TERMS AND CONDITIONS

To be clear the words in these terms and conditions have the meanings given below:
’Booking' means your request to stay at the property once it has been confirmed by us
'Security Deposit' is the deposit paid by you to cover any damage to the property or loss of contents or keys and excessive or incorrect use of facilities
'Check-in time' is the date and time when the prroperty will be made available to you
'Check-out time' is the date and time when the property should be vacated by you as set out in the booking
'Holiday' is the period of time when the owner provides the property to you as set out in the booking
'Owner' Suzy Bennett
’Property' is the accommodation specified in your booking
'You' – the lead guest who booked the property for the holiday and the members of your party

A binding contract comes into existence between the owner and you once the booking deposit has been received and written booking confirmation has been issued. The lead guest must be over 18 years of age and is responsible for all members of the party and their conduct.

A 15% non-refundable booking deposit is required to secure a reservation. Bookings are not confirmed until the deposit has been received and acknowledged by the owner.

The remaining balance is due no later than 30 days prior to arrival. Failure to pay the balance by the due date constitutes cancellation by the guest and may result in cancellation of the booking without further notice. In such circumstances, the owner will retain the booking deposit and reserve the right to re-let the property.

Date change requests must be made no later than 30 days prior to arrival. If you request a change to your booking dates:

• The original dates will be released immediately and made available for rebooking

• We will actively attempt to re-sell the original dates

• If the original dates are successfully rebooked, payments already made will be transferred to your new stay, subject to availability, less any difference in rate

• Date changes are not guaranteed and are only confirmed once new dates are secured and, where applicable, the original booking has been re-sold.

• Only one date change request may be considered per booking.

• Date changes may be restricted or unavailable during peak periods, including bank holidays and high-season dates.

• All changes must be requested in writing

• If the original dates are not rebooked, or a date change cannot be accommodated, the booking will fall under our standard cancellation policy and payment will not be refunded

You are strongly advised to purchase holiday cancellation insurance when booking, which may provide cover for date changes due to unforeseen circumstances. We recommend using Staysure.

If you cancel your booking, you will be entitled to a refund only if we are able to secure a replacement booking. Refunds will be calculated based on the amount recovered from a replacement booking, less any reasonable costs incurred in securing that booking.

If you cancel:
(a) 30 days or more prior to the check-in date, we will retain the booking deposit.
(b) Less than 30 days prior to the check-in date, we will retain all payments if we cannot secure a replacement booking.

You are strongly advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance prior to your stay to protect against cancellation costs. We recommend Staysure, where a week’s policy starts at £28.

The owner reserves the right to cancel a booking at short notice due to circumstances beyond their control (including but not limited to damage, safety issues, or force majeure). In such cases, guests will be offered either:

• a full refund of all monies paid, or

• an alternative date (subject to availability).

No compensation, costs, or consequential losses will be payable beyond this.

A security deposit will be secured by pre-authorisation on your payment card one day prior to arrival. This is not a charge and no funds will be taken unless there is loss or damage arising from your stay.

The pre-authorisation will be released within seven days of departure, subject to a satisfactory property inspection. Entry may be refused if the pre-authorisation cannot be successfully obtained, with no refund of the rental cost.

If the pre-authorisation cannot be processed, the owner will request a deposit via a debit/credit card link or Paypal.

You are responsible for all damage, loss, breakages, excessive cleaning, or charges caused by any member of the party or their pet. Reasonable costs may be deducted from the security deposit. Charges are not limited to the value of the deposit, and the owner reserves the right to pursue additional costs through other lawful means if necessary.

All damage must be reported immediately. No repairs or alterations may be attempted by guests under any circumstances.

Missing or damaged items will be charged at full replacement cost plus delivery. For hygiene and safety reasons, any consumables or laundered items (including but not limited to towels, flannels, slippers, dressing gowns, bed linen and toiletries) removed from the property will be deemed lost and charged accordingly, regardless of condition or subsequent return.

No refunds will be issued where extreme weather or travel disruption prevents arrival or shortens a stay, provided the property remains safe and habitable. You are advised to purchase cancellation insurance appropriate to their circumstances.

Additional charges, such as an extra load of logs, are clearly displayed at the cottage and will be deducted from the security deposit.

The property must be left in a clean and tidy condition. Excessive cleaning, including heavily soiled furnishings, unwashed dishes, or excessive pet hair, may incur additional charges.

The owner reserves the right to deduct reasonable costs for loss or damage from the security deposit, as detailed in the security deposit section above.

Check-in is from 4:00pm and check-out is by 10:30am, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

On occasion, check-in may be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. Where this occurs, the owner may, at their discretion, offer a late check-out or pro-rata compensation.

Children aged 18 months to eight years are not accepted unless by prior arrangement. The property is not designed or equipped to be child-safe, and guests accept responsibility for supervision at all times.

One adult, non-shedding or short-haired dog is permitted by prior agreement for a fee of £60 per stay. The dog must be reliably house-trained. Puppies are not accepted. By booking, you agree to comply with the owner’s Pet Promise, which forms an integral part of these terms.

Only the number of guests stated on the booking may occupy the property. Day visitors are not permitted without prior consent. The property must be used for holiday purposes only and must not be used for parties, events, or commercial activities.

Due to the fire risks associated with thatched properties, barbecues, fireworks, candles, incense, and naked flames are not permitted anywhere on the premises. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the property.

The guest agrees that the log burner must not be used:

a) during periods of hot, dry weather;
b) when there is an increased risk of wildfires; or
c) whenever the Owner has instructed the guest not to use it.

Any such instruction may be given before or during the stay. The Owner may prohibit use of the log burner where reasonably considered necessary for fire safety, including because of prevailing weather conditions, advice or warnings issued by the fire service or other relevant authority, or the requirements of the Property’s insurer or fire-risk assessment.

In the event of a temporary failure of services or appliances, or a power cut, the owner will take reasonable steps to remedy the issue as soon as practicable. No refunds will be given for short-term interruptions beyond the owner’s control.

Any issues must be reported immediately to allow the owner the opportunity to rectify them. If a serious issue arises that cannot be resolved by the evening of notification, the owner will use reasonable endeavours to provide alternative accommodation of a similar standard. Where the issue is capable of remedy, this shall be the your only contractual entitlement.

The owner reserves the right to terminate the stay without refund if guests engage in anti-social behaviour, cause unreasonable damage, breach fire safety or smoking rules, misuse the property, exceed occupancy limits, or otherwise breach these terms.

Lost keys will be charged at £20 per key, plus any associated call-out or replacement costs including lock changes where required for security.

The owner accepts no liability for loss, damage, theft, personal injury, or accident to the fullest extent permitted by law. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.

The owner or their representatives may enter the property at reasonable times to inspect, carry out essential repairs, or address safety concerns or emergencies, with reasonable notice where practicable.

Personal data supplied during the booking process will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and will not be shared with third parties other than where necessary to administer the booking or where legally required.

This agreement is a holiday licence only and does not create a tenancy or confer any statutory security of tenure under the Housing Act 1988 or any other legislation.

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.