TERMS AND CONDITIONS
CONTRACT OF HIRE
The Contract of Hire shall be between the Hirer and the Owner of the property, and shall be made subject to these Terms and Conditions. The Contract of Hire shall become effective when the Owner dispatches written confirmation of booking to the Hirer. The contract binds the Hirer and all members of their party. It is the Hirer’s responsibility to ensure that all members of their party abide by the Terms & Conditions set out herein.
Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under eighteen years of age.
The Owner reserves the right to refuse a booking without giving reason.
PAYMENT
Bookings are confirmed upon receipt by the Owner of the required deposit payment. The deposit shall be 25% of the total cost of hire.
The balance plus a refundable damage deposit of £150 will be payable 6 weeks before the commencement of hire.
If the booking is made within 6 weeks of the commencement of hire or if the booking is less than one week in length then the full cost will be payable upon booking.
CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING
Once a confirmation of booking has been made by the Owner, the Hirer is responsible for the total published cost of the property as shown on the booking summary
Failure to pay the total cost by the date 6 weeks before the commencement of hire shall be treated as a cancellation under 6 weeks, as described below.
BOOKING CANCELLATION
Any cancellation by the Hirer shall be in writing to the Owner at the addresses shown on the booking summary.
If notice of cancellation is received more than 6 weeks before commencement of hire, the Hirer will not be held liable to pay the full balance of hire. On receipt of cancellation the Owner will attempt to re-let the property for the period of the original booking.
- If the Owner is successful in re-letting for the entire period of the original booking at the original contracted price, then all monies paid (whether from deposit or otherwise) will be refunded, less as handling charge of £50.
- If the Owner is successful in re-letting for the entire period of the original booking at less than the original contracted price or for a period less than that of the original booking, then that proportion of monies paid (whether from deposit or otherwise) will be refunded, less as handling charge of £50.
- If the Owner is unable to re-let the property at all then all monies paid (whether by deposit or otherwise) will be forfeit to the Owner.
If notice of cancellation is received less than 6 weeks before commencement of hire, the Hirer will be held liable to pay the full cost of hire. On receipt of cancellation the Owner will attempt to re-let the property for the period of the original booking.
- If the Owner is successful in re-letting for the entire period of the original booking at the original contracted price, then the deposit paid will be forfeit to the Owner. Monies paid otherwise will be refunded.
- If the Owner is successful in re-letting for the entire period of the original booking at less than the original contracted price or for a period less than that of the original booking, then the deposit will be forfeit to the Owner and the Hirer will be liable for the difference in price.
- If the Owner is unable to re-let the property at all then the Hirer will be liable to pay the full cost of hire.
It is strongly advised that the Hirer take out comprehensive travel insurance. If the Hirer chooses not to do so then they accept responsibility for any loss incurred due to cancellation.
SUBLETTING
Under no circumstance may the Hirer re-let or sublet the property, even free of charge.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
For weekly lets, unless otherwise agreed, arrival and departure is on Saturdays. The property is available any time after 5pm on the day of commencement of hire and must be vacated by 10am on the day of departure.
VEHICLES AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Baggage, personal belongings, vehicles and their contents are at the Hirers own risk at all times. No responsibility can be accepted by the Owner for loss or damage thereof.
PARTY SIZE
Under no circumstances may more than the maximum number of eight persons plus one infant (here defined as a child up to 2 years of age) occupy the property except by prior written agreement with the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to refuse admittance or ask the Hirer to leave if this condition is not observed. In addition, the Owner reserves the right to refuse or revoke any booking from parties which, in their opinion and sole discretion, are unsuitable for the property.
DOGS
A maximum of 2 dogs are allowed in the property. Cats and other animals are not allowed. A cleaning fee of £15 per dog will be charged.
Dogs are the Hirer’s responsibility and must be kept under control at all times. The Hirer must clean up after their dogs.
HIRER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
The Hirer is responsible for the property and all fixtures, fittings, furniture and equipment in or on the property and agrees to keep it in a like state of repair and condition as at the commencement of hire. All damages and breakages are the legal responsibility of the Hirer and their cost is payable on demand.
All damage and breakage must be reported to the Owner or their agent. The property and all its fixtures, fittings, furniture, equipment, etc. must be left clean and tidy at the end of the hire period.
DAMAGE DEPOSIT
The damage deposit will be refunded within 14 days of the end of the hire, subject to the property being vacated in a reasonable condition. Hirers will be notified in writing as early as possible of any charges made as a result of damage or breakage to the property, its fixtures, fittings, etc.
The Owner reserves the right to charge the Hirer for damage, breakages, or cleaning costs at a value over and above that of the damage deposit.
ACCESS
The Owner or their representative shall be allowed access to the property at any reasonable time during the hire.
SMOKING
Smoking is not permitted in or on any part of the property by any person. The Owner reserves the right to refuse admittance or ask the Hirer to leave if this condition is not observed.
CANDLES AND NAKED FLAMES
As a condition of our insurance, candles, oil burners, incense burners, joss sticks, or other naked flames may not be used on the premises.
LEGAL
Any disputes arising between Owner and Hirer which cannot be mutually resolved shall be referred to a single arbitrator to be agreed, or if no such agreement is reached to the President of the Law Society of Scotland. In either case such arbitration will be in accordance with the Laws of Scotland.
AVAILABILITY
The Contract of Hire is made on the understanding that the property will be available for the dates stated. In the unlikely event that the property is not available due to events outside the Owner’s control (e.g. theft, damage, fire, war, civil strife, terrorist action, industrial disputes, sickness, extreme weather, epidemics, acts of any government or public authority, etc.) the Owner may be forced to cancel the booking. The Hirer will be notified of such circumstances as early as possible. In such cases the Owner will refund the Hirer in full but the Hirer has not further claims against the owner.
COVID-19 OCCUPANCY REGULATIONS
Occupation of the property by the Hirer is to be in accordance with any and all Covid-19 regulations set by the Scottish Government as they stand on the date of booking; specifically those regarding travel, household mixing, and indoor socialising. In the event that a booking violates Covid-19 regulations, the Hirer will be held fully liable for the cost of the booking. Refunds will only be given if regulations are imposed that are greater than those in place on the date of booking, as per the Availability clause above.