Terms and Conditions

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General
The properties featured on this site are offered for self catering holidays on a weekly basis, usually Saturday to Saturday (4pm on the day of arrival to 10am on the day of departure) unless otherwise stated, subject to the following hiring terms and conditions.

1. Cottages & Castles act only as agents for the owners of properties featured on this web site. The hiring contract is between the hirer and the owner.

2. The Hirer's details may be passed to the local property management company or caretaker for the purposes of preparing your property or provision of guest services.

3. The receipt of a signed booking form and/or payment of the deposit is deemed to be a firm booking and it is assumed that the tenant has read and agrees to abide by the hiring terms and conditions which can be found on our website www.cottages-and-castles.co.uk and in our brochure. If accepted, the Hirer becomes liable for the full balance of charges which are payable six weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday and eight weeks in the case of overseas bookings. Non-payment of the balance of the hire charges by the due date will result in the agency treating the property as being available for re-booking.

4. If the hirer cancels a confirmed booking they remain liable for payment of the full cost of the holiday. Upon receipt of written confirmation of the cancellation from the hirer, the agency will endeavour to re-let the property and if successful will make a full refund to the hirer less an administration fee of GBP 60 (inclusive of VAT) and any other expenses incurred in re-letting.

5. The number of persons occupying a property must not exceed the maximum occupancy level stated in the brochure without prior consent of the owner. Owners reserve the right to terminate the occupancy of the property without notice or refund in the case of a breach of this condition.

6. The hirer is responsible for the condition of the property and its entire contents during the hire period, fair wear and tear excepted. The hirer will make good any damage or loss and leave the property and contents in clean and tidy condition. The person held to be responsible for the hiring party will be the person who made the booking.

7. In some cases, owners ask for a Good Housekeeping Deposit prior to the commencement of each holiday. This is returnable to the hirer less the cost of making good any damage or loss to the property or for the excessive cleaning found necessary following the period of occupation. It is a condition of the let that the hirer leaves the property and its contents clean and tidy.

8. Owners reserve the right to refuse to hand over properties to any person or persons who in their opinion is not suitable to take charge. In such cases hire charges shall be refunded in full and the liability of the owner shall cease. If an owner is prevented, because of circumstances outside their control (eg fire damage, drought or the interruption of utility supplies) from putting the property at the disposal of the hirer, the hire charges shall be refunded in full but the hirer will have no further claim against the owner.

9. It is important to the property owner and Cottages & Castles Ltd. That holidaymakers enjoy their holiday and every effort has been made to ensure this. However, in the unlikely event of dissatisfaction with the property or any subsequent problem, the hirer must immediately contact the owner or caretaker/keyholder so that the opportunity to rectify the problem is given. Under no circumstances will any refunds be considered if the property owner/caretaker has not been given the opportunity to rectify any problems during the Hirer's lets

10. Specific conditions and restrictions applying to certain properties (eg damage surety deposits, restrictions on pets, young children etc) will be mentioned in individual property descriptions, and will be deemed to form part of these Terms and Conditions.

11. The contract effected between the hirer and the owner of the property is in terms of Schedule 4 Section 8 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988 and confers on the hirer the right to occupy the property for the period agreed for holiday purposes only.

12. Cottages & Castles Ltd have taken every care to ensure the accuracy of property descriptions and all information is given in good faith and believed correct at the time of publication, but they cannot be held responsible for changes beyond their control or be liable for any act, neglect or default on the part of the owner resulting in any loss, injury or accident caused to the hirer.

Holiday Protection Scheme

Cottages & Castles Ltd. (acting as agents for property owners) provides a guarantee for tenants who have to cancel their holiday at a cottage.
If it is necessary to cancel your holiday, for any of the reasons A 1-5 below, you may do so at any time up until the close of business on the last working day before your tenancy commences and we will refund your balance. Your deposit is not refundable. If you have made a late booking and paid in full you will receive your payment minus the normal deposit sum (usually 30%).
There is no charge for this holiday protection – it is included in the cost of your holiday. Please note that the protection does not apply to holidays in our properties with codes beginning with P (usually castles, mansions and lodges).
Deposits may be transferred to a different date for a holiday at the same property within 12 months of the original holiday date, subject to availability, but not, however, for a different property. If the new booking is at a higher rate the tenant must pay the extra cost. No refund will be made if the new date is at a lower rate.
A:
1. Death, accidental bodily injury, or illness (excluding pre-existing or chronic illness/conditions, or illness arising through epidemics or pandemics) of:
a) the Proposer and/or persons with whom he/she has arranged to travel, being those named on the booking form.
b) any close relative or business associate of the Proposer or of any person with whom he/she has arranged to travel or arranged to meet at the specified holiday establishment.
2. Jury service, witness call, pregnancy, or unemployment through redundancy after the date of booking and prior to the commencement date of the holiday of the Proposer or persons with whom he/she has arranged to travel or arranged to meet at the specified holiday establishment, being those named on the booking form, occurring after the effective date of this insurance.
3. Fire or theft which is the subject of an insurance claim at the Insured’s main residence or business premises within seven days before commencement of the holiday.
4. Occupational postings not contemplated at the time the holiday is booked.
5. Cancellation or curtailment of scheduled transport services due to strikes, riots or civil commotion, but limited to the cost of alternative transport up to £50 per person for the outward journey only.
But not, however:
B:
1. Disinclination to travel.
2. Failure of public or private transport.
3. Suicide, attempted suicide, insanity, the influence of intoxicating liquor or the effect of drugs not taken in accordance with treatment prescribed and directed by a qualified medical practitioner or booking a holiday which is or would be against the advice of a registered medical practitioner.
4. Pregnancy unless occurring after the inception of the insurance.
5. Any loss which is otherwise insured.
6. Holiday accommodation booked outside Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.