South West Holiday Lets Limited

 

 

Registration Number 4664945

26 Lower Oldfield Park, Bath BA2 3HP

 

http://www.bathholidayrooms.co.uk

Tel: 01225 445390

 

email: info@bathholidayrooms.co.uk

 

 

BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

 

South West Holiday Lets Ltd (the ‘Company’) arrange bookings of properties as agents of the owners (the ‘owner’) of such properties (the ‘property’). When you book a property through South West Holiday Lets Ltd, you enter into a contract with the Owner of that property. South West Holiday Lets Ltd are responsible for the administration of your booking, but, except where otherwise stated in these Conditions, do so solely ‘on behalf of and as agents of the Owner’ or ‘as agents for the Owner’. Where these conditions mention ‘the Company’ without using words such as ‘on behalf of the Owner’ or ‘as agents for the Owner’ this means South West Holiday Lets Ltd in its own right rather than as agent for the Owner. References to ‘you’ and ‘your’ mean the person making the booking and all members of the holiday rental party who have been accepted by the Company on behalf of the Owner. These Conditions set out the basis of your contract with the Owner. They also deal with South West Holiday Lets Ltd. Nothing in these Condition affects your normal statutory rights.

 

1.        Your booking

You can book the properties and take up the offers shown on the Company’s website or otherwise advertised if the applicable property is still available. The party leader must be at least 18 years of age at the time of booking. Your booking is made as a consumer and you agree that no liability can be accepted by the Owner or the Company for any expenses, costs, losses, claims or other sums of any description which relate to any business, however suffered or incurred by you. When the Company on behalf of the Owner issue a written confirmation to you, this signifies that the Owner has entered into a contract with you, which is subject to these Conditions. The Company on behalf of the Owner has the right to refuse any booking prior to the issue of your written confirmation, and if the Company on behalf of the Owner do this, the Company on behalf of the Owner will tell you in writing and promptly refund any money you have paid us.

 

When you receive your confirmation, the details must be checked carefully. If anything is not correct, you should tell the Company on behalf of the Owner immediately.

 

2.        Paying for your property

When you book your property you should pay the amount then due by debit or credit card , or by sending a cheque together with a completed booking form to the company.  Providing the booking can be confirmed, the Company on behalf of the Owner will then send your written confirmation to you as soon as reasonably possible showing your booking details and the balance of your total holiday cost which must be received by the Company no later than 28 days before your arrival date. However, if you book less than 28 days before the arrival date, payment of your total holiday cost is due straightaway. For properties booked less than 2 weeks before your arrival date your booking must be paid for in full by debit or credit card or by bank transfer, at the time of booking.

 

All prices quoted on our website or otherwise advised to you include all booking fees, charges, and, where applicable, Value Added Tax (at 17.5%) . Should the VAT rate increases, or any additional taxes or levies be introduced which affect the price of your holiday, you may be required to pay the extra amount. Alternatively should the rate of VAT or any government imposed tax or levy included in the quoted prices decrease so that a lower rate applies to your holiday, the price of your holiday will be reduced accordingly.

 

If you pay by credit/debit card the Company may make a charge of up to 2%, subject to minimum charge of £2, for each payment made this way to recover the credit/debit card company’s charges to the Company.

 

If any payment you make is not honoured for any reason whatsoever, the Company is entitled to make an administration charge of £25.

 

3.        Cancellation or changes to your booking by the Owner or the Company

Neither the Owner nor the Company expect to have to make any changes to your booking, but occasionally problems occur and bookings have to be changed or cancelled. If this does happen, the Company will contact the party leader (by telephone where reasonably possible in the case of a significant change or cancellation, minor changes will be notified by post or email) as soon as is reasonably practical, explain what has happened and inform you of the cancellation or change.

 

If a significant change has to be made (and the change is not acceptable to you) or your booking has to be cancelled, the Company will, if possible and as soon as reasonably practical, offer the party leader an alternative property (from the range advertised by the Company) of similar type and standard in a similar location for the same or similar time of year. As the alternative property is likely to be owned by a different Owner to that of the original property booked, the advertised cost of the alternative property will be payable. You may be asked to pay any price difference if the alternative property is advertised at a higher price.  However, it is possible you may be able to claim any price difference (if the alternative property is more expensive than the original one) from the Owner of the original property. Obviously, if the alternative property is advertised at a lower price, you will receive a refund (if you have already paid the balance of your total holiday cost) of the price difference. If you do not wish to accept a significant change or any alternative property offered or the Company cannot offer you a suitable alternative property, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid to the Company.

 

So as to keep any period of uncertainty to a minimum, the Company will, whenever reasonably possible, communicate with you by telephone or email in the case of a significant change or cancellation and you are required to do the same. The party leader should tell the Company as soon as reasonably possible whether you wish to accept any change or alternative property offered, or alternatively whether you want a refund, as soon as possible after the party leader being advised of the change, cancellation or proposed alternative property. In the unlikely event that the party leader fails to tell the Company that you wish to accept any change or alternative property the Company is entitled to assume you wish to cancel your booking and receive a full refund of all monies paid to the Company.

 

Where your booking is significantly changed or cancelled, you will able be offered compensation if and as appropriate. A minimum compensation of £20 per booking will usually be paid. However, compensation will not be payable where any change or cancellation results from “Acts of God” (please refer to clause 4 below) or where you have refused, without good reason, to accept an alternative property you have been offered.

 

Please note, no compensation is payable for minor changes. Such minor changes do not entitle you to take an alternative property or to cancel without paying the normal charges as set out in these Conditions. A minor change is a change which the Owner could not reasonably expect to have a significant effect on your confirmed booking.

 

4.        Circumstances beyond the control of the Owner/the Company (Acts of God).

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these Conditions, the Owner and the Company shall not be liable, jointly or individually, for any changes, cancellations, effect on your holiday, loss or damage suffered by you or for any failure by the Owner and/or the Company to perform or properly perform any of their respective obligations to you which is due to any event(s) or circumstance(s)| beyond the reasonable control of either the Owner or the Company (referred to as ‘Acts of God’ in these Conditions). By way of example, Acts of God include fire, flood, exceptional weather conditions, epidemics, destruction or damage of the property by any cause (other than negligence of the Owner or the Company) and all similar situations, in appropriate cases (for example where your booking has to be cancelled before departure) the Company on behalf of the Owner will, however, refund to you all monies paid to the Company by you for your booking.

 

No compensation, expenses, costs or other sums of any description (including without limitation the cost of securing an alternative property/accommodation) will be payable in such circumstances by either the Owner or the Company to you.

 

5.        Website details

The Company aims to ensure that the information provided by Owners is accurately conveyed on the website and other promotional literature or material produced and circulated by the Company. However, the information and prices on this website/other material may have changed by the time you come to book. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website/other material and prices at the time publication, errors occasionally occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen property and arrangements (including the price) with the Company at the time of booking. There may be small differences between the actual property and its description, as both the Company and the Owners are always seeking to improve services and facilities. Occasionally, problems mean that some facilities or services become unavailable or subject to restriction. If this happens, the Company will tell the party leader as soon as reasonably practical after the Company becomes aware of the situation. Neither the Owner nor the Company can accept responsibility for any changes or closures to area amenities or attractions mentioned on the website by the Company or advertised elsewhere. The Company makes reasonable efforts to ensure that information supplied to you in relation to the property or its facilities and/or services is accurate and complete as at the date given. The Company cannot accept responsibility for any inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information about any property or its facilities and/or services, except in the case of the negligence of the Company. The Company will, however, use its best endeavours to notify you of any changes to or inaccuracies in any information contained on the website or otherwise provided to you as soon as reasonably practical after the Company becomes aware of the change or inaccuracy.

 

6.        Liability

The Owner and the Company shall have no liability for any death or personal injury unless, in the case of the Company, this results from the negligence of the Company or its employees (providing they were at the time acting in the course of the employment) or, in the case of the Owner, it results from the Owner’s negligence or that of any employee of the Owner (providing they were at the time acting in the course of their employment).

 

You must take all necessary steps to safeguard your personal property. No liability is accepted by the Owner or the Company in respect of damage to, or loss of, such personal property except, in the case of the Owner, where the damage or loss is caused by the negligence of the Owner or that of any employee of the Owner (providing they were at the time acting in the course of their employment) or, in the case of the Company, where the damage or loss is caused by the negligence of eh Company or its employees (providing they were at the time acting in the course of their employment).

 

As the Company acts only as agent for the Owner, the Company cannot accept any liability for any act(s) or omission(s) of the Owner or anyone representing, or employed by, the Owner. Further, the Company cannot accept any liability for any shortcomings or defects with or in any property as all properties are within the sole control of the Owner. Please also refer to Section 4 (Acts of God) above. 


7.        Your changes or cancellation to your booking

Changes

If you want to change your booking once your confirmation has been issued, an administration fee of £25 will be payable to the Company once any change has been made. However, it is important to realise that a change of property or dates may have to be treated as the cancellation of one booking and the making of another. In such cases cancellation changes may be incurred which may be as much as the total cost of your holiday booking. The company will advise the party leader if this is the case when the change is requested. The party leader must then inform the Company as soon as reasonably possible to whether you still wish to change your booking. If you advise the Company that you do or the party leader fails to contact the Company as soon as reasonably possible, your booking will be treated as having been cancelled by you. So as to keep any period of uncertainty to minimum, the Company will, whenever reasonably possible, communicate with you by telephone and you are required to do the same.

 

Cancellation

If you have to, or wish to, cancel your booking, the party leader must telephone the Company on the number shown on your booking confirmation as soon as possible. The party leader must also immediately confirm your cancellation in writing sent by recorded delivery to the Company at the address shown on your booking form. The day the Company receives your telephone notification of cancellation is the date on which your booking is cancelled.

 

Cancellation Charges

Any cancellation of a confirmed booking will be subject to an administration fee of £25.  If you cancel more than six weeks prior to your booked start date  the company will refund all monies you have paid less the cancellation fee.  If you cancel between six weeks and four weeks the company will refund 50% of the monies paid less the cancellation fee.  If you cancel less than four weeks before your booked start date no refund will be payable.

 

You are advised to take out insurance to cover your liabilities to the company if you are forced to cancel.

 

8.        Your rental property

You can arrive at your property after 15.00 hours on the start date of your holiday rental and you must leave by 10.00 hours on the last day. If your arrival will be delayed beyond 8.00 pm on the start date of your holiday rental, you must contact the person whose details are given on the location guide of your late arrival, your booking may be treated as having been cancelled by you. No refund of any monies paid by you will be made in this situation.

 

Some owners require you to pay a security deposit on arrival. If this applies to your chosen property you will be advised of the amount at the time of booking. The security deposit will be refunded by the owner at the end of your holiday rental (less any costs for breakages, damage etc if applicable – see below).

 

You and all members of your holiday rental party agree both to keep the property clean and tidy and to leave the property in a similar condition as you found it upon your arrival. You and all members of your holiday rental party further agree not to use the property for any commercial purpose, including without limitation assigning or subletting it or otherwise allowing anyone to occupy it who has not previously been accepted by the Company on behalf of the Owner.

 

You are responsible to the Owner for the actual costs of any breakages, damage or loss in or to the property-along with any additional costs that may result – which are caused by you and/or any members of your holiday rental party, and the Owner can require payment from you to cover any such costs.   You must ensure that all property belonging to the owner is left at the property during your stay, including keys, towels and TV and equipment remote controls.

 

The Owner is entitled at his/her sole and absolute discretion to refuse to hand over to you, or to repossess, the property (which includes the fixtures, fittings, furnishings and decorations) if the Owner reasonably believes that any damage is likely to be caused, has been caused or is being cause by you or any members of your holiday rental party. These circumstances will be treated as a cancellation by you. No refund of any monies you have paid in respect of your booking will be made and neither the Owner nor the Company will have any liability to you as a result of this situation arising (including for example any costs or expenses you incur due to not being able to occupy the property, such as your incurring the cost of securing an alternative property/accommodation). In this situation, neither the Owner nor the Company is under any obligation to find any alternative accommodation for you.

 

You must not allow more people than the website states to occupy the property, neither can you significantly change the composition of the holiday rental party during your occupation of the property, nor can you take your pet into the property unless this has been arranged in advance and is shown on your confirmation. If you do any of these things, the Owner can refuse to hand over the property to you, or can repossess it, if the Owner does so, this will be treated as a cancellation by you. No refund of any monies you have paid in respect of your booking will be made and neither the Owner nor the Company will have any liability to you as a result of this situation, neither the Owner nor the Company is under any obligation to find any alternative accommodation for you.

 

If you take a pet with you, it is not allowed on beds or chairs, or in any communal facilities, such as swimming pools or shops. Pets should not be left unattended in the property, and dogs should be exercised on a lead.

 

You must allow the Owner and any representative of the Owner (including workmen) access to the property at any reasonable time during your occupation of the property (except in cases of emergency or where a problem needs remedying quickly and you cannot be contacted in time – in these situations the Owner is entitled to enter the property at any time without giving you prior notice).

 

 

 

 

9.        Complaints

Every effort has been made to ensure that you have an enjoyable and memorable holiday. If, however, you have any cause for complaint the Owner and the Company are anxious that remedial action is taken as soon as possible.

 

It is essential that you contact the Owner or his/her representative immediately if any problem arises so that it can be speedily revolved. It is often extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to resolve difficulties properly unless the Owner is promptly notified. Discussion of any criticism with the Owner or his/her representative whilst you are in residence will usually enable shortcomings to be rectified straightaway. In particular, complaints of a transient nature (for example, regarding preparation or heating of the property) cannot possibly be investigated unless registered whilst you are in residence.

 

If you cannot make contact with the Owner or his/her representative, or if you remain unhappy with their response, you should telephone the Company’s Head Office in Bath.

 

If, after this, you feel that the problem has not been resolved to your satisfaction, then you must, within 30 days of returning from your holiday rental, put your complaint in writing to the Company. This will then be passed on to the Owner. Send your letter by recorded delivery to the Company’s Head Office (address will be given on your confirmation letter).

 

This procedure is designed to ensure the speediest possible investigation and rectification of complaints. Please help the Owner and the Company to help you by following this procedure. If you fail to do so, this may affect your entitlement to claim compensation where this would or may otherwise have been appropriate.

 

10.     Communicating with You

For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998, South West Holiday Lets Ltd are the sole data controller of all personal data provided to the Company by customers and prospective customers. In order to process your booking, the Company needs to collect certain personal details from you. These details will include your name and address and, where applicable, the names and addresses of members of your holiday rental party, credit/debit card or other payment details and special requirements such as those relating to any disability or medical condition which may affect your choice of holiday property. If the Company needs any other personal details, the Company will tell you before obtaining them. You may also be asked to complete a post-holiday questionnaire which will include your personal details.

 

South West Holiday Lets needs to pass on your personal details to the people and organisations who need to know them so that your holiday rental can be provided (for example the property owner, and any key holder of such property (if not the property owner), your credit/debit card company or bank, or for verification of details relating to your holiday rental. Such individuals, companies and organisations may be outside the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

 

The Company also need to process and store your personal details for their own administration, market analyses and operational reviews. The Company would also like to store and use your personal details for future marketing purposes (for example, sending you brochures or details of promotions and offers which the Company feels may be of interest to you). All details you give at any time (including those relating to any disability or medical condition) will be kept, but only names, contact details and any booking preferences will be used for marketing purposes unless you are informed otherwise when you provide the information. The Company may disclose customers’ names, contact details and booking preferences to any other trading division of South West Holiday Lets Ltd. or any subsidiaries of such companies who offer goods or services which the Company feels may be of interest to you.

 

South West Holiday Lets, or any other companies and organisations authorised by the Company, may make contact with you or any members of your holiday rental party by post, e-mail, telephone, including automated dialling equipment, fax, and/or pre-recorded messages for the purposes set out in this clause for a period of three years after the end date of holiday rental or travel-related services provided. If you do not wish to receive any or all of the communications set out in this clause, then please let the Company know as soon as possible by telephone, letter, e-mail or fax. The Company is entitled to assume that you do not object to being communicated with unless: (a) you have previously ‘opted out’ of such use of your personal data by ticking the relevant box on your booking form or other document or by ticking the relevant box on marketing or promotional literature sent to you, or (b) you have otherwise previously informed the Company in writing that you do not wish your personal data to be used in certain ways; or (c) unless and until you notify the Company in writing to the contrary.

 

Except where expressly permitted by the Data Protection Act 1998, the Company will only deal with the personal details you give as set out above unless you agree otherwise. The Company has appropriate security measures in place to protect this information.

 

You are generally entitled to ask the Company (by letter, fax, or e-mail) what details of yours are being held or processed, for what purpose and to whom they may be or have been disclosed. The Company is entitled under the Data Protection Act 1998 to charge a fee in responding to such a request. The Company promise to respond to your request within 40 days of receiving this in writing and payment of the appropriate fee (if required by the Company). In certain limited circumstances the Company are entitled to refuse your request.

 

The Company may also record or monitor telephone calls to and from the Company without notification for staff or training purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.     Law

The contract between you and the Owner is subject to English law, and is formed in Bath. It is agreed that any dispute you may have with the  Owner or the Company will be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales unless you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland in which case proceedings may be brought in the Courts of those countries.

 

12.     Your rights

Your statutory rights are not affected by anything contained within these Conditions.

 

13.     These Booking Terms and Conditions

These Booking Terms and Conditions are valid from 3rd March 2004 to 31st December 2006