BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2023 

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Please take the time to read through our booking terms and conditions before placing a deposit to book Avalon. Once you've done this, you will be liable for the full cost of your holiday if you can no longer make it (save for exceptional circumstances set out below). Please take the time to read our cancellation policy.

1. The contract

The contract entered into is between “The Owners” (Claire Burditt and Andrew Dawson) and “The Guest”. The contract is not effective until the required booking deposit payment has been received and confirmation sent by us.  Management and maintenance services will be provided by “The Management Company” (Homeleigh Property Management - HPM).

1. The holiday

The Guest has the right to occupy the property for a holiday only (within the meaning of Schedule 1, para 9 of the Housing Act, 1988) for no more than 28 consecutive days. This begins at 3.00pm on the start day of the holiday and ends at 9.30am on the day of departure.  Times may be subject to change with notification.

1. Liability

We cannot accept responsibility for any sickness, injury, loss, damage, additional expense or inconvenience directly or indirectly caused by or arising out of the property and its appearance, plumbing, electrical or otherwise exceptional weather conditions. Further, no responsibility is accepted for the personal property (including pets), or the cars and contents belonging to the Guest or any member of the party during their occupancy.

1. Photography, property description and marketing

Whilst we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the property description and photography, please be aware that in-year alterations sometimes have to be made.  Any major changes will be notified.

 

 

1. Provisional bookings

Please let us know if you are interested in the same or similar week next year – it is our policy to offer a provisional booking to existing guests (family use allowing).  We will be in contact in September (or as soon as possible after) to discuss potential dates for the following year.  Bookings are now administered through the ‘Bookalet’ system.

Guest details

To secure a booking, party details must be completed on the booking form attached,  to include names and ages of all persons who will be occupying the property during the holiday period. Bookings will not be confirmed until this information has been provided. If the party details change prior to the holiday commencing, Guests will need to inform us.

Only persons listed within the party details are authorised to stay at the property. By agreeing to these terms, the person making the booking is deemed to have permission from all other guests to share their details with us for the purpose of making the booking.

1. Booking eligibility

Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under the age of 18 years or from parties where the majority of members are under 25 years (except families or supervised groups). No bookings will be accepted from single sex groups of three or more, irrespective of age unless a special arrangement has been made with us.  The number of persons occupying a property must not exceed the maximum stated in the current property description (infants who do not occupy a bed are not counted as a member of a party).

The person who makes the booking will be legally responsible for all persons included within the party details and should ensure that they are aware of the booking terms and conditions. We reserve the right to decline any booking or to refuse to hand over a key to any person who is not considered suitable, or who has not complied with the booking terms and conditions.

1. Reservation

To secure the reservation, Guests must complete all parts of the booking form and make payment for the deposit (30% of the total tariff, or as indicated on the Bookalet email). The balance is payable eight weeks before the holiday is due in most cases (please refer to booking correspondence) and it should be noted that reminders are issued three days before the balance is due and again on the balance due date. If the balance is not received, we reserve the right to cancel the booking without refund of the deposit and the holiday will be offered for resale. Any bookings made within eight weeks of the start of the holiday require full payment at the time of booking.

1. Damage deposits

The Guest will be required at the time of making the final payment to provide the Owners with a damage deposit of £300. This deposit covers damage, loss, or loss of rental as a result of the conduct of the Guest or members of the Guest’s party. The Guest is liable for the loss and damage caused to the property and contents to the full value of the Owner’s loss even though the value of the loss:

1. may exceed the damage deposit.

2. may be covered by the Owner’s insurance.

It is also a requirement of the conditions of booking that the property is left in a clean and tidy condition at the end of the letting period. The damage deposit will normally be refunded to the Guest seven to ten working days after departure, provided that no damage has been caused to the property, its contents, fittings and fixtures. The damage deposit will be refunded back to the account that was used to process the balance payment.

We reserve the right to deduct a £40 charge in the event of having to clear, pick up or black-bag waste and rubbish, clean a barbecue that has been used by the Guest or pick up dog waste.

The damage deposit does not limit the Guest’s liability for damages. If the damage claim exceeds the damage deposit paid then the Guest is required to settle this within seven days of being notified of the total amount.

1.   Method of payment

Payments may be made by electronic bank transfer (please contact me if you do not have these details, but unchanged from previous years – also available via the ‘payment methods’ link in your Bookalet email).   Any charges raised against us by the Guest’s bank for handling bank transfers will be passed on to the Guest, who is liable to reimburse us within seven days of the notification by us.

1.   Overseas bookings

Overseas Guests may pay in Sterling drawn on a UK bank, or by international electronic transfer. Any charges for payments from overseas will be passed on to the Guest.

 

1.   Travel insurance

The Owners strongly recommend that the Guest takes out suitable independent travel insurance when making a booking, to cover the full cost of the holiday in the event of a cancellation.

1.   Changing dates

Changing dates of a booking within the same calendar year may (very) occasionally be possible and is subject to availability. Alterations to a booking by the Guest (except for cancellation) will be subject to an administration charge of £15.

1.   Booking alterations by the Owner

If for reasons beyond our control (for example failure of a utility service, fire or flood at the property) the owner has to cancel arrangements made for the guest, we will issue a full refund.

1.   Cancellation

The Owner offers a 24-hour grace period starting from the time that the deposit payment was made as a cooling off period. If the Guest wishes to cancel their booking within this time period, they will be fully refunded to include the deposit and balance (if applicable).

A holiday booking is a legally binding contract. In the event of a cancellation for any reason other than the circumstances set out in section 13, the Guest will become liable for the full cost of the holiday unless the Owner can secure another booking to replace the Guest's booking. This is not guaranteed, and even if achieved, may be at a lower rate than the original cancelled booking, in which case the cancelling guest will be liable for the difference. If a replacement booking is secured, the Guest will be charged a one-off administrative fee of £30 and then refunded the balance of any sums paid for their holiday. It is a condition that the Owner is notified immediately by telephone and promptly in writing of the circumstances giving rise to a cancellation as a phone call alone will not suffice.

1.   Cleaning, bed linen and towels

Bed linen and towels are included in the hire price of the property (unless otherwise agreed. Guests are asked to bring beach towels as these are not included.

Charges for cleaning or replacement of missing, soiled or damaged linen and towels will be deducted from the Guest’s damage deposit. Guests are asked to take particular care when it comes to using products that may stain such as make-up and fake tan.

If Guests are staying for 14 days, they will receive a basic refresh clean to refresh WCs, bathrooms and shower rooms as well as fresh linen and towels at or around the end of the first week.  This  will involve you leaving the property and allowing access to HPM at a time to be mutually agreed by yourself and a representative of HPM who will be in touch during your first week to make arrangements.

1.   Occupancy

Occupancy shall be from 3.00pm on the day of arrival to 9.30am on the day of departure, unless special arrangements have been made prior to arrival (the housekeepers have only a limited time to prepare the property for the next guests, and you are asked to respect this).  Early entry or late departure may incur a deduction from your security deposit to cover the costs of staff who are unable to enter the property due to your non-compliance in this matter.

Should there be anything the Guest feels that we should be made aware of to ensure the comfort and safety of the Guest, please inform the HPM..

If the Guest vacates the property later than the check-out time of 9.30am, the owner has a right to deduct a charge from the Guest's damage deposit to cover one or all of the cleaner's (or any other maintenance staff’s) additional time (waiting to enter the property). This will be based on the staff members’ hourly rate.

1.   Property rules and information

A property information folder is provided at the property which includes property specific information, specific property rules requested by us and health and safety procedures. Guests are asked to familiarise themselves with this information on arrival and to follow any instructions given. We do not accept liability for the content of this information or the Guest’s reliance on it.

1.   Parking

There is parking for up to four cars, one behind the other rather than side by side.  Parking information is provided on the property webpage (in the ‘Outside’ section). Guests must adhere to any parking limitations and this includes any visitors to the property. Guests must not park or obscure any neighbouring properties or park on nearby lanes with parking restrictions.

 

 

1.   Services

Electricity, phone (reasonable usage) heating and water are included with the price of the booking.

1.   Internet

We now have superfast FTTP, but we can't guarantee the speed of the internet or be held responsible for any issues with the service, but if the Guest has a problem, they can contact HPM and we will try and assist however we can.

The Guest agrees to comply with all current legislation pertaining to and regarding the use of electronic data in using the internet provided by the Owner. The Owners cannot accept liability for loss or damage to the Guest’s data, or, accept responsibility or liability for the Guest’s inappropriate or illegal use of the internet.

Please note during the busier months, broadband services can be disrupted. With the huge increase in people trying to access the internet, the local network simply cannot cope so it is therefore likely that if the house that you are renting has a broadband service you could find that it only works intermittently. Unfortunately, we will not be able to sort out this issue, as it will be an infrastructure overloading problem, for which we can only apologise as it is beyond our control.

1.   Pets

In order to ensure that dogs will continue to be welcomed at Avalon, Guests must undertake the following:

1. There must be no more than two dogs (by prior arrangement only) at the property at any time.

2. All dogs must be kept under strict control at all times whilst on the property.

3. Any fouling of lawns, paths, etc. must be cleared up without delay, particularly if in neighbours’ gardens.

4. The Guest must provide a bed for the dog to sleep in.

5. No dogs must ever be left in the property unattended.

6. No dogs are allowed in bedrooms, on chairs or sofas and hair must be cleared up before departure.

7. A fee is charged of £25 per dog, up to a maximum of two dogs per booking. The Owner reserves the right to deduct a £40 charge in the event of having to pick up dog mess.

8. Please do not bring any other pets or animals.

 

 

 

1.   Considerations in Older Properties like Avalon

Avalon is an older style property. We cannot guarantee that there will not be damp and/or insects (or other characteristics associated with older properties) and you should be aware that it is impossible to eliminate these factors entirely from an older property. We cannot be held responsible in respect of any particular sensitivity Guests may have to such characteristics.

1.   Damage, loss and nuisance

The Guest agrees that the supervision of children, babies, dogs and any adults requiring care remains the responsibility of the Guest at all times. The Guest will be responsible for leaving the accommodation in good order and clean condition, otherwise a cleaning charge will be levied. The Guest will pay for any damage or loss however caused, excluding reasonable wear and tear incurred during occupation. The Guest agrees not to cause nuisance or annoyance to occupants of nearby property, and to allow reasonable access to the property by HPM if deemed necessary. No functions are to be held at Avalon.  It is very important to us that we are not part of Cornwall’s problems in relation to the less desirable aspects of tourism in the county, and any reports of excessive, antisocial drinking, late night noise, or general anti-social behaviour may result in guests being blacklisted.

If in the opinion of the Owners, 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 discharged, and the Owner may repossess the property immediately. The Guest will remain liable for the whole of the cost of the hire and no refund shall be due.

1.   Smoking and vaping policy

Avalon is a strictly non-smoking and non-vaping property. Smoking and vaping are only permitted outside the property away from any open windows or doors. The Guest must not leave cigarette or cigar butts or ashes anywhere around the property or garden. Additional cleaning charges will apply and will be deducted from the Guest’s damage deposit should the inside of the property smell of smoke or cigarette butts and ashes are left in the vicinity of the property.

1.   Personal items left behind

The Owner cannot take responsibility for any items left behind by Guests. If an item is recovered, it will be taken to the Management Company’s office and the Guest will be contacted. If the Guest confirms they want this item returned, this will be subject to a postage charge and a £10 administration fee. This will be deducted from the Guest’s damage deposit. After three months, if an item is not claimed it will be disposed of or donated to charity.

1.   External factors

The Owner will not be held to account or be responsible for any of the following which may have an impact on the Guest's stay which results in the Guest seeking to cancel or end their booking early:

• holiday fairs, fetes, events or festivals occurring during the letting season or any noise or building works carried out in the vicinity or on neighbouring properties; or

• compliance with any law or governmental order or direction, adverse weather conditions, strikes, act of God, war or civil commotion or an epidemic or pandemic

• Noisy neighbours.  We have been in contact with our immediate neighbours and their management companies, but cannot be held responsible for noise in the wider area.

 

1.   Additional services

The Homeleigh Property Management can supply additional cleaning services during occupancy if required, charged at local rates and payable direct to the Management Company. The Guest must request this at the point of making the booking.

Where a Guest wishes to obtain other additional services such as private chefs, baby-sitting etc during their stay, please call the management company direct.  Where a third-party supplier is engaged by a Guest, the Guest will be responsible for the cost of those services and the terms and conditions of the relevant supplier will apply to such arrangements.  Please contact Homeleigh for the full range of services available.

1.   Complaints

In the event of a problem or complaint, the Guest should phone the Management Company or owner within 24 hours of arrival so that remedial action can be taken. If an engineer is requested and the engineer can find no problem, the call-out cost will be passed on to the Guest.

No complaints can be considered where the Owner has not been given an opportunity to investigate the complaint and endeavour to put matters right during the occupation.

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