Booking terms

holidaycottages.co.uk (“the Website”) is a website owned and operated by The Travel Chapter Limited.

1. Contract and Booking

   1. The Travel Chapter Limited, trading as holidaycottages.co.uk, hereinafter called "the Agency", act only as agents for (i) the owners of the accommodation ("the Owner") or (ii) other agencies who themselves act as agents for the Owner. In all circumstances, the Contract of Letting is between the guest ("the Guest") and the Owner. The Agency is part of a group, and “Agency Group” means the Agency and any subsidiary or direct or indirect holding company of the Agency, and any subsidiary of any such direct or indirect holding company from time to time.
   2. This agreement is made on the basis that the property ("the Property") is to be occupied by the holidaymakers for a holiday as mentioned in the Housing Act 1988 Schedule 1 paragraph 9 and the Holidaymakers acknowledge that the tenancy granted by this agreement is not an assured tenancy and that no statutory periodic tenancy will arise when it ends.
   3. Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under 18 years of age. Group bookings of single sex parties are not allowed unless special arrangements are made by the Agency with the Owner (safety deposits may be required). Any pets you intend to take with you should be declared at the time of booking and checked and authorised via the Owner (where requested).
   4. No bookings are valid until confirmed by the Agency in writing.

2. Deposit

   1. A deposit of 1/3rd of the cost of the holiday ("Deposit") must accompany the booking request, plus the Booking Fee (as detailed at the time of booking) and the Holiday Insurance (if actively selected at the time of booking). The Booking Fee and Deposit are non-refundable unless the Agency is unable to accept the booking, and as specified below.

3. Insurance

   1. The Agency recommends that Holiday Insurance is taken out (whether arranged by the Agency or otherwise) when making a booking even when payment is made in full.
   2. Please note that where Holiday Insurance is taken out with the Agency it is being arranged by the Agency, and not by the Owner, nor by any other agencies or member(s) of the Agency Group.

4. Balance Payment

   1. Once a booking is confirmed by the Agency, the Guest is responsible for the full balance of the cost of the holiday. This shall be paid not later than 9 weeks before the booking is due to commence.
   2. The Agency reserves the right to re-let any holiday where any monies due are more than 14 days in arrears whereupon any monies paid by the Guest over and above any non-refundable Holiday Insurance, Booking Fee and Deposit will be refunded. However, if the Agency is unable to re-let the holiday the Guest will remain liable for the outstanding balance of the cost of the holiday, and (if applicable) the Holiday Insurance, the Deposit and the Booking Fee.

5. Owner’s responsibilities

   1. The Owner is solely responsible for providing the accommodation and for thesafety of all Guests and/or his/her invitees (jointly known as "the Holidaymakers"). The Agency accepts no responsibility for personal injury to, or death of, any Holidaymakers, or loss of or consequential loss or damage to their property, or for other matters over which the Agency has no control, except to the extent such personal injury or death is caused by the negligence or wilful default of the Agent.

6. Holidaymakers’ responsibilities and forfeiture

   1. The Holidaymakers shall keep the Property and all furniture, fixtures, fittings and effects in, on or at the Property in the same state of repair as at the commencement of the holiday, and shall leave the Property in the same state of cleanliness and general order in which it was found.
   2. The Holidaymaker must report and pay to the Owner the cost of any damage or breakages made during their holiday occupancy. The Agency and the Owner reserve the right to make a reasonable charge where guests have contravened an Owner’s request for their Property to be smoke-free.
   3. The Holidaymakers’ right to occupy the Property may be forfeited without compensation if:
   1. More people or pets than declared to the Agency at the time of booking or before the commencement of the holiday and/or the number the Property holds, attempt to take up occupation;
   2. Overnight guests are entertained without the Owner’s express permission;
   3. Any activity is undertaken which is illegal, or may cause unreasonable damage, noise, behaviour or disturbance; or
   4. Any of the Holidaymakers smoke in or at the Property.

7. Unavailability of Property

   1. In the event of the Property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), the Agency will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. The Agency cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.

8. Cancellations

   1. In the event of cancellations not covered by insurance, the Agency will endeavour to re-let the Property, and if successful the balance of the cost will not be due as set out in clause 4.1, or if already paid, will be refunded. Any request to cancel must be put in writing to the Agency in the first instance. The Booking Fee and Deposit will be retained. If applicable, Holiday Insurance will be retained, unless cancelled within 14 days of booking.

9. Alterations to Bookings

   1. A Guest requiring a booking to be altered once the booking has been confirmed will be charged £20.00 if a revised confirmation is required.

10. Discounted Deposit

    1. At certain times of the year Guests will be eligible to secure their next holiday for a deposit which is less than as set out in clause 2.1. The Agency will give you details of any applicable terms before, or when, you make your booking.

11. Pets

    1. Guests wishing to take pets on holiday must abide by the following rules:
       1. "Regret no pets" relates to properties where pets are not permitted, however there is no guarantee a pet has not entered the premises at any time and does not imply that the property is "Pet Free" such as a guide dog or one belonging to the Owner of the property;
       2. "Pets welcome" relates to properties which allow pets (at a standard extra cost);
       3. "Pets by arrangement" means one small well-behaved dog is usually permitted (at a standard extra cost), but must be checked with the Agency prior to booking.
    2. Young pets (e.g. puppies) MUST be declared to the Agency at the time of booking and authorised by the Owner. If a puppy or young pet is taken to a Property without the consent of the Owner this could result in you being asked to leave without compensation. When booking online it is advised you check the acceptance of your pet by telephoning the Agency’s Reservations Department.
    3. The Agency asks dog owners to observe the following (failure to do so may result in you being asked to leave without compensation):
       1. Dogs must be under strict control at all times while in or at the Property;
       2. Any fouling must be cleared up without delay;
       3. The dog owner must bring the dog's bed or basket for sleeping in;
       4. Dogs MUST NOT be left alone in or at the Property or elsewhere at any time;
       5. Dogs MUST NOT lie on beds or furnishings, and hair must be well cleared up before departing;
       6. Dog owners must ensure that their pets are free from parasites and fleas before they occupy the Property. Failure to do so will incur subsequent charges;
       7. Properties which do not take dogs may have on occasions had guide dogs in them.
       8. Each dog or pet will be charged at £20.00 for up to 7 nights, £40.00 for up to 14 nights and an additional £20.00 for every week or part week thereafter. Any damage (which must be reported to the Owner immediately) or excessive cleaning that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.

12. Ferries

    1. For Properties located on the Isle of Wight, the Agency may, at your request, arrange via an Agency Group company ferry crossings on your behalf. Where doing so the Agency and any Agency Group company are not acting as agent for the ferry company.
    2. Full payment for the ferry crossing will be due at the same time the balance payment for the accommodation is due in accordance with clause 4.1 above. In the event you cancel the holiday and/or ferry crossing any amounts already paid for the ferry crossing shall be non-refundable and any outstanding ferry fees will be payable immediately on demand by the Agency.
    3. By asking the Agency to make the ferry booking you authorise the Agency and any applicable Agency Group company to provide any information to the ferry company that is reasonably required to confirm that booking such as names, addresses and vehicle registration numbers.
    4. All ferry crossings are subject to the relevant terms of carriage on the ferry company’s website which can currently be found at either Red Funnel or Wight Link.
    5. The ferry company alone are responsible for the safety of all Holidaymakers during the crossing. The Agency and the Agency Group companies accept no responsibility for personal injury to, or death of, any Holidaymakers, or loss of or consequential loss or damage to their property, or for other matters over which the Agency and/or any applicable Agency Group company has no control, except to the extent such personal injury or death is caused by the negligence or wilful default of the Agent and/or Agency Group company.

13. Owner’s access to Property

    1. The Owner or their representative, including the Agency, shall be allowed access to the Property at any reasonable time during any holiday occupancy.

14. VAT and IPT

    1. All prices quoted include VAT and Insurance Premium Tax where applicable at current rates.

15. Complaints procedure

    1. In the event of there being cause for complaint concerning a Property, the matter shall be taken up with the Owner (or Owner’s caretaker) at once (their details are supplied on the booking confirmation and they understand that they are the first point of contact should there be cause for complaint), only thereafter reported to the Agency if required. It is important that this is done whilst you are still at the Property so that an on-the-spot investigation can be made if necessary and remedial action taken if required.
    2. In no circumstances will compensation be considered for complaints raised after the holiday has ended, when the Holidaymakers have denied the Owner/caretaker or the Agency the opportunity of investigating the complaint and endeavouring to remedy matters during the holiday. Please use the Customer Service Department when contacting the Agency. During out-of-office hours, an answer phone facility will be available which will be checked on a regular basis.

16. Literature

    1. We have compiled the information in our brochure and on our Website as accurately as possible at the time of going to press. However, facilities may be altered or withdrawn for reasons outside the Agency's control, in which case we cannot accept responsibility.
    2. We make every effort to ensure that the Property details supplied to us by the Owners are accurately reproduced. Mistakes may occur from time to time, and confirmation should be requested prior to booking. The Holidaymakers accept that minor differences between text/photographs/illustrations in the brochure and on the Website and the actual Property may arise. We cannot accept responsibility should the Property not conform to the Holidaymaker’s standards. If a facility is particularly important to you, please check with us prior to your booking.

17. Communication with you and data

    1. The Agency may as part of a booking introduce Holidaymakers to the goods and/or services of third parties. The Agency shall not be treated as an agent for any such third parties, and any contract for the supply of such goods and/or services shall be between the provider and the Holidaymaker.
    2. Please see our Privacy Policy which explains how we will process your personal data.
    3. All electronic data transferred pursuant to these terms and conditions remains the property of the Agency or their agents and may not be replicated in part or whole without the Agency’s prior written permission. Electronic data will not be preserved indefinitely by the Agency.

18. Legal

    1. Any dispute, claim or other matter which may arise in relation to your booking will be governed by English law and you agree that any dispute will be dealt with exclusively by the courts of England and Wales.

The Booking Conditions will apply to all confirmed bookings, and these Website Booking Conditions supersede all previous editions.