Terms & Conditions of Booking

The hiring Contract is made between the person making the booking (the ‘Hirer’) and the Owner (the ‘Owner’) of the Holiday Property for which the booking is made (the ‘Property’), and incorporates the conditions set out below. FBM Holidays acts as the letting agent (the ‘Agent’) on behalf of the Owner, and acts as stakeholder for deposits.

1. Bookings The Hirer must be over 18 years of age and be a member of the party occupying the Property. The names of all those who will be occupying the property during the period of booking must be specified on the Booking Form.  The Hirer certifies that he/she is authorised to agree to the terms and conditions on behalf of all persons in the party, including any who may be substituted or added at a later date. The Hirer agrees to take responsibility for the party occupying the property.

2  Payment A 30% deposit (minimum £60) is required at the time of booking (for Priority Bookings see condition No.3 below) and must be accompanied by a completed booking form. Once the Agent has accepted the booking the Hirer is liable for payment of the balance of rent, which must be paid 8 clear weeks before the holiday commencement date.  Upon receipt of the balance the Agent will issue a confirmation with travel directions and key collection details.

In the event of payment of the balance not being received 8 weeks prior to the holiday commencement date, the Agent reserves the right to cancel the holiday and all deposits previously paid shall be forfeited.

Reservations made at eight weeks or less before the holiday commencement date shall be paid in full at the time of booking.

Payments can be made by cheque (made payable to FBM Holidays) or by debit card (no fee applicable) or credit card (2% fee applicable).

Overseas Hirers may pay in Sterling by cheque drawn on a UK bank, debit/credit card or by international electronic transfer. Any charges for payments from overseas will be payable by the Hirer.

3  Priority Bookings Existing Hirers can re-book the same property for the equivalent calendar dates in the following year within 6 days of arrival at the property by forwarding a full deposit (see Condition No. 2 above) to the Agent.

4  Tenure  Weekly bookings normally commence on a Friday or Saturday, unless otherwise stated. The holiday term usually commences at 3pm, unless otherwise stated.  Changeover days and takeover times are clearly stated for each property.  The holiday term terminates at 10am on the day of departure.

5  Occupancy Unless expressly agreed in advance by the Agent, no group bookings (four or more adult party members) are accepted where all party members are under 25 years of age. No group bookings are accepted where all members are of the same sex, unless the group consists of members of the same family across a number of generations. The Owner and the Agent reserve the right to refuse access to the property without compensation where no agreement has been given in advance. The Hirer’s right to occupy the property may be forfeited without compensation, or an additional charge levied, if:

(a)  more people or guests than those specified on the Booking Form and/or the number the Property accommodates, attempt to take up occupation.

(b) Overnight guests are entertained without the Owner’s express permission.

(c) Any activity is undertaken which may cause damage, noise or disturbance.

(d) Any party member is found smoking in a non smoking property.

The Agent reserves the right to decline bookings from large single sex parties e.g. Hen & Stag parties.

6  Availability  The booking is made on the understanding that the Property will be placed at the Hirer’s disposal on the date stated. If this should not be possible through circumstances beyond the control of the Owner or the Agent (e.g. Fire, Theft, Damage, Death or Illness) then every effort will be made provide alternative accommodation. If this is not possible, the Hirer’s deposit and any rent will be returned in full, and the Hirer will have no further claim against the Owner or the Agent.

7  Linen & Towels  Bed linen is provided in all properties.  Cot linen is not provided.  Towels are provided or available to hire in 4 star and 5 star properties.  Towels are not provided in 3 star properties, unless otherwise stated.  Towel hire is available for some properties and this will be clearly stated in the property description.

8  Cleaning  All properties are professionally cleaned prior to arrival.  By accepting these Terms & Conditions the Hirer agrees to keep the property and its contents in the same condition and repair as found on arrival and shall ensure that all members of the party shall also take care of the property and its contents. The Hirer must ensure the property is left in a clean and tidy condition upon departure and all rubbish is disposed of when vacating the property.  The Agent or the Owner may charge the Hirer for the reasonable costs of any additional cleaning if this is necessary.

9  Pets It is clearly indicated in the particulars of each property whether or not dogs are allowed and this must be strictly adhered to. Owners reserve the right to terminate the hire without notice and without refund in the case of a breach of this condition.  For pets other than dogs, the Owner’s permission must be sought before making the booking.

10  Complaints  Problems must be reported within 24 hours of occupation of the Property, or immediately upon a fault arising or being found; and be confirmed in writing to the Agent.  Complaints received after departure cannot be entertained as it will then be impossible for the problem to be effectively investigated and corrected.  No rebates will be paid by the Agent or the Owner for mechanical or electrical failure of any kind. Every effort shall be made to effect immediate repair or rectification. The Agent, the Owner or a nominated tradesperson, has the right to enter the property (without prior notice if necessary) in order to carry out such repairs or to attend to any matters giving rise to emergencies or concern. The action taken by the Agent or Owner in respect of complaints is entirely at their discretion, and their decision is final.

11  Damage/Breakages   All damages and breakages are the responsibility of the Hirer, and should be notified to the Agent or Owner as soon as possible before the end of the holiday. The cost of damage or breakages shall be payable on demand, although minor damage or breakages will not normally be charged for. In circumstances where any extra cleaning, remedial work or breakage replacement  is required beyond that which may reasonably be expected, the Owner or the Agent reserves the right to charge the Hirer the additional costs incurred. The Owner and the Agent reserves the right to terminate the occupancy at any time, should the Hirer or any member of the party be found to be causing excessive damage to the Property or contents, and no refund of any remaining portion of the rent shall be made.

12  Liability  In the absence of any negligence or other breach of duty by the Agent or the Owner, neither the Agent nor the Owner  shall be held responsible for any accident, loss or damage which may be sustained by the Hirer or members of the party or visitors, howsoever caused.

13  Allergies  Claims cannot be entertained in respect of any complaint arising as a result of any allergy which a party member may suffer from, unless written confirmation is obtained prior to the booking, confirming the Property is free from the specific cause of the allergy.

14  Property Description  Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the property information provided and whilst the representations contained in advertising material are made in good faith, neither these nor any oral representation made by employees or representatives of the Agent, will create a liability on the Agent or the Owner, nor do they form any part of this agreement.

 In the interests of continued improvement the Owners reserve the right to alter amenities or facilities, whether advertised or previously available, without prior notice.

15  VAT  VAT may occasionally be applicable, in which case the rents quoted include VAT.

16  Access  The Owner or an owner approved agent shall be allowed access to the Property at any reasonable time during the holiday term to deal with complaints, repairs etc and to verify that the property is being used in accordance with the terms and conditions herein.

17   Personal Data  As a condition of booking, the Hirer agrees and acknowledges that  any personal data provided, whether on the booking form or otherwise, may be forwarded to the Owner, if requested.

18  Cancellations   In the event that it becomes necessary to cancel a booking, a cancellation scheme is included within the price of the holiday. Full details are given in the Cancellation Scheme section.

Cancellations must be notified immediately by telephone and confirmed in writing within 24 hours. If the cancellation is not for one of the reasons provided for in the cancellation scheme, the Hirer remains, pursuant to clause 2 hereof, responsible for the full rent or balance thereof.  At the discretion of the Agent it may be necessary to discount the price of the holiday to secure a booking. If following a cancellation the Agent is able to re-let the property then a refund equal to the amount of rent achieved,  less an administration fee of £30, will be made to the Hirer.

CANCELLATION SCHEME

Unlike hotels, our properties cannot rely on casual callers to fill last minute vacancies left by cancelled bookings. Therefore, as you have seen from our Conditions of Booking, you, as the hirer, are responsible for the full rental of your holiday property even if, for some unforeseen reason, you are unable to take your property.

We appreciate that such things as illness, death or accident can result in cancellations which are beyond anybody’s control.  In such circumstances we will make every effort to re-let the property

ACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS UNDER THE SCHEME ARE AS FOLLOWS:

a) Serious illness of the Hirer or any other member of his party as listed on the Booking Form.

b) Serious accident to Hirer or any other member of his party as listed on the Booking Form.

c) Death of the Hirer or any member of his party as listed on the Booking Form.

d) Maternity –  please see exclusions below.

The cancellation scheme does not cover circumstances where any member of the party is subject to:

a) Pre-existing medical conditions - any ongoing condition which has or will require medical treatment including consultation or advice within the last 12 months.

b) Travelling or acting against medical advice.

c) Awaiting results of tests or medical investigations.

d) Being on a hospital waiting list for treatment.

e) Having received a terminal prognosis.

f) Pregnancy, where the pregnancy will exceed 26 weeks by the return date of the holiday.

g) Illness, subject to the above, accident or death of any person not a member of the listed party other than an immediate family member as defined below: - Spouse, Partner, Child, Parent, Parent in Law, Brother, Sister or Fiancé(e).

h) Posting away / abroad.

i) Redundancy.

For a cancellation to be acceptable under the scheme it must:

a) Be notified to us by telephone immediately and confirmed in writing within 24 hours.

b) Supported in due course by a doctor's certificate (at the expense of the Hirer) or a death certificate, as appropriate.

c) Be notified prior to the start of the holiday.

d) If the holiday has already commenced, then a reduction of 15% per day of the weekly rent will be applied to the amount refunded for each day or part thereof that the Hirer has occupied the property.

All members of the Hirer's party must be listed on the Booking Form.

NOTE. Please also refer to section 18 of Terms & Conditions of Booking