workmen) access to the property at any reasonable time during your occupation of the property (except in cases of emergency or where a problem needs remedying quickly and you cannot be contacted in time - in these situations the Owner is entitled to enter the property at any time without giving you prior notice). The cottage must be left in the clean and tidy condition in which it was found, locked and the keys must be returned to the key safe. The cottage owner reserves the right to regain possession of the property in the event of a major breach of these terms and conditions. In this case all payments made will be forfeited and we would not be legally responsible to you as a result of this situation.

Richard Haines, 21 Albert Square, Stockwell, London, SW8 1BS