Booking Conditions
The Contract and Liability
We, Coquet Cottages (‘Agent’) act as booking agents for owners (‘Owner’) of holiday properties and maintain a list of properties for this purpose which we publish in the form of a website. Letting arrangements are made by the Agent on behalf of the Owner and the contractual relationship in connection with the letting will be between you as the holidaymaker ('Client') and the Owner.
The Agent is not and will at no time be party to that contract. On placing a booking, once confirmed by us as Agent, you the Client enter into a short-term holiday rental agreement with the Owner. The agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. It will be entered into once the Client's deposit has been processed AND the booking has been confirmed by the Agent.The Agent shall have no liability to the Client for any fees, expenses, damages or loss resulting from the booking. Nothing in these Booking Conditions shall be deemed to exclude or limit the Agent’s liability in relation to death, fraud or personal injury resulting from its negligence.
These conditions shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Client at the time of completing the on-line booking form or when the deposit or full payment for the holiday is received by the Agent.
Prices, Payment and Deposit
No contract with the Owner exists until a minimum of 30% deposit payment has been received by the Agent and a confirmation of the booking has been issued to the Client. The contract is subject to these booking conditions. If the letting start date is within 2 calendar months of the date of the Agent receiving the booking request, or there are other exceptional circumstances, the full amount is payable. Where a deposit is paid, the Client becomes liable for the balance of the rent and this must be paid at least 2 calendar months before the commencement date of the holiday.
Payment is accepted by debit card, credit card, cheque or bank transfer. There is a surcharge of 3% levied for payment made by credit card (but not debit card).
The Agent reserves the right to change the advertised prices of any property without notice. The holiday price will be confirmed at the time of acceptance of the booking and is fixed at that point. No increase will subsequently be requested or reduction offered if the prices change after the booking has been confirmed. All prices are inclusive of VAT where applicable.
Cancellation
Cancellation Policy: If a booking is cancelled which has been contracted, the Agent will return any damage deposit received from the Client and will attempt to re-let the property. The Client is liable for the balance of the full rent due but the Agent will attempt to re-let the property. If the Agent successfully re-lets the property, the Agent will refund to the Client an amount equal to the income for the re-let period less £25 handling charge. We strongly advise our Clients to take out independent holiday insurance as they are liable for the whole holiday cost if the booking period cannot be re-let. See further information here: Cancellation Insurance.
If for any reason it proves necessary for the Agent or the Owner to make a change in the Client's holiday booking by reason of the unexpected withdrawal of the property by the Owner or by the Agent, by reason of overbooking or for some other reason, the Agent will use reasonable endeavour to make an alternative booking or failing this will refund to the Client all monies paid by the Client. Nevertheless the Agent shall be under no further obligation or liability in this respect.
Change of Dates or Property Booked
Once a booking has been accepted by the Agent on behalf of the Owner it can only be changed to another property by treating the original booking as a cancellation. The dates of the holiday may be changed providing the property is available for the new dates and the Owner agrees to the change. A handling charge of £25 will be payable for any changes to the original booking. The final decision will reside with the Owner of the property.
A request to change the booking to another property will constitute a cancellation of the booking and be subject to our Cancellation Policy (see above).
Period of Hire
The rental period commences at 4:00pm on the day of arrival and terminates at 10:00am on the day of departure. These times must be respected in order for us to ensure our full service standards can be adhered to. Should a request be made for either an early arrival or a late departure, the Owner may be able to accommodate this, although an additional charge may apply and this will be strictly subject to the Owners agreement. Please contact the Agent to discuss your particular requirements.
Provision of Keys
Keys must be collected and returned as per instructions provided.
Use of Property
The booking shall be deemed to be for the purpose of the person or people whose names appear on the booking form. The maximum number of persons allowed at the property is stated in the particulars and corresponds to the number of beds provided and MUST NOT be exceeded without our prior consent. In the event the maximum number of allowed persons has been exceeded without prior consent the Owner has the right to revoke the booking without refund and ask all persons to leave the property immediately. Only the persons whose names are detailed on the booking form are permitted to stay in the property.
If more than 2 day visitors to the property are expected, this must be agreed in writing with the Agent or Owner and their names provided. No more than 2 day visitors to the property are permitted without prior approval of the Owner.
Bookings will not be accepted from parties of young people or single sex parties of more than 4 without agreement and we reserve the right to refuse or revoke any bookings from parties which may in our opinion be unsuitable for the property concerned.
A cleaning/damage deposit may be requested by the Agent on behalf of the Owner before acceptance of any booking.
No parties are permitted to be held within the house or grounds of any of our properties without the Owner's permission.
Care of the Property
The Client is obliged to keep the holiday home and all furnishings, fixtures, fittings and effects in the same state of cleanliness, repair and condition as they were in at the commencement of the holiday and will be responsible for any damage to the holiday property or the furniture, fixtures, fittings and effects and must ensure that the property is left clean and tidy, both inside and outside the property. Anything broken or damaged should forthwith be repaired or replaced with an article of similar type or value to the satisfaction of the owner. If this is not possible any damage or breakage should be reported to the Owner immediately and paid for before departure. In default of such obligation, the Client is obliged to reimburse the owner against any costs incurred by the Owner in remedying such default. The Owner reserves the right to raise invoices for any damage and/or replacements and/or repairs caused during the stay at a later date and legal action will be taken in the event of non payment.
The Client must not assign or part with the possession of the property or any part of it or anything contained in the property or use it other than as a single dwelling for holiday occupation by the people whose names appear on the booking form.
The Client must ensure that nothing happens which may be a nuisance or inconvenience to occupiers of neighbouring property or adversely affect any insurance of the property.
Damage/Cleaning Deposit
The Owner may charge a damage/good housekeeping deposit in which case the Client agrees to pay such a deposit at the request of the Owner. The Owner shall be entitled to deduct from the damage/cleaning deposit the cost of remedying any breach of the obligations covered in these booking conditions.
Noise
We respectfully request that due consideration is shown to the inhabitants of neighbouring properties and noise is kept to a minimum, particularly late at night or in the early morning.
Children and Safety Advice
Clients must accept full responsibility for the safety of any children in their booking party. Our rental properties are general domestic properties and no assurances can be provided as to the safety or suitability of the property for the Client, the Clients children or pets. Cots, highchairs and other baby equipment will be available upon request for infants but Clients are advised to check the safety of any such items before use and also the circumstances of the environment within which they are to be used. Clients may choose to bring their own travel cot or other children's equipment/facilities with them for the duration of their stay.
The Agent draws the Clients' particular attention to keeping a close eye on children of all ages (or other members of the party who may not be able to adequately identify risks) whilst at the property, particularly in regard to the proximity of roads and rivers, open fires, open windows and the use of BBQ equipment. Please be extra vigilant with:
Balconies, railings, small walls and fences or boundaries with gaps - small children are able to squeeze through gaps and climb and neither the Agent nor the Owner accepts any responsibility for any accidents that happen as a result.
Glass doors and windows - these can be difficult to see in bright light and Clients are particularly advised NOT to open sash windows in period properties, due to the danger of falling and the mechanism of the window.
Wooden and tiled floors - can be very slippery when wet and should be avoided by those with wet feet.
Properties adjacent to a river - Clients must take extra caution with children in properties near the river. Do not permit any children to access the outside areas unattended and they should be closely supervised at all times.
Right of Access
The Agent or the Owner of the property shall be allowed the right of entry to the property at all reasonable times during a Client's stay for the purpose of inspection or to carry out necessary cleaning, repairs or maintenance. However, we will seek to minimise any disruption to our Client's stay.
No Smoking Policy
No smoking is permitted in any of our properties and if you smoke outside, all butts must be removed.
Use of Complimentary Toiletries and Cleaning Materials Provided in the Property
Complimentary toiletries are provided in the properties however whilst every effort has been made to ensure they are hypoallergenic, use of these items is at the Clients own risk and no responsibility will be accepted for any adverse reaction. Clients are advised to test on a small patch of skin before use. The use of cleaning materials supplied in the property is also at the Client's own risk.
Pets
It is clearly stated in the particulars whether or not pets are allowed at the property. This must be strictly adhered to. We do not accept dogs under the age of 1 year old and pets must be fully housetrained and well behaved. If pets are allowed then they MUST be kept under strict control. Submission of the booking form confirms that no pet will be left at the premises unattended nor be allowed on any furniture whatsoever (even with covers applied) nor be allowed in any bedrooms. Where a lounge is situated on the first floor, all bedroom doors must be kept firmly closed to prevent access by the pet.
Pets must not be permitted to cause any damage to the property or gardens nor bark or cause any other kind of nuisance to neighbours. Pets must be exercised away from the premises. If any soiling occurs in the grounds of the property it must be removed immediately. On departure pet hairs should be removed and any exceptional cleaning costs incurred by the Owner in order to reinstate the property to the clean condition it was in at the start of the rental period will be charged to the Client as per Condition 6 above.
Stair gates
Some of the properties have stair gates available upon request for use with children or pets. The individual cottage web page should be checked for more information or an enquiry is made to the Agent. Some properties have fixed stair gates and others portable 'self-fit' gates. You are requested to fit the portable stair gates yourself in order that you can satisfy yourself that they are secure (no tools are necessary). Neither the Agent or the Owner of the property will accept any liability for their misuse or any accident involving them.
Website and Advertising Information
The Agent takes every care to ensure the accuracy, both written and verbal, of the property, the village and local amenity details. All information on the website, on third-party websites, in printed material and provided in email or verbal communications is given in good faith and is believed to be correct at the time of writing, going to press or otherwise communicated. However the Agent cannot be held responsible for changes beyond its control which may become known after writing and going to press. In addition, whilst we advertise properties as non-smoking or no pets as instructed by the Owner, we cannot guarantee the fact. The Agent's description of a property shows the amenities that property has but generally does not state what is not in the property. Furthermore, neither the Agent nor the Owner can accept liability for happenings outside its reasonable control such as the breakdown of domestic appliances, heating, plumbing, wiring, temporary invasion of pests, interference from neighbouring buildings works, damage resulting from exceptional weather conditions. The Agent cannot accept liability for the Owner's negligence resulting in loss, injury or accident. Please be aware that if a property is advertised as having an enclosed garden, this does not necessarily mean a secure garden. It may be enclosed by hedging, open style fencing or have a low wall or fence.
Warranties
The Agent does not warrant and takes no responsibility for the accuracy of any verbal information given or statements made by its staff or service team.
Broadband Internet Provision
Where internet access is offered at a property this cannot be guaranteed either due to the availability of the service or the equipment provided to access the service. If the service becomes unavailable or inaccessible you will be advised of the nearest public access point ('Wi-Fi hotspot').
Complaints
If the Client has a genuine complaint in respect of the holiday home then this should immediately be reported to the Owner, for which contact details are provided in the property. The Agent accepts no liability for remedying a complaint that may be received by them, but will promptly refer the complaint to the Owner. Complaints which are not reported immediately will not be entertained subsequently and certainly not after the end of the rental period. No correspondence will be entered into in respect of complaints made on departure or after the Client's return home.
Data Protection Act 1998 and Privacy Policy
All personal information supplied to the Agent will be treated in confidence and will not be disclosed to any third parties except where consent has been received or where required by law. In order to provide a service, this information will be held in the data systems of the Agent. The only persons permitted to access the information contained in the Agent's systems are those employed by or authorised by the Agent. Please see Coquet Cottage's Privacy Policy for more information, or ask for a written copy.
Coquet Cottages would also like to keep its Clients informed of its services and special offers. If you would prefer not to receive this information from us, please let us know.
