Reservations of all accommodation whether made by telephone, fax, in person, in writing or from the internet are accepted by Forever Norfolk Ltd, owners of Hollyhock Cottage, CowParsley Cottage and Woodcutters Cottage, hereinafter referred to as THE COTTAGE, on the following conditions.
1. CONTRACT OF HIRE
The hiring contract will be between you the Hirer and THE COTTAGE for which the booking is made and shall be deemed to be made subject to these Conditions of Hire and governed by English Law. The Contract of Hire is not effective until THE COTTAGE dispatch to the Hirer confirmation of the booking. The contract is for the hire of the property for holiday purposes only. We do not accept bookings from Hirers under 18 years of age.
2. INITIAL PAYMENT
Bookings will be confirmed upon receipt by THE COTTAGE of the required deposit payment of 25% of the total holiday cost, comprising cottage rental, booking fee, if any, and any additional charges – e.g. dogs. If the booking is made within eight weeks of the holiday commencement date, the full accommodation rental will be required at the time of booking. Deposits can be paid by online card payment or using BAC’s automated bank payments.
3. BALANCE PAYMENT
The Balance of the Hire will be due for payment eight weeks before the holiday commencement date. On receipt of the Balance Payment, advice of key collection arrangements and directions to the property will be sent to the Hirer approximately 2 weeks before the commencement of the rental. THE COTTAGE reserves the right to cancel a holiday where full payment has not been received less than 28 days before the holiday commencement date.
4. METHOD OF PAYMENT
Debit or Credit card payments can be made through our automated credit card payment provider (Stripe). THE COTTAGE also accepts automated bank payment (BAC’s).
5. VALUE ADDED TAX
THE COTTAGE is not registered for UK VAT.
6. CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING
Once THE COTTAGE has issued a Confirmation of Booking, the Hirer is responsible for the total published price of the property and extras as shown on the confirmation. Amendments to bookings, where applicable, may be subject to an administration fee of up to £50.00. THE COTTAGE reserve the right to adjust prices quoted in the brochure, on our website or on details to properties, due to errors or omissions.
7. BOOKING CANCELLATION
– If the booking is cancelled in writing more than 90 days from the start date of the booking, then 100% of the booking cost (less an administration fee of £50.00) will be returned to the Hirer.
-If the booking is cancelled in writing between 90 days and 60 days from the start date of the booking, then 75% of the booking cost (less an administration fee of £50.00) will be returned to the Hirer.
– If the booking is cancelled in writing between 60 days and 30 days from the start date of the booking, then 50% of the booking cost (less an administration fee of £50.00) will be returned to the Hirer. If the cottage is subsequently relet for the entirety of the original booking period, then an additional 25% will be returned to the Hirer.
– If the booking is cancelled in writing between 30 days and 0 days from the start date of the booking, then 25% of the booking cost (less an administration fee of £50.00) will be returned to the Hirer only if the cottage is subsequently relet for the entirety of the original booking period.
Any payment returns will be made using BAC’s, regardless of the original payment method.
8. SECURITY DEPOSIT
THE COTTAGE will request a £250.00 security deposit approximately 2 weeks before the commencement of your holiday. This will be taken in the form of either a debit or credit card details, but will not be charged against your card unless there is damage after your stay and we have contacted you about it. Your card details will be held securely and destroyed after your stay. If a payment for damage is required, any charge will appear on your statement as ‘Forever Norfolk’.
9. AMENITIES
The use of accommodation and additional amenities, where offered, such as barbeques etc, is entirely at the users’ risk and no responsibility can be accepted for injury, or loss or damage to users’ or visitors’ belongings. However, THE COTTAGE does not seek to exclude or limit legal liability for the negligence of their servants or agents.
10. PARTY NUMBERS
In no circumstances may more than the maximum number of persons as stated in the brochure or website occupy a property. THE COTTAGE reserves the right to refuse admittance if this condition is not observed. Only those listed on the booking may occupy the premises. The person who completes the booking, i.e. the lead name, certifies that he or she is authorised to agree to the Booking Conditions on behalf of all members of the party, including any changes. The lead name must be over 18 years and a member of the party occupying the property. The lead name agrees to take responsibility for all members of the party. THE COTTAGE reserve the right to refuse or revoke any bookings from parties that may in their opinion (and at their sole discretion) be unsuitable for the property concerned.
11. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
For the whole of the period included within your booking, you will be responsible for the property and will be expected to take all reasonable care of it. The property details aim to give accurate descriptions of the properties. Should there be any specific health or mobility difficulties which may affect a party member, this must be pointed out at the initial reservation stage so that the suitability of the property can be assessed. The property and all equipment and utensils must be left clean and tidy at the end of the hire period. At no time should a pet be left alone unsupervised at the property.
Hirers must not arrive before 4pm on the start of their rental period and the property must be vacated by 10.00am on the day of departure
12. DAMAGE
All damages and breakages are the legal responsibility of you, the Hirer, and should be notified to THE COTTAGE before the end of your holiday. The cost of damage or breakages shall be payable on demand. Normally, minor accidental damage or breakages will not be charged but in circumstances where extra cleaning is required or there has been breakage or damage beyond what is reasonably to be expected, THE COTTAGE
reserve the right to charge you for any additional costs incurred as a consequence and may, at their discretion, refuse further bookings.
Should you find on arrival any damaged or non-working items, they must be reported to THE COTTAGE immediately, so that matters can be rectified. THE COTTAGE has the right to enter the property (without prior notice if this is not practical or possible) if special circumstances or emergencies arise (for example if urgent repairs need to be carried out). THE COTTAGE reserves the right to request payment of a security deposit should it be deemed necessary. THE COTTAGE reserves the right to repossess the Holiday Home at any time, where you or any member of your party has caused damage. THE COTTAGE shall not be liable to make a refund of any remaining portion of the hire terms paid.
13. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
If you are dissatisfied with the service you receive, THE COTTAGE must be notified immediately, so that investigation can be carried out and any necessary action taken.
14. LITERATURE
THE COTTAGE takes every care to ensure the accuracy of the property descriptions. All information in our website is given in good faith and is believed to be correct at the time of going to press, but THE COTTAGE cannot be held responsible for changes beyond their control, which may become known after publication of this literature. Further, THE COTTAGE cannot accept liability for happenings outside their reasonable control, such as breakdown of domestic appliances, plumbing, wiring, WiFi, flood, fire, temporary invasion of pests, damage resulting from acts of God, etc.
15. LEGAL
In the event of any dispute between parties it shall be governed by the jurisdiction of the English courts only and any actions shall be heard in the court for the area in which the property is located unless otherwise agreed between the parties. However, it is hereby agreed and declared that all reasonable means will be used to resolve the dispute arising between you and THE COTTAGE without immediate recourse to litigation. If not mutually resolved, it is further agreed that all reasonable endeavours will be used to resolve the dispute by a formally recognised alternative dispute resolution process i.e. mediation, arbitration or expert determination. In default of such agreement, the process and appointment of the independent professional will be determined by the President for the time being of the Law Society or the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. In either case, all parties will contribute equally to the expense of such process, and, in default these expenses shall be capable of being recovered in any subsequent litigation.
16. AVAILABILITY
The Hiring Contract is made on the understanding that the property and its facilities as published will be available for the dates stated. In the unlikely event that a property is not available through events arising outside the control of THE COTTAGE (such as fire, flood, subsidence or government restrictions), then THE COTTAGE may be forced to cancel the booking. The Hirer will be advised as early as possible and THE COTTAGE will rebook you on suitable mutually agreed new date. The Hirer will not as a result have any further claims against THE COTTAGE. Please note that reservation requests taken via our website are not confirmed bookings until we have contacted you and accepted a deposit payment.
These Booking Conditions supersede all previous versions.
Forever Norfolk Ltd, Company registration number 13342626.
Registered Address: Norfolk House, 24 Market Place, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7QH
Correspondence Address: The Old Chequers, The Street, Rickinghall, IP22 1EG
Version 5A – Sept 2021.