The Agreement

The rental agreement is between the Guest and the Owner. The contract is deemed to have been made once the Guest has paid a deposit and the confirmation of booking has dispatched. The Guest must be over 18 years of age at the time of booking.

Booking

The Guest who makes the booking is deemed to have agreed to these Terms and Conditions will be responsible for all persons included in the booking and should ensure that they are all aware of these Terms & Conditions. The Owner reserves the right to decline any booking or refuse to hand over a key to any person who has not complied with these Terms & Conditions.

Payment

For bookings made more than 12 weeks before arrival, a payment of 25% of the total cost of the holiday, is required. The next 50% of the balance is due 12 weeks before the holiday commences and the final 25% is due 30 days prior to check in. For bookings made less than 30 days before arrival the full amount is due at the time of booking. Bookings made more than 30 days before arrival but less than 12 weeks are required to pay 75% of the total cost at the time of booking and the final 25% 30 days before the date of check in. Once payments are made they are non refundable.

The Guest agrees to pay the balance of the payment at each date before the holiday is due to start. Email reminders are sent, but delivery cannot be guaranteed. Where a Guest fails to pay their balance by the due date the booking may be cancelled and the deposit retained.

Cleaning

The Guest is responsible for leaving the accommodation in good order and in a clean condition; otherwise a cleaning charge will be levied. Please note that the convention for UK Holiday cottages is that Guests are expected to leave the property in a similar state to which they find it (reasonable cleaning excepted). Please abide by this convention so we can continue to provide good value for Guests.

Number of People using Holiday Accommodation

The Owner permits the Guest and members of the Guest’s party (but no one else) to occupy the property for holiday purposes only. The Guest must declare the correct number of additional Guests during booking and, if this changes, must inform the Owner before the rental commences of any change. No more than the maximum number of persons (8 adults plus infants) may occupy a property unless by prior written agreement with the Agent or Owner. Extra charges may be applicable if the number of Guests differs from the number on the booking.

Arrival/Departure

Oak Barn (unless otherwise agreed in writing) is available for occupation from 16.00 pm on the first day of the holiday and must be vacated by 10.00 am on the last day.

Cancellation or Changes by the Guest

Once the holiday is booked the Guest has entered into a legally binding contract. If the Guest cancels, for whatever reason (including medical and weather related) then no refund of the deposit will be due, and within 7 days of the holiday no refund of the full balance is due.

It is recommended and expected that the Guest will have or will take out a holiday insurance policy (which includes cancellation insurance covering sickness and unavoidable reasons for cancellation) prior to their stay.

Pets

The Guest may only bring such pets as are booked in by the Guest at the time of booking. A charge will be made for pets. Pets must be well-behaved and should not be left unattended in the property. They are not permitted in the beds or on any furniture in the property. If damage or extra cleaning is caused by pets the Guest may be billed for that charge. The

garden is closed and secure but please be aware that this is not guaranteed as unknown damage may have occurred.

Guest Responsibility

The supervision of children, babies, dogs and any adults requiring care remains the responsibility of the Guest at all times.

Guests should put all furniture etc back to where it was at the beginning of the rental period.

Guests should not leave any items at the property and, if left, the Owner has the right to charge for the removal, return or disposal of those items.

Damage, Loss, Theft

Guests agree to inform Owners of any damage or loss however caused, excluding reasonable wear and tear incurred during occupation. Guests should not remove any item from the property. The Owner may ask for reasonable replacement costs.

Nuisance

Guests should not cause nuisance or annoyance to occupants of any nearby property.

If, in the opinion of the Owner, any person is not suitable to continue their occupation of the property because of unreasonable behaviour, damage or nuisance to other parties, the contract may be treated by the Owner as discharged and the Owner may repossess the property immediately. The Guest will remain liable for the whole cost of rental and no refund shall be due.

Access

Guests must allow reasonable access to the property by the Owner for maintenance given reasonable notice.

Complaints

If you have any complaints concerning the property or service received please inform the Owner immediately (within 24 hours) allowing the complaint to be corrected at the earliest opportunity. Please check that the cleanliness of the cottage is to your satisfaction on arrival as cleaning complaints can only be responded to if notified within 2 hours of arrival. Whilst we make every effort to ensure that your stay is to your utmost satisfaction, we cannot accept responsibility for noise or nuisance caused by neighbouring properties including unsociable occupants, village events or building works where this is out of the direct control of the Owner but we will make every effort to mitigate these where we can. Oak Barn is in a rural country area. Tenants must expect the presence of rabbits, pigeons, pheasants, insects and such like, the noise/smell of machinery tending to adjacent land and the occasional inherent noise/smell of rural agriculture/livestock. There is little that can be done to resolve such nuisance/inconvenience and must be accepted by Tenants as an inherent part of rural life. Our properties are constantly being improved by our owners so we cannot guarantee that furnishings, decoration and facilities will be exactly as per the photos or specification.

Disputes

Any dispute arising out of the booking will be between the Guest and the Owner. No complaints can be considered unless notified during the Guest’s stay in the property. It is the duty of Guests to minimise any loss to them and therefore it is their responsibility to inform the Owner at the earliest possible opportunity of any problem.

The responsibility for the upkeep of the property and any relevant Health and Safety considerations lie with the Owner. Complaints received after departure cannot be accepted as the Owner thereby has no opportunity to resolve the complaint at the time.

Liability

The Owner cannot accept responsibility for any material loss, damage, additional expense or inconvenience directly or indirectly caused by or arising out of the property, its plumbing, gas, electrical services or exceptional weather.

No responsibility is accepted for loss or damage of property, (including pets), vehicles or vehicle contents belonging to the Guest or any member of the party during their occupancy.

The maximum liability accepted by the Owner will be the total cost of the holiday as paid by the Guest to the Agent. No other expenses such as travelling costs or alternative accommodation will be accepted.

Cancellation by Owners

The Owner reserves the right to refuse any booking and to cancel any bookings already made if the property is unavailable (eg through fire, flood, etc) for any reason whatsoever, subject to a full refund of all monies paid (but no further liability). The Owner shall not be under any other liability if such cancellation occurs. Note: in the unlikely event of a cancellation the Owner will make every possible effort to advise on alternative accommodation if required.

No Smoking

Oak Barn has a No Smoking or Vaping policy within property.

Broadband

Oak Barn offers free wireless internet access. The availability of this service is entirely dependent on the supplier (e.g British Telecom) and cannot be guaranteed by the owner. Events entirely out of the control of the owner can cause failure and therefore in the event of failure, the owners can not be held responsible and will not be liable to make compensation payments.

Force Majeure

The Owner cannot accept responsibility or liability for any alterations, delay or cancellation or any other loss or damage caused by war, civil strife, terrorist action, industrial disputes, fire, sickness, bad weather, epidemics, acts of any government or public authority, or any other event outside our control.

Waiver

The failure of the Owner to enforce or exercise, at any time or for any period of time, any term of, or any right pursuant to this agreement does not constitute and shall not be construed as a waiver of such term or right.

Miscellaneous

The Guest agrees that the contract with the Owner is made at the Owner’s premises and that any proceedings between the parties shall be conducted in the County Court nearest to the Owner.