Bookings are accepted subject
to these Conditions of Hire

1. Contract
The Contract of Hire shall be between the Hirer and the property owners and subject to the Conditions of Hire.

2. Payment
Bookings made within 8 weeks of your holiday date must be paid for in full. For a booking made more than 8 weeks before your holiday starts we require a holding deposit of £100.00. The balance is due 8 weeks prior to the holiday starting date and once a booking has been confirmed by us to you, any alterations involving re-invoicing will carry a £20 fee payable for each alteration made.

3. Balance Payment
Upon payment of the deposit and subject to acceptance of the booking, the applicant becomes liable for the balance of the rent 8 weeks before for the period of letting. Bookings from persons under 18 years of age cannot be accepted.

4. Sleeping Capacity
The maximum number of people is 3 adults and up to three young children, extra persons cannot be accommodated. The hirer shall not part with possession of the property or share it, except with members of the party named on the booking form. The owners of Smugglers Cottage reserve the right to terminate the hire without notice and without refund for a breach of these conditions.

5. Single Party Reservation
Where non-family bookings are accepted, a security deposit of £250 per person per week must be forwarded with the deposit, re-fundable after satisfactory inspection.

6. Availability
The Hiring Contract is made on the understanding that the property and its facilities as published will be available for the dates stated. In the unlikely event that the property is not available through events arising out of the control of the owners, then the owners may be forced to cancel the booking. The hirer will be advised of any such circumstances as early as possible, and will (where feasible) be advised of alternative accommodation of a similar type, standard, location and price. If this is not possible, or if the alternative offered is unacceptable to the hirer, then the owners will refund all monies paid in full - but the hirer will have no further claims against the owners.

7. Occupation times
Occupation of the cottage commence after 3pm (unless specifically stated otherwise), on the commencement date of the holiday let and terminate at 10am on the termination date, to allow sufficient time for cleaning.

8. Damage
All bookings are accepted on the condition that the property is left clean and tidy and breakage and/or damage will be paid for by the person who made the booking.
Click here to report a breakage or damage.

9. Access
The Property owners or his representatives shall be allowed access to the holiday accommodation at any reasonable time during any holiday occupancy.

10. Pets
No pets are allowed on the premises. The owners of Smugglers Cottage reserve the right to terminate the hire without notice and without refund for any breach of these conditions. Any damage caused by an animal or animal nuisance will incur a charge.

11. Linen
Towels and bed linen (other than duvets and pillow cases) are not supplied unless specifically asked for. An additionally charge will be made for this service. Bedrooms in Smugglers Cottage are equipped with duvets and pillowcases only. No sleeping bags are allowed. Linen and blankets for cots are not supplied and should be brought by the visitor. A single bed for a child aged up to approximately 10 is available upon request.

12. Motor Car and Personal Belongings
Baggage and personal belongings are at the hirer’s risk at all times, and no responsibility can be accepted for loss of or damage to any vehicle or its contents.

13. Cancellations
If you have to cancel you reservation you must telephone the owners on 020 8883 2223 or 07958 500 900 as soon as the reason for cancellation occurs. You must also confirm your cancellation in writing to be sent within 10 working days to the owners by way of fax at 020 8372 6043 and recorded delivery to M & S Services at 42 Woodland Rise, Muswell Hill, London N10 3UG. The day we receive your telephone notification of cancellation is the date on which your reservation is cancelled. Please note that cancellations left on answering machines are not acceptable. You can cancel your booking and you will receive a full refund of all monies paid to us other than our cancellation administration fee, providing your cancellation complies with the conditions below.
i) Cancellation because of serious illness, death or injury of any member of your holiday party or of a close family member (mother, father, spouse, brother, sister, son or daughter –no other relative falls into this category) of any member of your holiday party (excluding pregnancy, pre-diagnosed medical conditions and bodily injuries sustained through hazardous activities/sports or the use of intoxicating liquor or drugs).
ii) Cancellation because of jury or witness service (in a court of law) or redundancy qualifying for statutory payment affecting any member of your holiday party.
iii) Cancellation because your home is rendered uninhabitable, due to fire, storm, flood, subsidence, or malicious damage.
iv) Cancellation because your presence is requested by Police, following burglary or other incident at your home or place of business.
v) Cancellation because of your unexpected posting by your countries Armed Forces.
Any other reason for cancellation than those mentioned above will not be eligible for any refund (in the absence of the property being successfully re-booked) such as cancellations through acts of war/hostilities or oil contamination. These are only illustrative examples and not an exhaustive list.

14. Cancellation/other reasons
In the event of the applicant wishing to cancel the arrangements prior to the commencement of the letting and not for the reasons stated in item 13 above, and upon notifying us in writing and by fax, we will endeavour to re-let the property for the period concerned or for such part thereof as may prove possible. If such re-letting can be arranged, the balance, if already paid, will be refunded less a charge for any additional expenses. The deposit will not be refunded.

15. Complaints Procedure
In the unfortunate situation where there is a complaint would you please give us the opportunity to investigate the matter by following these simple steps.
1) Contact the local agent as shown on your booking confirmation as quickly as possible and ask for their assistance.
2) If this does not resolve the problem then you should contact the owners on 020 8883 2223 or 07958 500 900 immediately, giving details of your complaint so that it can be investigated right away. We will make every effort to make sure your complaint is handled quickly and efficiently, but we do need you to act immediately if there is a problem.
3) In no circumstances will compensation be made for complaints raised after the holiday has ended when the visitor has denied the owners the opportunity of investigating the complaint and endeavouring to put matters right during the holiday.

16. Brochure & Web Site
The owners take every care to ensure the accuracy of property descriptions. All information is given in good faith and believed correct at the time of going to press (all distances are approximate), but the owners cannot be held responsible for any errors, or the results of such errors. Further, the owners cannot accept liability for happenings outside its reasonable control, such as breakdown of domestic appliances, plumbing, wiring, sudden temporary invasion of pests, damage resulting from exceptional weather conditions or hirer’s negligence resulting in loss, injury or accident. Neither can the owners accept any liability for changes to (or withdrawal of) specified area amenities mentioned on this website, in brochure or newspaper descriptions, such as sports facilities, country clubs and restaurants.

17. Liability
1)The owners representatives have no authority to vary the  terms and conditions of trading and no telephone or other conversation, (a description or opinion), albeit in good faith, shall be held to alter the owners printed matter 2) The owner’s liability shall not exceed the amount actually paid as rental by the hirer for the accommodation rented by him/her from the owners.

19. Price Changes
The owners reserve the right to amend prices quoted on the website or in any printed matter, due to errors and/or omissions.

20. Cleaning
Hirers are expected to leave the cottage in a clean and tidy condition upon departure. Any supplied linen should be washed and replaced,  cutlery & crockery should be cleaned and replaced.
Click here for more information on cleaning requirements.

21. Security
Hirers are expected to ensure all doors and windows are locked when leaving the cottage for the day. The front door must be double locked as must the door leading to the court yard. no persons are to be allowed into the cottage unless you have been notified by us. Gas and electric readings will be organised by the owners and persons purporting to be from the utility companies should be asked to leave a calling card, but should not be allowed into the cottage under any circumstances.

22. Help with these terms.
Please do not hesitate to contact the owners if you require clarification on any of the terms printed here.

23. Smoking
Smugglers Cottage is available only to genuine non-smokers. Please note if any evidence of smoking is found within the cottage or courtyard you will have breeched the terms and conditions of the holiday let and be liable to forfeiture of your deposit.
 

© Smugglers Cottage   Broad Street  Ramsgate   Kent  CT11 8QY
Bookings - 020 8883 2223  Enquiries - 020 8883 7594
Fax - 020 8372 6043  Mobile - 07958 500 900
Email: bookings@smugglerscottage.com
Website: www.smugglerscottage.com