BOOKING AGREEMENT

Contract of hire:
A contract shall only arise when your booking form has been returned to us by email or post and once the deposit has been received.  The contract is for the hire of the property for short term holiday letting and will be formally entered into between West Barn and the Hirer. We do not accept bookings from Hirers under 18 years of age.

Initial payment:
Bookings will be reserved upon receipt by West Barn  of the required deposit payment of 25% of the holiday cost. 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 BACS transfer. If the deposit is not paid within 3 days, WB will contact the Hirer to establish if the booking is still required. No response from the Hirer will result in the booking automatically being forfeited.

Balance of payment:
The Balance of the Hire will be due for payment eight weeks before the holiday commencement date. A week before arrival advice on key collection arrangements and directions to the property will be sent to the Hirer. Failure to make full payment of the balance in the time period stated above will result in the booking being cancelled and the deposit being forfeited unless pre-arranged between the Hirer and West Barn (WB)...

Method of payment:
Payments can be made by bank transfer and all necessary payment details will be supplied on the booking form..

Bank transfers - please allow 72 hours for these to be acknowledged but in most cases this will be confirmed by return

Party numbers:
In no circumstances may more than the maximum numbers of persons, as stated in the brochure/website, occupy a property. WB reserve the right to refuse admittance if this condition is not observed. No refunds will be given if admittance has been refused for this reason. 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. WB reserves the right to refuse or revoke any bookings from parties that may in our opinion (and at our sole discretion) be unsuitable for the property concerned.

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 and all equipment and utensils must be left clean and tidy at the end of the hire period. If a property is not left clean and tidy, any additional cleaning costs will be charged to the hirer. 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 must be vacated by 10.00 am on the day of departure, along with any parking provision. If you do not vacate the property by the designated time, costs may be incurred. The Hirer must not use the property or allow its use for any dangerous, offensive, excessively noisy, illegal or immoral activities or carry on there any act that may be a nuisance or annoyance to the property neighbours. This would be deemed a serious breach of the terms of the Contract and WB has the right to terminate the Contract with immediate effect in this instance. OTC and its employees and its representatives shall not be liable to the Hirer or any member of the Hirer's party for loss or damage to their property howsoever arising. You must take all necessary steps to protect and safeguard your personal property.

Damage:
All damages and breakages are the legal responsibility of the Hirer and should be reported immediately and before the end of the holiday. It is ESSENTIAL part of the Contract that all damages/breakages/problems should be reported as soon as they occur to OTC. This will enable the us to attend to the problem during your stay or plan for repairs/maintenance/replacement during the changeover at the end of the holiday. Problems that are not reported during the booked period will have no validity after the booking period. The reasonable costs of miscellaneous repairs to and/or replacement of and/or additional cleaning of furnishings, kitchen equipment, crockery, glass, keys, bedding and towels damaged or soiled otherwise than by usual wear and tear during the period of Hire by you or other members of your party shall be payable on demand to WB who may also, at their discretion, refuse further bookings. Any Security Deposits charged will be cashed on receipt to allow for bank clearance and reimbursed promptly after the holiday (less any deductions which may be incurred). WB 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 repairs need to be carried out). WB reserves the right to repossess the Holiday Home at any time where you or any member of your party has caused damage, and in such circumstances WB shall not be liable to make a refund of any remaining portion of the hire terms paid.

Fire Regulations:

i.  The use of candles, tea lights and ethanol burners in properties is strictly prohibited and no properties will have these on site. 

ii. Deep fat friers in the cottages are strictly prohibited. 

iii. The charging of e-bikes and e-scooters is strictly prohibited.

iv. If any guests have limited mobility, properties with upstairs bedrooms may not be suitable in the event of evacuation in an emergency.  Please also consider this in respect of steps.

v. If there is anything that you feel would impact your ability to exit the property in the event of a fire / emergency, please do make me aware as soon as you can..   Our property has an individual Fire Risk Assessment in place

SecurIty deposit:
The Security Deposit is due with the balance of your holiday, it will be cashed on receipt and held by WB  applied against the reasonable costs of miscellaneous repairs to and/or replacement of and/or additional cleaning of furnishings, kitchen equipment, crockery, glass, keys, bedding and towels damaged or soiled otherwise than by usual wear and tear during the period of Hire by you or other members of your party. The balance of the Security Deposit will be processed to be returned to you within 7 working days* of the departure date, PROVIDING, you have provided the correct details to transfer the funds back to you. Where such costs exceed the Good Housekeeping Deposit you will pay such excess to the Owner within 14 days of being notified.

*If you have paid your balance by a bank transfer, we will request your transfer details within 7 days to return this to you. Once we have received these details, payment is normally made within 2 working days.

Literature:
WB takes every care to ensure the accuracy of the property descriptions. All information here and on the WB website is given in good faith and is believed to be correct at the time of going to press, but WB cannot be held responsible for changes beyond their control, which may become known after publication of this literature.

Availability:
The Hiring Contract is made on the understanding that the holiday home 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 WB then WB may be forced to cancel the booking and you will be advised as early as possible. Where possible, you will be offered suitable alternative accommodation, which, if not acceptable, will entitle you to a refund of all monies due. You will not as a result have any further claims against HC or the owner. Please note that reservation requests taken via our website are not confirmed bookings until we have contacted you and accepted a deposit.

The Countryside:
Please remember our properties are in the country and do attract mice, spiders and therefore cobwebs. It does not mean that the cottage is dirty or has not been cleaned as cobwebs can be spun almost as quickly as they have been cleaned away! As we are in a rural location, please be tolerant of the sounds and scents that you may encounter, they are all a part of the countryside experience