Book your stay at Sharpe Cottage

Terms and Conditions

 

This is a legally binding contract between the property owner, Katherine Anderson, and the holidaymaker. The property owner is also referred to as “we” and “us”.

The holidaymaker is the person who signs the booking form or, in the case of online booking, the person who makes the online payment. This person is responsible for ensuring all members of the holiday party accept and adhere to these terms and conditions. The holidaymaker is also referred to as “you”.

Please ensure you read and fully understand these booking terms and conditions. If anything is unclear, please contact us so we can explain in further detail to avoid any misunderstandings.

The property referred to being Sharpe Cottage, 3 West Road, Wiveliscombe, Somerset TA4 2TF. The garage is not available for use by guests.

It is the responsibility of the party leader to check all the details of the property, any facilities applicable and the terms of use BEFORE they book. In the circumstance of booking terms and property details not being read and the party leader wishes to change of cancel their booking; the terms as set out below will apply.

Bookings

Bookings are subject to the following terms and conditions:

• A contract between you and the owner will come into existence when the deposit or full payment is received, and a booking confirmation is issued showing the confirmed holiday dates.
• The deposit/full payment must be paid within 3 days of the booking being placed.
• The contract binds you (the lead booker) & all the members of the party who are part of the booking. It is your responsibility to ensure that all members of your party accept the terms of the contract set out in these terms & conditions. Failure to disclose all relevant information or comply with these terms may lead to termination of the contract & loss of the booking.
• We require the names, ages, and contact details of all guests.
• A 25% deposit of the holiday cost is payable at the time of booking.
• Bookings made less than sixty days before your arrival date must be paid in full, plus the £300 refundable damage deposit.
• The balance must be paid no later than sixty days before the commencement of your holiday. If the balance is not received by the due date, then your holiday will be treated as a cancellation.

Cancellations

• All cancellations must be notified in writing and once received we will confirm the cancellation.
• The customer remains liable for a percentage of the booking cost when a cancellation is received, as detailed below:

Number of days before the holiday when cancelled     The % of booking cost payable
More than 60 days                                                                10% of the booking cost
45 to 59 days                                                                          30% of the booking cost
30 to 44 days                                                                          50% of the booking cost
15 to 29 days                                                                           75% of the booking cost
3 to 14 days                                                                             90% of the booking cost
0 to 2 days                                                                               100% of the booking cost

• If we are successful in getting a replacement booking, we will refund the total amount paid less a 5% booking fee and any difference in price between your original and the replacement booking.
• We strongly advise that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellations. If you choose not to, then you accept responsibility for any loss that you may incur due to your cancellation.
• If your booking is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, notification will be given of the cancellation as soon as possible and we will promptly refund all payments made to us for your. Our liability for cancellation will be limited to payments made to us.
• If our property must close due to government restrictions or your address is put into local/regional lockdown for your holiday dates and you are unable to travel, you will be refunded in full.
• The maximum number of persons occupying the property must not exceed 8 persons and only those listed on the booking form can occupy the property. If you wish to invite additional visitors to visit you during your stay, please ask us first.
• Please be advised that no extra overnight visitors are allowed to stay at the property.
• Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under eighteen years of age.
• The owner reserves the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason.
• We or our representatives reserve the right to enter the property at any time to undertake essential maintenance, repairs or for inspection purposes, including garden maintenance.
• Tenancies normally commence at 4.00 pm on the arrival date and guests are required to leave the rental by 10.00 am on the day of departure, unless otherwise agreed.
• Electricity and gas and one basket of logs is included in the rental fee.
• You must not use the property except for the purpose of a holiday.
• Smoking is not allowed in the property, except in the small conservatory

 Change Over Day / Time 

Change over day is typically on a Friday or Monday in high season unless by prior arrangement. Change over days may vary around bank holidays, such as, Christmas and New Year or for shorter stays.

You can arrive at the property after 4.00pm on the start date of your stay and must leave by 10.00am on the last day. We like to be flexible on these times, but this all depends on the availability of the property, so if you do require an earlier check-in or later check-out please ask closer to your stay and we will try to accommodate if we can.

Check-out

Before departure, all food must be removed from fridges, all rubbish put in the appropriate recycling bins provided, and crockery and cutlery washed and packed away. The Property must be left in the same condition as it was received on arrival.

Extra cleaning charges may be incurred for the cleaning of dirty dishes, washing machine, dishwasher, emptying the fridge / freezer, removal of excessive rubbish etc. Should the cleaning fee be more than the usual cost for cleaning the property, you will be charged the additional costs over and above the normal cleaning fee.

Pets

• We only allow 2 dogs maximum, unless otherwise agreed with the owner, no other kinds of pets.
• Please note that for the safety of your dogs, the garden gate must be kept closed at all times.
• Dogs must be booked in and the cost is £30 per dog
• Dogs are not allowed upstairs and should not go on the furniture. They can sleep in the kitchen and the dining room.
• Guests are responsible for cleaning up after their pets, including in the garden.
• Please clean muddy dogs using the outside tap and the dog towels provided, and dry them off in the kitchen.
• Dogs must not be left alone in the property.
• If the property requires additional cleaning due to excessive dog hair or if dogs have been in the bedrooms, or on a sofa, we will charge a £50 fee to cover the extra cleaning costs.
• You are responsible for your dog and you will be charged for any damage caused by your dog, including in the garden.

Damage deposit 

In making a booking you accept responsibility for any theft, breakage or damage caused by you, your pets or any member of your party and agree to indemnify us in full for any loss that we may incur as a result. A security deposit of £300 is required and will be returned within 7 days of the end of your holiday, less the cost of damage/breakages. For small items such as minor glass breakages (within reason) we accept as general and wear and tear and generally these will not be charged for.  Before each booking, housekeeping management will have thoroughly checked the property to ensure that it is as good as it can be before your arrival; this also forms our knowledge regarding damages identified after a booking. By booking with us you accept that our identification of damages are correct and this cannot be challenged. Should you find some form of damage in the property upon your arrival, you should endeavour to inform us immediately.

Following departure, we will check the property; if any damages are found then we will deduct the appropriate amount from the security deposit and will return the balance. If the damages exceed the security deposit amount then we are entitled to debit this amount from the lead bookers card details or seek payment by way of an invoice. If damage occurs and the owner must cancel and/or refund subsequent bookings, the owner may bring a claim against you for any loss arising as a result.

If there are no damages then the full deposit will be refunded within 14 days at the most.

Problems

Every effort has been made to make your stay an enjoyable and memorable one. If however, if something is not quite right please contact the management. The management are keen that problems are resolved as soon as possible. All electrical and plumbing items are always best dealt with immediately and early notification will ensure that any problems are fixed as soon as is possible.

Insurance

The management strongly recommends all guests purchase travel insurance since the management are not responsible for any injuries, illness or accidents that may occur whilst staying at the property.

Liability

The use of amenities provided by the management, such as outside furniture etc are entirely at the user’s risk and no responsibility can be accepted for any deaths or injuries to persons  or loss, damage to any belongings of persons who use them. You must take all necessary steps to safeguard yourself and your personal property.

There shall be no liability for any claim arising from the act, omission or neglect or default of the management, its agents unless proved to be done with intent to cause damage or recklessly and with knowledge that loss or danger would probably result.

Vehicles, baggage and personal belongings are always at the guests risk. No responsibility will be accepted for loss or damage to any belongings or its contents.

Other general rules and conditions

Please do not move any furniture from one room to another or any of the indoor furniture, furnishings or bedlinen outside.

Please remove shoes before going upstairs.

Please lock the doors and close the windows when you leave the property unoccupied.

Please make sure you switch off lights, heating, air conditioning or any electrical appliances when you go out – we try to be an eco-friendly holiday home.

Please don’t take any bath towels off the property.

Please note that if any keys issued are not returned at the end of your stay, then the cost of replacement will be charged to you.

All inventory must remain in the property and not be taken to another property.

You are responsible for the supervision of all members of your party under the age of 18 at all times.

Parking is available for  3 vehicles at the side of the property. Cars parked on site are at owners’ risk. Please do not block access to other properties.

Please respect the neighbours and try to keep noise levels to a minimum, especially between 10 pm and 8 am.

We reserve the right to terminate your rental agreement with immediate effect where the unreasonable behaviour of the persons named on the booking (or their guests) may impair the enjoyment, comfort or health of others. You’ll be asked to leave the property, without any refund of the rental amount paid.

Please use the designated barbecue utensils and clean the barbecue after use.

Fireworks, sparklers, Chinese lanterns, candles and portable bbqs are prohibited.

If you want to use the services of a third-party supplier (e.g. a chef, beauty treatments) this must be agreed beforehand. If you bring a third-party supplier without consent, we reserve the right to ask them to leave. We do not accept liability for the activities of these third-party suppliers.

Wi-Fi –  A free wireless internet service is provided. If for any reason the wireless internet service is unavailable during the stay, then the management are not liable for any consequent loss or inconvenience caused.  The guest agrees to reasonable and lawful usage.

Domestic electric vehicle chargers (commonly known as a ‘granny charger’ or a ‘trickle charger’) are not suitable for use at the property and are strictly forbidden. You are liable for any damage or loss suffered by us due to your unauthorised use of domestic chargers.

Non-compliance with the house rules will be considered as a breach of the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. We reserve the right to terminate the booking with immediate effect and without a refund if guests do not abide by the rules.

This property is privately owned and is our home. We expect all guests to enjoy the facilities and treat the property with the same respect that they would with their own home.

Other Responsibilities

Upon arrival it is your responsibility to thoroughly inspect the property for any uneven surfaces, trip hazards, sharp edges and generally anything which could cause harm to children or adults alike.  Particular attention is drawn to the staircase which could be dangerous for  unsupervised young children and to the importance of keeping the garden gate closed for the safety of young children and animals. You should discuss any potential hazards as a group to ensure that everyone is aware and any appropriate action is taken. The management cannot be held responsible for any injury sustained whilst staying in the property and by booking you accept this and will conduct the thorough property assessment.

You and all members of your party agree both to keep the property clean and tidy and to leave the property in a similar condition to that in which you found it upon your arrival. A cleaning service is not provided during your stay.

Circumstances Beyond our Control (Force Majeure)

The management shall not be liable jointly or individually for any changes, cancellations, effects on your holiday, loss or damage suffered by you or for any failure by the management to perform or properly perform any of our respective obligations to you which is due to any event(s) or circumstance(s) beyond the reasonable control of management (referred to as force majeure) in these conditions. By way of example only – force majeure includes war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity or actual threatened terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, contagious diseases, destruction or damage of the property and all similar events outside our control. Where your booking must be cancelled as a result, the management will refund to you all monies paid by you for your booking or part thereof if the booking has commenced. No compensation expenses, costs, or other sums of any description including the cost of securing alternative property or accommodation will be payable in such circumstances.

Your inability (or the inability of any, some or all your intended occupants) or disinclination to travel to and stay at the rented property for any reason. This includes – but is not limited to – illness (including Covid), a requirement or recommendation to self-isolate or quarantine, a call to jury duty, incarceration, change in personal or work circumstances, family emergencies, travel delays, vehicle breakdown, and delays with public transport. These remain at your risk and do not give rise to a right to cancel or to receive a refund unless we re-let the property.

We strongly recommend taking out appropriate cover to protect against cancellation.

Garden

No tents or other structures should be erected in the garden. Maintenance of the garden is ongoing, with a gardener coming once a week, usually on a Wednesday.  The management tries to schedule these times when guests are not resident, however this is not always possible. Guests are invited to take good care of the garden furniture in rainy weather and to remove all decorative cushions on the dining table/lounge area on the patio (with the square table) as well as the cushions on the seats at the round table and put them in the plastic trunk on the patio.  If there are any unfortunate spillages on the outdoor furniture, please wipe promptly with soapy water to avoid stains.  In hot weather it would be appreciated if guests could water the hanging baskets of flowers in the summer, and the garden if they so wish!

Inclement Weather

The management hold no responsibility for guests unable to reach the property due to inclement weather or traffic conditions (i.e. snow, flooding, wind, road congestion etc.). If a guest is unable to reach the property due to poor weather conditions or travel issues, they will lose their full payment and an alternative break will not be offered. We strongly recommend taking out appropriate cover to protect against cancellation.