Booking Conditions
1. THE CONTRACT
Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd ("Agent") acts as a booking agent on behalf of the homeowner ('Owner').
The contract is between the person making the booking on behalf of all members of the rental party (the Holidaymaker) and the Owner of the holiday home. The person making the booking must be at least 21 years old at the time of booking. The contract is entered into when the holidaymaker receives confirmation of the booking (Confirmation) by Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd and is subject to these Conditions. The Holidaymaker must check the Confirmation details carefully to ensure it states the Holidaymaker's full requirements and notify us of any amendments immediately.
2. OCCUPYING THE PROPERTY
All bookings are per week from Saturday to Saturday (unless otherwise specified on the property details). Short breaks are available outside of school holidays and the duration of which will be agreed with the owner of the property at the time of booking.
Holiday Lets start after 3pm (unless otherwise specified at the time of booking) on the day of arrival and finish at 10am on the day of departure (unless otherwise agreed with Whitstable Holiday Homes or on a Sunday when Midday). Please do not arrive earlier than 3pm as time is needed to clean the Property thoroughly between visitors.
If you fail to arrive by 12 noon the day after your arrival date and do not advise Whitstable Holiday Homes of this late arrival, your booking may be treated as having been cancelled and no refund will be made in this situation.
The licence from the owner shall permit you and the members of your party as named on the booking form only to occupy the property. For avoidance of doubt you may invite friends over to visit (subject to the owners prior authorisation) but the number of people in the property must at no time exceed the amount of people we have stated the property 'sleeps' on the website, unless you have the owner's prior consent. No-one other than those on the Booking Form may sleep at the property. Failure to observe these rules is a serious breach of the Booking Conditions (see Condition 12). You may not sub-let the property.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RENTAL START DATES & TIMES
A late check-in fee of £20 will apply to all check ins after 8pm Monday to Friday at your rental property (unless there is a keysafe at the property or otherwise agreed by Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd at the time of booking). Latest check in time is 9pm Monday to Friday and 6pm on Saturdays.
Please note that short break or weekly rentals can commence on any days except Sundays, Bank Holiday Mondays, 24, 25, 26 27 & 31 December and 1st & 2nd January (unless otherwise agreed by Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd at the time of booking).
3. DEPOSIT/PAYMENT
A deposit of 30% of the total Holiday Let and Booking Fee of £40 (first time clients only) is payable to the Agent if the booking is made 6 weeks or more before the commencement of the rental. The balance of the rental fee, Cautionary Deposit, Linen/Towel Hire, etc is then payable 6 weeks prior to the Start Date.
For bookings made within 6 weeks of the Start Date the full letting fee, together with the Cautionary Deposit of £150 (unless otherwise specified) and Booking Fee of £40 is payable. No reminders will be sent. Non-payment of the balance of the Holiday Let on or before the due date (or on issue of the invoice for the balance whichever is the later) shall be construed as a cancellation of the contract by the Holidaymaker. Whitstable Holiday Homes reserve the right to pass on any bank charges & other costs if payment is made in a foreign currency, or if we have had to re-present a cheque or process late payments.
The prices shown on the website are cash and UK debit and credit prices only.
Please note that the Booking Fee of £40 is only applicable to new guests of Whitstable Holiday Homes and is not payable for our loyal returning customers.
4. CANCELLATION & CHANGES BY US
An Owner may cancel your Booking due to circumstances or events outside of their reasonable control. In this event we will attempt to arrange alternative accommodation for you of an equivalent type and standard in a similar location. We and the owner will not be liable for any costs associated with arranging alternative accommodation, or any additional charges by you, if the rental charges for the alternative property are higher than those of the cancelled booking. Should alternative accommodation not be available or suitable, all monies paid will be refunded to you.
We may have to cancel your booking if we become aware of any health and safety related issues either at the property or it’s immediate surroundings (eg contaminated water, gas supply, or structural issues).
Where force majeure* arises Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd have the right to cancel your booking and will refund the rental paid. In that event, Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd' liability is limited to payment of the refund. No compensation can be paid or costs that the Holidaymaker has incurred as a result of such cancellation or change.
The Owners reserve the right to alter or withdraw amenities or facilities which have been advertised on our website or that were previously available without prior notice.
If in the reasonable opinion of Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd or the Owner, any person or persons are not suitable to continue the rental because of unreasonable behaviour, damage to property, or danger or significant annoyance to others, the contract may be terminated. In this case Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd and the Owner will have no further liability and in this event no refund will be given.
5. CANCELLATION OR CHANGES OF DATE BY YOU
Please refer to the appropriate sub-sections below regarding the applicable cancellation policy.
5.1 - Cancellation Policy for all all bookings :
If you, the holidaymaker, finds it necessary to cancel the holiday before the final balance is due you should inform Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd immediately by telephone & via email. Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd will then endeavour to re-let the property. If the property is re-let, then all monies paid will be returned excluding our Booking Fee of £40 and a handling charge of £75. If the property is not re-let, all the monies (excluding the refundable cautionary deposit and any extras) paid are forfeited. If you, the holidaymaker, finds it necessary to cancel the holiday after the final balance becomes due, whether or not the final balance has been paid, then unless the cottage is re-let the holiday maker will be liable for the full cost of the holiday (excluding the refundable cautionary deposit and extras). If the property is re-let all monies paid excluding our Booking Fee of £40 will be returned less a handling charge of £75.
5.2 - Cancellation Policy for all bookings made that have been cancelled by you due to Covid-19:
If you, the holidaymaker, finds it necessary to cancel your stay due to UK Government Lockdown or restrictions on UK travel, or stays in UK holiday homes due to Covid-19, any accommodation rental monies paid will be transferred to a new stay at the same property to be taken within 12 months of the original check-in date. Any supplementary fees eg. security deposits, linen and towel hire & dog board will be refunded at the time of cancellation. The Booking Fee of £40 is non-refundable.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please note that should you or one of your party have Covid symptoms or have been asked to self isolate, then section 5.1 cancellation policy will apply. We do not allow any guests who have Covid or are self isolating to stay in the holiday homes, due to the risk to staff or subsequent travellers. If you are thinking of booking your stay in 2022 or have already booked your stay and have concerns, contact Staysure insurance for a quote to cover your stay in the event you need to cancel your stay due to contracting Covid, or having to self Isolate.
5.3 - Change of dates:
If, after Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd have issued a confirmation you wish to change the dates of your holiday, then you will be liable to pay a re-arrangement fee of £25 per week booked, any such re-arrangement being subject to availability. Please note this is only applicable to a change of dates at the same property, otherwise standard cancellation terms will apply. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO RE-ARRANGE YOUR HOLIDAY LESS THAN SIX WEEKS BEFORE IT IS DUE TO COMMENCE.
6. MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY AND TERMS OF USAGE
The number of people using the holiday property is not to exceed the maximum number stated in the property description on our website. This includes entertaining friends who are not on the guest list over to the property during your stay without prior consent from the Owner. Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd and the Owner reserve the right to refuse entry to the entire party if the maximum number is not observed and in such a case no refund will be given. Children under 2 years are not normally counted for this purpose.
We ask all guests to be respectful of the neighbours, as all of the holiday homes are located in residential areas. We are aware that you may be celebrating a special event during your stay, but ask again that you are respectful of local residents especially with regard to noise levels and disruption. Please also note that we do not accept hen or stag parties.
7. BED LINEN & TOWELS
Most properties do not provide linen and towels as a standard inclusion, as they like to keep the rental costs down for under-occupancy and understand some guests like to bring their own. Duvets, pillows, bath mats and tea towels are provided at all properties. Linen and towel hire can be provided for an additional charge of £25 for each double bedroom and £12.50 for each single bedroom (unless otherwise specified). If linen is supplied at the property, this does not include cot linen - you should bring linen for cots in all cases (including pillows and blankets or duvets). Please refer to the property description for details of charges and remember to request at the time of booking.
8. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
We'll do everything we can to help those in your party with special requirements by suggesting properties that are suitable - just let us have all the relevant information at the time of booking.
Many property owners offer cots free of charge, but please note, property owners who provide cot and high chair facilities may charge a supplement. Please check when booking.
9. FUEL & WATER
There are no additional charges for electricity, gas, heating, water or other fuels during the summer months (unless otherwise stated). Where applicable logs can be pre-ordered at a cost of £20/load. A load is two bags of logs, kindling and firelighters. Logs are only available between October and March.
10. TELEVISIONS AND OTHER FACILITIES
All properties have a cooker, fridge and freezer (unless otherwise stated) at least one Freeview television. Additional channels may be available where satellite or cable television is listed in the property description. DVD and/or CD players, and internet connection may also be available, please see individual property details.
11. DOGS.
Dogs are welcome at some of our properties as stated in property description for an additional fee of £15 (unless otherwise specified). All dogs must be fully up to date with flea and worm treatment and house trained. Under no circumstances are dogs permitted in the bedrooms, or allowed to lie on the bedding, sofa or chairs. Dogs must not be left unattended in properties or gardens. Please note that cats and other pets are not permitted in any holiday homes. If you do not adhere to these conditions, some or all of the cautionary deposit may be retained by the owner to cover cleaning costs.
12. SECURITY DEPOSIT
You must keep the property clean and in good order during your stay and you will be responsible for the cost of any breakages or damage. Please notify Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd of any breakages at the end of your stay - please do not replace the broken items.
Please leave the property clean and tidy on your departure. The Owner shall be entitled to deduct from the Security Deposit the cost of remedying any breach of these obligations together with the cost of any service or goods provided. This includes any additional cleaning expenses, should the property not be left clean and tidy.
The amount of the Security Deposit is normally £150, however sometimes a smaller or larger deposit may be required and will be stated at the end of the property description. We accept the Security Deposit as Agent for the Owners and therefore we cannot act on your behalf in any dispute between the Owner and yourself (the Holidaymaker) concerning it. Such disputes should be settled directly with the Owner. The security deposit will be refunded after the rental period, less any deductions for damage, breakages and additional cleaning.
13. BREACHES OF THESE BOOKING CONDITIONS
If you commit a serious breach of these Booking Conditions the owner or Whitstable Holiday Homes will have the right to terminate your booking and if you are already occupying the property the owner may require you to vacate it immediately. A serious breach includes, without limitation, failure to comply with rules of the house or circumstances where your behaviour, or that of your guests or pets, is likely to have a significant adverse effect upon those staying or living nearby the property. In teh event of you committing a serious breach of these Booking Conditions no refund of fees paid will be returnable to you.
14. RIGHT OF ENTRY
The owner of the holiday property or a representative of Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd, is to be allowed access to the property at any reasonable time during any holiday occupancy by appointment, except in case of emergency, or if they have reasonable grounds to believe that there is or has been a breach of these conditions.
15. SMOKING
All of the properties are strictly non-smoking. This includes inside the property and also any of its adjoining garden areas, balconies or decking. If this is condition is not adhered to, the owner may retain some of the cautionary deposit.
16. VEHICLES
The Holidaymaker's vehicles and accessories and contents are left entirely at the Holidaymaker's risk. Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd or the Owner will not be responsible for any loss or damage from or to any vehicle.
17. COMPLAINTS
Any shortcomings or cause for complaint should be notified to Whitstable Holiday Homes Ltd or the Owner during the rental period so that they can take steps to rectify these.
Disclaimer Every care has been taken to ensure that the information on our holiday homes contained on this website is correct. However complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed and should be used for general guidance only and not form any part of a Contract.* force majeure = an Act of God or event or circumstance outside Whitstable Holiday Homes' control which could not reasonably have been foreseen or avoided excluding pandemics.