CONDITIONS OF HIRE

1. Contract – The Contract of Hire shall be between the Hirer [You] and the Property Owner and subject to these conditions of hire. Dart Valley Cottages Limited [DVC] act only as agent for the Property Owner.
2. Payment and Booking – A provisional booking can be accepted by telephone and must be confirmed within 3 days by receipt of a booking form and the required deposit including the booking fee levied by DVC at the current advertised rate. Provisional reservations will be cancelled after 5 days without further reference or notice. All parts of the booking form must be completed including all guests names. No more than the number of persons shown in the brochure and included on the booking form may occupy a property. For bookings made more than 6 weeks before the commencing date of a holiday a deposit of one third of the holiday price shall be paid. The balance of the payment must be paid 6 weeks prior to your holiday. For bookings made less than 6 weeks before the commencing date of a holiday the total amount of the holiday price is required upon confirmation of your booking.
3. Privacy Policy – We do not store credit card details nor do we share customer details with any third parties. [See full Privacy Policy here.]
4. Period of Hire – Your holiday cottage will be ready for You after 4pm (occasionally later) on the arrival day and You must leave by 10am on the departure day. During peak seasons changeover days will usually be a Friday or Saturday, shown on the availability calendar for each listing; outside of key seasons we may be able to arrange shorter breaks or changeovers on different days, subject to availability and agreement with the homeowner.
5. Care of the Property – The cottage must be left in a clean and tidy condition by 10am on departure day, and all breakages and/or damage reported to the Property Owner or DVC and paid for immediately. Where security bonds are held by DVC, they will be returned to You as soon as possible (and always within 28 days of your departure unless notified otherwise), after the property has been checked at the end of your stay. Any extra cleaning charges and costs of repairs or replacements shall be deducted from this deposit. The number of persons staying at the cottage must not exceed the number stated on your booking form. The Property Owner reserves the right to revoke or refuse occupation prior to or during your holiday where the maximum number is exceeded or where the Property Owner considers the party unsuitable.
6. Pets – Dogs are allowed in some properties, a maximum of two dogs, some will only accept one so please check prior to booking, there is an extra charge of £25 per week (unless specifically stated otherwise on the listing description). They are permitted on the strict understanding that they are kept off the furniture, are not allowed upstairs or in bedrooms, and are never left alone in the property. They must be exercised daily away from the property and garden. You will be liable for any damage caused by pets. Please note, dogs are not allowed on some beaches during particulars parts of the year. Dog owners are recommended to check access arrangements prior to booking.
7. Right of Entry – The Property Owner or his representative shall be allowed the right of entry at all reasonable times for inspection, repair or maintenance purposes save for in the case of an emergency when immediate access may be required.
8. Holiday cancellation and curtailment Insurance – Applicable to all bookings – Your booking is a legally binding contract, and like all contracts you should protect yourself in case things go wrong. Once the deposit is paid you will be liable for the whole rental. It is therefore recommended that any booking to be protected by holiday cancellation and curtailment insurance you must make arrangements to insure against the possible cancellation of your holiday as all cancellations for whatever reason are chargeable. You must make your own arrangements for your insurance. If you do not indicate on your booking form that you have insurance we will send you an application form which may provide the appropriate cover, however, this statement does not constitute a recommendation or advice that you should purchase that particular policy. DVC are not authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and DVC are not therefore permitted to make any recommendations or provide you with advice about any particular insurance product.
9. Cancellation – In the event that You wish to cancel the arrangements prior to the commencement of the holiday the balance will still be due. Upon notifying DVC in writing, DVC shall 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, may at our absolute discretion be refunded less a charge for any additional expenses (minimum charge of £90), but the deposit and booking fee are non-refundable and should be dealt with by your own cancellation insurance provider.
10. Availability – this 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 a property is not available through events arising out of the control of DVC or the Property Owner, then DVC or the Property Owner reserves the right to cancel the booking. You will be advised of any such circumstances as early as possible, and will (where feasible) be offered alternative accommodation of a similar standard, type, location and price. If this is not possible, or if the alternative offered is unacceptable to You, then DVC will refund all monies paid to date in full but You will have no further claim or action against DVC or the Property Owner
11. Linen – Bed linen and/or towels (one hand and one bath towel per person) are supplied for some cottages, for others you are required to bring your own. Bed linen is not provided for ‘Z’ beds or cots. Beach towels are not provided.
12. Complaints – All properties have been inspected by DVC, but DVC cannot accept responsibility for any changes made by the Property Owner since the inspection, or failure by the Property Owner to keep the property up to standard. In the unlikely event of any complaint You should immediately contact the Agent, Property Owner or Housekeeper who will attempt to resolve the problem for you. It has to be stressed that DVC cannot consider complaints reported after you have returned home from your holiday or when You have denied DVC or the Property Owners the opportunity of investigating the complaint and endeavouring to put matters right during the holiday.
13. Brochure – DVC 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, but DVC cannot be held responsible for any errors, or the results of such errors. Further, DVC cannot accept liability for happenings outside its reasonable control including but not limited to breakdown of domestic appliances, plumbing, wiring, sudden temporary invasion of pests, damage resulting from exceptional weather conditions, war, strikes, industrial disputes, sickness, changes imposed by re-scheduling of airline, train operators or ferry operators or Property Owner’s negligence resulting in loss, injury or accident.
14. Liability – The property owners liability shall not exceed the amount actually paid as rental by You for the property rented. It is an express condition of this Contract that neither the Property Owner nor DVC shall be held responsible for any accident, loss or damage which may be sustained by You or any, member of your party, or visitor, or their property, however caused.
15. Disclaimer: Use of the property is at your own risk. You must take extra care, especially the supervision of children, in properties where there are steep gardens and steps, swimming pools and ponds, balconies and terraced areas. You are responsible to ensure the property suits your own needs, if you have any special requirements please advise DVC before booking. Neither DVC nor the Owner accept any liability whatsoever for guest use of any available high chair, travel cots, stair gates or other baby equipment, and use of any equipment provided in the property is entirely at your own risk.
16. Price Changes – DVC reserve the right to amend prices quoted in the brochure or website, due to errors and/or omissions.
17. Short breaks – Most cottages offer short breaks during the period November – Easter excluding Christmas. They can sometimes be booked at other times but usually only at short notice during May, June, July, August, September and October.
18. Left and unclaimed property – Please note if you wish to have any items returned to You, accidentally left at the property, there is a minimum handling charge of £10.00 but the Property Owner reserves the right to dispose of any such property if not claimed within 5 days of your departure.
19. Country stone cottages – Some of traditional cottages are over 100 years old. Although they are inspected very carefully, it is natural and understandable that these properties may occasionally be prone to humidity effects.
20. Fuel – Gas, electric and oil is included in the rental price. For properties with open fires/wood burners the provision of logs is detailed in the individual property descriptions in the brochure.
21. Noise and Nuisance – Neither DVC nor the Property Owner can accept responsibility for any noise or nuisance, including building work, outside the boundary of the property, over which they have no control.
22. Smoking – All properties are non-smoking and smoking shall be prohibited at all times.