Karen’s Kottages – Northumberland
Holiday Cottages
1. Parties
Karen’s Kottages, hereinafter called “the Owner” and you, hereinafter called “the Guest”. In all circumstances the Contract of Letting is between the Guest and the Owner. The Guest cannot transfer the booking to another individual without prior agreement with the Owner. The Owner of the property Karen’s Kottages is solely responsible for providing the accommodation.
By paying a deposit and booking to rent one of the Owner’s cottages, the Guest is accepting these Terms and Conditions. Please read the following carefully.
2. Agreement is not an Assured or Statutory Tenancy
This agreement is made on the basis that the property (“the property”) is to be occupied by the holidaymakers for a holiday as mentioned in the Housing Act 1988 Schedule 1 Paragraph 9; no assured tenancy or statutory periodic tenancy is granted.
3. Deposit, Cooling off Period and Payments
10% of the total holiday cost must be paid to secure the booking. Payment can be made by BACS, cheque or debit/credit card. Karen’s Kottages may also ask for a copy of the Guest’s photo card driving licence for ID purposes. No bookings are secured until confirmed by the Owner by email and payment has cleared. The deposit is non-refundable if the holiday is cancelled outside of the 14 day cooling off period. If the booking is made within 28 days of the arrival date the deposit will be non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
When bookings are confirmed, the Guest is accountable for the full balance of the allotted stay. Payment is due 6 weeks before the holiday arrival date and is payable by BACS, cheque or debit/credit card.
If payment is not made by the Guest within 7 days of it being owed, the owner reserves the right to cancel the booking and re-let the cottage. If the cottage is successfully re-let, any monies paid by the Guest over and above the deposit and a £25 cancellation fee will be refunded and the Owner will not pursue additional monies from the Guest.
The Owner may have to cancel the Guest’s holiday at short notice if the property has had significant damage caused to it by previous holidaymakers at the cottage, or as a result of a natural incident. In these circumstances, guests will be offered alternative dates or a refund. Minor damage that will not spoil a Guest’s holiday will be rectified as soon as reasonably possible during their stay.
If guests need to re-arrange their holiday, this will be at the discretion of the Owner as this will depend on lead time to holiday, time of year etc. An admin charge of £15 will apply to any re-arranged bookings.
Guests are encouraged to buy holiday insurance to protect themselves from unforeseen circumstances and holiday cancellation; examples include illness, adverse weather, family bereavement etc. The Owner is unable to provide insurance cover.
Booking Conditions will apply to all confirmed bookings. The Owner’s website details information, pricing and Terms and Conditions. This is not classed as an offer. Offers are made by the holidaymakers on the stated Terms and Conditions.
Any refunds will be issued to the same payment method used by the Guest to pay for their holiday or part thereof.
Karen’s Kottages may introduce offers from time to time, e.g. last minute availability or seasonal gifts. These discounts/gifts do not apply to existing bookings.
4. Arrival and Departure Times
Guests can arrive anytime from 3.00pm onwards on the first day of their stay and vacate the property by 10.00am on the last day of their stay unless alternative arrangements have been pre-agreed with the Owner. Keys are typically collected from The Star Inn pub in the village. Where this is not possible (or for late arrivals), the Owner will provide a key in an external key safe at the property for the Guest.
There is free roadside parking at each of the cottages. Parking is at the Guest’s own risk.
5. Cleaning
The property should be left in an acceptable clean and tidy condition when the Guest leaves the property on the last day. Rubbish should be placed in external bins, dishes washed, dried and put away, personal items removed, and used bedding, towels and dog throws placed in the bathroom ready for collection.
Karen’s Kottages is a smoking free zone and should remain free of smoking by any smokers letting the cottage. Smoking is permitted in the garden. The Guest must ensure cigarette butts are placed in the metal ash bin to reduce fire risk.
A cleaning fee of £100 will be invoiced to the Guest if the property is left in an unacceptable condition. The booking agent or social media group generating the booking will also be notified.
6. Pets
A well-behaved dog(s) is welcome to stay at the cottage with the Guest at no additional charge. Pets are not allowed in the bedrooms or on furniture, fowling in the garden must be cleared up and pets must not be left alone in the property. Extra care should be taken to ensure the property is left clean and tidy in areas where the pet has been as not all guests bring pets with them, or are pet-lovers. Any damage caused by pets will be invoiced to the Guest within 7 days of their departure (or within 30 days if professional cleaning or estimates for damage have to be obtained), payable within 7 days.
7. Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles must not be charged at the cottage. There are electric charging points at the National Park car park in Alwinton (2 miles away) and the Spar petrol station in Thropton (7 miles away).
8. Fixtures, Fittings and Furnishings
The property’s fixtures, fittings and furnishings should not be broken, stolen or damaged. All damage must be reported to the Owner immediately. Minor damage or faults should be written on the list in the visitor’s book so that they can be rectified for future guests, or an email sent to the Owner before departure so that replacement items or necessary tools can be arranged for the changeover day. The Owner will seek reimbursement from the Guest for all damage/theft at the replacement value other than for minor damage, e.g. a broken glass, where the Guest should try to replace the item wherever possible.
The Police and booking-agent (where applicable) will be notified of any wilful damage. The Guest will be responsible for all loss or damage to the property or its contents if the Guest has left the property unsecured.
9. Complaints
Complaints must be brought to the attention of the Owner immediately whilst the Guest is still in the property. This way the Owner will be able to address complaints as soon as is reasonably possible. An out of office mobile number is available and will be attended by the Owner at regular intervals.
Compensation will not be forthcoming after the Guest’s booking has been fulfilled.
10. Access to the Property
The Owner will be allowed access to the cottage and garden at all reasonable times for e.g. repairs. This will always be pre-agreed with the Guest.
11. Health and Safety
Guests must be mindful of general health and safety whilst using the property. Extra care should be taken when using the wood burning stove, shower and baby equipment. These are used at the Guest’s own risk and the list is not exhaustive. Any baby equipment provided by Karen’s Kottages must be checked by the Guest to ensure it is suitable for their child. Guests must contact the Owner as soon as possible if they have any issues regarding Health and Safety.
12. Data and Privacy
The Owner will only request and store information relevant to the enquiry and booking for as long as is necessary. Any personal information requested will not be shared with third party organisations for marketing purposes. The Guest’s email address will be added to the Owner’s database for occasional email marketing; guests can opt out at any time. Information will be shared with the Police or relevant authorities in instances of criminal activity.
13. Law
Karen’s Kottages is owned by Karen Wilkinson of The Star Inn, Harbottle, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 7DG. All branding, logos and images for Karen’s Kottages, including those on the website, belong to Karen Wilkinson and must not be used without prior agreement.
The governing law is the law of England and Wales.
If any exclusion(s) or limitation(s) contained in these Conditions is found, in whole or part, to be unlawful, void or for any other reason unenforceable for any purpose(s), that exclusion(s) or limitation(s) or the part(s) in question shall be deemed severable and omitted from these Conditions for that purpose/those purposes. Such omission shall not affect the validity, effectiveness or enforceability of the other provisions of these Conditions.
