BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS - updated August 2023

Bookings are made and accepted based on the following conditions:

1.    Contract and Booking

  1. This agreement is made on the basis that the property ("the Property") is to be occupied by the guests for a holiday as mentioned in the Housing Act 1988 Schedule 1 paragraph 9 and the Guests acknowledge that the tenancy granted by this agreement is not an assured tenancy and that no statutory periodic tenancy will arise when it ends.

  2. Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under 18 years of age. 

  3. Any dogs you intend to bring with you should be declared at the time of booking, checked and authorised via the Owner.  

  4. No bookings are valid until confirmed in writing and the deposit or full payment is received.

2.       Deposit

  1. The deposit is non-refundable unless Unique Cotswold Cottages is unable to accept the booking, <and as specified below>.

  2. A deposit of 50% of the stay is required. The deposit will be refunded according to the cancellation conditions. 

  3. If the booking has been made within 60 days of the stay, full payment will be required at the time of booking.

3.       Balance Payment

  1. Once a booking is confirmed, the Guest is responsible for the full balance of the cost of the holiday. This shall be paid not later than 8.5 weeks (60 days) before the booking is due to commence. Payments by bacs, and the following cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express. 

  2. Deposit of 50% to be paid up to 60 days (8.5 weeks) prior to stay.

  3. Remaining funds shall be paid 60 days (8 .5 weeks) before stay 

  4. Unique Cotswold Cottages reserves the right to re-let any holiday where any monies due more than 7 days in arrears, whereupon any monies paid by the Guest over and above any non-refundable fees will be refunded. However, if we are unable to re-let the holiday the Guest will remain liable for the outstanding balance of the cost of the holiday, and (if applicable) and the deposit. 

4.    Owner's responsibilities

The Owner is solely responsible for providing the accommodation and for the safety of all Guests and/or his/her invitees (jointly known as "the Guests"). The Owner accepts no responsibility for personal injury to, or death of, any Guests, or loss of or consequential loss or damage to their property, or for other matters over which we have no control, except to the extent such personal injury or death is caused by the negligence or wilful default.

5.    Guests' responsibilities and forfeiture

  1. The Guests shall keep the Property and all furniture, fixtures, fittings and effects in, on or at the Property in the same state of repair as at the commencement of the holiday and shall leave the Property in reasonable cleanliness and general order.

  2. The Holidaymaker must report and pay to the Owner the cost of any damage or breakages made during their holiday occupancy. The Owner reserves the right to make a reasonable charge where guests have contravened an Owner's request for their Property to be smoke-free.

  3. The Guests' right to occupy the Property may be forfeited without compensation if:

  • More people or pets than declared at the time of booking or before the commencement of the holiday and/or the number the Property holds, attempt to take up occupation.

  • Overnight guests are entertained without the Owner's express permission;

  • Any activity is undertaken which is illegal, or may cause unreasonable damage, noise, behaviour or disturbance; or

  • Any of the Guest’s smoke in or at the Property.

6.    Unavailability of Property

In the event of the Property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), we will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. We cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.

7.    Cancellations

In the event of cancellation, guests may be due a partial refund which is dependent on when notice of cancellation is given to us before the holiday start date. The refund is calculated as follows:

  • If the booking is cancelled less than 28 days before arrival, then a charge equal to 45% of the stay will be made.

  • If the booking is cancelled less than 7 days before arrival, then a charge equal to the full booking amount will be made.

  • If the booking is cancelled 28 or more days before arrival then a charge equal to £50 per booking will be made.

  • In the event of a no show or booking reduction (after arrival date) the full cost of the booking is charged

  • More than 60 day’s notice (8.5 weeks) – the Guest's liability for the remainder of the balance will be waived or the balance refunded if this has been paid previously, less £50 processing fee

If a refund is due, it will be paid within 15 working days of cancellation

Unique Cotswold Cottages reserves the right to change these terms as required. The terms at the time of the guests booking will continue to apply.

8.    Alterations to Bookings

A Guest requiring a booking to be altered once the booking has been confirmed may incur a £30 admin fee and is subject to agreement by Unique Cotswold Cottages

9.    Pets

Guests wishing to take pets on holiday must abide by the following rules:

  1. "Regret no pets" relates to properties where pets are not permitted, however there is no guarantee a pet has not entered the premises at any time and does not imply that the property is "Pet Free" such as a guide dog or one belonging to the Owner of the property;

  2. "Pets welcome" relates to properties which allow pets and refers to fully house trained dogs.

  3. Young pets (e.g. puppies) MUST be declared at the time of booking and authorised by the Owner. If a puppy or young pet (i.e. under 12 months) is taken to a Property without the consent of the Owner this could result in you being asked to leave without compensation. When booking online it is advised you check the acceptance of your pet by emailing or noting it on the booking enquiry form.  

  4. We request that dog owners to observe the following (failure to do so may result in you being asked to leave without compensation):

  • Dogs must be under strict control at all times while in or at the Property;

  • Any fouling must be cleared up without delay;

  • Dogs MUST NOT be left alone in or at the Property or elsewhere at any time;

  • Dogs MUST NOT lie on beds or furnishings, and hair must be well cleared up before departing;

  • Dog owners must ensure that their pets are free from parasites and fleas before they occupy the Property. Failure to do so will incur subsequent charges;

  • Properties which do not take dogs may have on occasions had guide dogs in them

  • Any damage (which must be reported to the Owner immediately) or excessive cleaning that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.

10.  Owner's access to Property

The Owner or their representative, shall be allowed access to the Property at any reasonable time during any holiday occupancy.

 11.  VAT and IPT

All prices quoted include VAT and Insurance Premium Tax where applicable at current rates.

12.  Complaints procedure

  1. In the event of there being cause for complaint concerning a Property, the matter shall be taken up with the Owner (or Owner's caretaker/housekeeper) at once (details are supplied on the booking confirmation, and they understand that they are the first point of contact should there be cause for complaint). It is important that this is done whilst you are still at the Property so that an on-the-spot investigation can be made if necessary and remedial action taken if required.

  2. Compensation is unlikely to be considered for complaints raised after the holiday has ended, when guests have denied the Owner/Caretaker/Housekeeper the opportunity of investigating the complaint and endeavouring to remedy matters during the holiday. 

13.  Literature

  1. We have compiled the information in our literature and on our Website as accurately as possible at the time of going to press. However, facilities may be altered or withdrawn for reasons outside our control.

  2. We make every effort to ensure that the Property reflects the details provided. The Guests accept that minor differences between text/photographs/illustrations in the brochure and on the Website and the actual Property may arise. If a facility is particularly important to you, please check with us prior to your booking.

14.  Communication with you and data

Please see our privacy statement which explains how we will process your personal data.

15.  Legal

Any dispute, claim or other matter which may arise in relation to your booking will be governed by English law and you agree that any dispute will be dealt with exclusively by the courts of England and Wales.

16. Check in/check out

  1. Check in is usually at 3pm and check out is usually at 11pm.  Unique Cotswold Cottages reserves the rights to change these times as required.

  2. An earlier check in of 2pm or later check out of 12pm may be possible.  To request this, please contact your local housekeeper to see if this is possible.

  3. Please contact your local housekeeper if you have any questions about check in/check out or need anything or have any issues during your stay.

The Booking Conditions will apply to all confirmed bookings