BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. THE CONTRACT

1.1 The contract entered into is between Spring Cottages; Gina Robinson and Ken Falcon, and the person completing and sending the Booking Form (the Hirer). The contract is not effective until the required payment has been received and confirmation sent from the Owner to the Hirer.

2. BOOKING

2.1 Bookings cannot be accepted from:
a. Persons under the age of 18 years
b. Parties where the majority of members are under 18 years (except families or supervised groups)

2.2 The number of persons occupying a property must not exceed the maximum agreed by the Hirer and Owner.

2.3 The Owner reserves the right to decline any booking or refuse to hand over a key to any person who has not complied with the booking conditions.

3. RESERVATIONS

3.1 Provisional reservations can be accepted by telephone, fax or e-mail and must be confirmed within 7 days (UK) or 10 days (outside UK) by the arrival of the required non-returnable deposit. Unconfirmed reservations will be cancelled after 7 (or 10) days without further reference.

3.2 To secure a reservation:

a. Complete all parts of the booking form

b. Send the completed form by post, fax or e-mail and arrange payment of 1/4 (one quarter) of the total cost of the holiday. This deposit is non-returnable.

c. Pay the balance of the cost four weeks before the holiday is due to start. Reminders are not normally sent out.

3.3 If the balance is not received within the time specified the Owner reserves the right to cancel the booking and retain the deposit.

3.4 Bookings made within four weeks of the start of the holiday require full payment within 7 (or 10) days of the provisional booking unless alternative arrangements are agreed with the Owner.

3.5 Payment for bookings can be made by postal order, cheque drawn on a London bank payable in Sterling or by bank transfer in Sterling to the Owner's account, details of which can be found on the Tariff page. The person making payment shall be responsible for all charges incurred in making the payment.

3.6 The following cards can also be accepted. MASTERCARD, SWITCH, VISA, SOLO and JCB.

4. CANCELLATION

4.1 In the event of cancellation by the Hirer the Owner will endeavour to re-let the property and if successful may refund any monies paid less the deposit that is non-returnable.

5. INSURANCE

5.1 It is strongly recommended that you arrange appropriate insurance cover.

6. BOOKING ALTERATIONS

6.1 Any change in holiday dates will be subject to the agreement of the Owner.

6.2 If for reasons beyond her control the Owner has to cancel arrangements made for the Hirer, the Owner will return to the Hirer any monies paid, whereupon the Owner's liability will cease.

7 DAMAGE, LOSS AND NUISANCE

7.1 The Hirer agrees:
a. THERE WILL BE NO SMOKING IN THE COTTAGE AT ANY TIME
b. That the supervision of any adults requiring care, and pets, remains the responsibility of the Hirer at all times.
c. To be responsible for leaving the accommodation in good order and clean condition, otherwise a cleaning charge will be levied.
d. To pay for any damage or loss however caused, excluding reasonable wear and tear incurred during occupation.
e. Not to cause nuisance or annoyance to occupants of adjacent cottages.
f. To allow reasonable access to the property by the Owner, or the Owners employees, if deemed necessary by the Owner.

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

8. OCCUPANCY

Occupancy shall be from 4 PM (1600 hours) on the day of arrival to 10 AM (1000 hours) on the day of departure, unless special arrangements have been made. You are asked to respect this. This condition is to allow for the highest standards of cleanliness to be maintained.

9. SERVICES

The Hirer must pay the Owner for all electricity consumed during occupation by the use of coin operated meters, other than that used for storage heaters, except where agreed in writing beforehand.

10. PETS

10.1 In order to ensure that the Owner continues to welcome pets, the Hirer must undertake the following

a. All pets must be kept under strict control at all times whilst on the property
b. Any fouling of grass, paths etc must be cleared up without delay
c. The Hirer must bring the pets bedding
d. Pets must not be left in the property unattended
e. Pets are not allowed on beds, chairs or settees.

10.2 In the interest of visitors' safety and as a result of government legislation the Owner is unable to accept the following types of dog: American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Fila Brasileiro and Doga Argentino even where these types of dogs are muzzled as required by law.

11. DESCRIPTIONS

11.1 Whilst the Owner makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of property descriptions, these are inevitably subjective and are for guidance only. If there are any points of particular importance please contact the Owner to clarify information.

11.2 Whilst the Owner has taken all responsible steps to ensure that the information contained in its brochures, tariffs, leaflets and advertisements are accurate the Owner reserves the right to alter, substitute or withdraw any service, facilities or amenity.

12. LIABILITY

12.1 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, electrical equipment or otherwise, or exceptional weather. Neither can any responsibility be accepted for loss or damage of property (including pets), vehicles or vehicle contents belonging to the Hirer or any member of the party during their occupancy.

13. COMPLAINTS

13.1 If in the opinion of the Hirer there are grounds for complaint, it is the duty of the Hirer to take it up with the Owner as soon as possible and in any event before departure to allow remedial action to be taken.

13.2 It is specifically agreed that failure by the Hirer to notify the Owner of any complaint in accordance with the time-scale set out in clause 13.1 will entitle the Owner to refuse to entertain the complaint, irrespective of its merits.

13.3 'As a participant in the VisitBritain Quality Assurance scheme, the owner has undertaken to observe the VisitBritain code of conduct. In the event of an unresolved complaint, the Owner reserves the right to refer the matter to them for arbitration.'

14. WAIVER AND LEGAL PROVISIONS

14.1 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.

14.2 The law of England governs the construction, validity and performance of this Agreement and the parties submit to the jurisdiction of the English Courts. The Hirer agrees that the Contract with the Owner is made at the Owners premises and that any proceedings between the parties shall be conducted in the County Court nearest to the Owner.

14.3 Clause headings are for convenience only and do not form part of or affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

Spring Cottages, Venns Gate, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3LW
Tel/Fax +44 (0)1934-742493