The property owner’s booking terms

The owner’s booking terms apply to all property bookings you make through this website. If these terms are different to any other terms that apply to renting the property or properties, this agreement will apply.

The meanings of some of the words we use

HCG means Holiday Cottages Group Ltd (registered company number 1400552).

Property means the property offered for rent by the owner.

Rental price means the total price you agree to pay to rent the property from us.

Reservation fee means 10% of the rental price.

We, us or our means the owner of the property or a representative of the owner.

Website means the following websites owned and operated by HCG:

www.cottagesdirect.com
www.stilwell.co.uk
www.next6weeks.com
www.cottagesonline.co.uk
www.searchforanyweek.com

You or your means you the customer.

  1. Contract
    You are entering into a contract with us and agreeing to these booking terms when you click the ‘I Accept’ button; complete the reservation process, receive a confirmation email from HCG; and send a confirmation of acceptance email to HCG. This contract will be governed by the laws of England.

    HCG is not part of the contract between you and us. HCG simply provides advertising and reservation services to us through the website.

  2. Care of the property
    1. You must take all reasonable care of the property and leave its furniture, pictures, fittings and effects in the same clean and tidy condition at the end of the rental period as at the beginning.
    2. You are legally bound to pay us for replacing or repairing any items or for extra cleaning costs.


  3. Rental
    You can rent the property if it is available. Through HCG we will confirm if the property is available or not within 2 working days of you making the reservation. We will not process any payment you make if the property you want to book is not available and we will make sure HCG does not process any payment.

  4. Reservations
    1. You must pay the reservation fee if you make your reservation at least six weeks before the rental period begins. You must pay the reservation fee by credit card to HCG.
    2. You must pay the balance of the rental price to us by cheque or credit card, six weeks before the rental period begins. If we do not receive the balance of the rental price by that time, we will assume you have cancelled your booking and you will have to pay cancellation charge. We can then try to relet the property without contacting you again.
    3. If you reserve the property less than six weeks before the date you are due to arrive, you must pay the rental price in full directly to HCG when you make the booking.
    4. All sums you pay under this agreement do not include VAT (value added tax) or any other sales tax that applies. You should add this to any amount you have to pay.


  5. Number of visitors
    1. You agree that the number of people staying in the property will not be more than the number stated in your booking.
    2. As the property is mainly for use for family holidays, we can refuse or cut short any reservation, which does not meet this condition, either by the number of people in the party or the people who make up the party.


  6. Pets
    You cannot bring pets on to the property unless we have agreed in advance. If you bring pets without our permission, we can stop everyone in your party entering the property. If we grant permission, the following conditions will apply.
    (a) You must not leave pets alone in the property.
    (b) You must not allow pets to sit or sleep on furniture.
    (c) You must exercise your pet away from gardens and grounds.
    (d) You may have to pay extra charges. You will be told about these when you make your booking.

  7. Liability
    As far as the law allows, we will not be liable for any loss or damage to; you; any member of you party; any third party; and any baggage, car or contents; however it arises as a result of you renting the property.

  8. Complaints
    If you feel you have good reason to complain about the property, you must tell us immediately so we can take appropriate action. We cannot deal with complaints after your rental has ended.

  9. Access
    You must give us or our representative access to the property at any reasonable time while you are renting it to carry out essential maintenance or if there is an emergency. Wherever possible we would arrange this in advance.

  10. If we cancel the rental
    If we cannot supply the property to you because of reasons beyond our control, we will offer you alternative accommodation, which is at least as good, if at all possible. If you do not want this accommodation or if we cannot offer you alternative accommodation we will return the rental price to you in full and we will no longer be liable to you for your booking.

  11. If you cancel the booking
    1. If you cancel for any reason, you must tell us in writing. You just send the notice to us by prepaid special delivery. You can assume we have received it 72 hours (three days) after posting.
    2. If you cancel a booking we will charge a cancellation fee. The percentage of the rental price we charge as a cancellation fee will depend on the time left before your rental is due to start.

      (a) If we receive your cancellation 43 or more days (six weeks plus one day or more) before you are due to arrive, you will lose the reservation fee (10% of the rental price).
      (b) If we receive your cancellation on any day between the 42nd day (six weeks) before the date you area due to arrive and the 29th day (four weeks plus one day) before the date you are due to arrive you will lose 50% (half) of the rental price.
      (c) If we receive your cancellation on any day after and including the 28th day before your arrival date, then you will lose 100% (all) of the rental price.


  12. No guarantee
    We every effort to make sure the information we give orally or in writing is accurate. However, we cannot guarantee that any information we give is accurate and neither we nor HCG are liable for inaccurate information.