Terms and Conditions of Booking Accommodation.
Ballarat House Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking accommodation at Ballarat House you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions.
Definition
Amelia Gregory is the owner of Ballarat House.
The Booking
1. Your booking is with Amelia Gregory, in accordance with these terms.
2. Your booking is confirmed and a legal contract concluded once your payment has been successfully made. No booking is made or contract concluded when payment is declined or unauthorised.
3. You must produce an up to date photo ID at the time of agreeing this contract for the booking to be valid. Please ensure this is sent via email, along with a phone number, passport number and date of birth of the lead booker, who must be 25 years of age or over.
4. You agree that your booking is for a short term stay and therefore does not confer exclusive possession or the relationship of landlord and tenant between Amelia Gregory and yourself. You are therefore not entitled to any rights under any statutory provision including, without prejudice to the foregoing generality, the Rent Act 1977, any assured tenancy or assured shorthold tenancy under the Housing Act 1988, including in each case any amendment or re-enactment of any such statute for the time being in force.
Payment and Cancellations
1. All payments will be made securely via Stripe through Lodgify.
2. Full payment is required upon booking. This secures the reservation.
3. The lead guest placing the booking must be over 25 years of age on the arrival date.
4. Direct Bookings can be cancelled in full up to 30 days before your stay, and a full refund will be issued. Up to 10 days before your stay you will be issued with a 50% refund. Thereafter no refund will be given.
5. The £200 security deposit will be automatically taken 1 day before arrival and released 7 days after departure.
5. If you depart the property early no refund will be given.
8. Please note that if you need to cancel because you are ill (which includes self-isolation due to Covid) this will be treated as a normal cancellation.
9. It is recommended that you take out appropriate travel insurance before placing your booking.
Prices/Fees
All prices are quoted in UK Pounds Sterling and, unless otherwise specified, the prices quoted include VAT at the prevailing UK rates if applicable. All prices are based on costs prevailing at the time of booking and may be subject to change. The price includes all utilities and taxes. Any extra charges are detailed at the point of booking.
Security Deposit
1. The Security Deposit is required prior to arrival, as advertised at the time of booking. This will be captured as a pre-authorisation of funds from your payment card prior to arrival and will be auto-released 7 days from departure if no charge against it is made. Should a charge be made, you will be notified of the amount and the reason by e-mail. An additional fee may be charged if house rules are broken or if the damage exceeds the amount held as a pre-authorisation. Please note that funds could take up to 14 working days to show as available again on your card, depending on your card provider’s timescales, and this delay is outside of our control.
2. The Security Deposit will be kept in full if any of the house rules, as detailed, are broken (including but not limited to no smoking in the property, no cigarette butt waste, no parties, no loud music, no pets), and a partial or full deposit may be kept for any damage caused to the property or its contents. Any bank fees transferred with the refund of the Security Deposit will be charged to the guest. If the bank charges exceed the figure that needs to be refunded, that figure shall not be transferred.
3. Any losses, damage, or any cleaning necessary over and above normal servicing, will be deducted from the Security Deposit. By placing a booking for Ballarat House, you authorise payment for these from your Security Deposit.
Keys
The loss of a key will be charged at £50. Keys must be returned to the key safe upon departure and the Guest must ensure the keysafe is locked properly. In the case of a key not being found in the keysafe following departure, this will be treated as you having lost the key. Duplication of keys, and the changing of the keysafe code is not permitted. Divulging access arrangements to third parties is not permitted.
Your stay
1. Check-in is from 4pm on the day of arrival, and no later than 10pm to avoid disruption for neighbours. Check-out time is by 11am on the day of departure. In general there is no alteration of these timings due to the amount of time needed for cleaning, and any change must be okayed with myself prior to your stay.
2. Your booking is for a self-catering holiday home rather than a hotel or guest house service.
3. Bed linen and towels, toilet roll, soap, shower gel and shampoo are included in your booking. Please do not use bedrooms that have not been booked.
4. Basic breakfast supplies are included in your booking fee, as are cleaning items and one bag of logs for the wood burner in cold weather.
5. The internet connection is available (at no extra cost) subject to technical availability. No guarantee can be made that the internet service provided will be compatible with your device and no technical support for the connection is available. Functionality of the connection cannot be guaranteed and Amelia Gregory cannot be held liable for any losses resulting from the loss of connection.
6. Amelia Gregory shall not be liable for any temporary defect or malfunction of any equipment, machinery or appliance in the building during your stay.
7. On rare occasions Amelia Gregory (or a cleaner or another maintenance person) may need to enter the house to undertake essential maintenance, cleaning or gardening, or for inspection purposes, during your stay. You will be informed in advance if this is needed and a time agreed so your stay is impacted as little as possible.
Linen
All linen and towels for beds are included and changed prior to your stay. If the booking exceeds 7 nights, then a linen and towel change can be arranged.
Cleaning
The property is cleaned by a professional cleaning company to a high standard prior to your arrival. If you notice inadequate cleaning you undertake to notify Amelia Gregory within 24 hours, so that the issue can be rectified as soon as possible.
Twin Beds
There are two bedrooms with twin beds - these are set up as singles by default. If you would like them set up as doubles please inform us at the time of booking.
Travel Cot
There is one high chair and one cot available at the property. Please let us know if you require their use in advance. You must supply your own linen for the cot. Cots must only be occupied by a child aged 24 months or less. Amelia Gregory is not responsible for the maintenance of cots.
CCTV
The property has CCTV cameras at front and back, and these may be used to check how many guests are in the property or if complaints are made by neighbours regarding noise.
Emergencies
In the event of an emergency you are asked to:
- make use of the fire blanket and/or fire extinguisher if appropriate
- leave all belongings and exit swiftly through one of the main exits, ensuring all individuals that require assistance are brought to safety
- wait on the main road away from the building and inform emergency services by calling 999 and quoting your location
- contact Amelia Gregory as soon as possible on 07803 899643
Your Obligations:
1. Guests are expected to keep the property clean and it should be left in a reasonable state on departure, including rubbish being placed in rubbish bins, and all dishes cleaned.
2. Except for agreed guests no other people should enter the accommodation during your stay, unless otherwise agreed. If any other people are found to be at Ballarat House without permission you may be asked to leave.
3. Guests must not smoke or vape on the premises. All rooms and common spaces are strictly non-smoking – you may only smoke or vape outside of the premises, and must dispose of all cigarette butts in an appropriate manner.
4. Guests will not bring any pets or other animals into Ballarat House, unless agreed prior to your stay, for instance in the case of dogs required for accessibility purposes.
5. Guests will not bring any potentially dangerous or hazardous materials or equipment into Ballarat House.
6. Guests will not tamper with any fire alarms or emergency equipment.
7. Guests must not remove, damage or destroy any property owned by Amelia Gregory. This includes damage to walls, doors or windows from putting up decorations or planners.
8. Guests will not create any mess that might result in damage to Ballarat House.
9. Guests will not use any technology provided in Ballarat House to download or access any unlawful or obscene material.
10. Guests will not cause unreasonable disturbance to other guests in Ballarat House (for example if the house is being let as two properties), or to other neighbours.
11. Guests will not make excessive noise particularly after 10pm especially from TVs and other electronic devices.
12. Guests must return door keys at the end of the stay, or Amelia Gregory will charge at least £100 for the replacement of the keys and potentially more if the corresponding locks need to be changed as well.
13. Guests will not make any alterations to Ballarat House, or attempt to make any repairs.
14. Guests will not assign, underlet, sub-license, charge or part with possession of whole or any part of the property, take in lodgers or share occupation of Ballarat House with any person in any way.
15. Guests will not sell, loan, charge or otherwise dispose of or part with possession of any of the contents located at Ballarat House including without limitation the owners’ furniture and effects.
16. Guests will not block or put noxious or damaging substances into the sinks, baths and
lavatory cisterns or waste or soil pipes in Ballarat House or allow them to overflow, and will immediately report any such blockage.
17. Guests will not leave the entrance door open or windows insecure at any time. All windows must be kept closed during bad weather and when not in the property.
18. Guests will not create any duplicate keys or share any key codes.
19. Guests will use all equipment provided at Ballarat House strictly in accordance with its operating instructions and not for any purpose other than its intended use.
20. Guests undertake to manage any fires in the wood burners in an appropriate and safe manner. You must not light any candles in the property.
Termination of this Agreement
1. This agreement may be ended with immediate effect if you are in breach of any of the terms or conditions set out in this document.
2. Guests will, at the end of the accommodation period, return all keys to the property and ensure vacant possession of the property.
Damage, theft and costs
1. Ballarat House is privately owned and it is expected that guests should enjoy and treat the property as if it were their own house.
2. Upon your arrival please report any defects within the first 24 hours. Thereafter you will be deemed to have accepted the condition of the property.
3. In the event that you notice damage during your stay please let Amelia Gregory know immediately so that it is possible to take the appropriate action.
4. If there are any breakages during your stay, please let the owner know before you leave. Ballarat House will be inspected at the end of your stay and you may be charged for any loss or damage found.
5. A security deposit is required to cover your obligations under this agreement at the time of booking. This security deposit paid will be returned to you in full upon the property being returned to me in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Where you are liable for loss or damage as detailed below I may withhold some or all of your deposit to cover the fees associated with repairing or dealing with the loss or damage.
a) The cost of replacing or repairing any property belonging to Amelia Gregory including furniture, upholstery, fittings, appliances or other fixtures and items which are damaged during your stay;
b) The cost of replacing any items of property which are stolen from the accommodation during your stay
c) Any breach of Amelia Gregory’s non-smoking policy. A standard charge of £150 will be charged if Amelia Gregory finds evidence of smoking within the accommodation to cover cleaning costs but Amelia Gregory reserves the right to charge additional amounts to cover any damage caused by smoking.
Privacy, Data Protection and Credit/Debit Card Security
1. Amelia Gregory processes information about you that you provide when making a reservation. By providing this information you consent to such processing and you warrant that all information provided by you is accurate.
2. You should note that Amelia Gregory is required by law to maintain a register of all guests’ names and nationality (to be taken at the time of booking) and to keep such details on file for at least 12 months from the date of arrival.
3. In sharing email addresses with Amelia Gregory you agree to their use for marketing purposes (for instance to inform you of future special rates) unless you have otherwise specified.
4. We will never share your data with anyone else, unless there is a legal requirement to do so or where safety may be at risk.
Enquiries
Amelia Gregory will seek to respond to or resolve any reasonable enquiry you may direct to it in relation to your booking, as quickly as possible.
Complaints
Amelia Gregory wants to ensure that you have an enjoyable stay. If you have a problem during your stay please talk to Amelia Gregory as soon as possible in order to resolve the issue.
Limitation of Liability
1. Amelia Gregory endeavours to ensure that all information provided prior to, during and after your booking has been made is accurate but shall not be responsible for any incorrect or missing information regarding the accommodation or booking.
2. The liability of Amelia Gregory to you under these terms and conditions shall be limited to the total value of your booking.
3. Amelia Gregory shall not be liable in any circumstances to you for any consequential or indirect loss including loss of profit, data, management time, reputation or goodwill.
4. Amelia Gregory shall not be liable for any damages or loss caused by conditions or events beyond my control including, but not limited to:
a) Acts of God, Natural disasters, Pandemics, Acts of war or terrorism;
b) Act or omission of government, highway authorities or telecommunications carrier, operator or administrator;
c) Delay in manufacture, production or supply by third parties of equipment or services
Nothing in this clause or these terms shall limit Amelia Gregory’s liability for death or personal injury or in respect of fraudulent misrepresentation.
Severability
If any provision or provisions of these terms and conditions shall be held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or in conflict with the law of any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Waiver
The failure of any party at any time to require performance of any provision or to resort to any remedy provided under these terms and conditions shall in no way affect the right of that party to require performance or to resort to a remedy at any time thereafter, nor shall the waiver by any party of a breach be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach. A waiver shall not be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is being enforced.
Entire Agreement
These terms and conditions constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior communications, understandings and agreements relating to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.
Jurisdiction
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with English Law and the Courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction in so far as any matter arising from this Agreement is required to be referred to a court of law.
Authority to Agree these Terms & Conditions
The guest who places the booking certifies that they are authorised to agree these Terms and Conditions on behalf of all guests being booked for, including those substituted or included at a later date, and that all these shall likewise have observed the Terms and Conditions. They agree to take responsibility for the party occupying the property. In this sense, references to the Guest apply to all the occupants of the property.
In making a booking it is deemed you have read and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.