Terms and Conditions

Please take the time to read the terms and conditions set out below before making your booking at Harbour Cottage. Although they may appear lengthy and rather dull, (holidays are supposed to be exciting!), we have been legally advised to put these terms and conditions in place to ensure a clear and thorough understanding between ourselves as the accommodation provider, and you, the person making the booking. Once you have made a booking, this forms our contract.

Definitions
1.1 Accommodation: means the period of time for which we provide accommodation at the property to you, as set out in the booking and agreed by us.
1.2 Booking charge: the total cost of the accommodation for the agreed duration and the agreed number of guests staying. It does not include the £200 cautionary deposit.
1.3 Booking confirmation: means the communication you will receive following your booking, confirming your arrival date, departure date, details of the booking charge and your deposit. The ‘date of arrival’ means the date shown in the booking confirmation as the commencement date of the holiday period. The ‘date of departure’ means the departure date referred to in the booking confirmation as the date on which you are required to vacate the holiday property. The ‘holiday period’ means the period from 4:00 pm on the commencement date to 09:00 am on the departure date.
1.4 Cautionary deposit: means the monies provided by you and held by us as a deposit to be applied against the reasonable cost of repair and/or replacement of items damaged during your stay.
1.5 Event outside our control: means any act or event beyond our reasonable control, including without limitation, actions or omissions (including, but not limited to, cancellation or failure to provide access to the property) strikes, lock-outs or other industrial action by third parties, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack, war (whether declared or not) or threat or preparation for war, fire, explosion, storm, flood, earthquake, subsidence, epidemic/pandemic or other natural disaster, or failure of public or private telecommunications networks, power networks or water supplies, local building works or roadworks, transport interruptions, delays or cancellations.
1.6 Guests: the permitted number of guests staying at the property as outlined in the booking confirmation.
1.7 Property: means Harbour Cottage and all land, fixtures and fittings belonging to Harbour Cottage.
1.8 Terms: mean the terms and conditions set out in this document, the property specific terms and any other terms provided to you.
1.9 We/Us: means the property/owners/and our authorised agents.
1.10 You: means the person making the booking.

Nature of this Agreement
2.1 By making a booking on our website, by telephone or via email, you are entering into a legal agreement with us. Please note that we will only accept bookings that comply with the government's covid-19 rules and regulations for the time being in force.
2.2 We are providing you with our agreement to use the property and you agree to use the property only in the manner as prescribed in these terms and conditions.
2.3 This holiday let is granted by the owner to you for the purpose of a holiday and is not intended to create the relationship of landlord and tenant between the parties. You shall not be entitled to a tenancy, or to any form of statutory security of tenure either now or when the holiday period ends.
2.4 You agree to take full responsibility for the actions of all persons and pets during your stay.

Booking Charge
3.1 We reserve the right to increase or decrease the price of accommodation at any time, however, we will confirm the price of your stay at the time of booking and this will not change.
3.2 The booking charge is the total cost of the accommodation for the agreed number of nights for the agreed number of guests staying. the refundable cautionary deposit is an additional £200 per stay.
3.3 You must pay one third of the booking charge when placing the booking with us. This payment must be made via bank transfer. The remaining amount plus the cautionary deposit is payable no later than 8 weeks prior to arrival. please refer to our cancellation terms.
3.4 Bank transfers must be in cleared funds by the deadlines for payment as set out in this agreement. Cheques may not be used for payment.
3.5 Any bank or transfer charges shall be borne by you.
3.6 Payment may only be made in UK sterling.
3.7 The remaining balance plus cautionary deposit must be paid by bank transfer at least 8 weeks before your arrival date as specified in the booking confirmation.
3.8 Where a booking is made less than 8 weeks prior to the arrival date the entire booking charge plus cautionary deposit is payable immediately. Payment by bank transfer will only be accepted.
3.9 If you do not pay us for the accommodation by the date specified, and by the accepted payment terms, access to accommodation will not be permitted and we may cancel your booking and terminate this contract. The deposit will not be refunded.
3.10 When you submit the booking request to us, it does not automatically guarantee acceptance. Our acceptance of the booking will take place when we send you the booking confirmation subject to all requisite payments being made, your identity verified, and other pertinent details requested in initial emails. If we are unable to supply you with the accommodation, we will inform you of this in writing and we will not process the booking.
3.11 You are confirming that you are over the age of 18.

The Cautionary Deposit
4.1 the cautionary deposit is £200 for all stays and must be paid no later than 8 weeks prior to arrival by bank transfer.
4.2 If when you leave there has been no damage or loss caused to our property and there has been full compliance with our terms and conditions and policies we will arrange to refund your deposit within 7 days.
4.3 If when you leave damage or loss has been identified to our property we will deduct the cautionary deposit by the appropriate amount. We will advise you in writing of the amount before making any deductions. The cautionary deposit will be held by Harbour Cottage to be applied against the costs of miscellaneous repairs and/or replacement, excessive or incorrect use of facilities [including, but not limited to, internet, labour and administration time, and additional cleaning of furnishings, kitchen equipment [including bbq], damage to land, crockery, glass, bedding and towels damaged or soiled otherwise than by usual wear and tear during the holiday period by you or other members of your party.

Information Relating to Your Stay
5.1. Check in is any time after 4pm on the day of your arrival. You must check-out by 09:00 am on the agreed scheduled departure date. If you require an early check in or a later departure, this must be agreed in writing with us when making the booking. This is not guaranteed and will not be available during the covid-19 restriction period.
5.2 Failure to comply with the check-in and check-out periods will result in you being charged a further day's charge. This will be deducted from the cautionary deposit or otherwise.
5.3 You must inform us of the number and names of guests staying with you prior to your arrival. If any of your guest numbers change you must inform us immediately prior to your arrival so that we can confirm our agreement.
5.3.1 The maximum number of guests permitted is four plus one infant under the age of twelve months at the time of the holiday.
5.3.2 Should it be discovered that additional unauthorised guests or pets are staying within the property or grounds the group will be evicted due to breach of contract.
5.3 You must allow us access to the property at all reasonable times and in the case of emergency at all times with or without you being present.
5.4 No more than 2 dogs are permitted in the property at one time, any damage caused by your pets will be charged for and deducted from your cautionary deposit. Please do not leave children or pets alone or unsupervised in the property at any time during your stay.
5.4.1 Pets are not permitted in the bedrooms or on the furniture. should you wish your pet to access the bedrooms and furniture please contact us prior to booking, and an agreement for you to supply your own throws and cushions for the sofas, and for you to supply and use your own bedding and towels may be made.
5.4.2 For the safety and comfort of your dog we request that owners exercise due diligence at all times, the property is located near a road/water/other pets in a neighbouring property and you may need to keep your dog on a lead. The property owner cannot accept responsibility for the safety of your pet.
5.4.3 We request that you bring your own pet provision, including bedding. One dog water bowl is provided.
5.4.4 Please ensure that you bring provisions to ensure that your pet is clean and dry before entering the property after being outside.
5.4.5 In the interests of hygiene, health and safety and out of consideration for other it is important that you clean-up after your pet and dispose of any mess in a sanitary and responsible manner.
5.4.6 You are responsible for any damage caused by your pet, whether inside or outside the property. if extra cleaning is required as a result of you having pets in the property, this may be deducted from your cautionary deposit.
5.5 Smoking [including the use of vaping or electronic cigarettes] is strictly prohibited at the property.
5.6 Broadband internet is provided on the basis that we can not promise that the service will be available constantly and that it is provided for recreational and not for business use. Neither a minimum speed, unrestricted bandwidth nor uninterrupted provision of an internet access service can be guaranteed nor we will not be liable for any form of compensation or expenses claimed by you or any guest in respect of the provision of internet services.
5.7 We cannot accept responsibility or pay any compensation where the holiday let is frustrated in circumstances amounting to force majeure, including events such as the destruction and damage of the holiday property through fire, flood, explosion, storm or weather damage or adverse weather conditions, neighbouring building works, burglary, criminal damage, riot or civil strife, industrial action, natural or nuclear disaster, war or threat of war, actual or threatened terrorist activity, non-availability of public transport, destruction/interruption of utility services including wifi and internet , epidemic/pandemic, temporary invasion by pests and/or similar situations beyond our control, either before the commencement date or during the holiday period. the guest is aware that internet speeds can vary.
5.8 No liability is accepted by Harbour Cottage for access difficulties to the holiday property caused by weather conditions affecting public roads. During adverse weather conditions road conditions can change rapidly, therefore you are strongly advised to seek the latest information relating to access prior to setting off on your journey. You are advised to take out comprehensive holiday insurance.
5.9 We will issue you with a set of keys on your arrival date and you must return these to us in the key safe by 09:00am on your departure date unless otherwise agreed when making the booking. You must ensure the key safe is securely closed and numbers rotated. Failure to return keys will result in the locks being changed and deductions for all work and time being deducted from your cautionary deposit.
5.10 The cost of your accommodation includes reasonable use of electricity and gas. In the unlikely event of excessive use or gas or electricity, we reserve our right to charge you as applicable.
5.11 You may not charge an electric or hybrid motor vehicle from Harbour Cottage. Local vehicle charging points are listed in the cottage information. alnwick-charging-points
5.12 The cost of your accommodation includes use of linen and towels. For stays longer than seven days, a mid stay property clean, and/or linen/towel changes can be requested at the time of booking. At short notice, the availability of such additional items are not guaranteed. Should additional cleaning and/or linen/towel changes be required, these will be chargeable.
5.13 A travel cot and high chair can be included on request. The guests use these items at their own risk.
5.14 We will not be responsible for providing consumable items or food and drinks. Complimentary items such as toilet rolls, bin bags, washing up liquid and dishwasher tablets will be provided at the start of your stay subject to availability; there will not be sufficient for your entire stay; Harbour Cottage is offered as a self catering holiday.
5.24 You acknowledge that your personal property, including any objects, equipment, furniture, stock, or other property of any sort will remain under your control and care whilst you use our property, and that you are in the best position to insure such property, and accordingly it is reasonable for us to exclude liability for such property.
5.25 We cannot accept responsibility for any equipment, that is left unattended, during or after your stay.
5.26 We will retain any forgotten items at the property for a period of 28 days from the departure date. Items will be returned to you if requested at a cost of £25:00 plus postage and packaging. We can not accept responsibility for the safe carriage of any items returned. Items of food and drink will not be returned and should not be left at the property.
5.27 The use of these amenities is on the basis that you use them entirely at your own risk and we accept no responsibility for injury, loss or damage to you or your guests, and children and pets must be accompanied at all times.
5.28 You are required to put refuse/recycling bins out on the road to the front of the cottage or, near the road by the telephone box, so that it is accessible by the refuse lorry on the appropriate day and you are responsible for ensuring waste is collected by the local authority. Please note that glass is not accepted in the recycling bin, but can be disposed of at the recycling point in the main car park in Craster. Failure to ensure that the refuse is collected, or glass left in the property or outside near Harbour Cottage waste bins will result in charges being withheld from the cautionary deposit.

Damage and Replacing Items
6.1 You shall ensure that there is no damage or interference caused to any of the fire extinguishers, fire blankets or smoke alarms except in case of an emergency. If any damage is caused this must be reported immediately in writing.
6.2 During your period of stay, you shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure that no damage occurs to the property. When you are booking the property you agree that the cost of replacing damaged or lost items/property will be charged to you at the current rate of replacement [new for old]. Where items are no longer available, you agree to replacement of items to be with an item of similar quality.
6.3 When you arrive at the property, if you identify any damage it is important you notify us immediately upon arrival in writing by email. If you do not, when you leave the property, we could charge you for the damage as it will be assumed that you caused it. If no report of damage is made upon arrival you are accepting the condition of the property as per the inventory and inspection check carried out by housekeeping prior to your arrival and you are responsible for any damage/labour costs as a result of your stay.
6.4 You are not allowed to fix any items to the floors, walls or ceilings or any other interior part of the property by means of nails, screws, drawing pins, sellotape, tape, glue or staples or any other means.
6.5 Any damage or loss caused must be reported immediately in writing by email to us. We will then acknowledge your email and where required advise you of the replacement costs.
6.6 If you lose your set of keys you must contact us immediately. We will arrange for a new set of keys to be sent to you as soon as is possible and reserve our right to charge you for a replacement key and an additional charge of £25 per hour for the housekeeper to arrange this.

Conduct
7.1 You must refrain from any conduct or behaviour that would bring us any disrepute or nuisance/discomfort/risk to others. You are responsible for all of your guests and must ensure they also comply with these terms and conditions.
7.2 You must not carry out or permit any act that would make any insurance policy on the property void or voidable or increase the premium [including over-occupancy of the property].
7.3 You must keep and leave the holiday property and furnishings, kitchen equipment [including bbq], land, crockery, glasses, bedding and towels clean and in good condition and be responsible for the cost of repairing any damage.

General Booking Conditions
8.1 By acceptance of these conditions, you indemnify us against any loss, claim, damage, costs or expenses suffered by or made against us however and by whomsoever caused (including but not limited to the negligence by you, your servants or agents) arising from your booking subject to the extent to which such loss, claim, damage, costs or expenses arise wholly or in part from negligence on our part.
8.2 Nothing in this agreement confers any right on any person (other than parties hereto) pursuant to the contracts (rights of third parties) act 1999.
8.3 Nothing in this agreement shall create a partnership or establish a relationship of principal or agent or any other fiduciary relationship between the parties.
8.4 No variation of this agreement shall be valid or effective unless it is in writing, refers to this agreement and is duly signed or executed by, or on behalf of, each party.
8.5 No party may assign, subcontract or encumber any right or obligation under the agreement, in whole or in part, without the other party’s prior written consent.
8.6 We both agree that all communications made in connection with this agreement shall be made electronically or in writing.
8.7 This agreement sets out the entire agreement and understanding between us and you in connection with the services (except for any terms and conditions which may be contained in any future agreement to be made between us and you).
8.8 The parties irrevocably agree that the courts of england and wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of, or in connection with, this agreement, its subject matter or formation (including non-contractual disputes or claims).

Our Liability to You
9.1 If we fail to comply with these terms, we are responsible for loss or damage you suffer that is a foreseeable result of our breach of the terms or our negligence, but we are not responsible for any loss or damage that is not foreseeable. Loss or damage is foreseeable if they were an obvious consequence of our breach or if they were contemplated by you and us at the time we entered into this contract. For the avoidance of doubt, we are not responsible for any transport and/or alternative accommodation costs.
9.2 We only supply the accommodation for domestic and private use. You agree not to use the accommodation for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose, and we have no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity. If you do wish to use the property for a commercial purpose, please contact us.
9.3 We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability for:
death or personal injury caused by our negligence or the negligence of our employees, agents or subcontractors;
fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
breach of the terms of the supply of goods and accommodation act 1982 (title and quiet possession);
breach of the terms of the supply of goods and accommodation act 1982 (description, satisfactory quality, fitness for purpose and samples); and
defective products under the consumer protection act 1987.
9.4 We do not have any responsibility or liability to you (other than as outlined above) for loss of or damage to any of your items, belongings or vehicles, howsoever caused.
9.5 Whilst we keep our illustrations, photographs and other images as up to date as possible, any illustrations, photographs and other imagery displayed are for illustrative purposes only and subject to change.

Cancellation Policy and Applicable Refund
10.1 If you wish to cancel your booking you must notify us in writing by email immediately of your wish to cancel.
10.2 Whilst we will try our hardest to accommodate any changes you might wish to make, if this is not possible, we will charge you as per the schedule below.
10.3 If you cancel your booking your cautionary deposit will be automatically refunded however, for refunds of the total cost of the accommodation please refer to the following schedule:
for cancellations made more than 24 weeks prior to arrival the full deposit will be refunded to you [minus a £100 administration fee].
for cancellations made between 24 weeks prior to arrival and 8 weeks prior to arrival 100% of the deposit will be retained.
for cancellations made within 8 weeks of the scheduled arrival date, there will be no refund. In such cases and as a gesture of good will, if the accommodation is subsequently re-booked by a new guest, the balance will be refunded minus the deposit. This is discretionary and not guaranteed.
10.4 We may have to cancel a booking before the start date, due to an event outside our control or the unavailability of key personnel or key materials without which we cannot provide the accommodation. We will promptly contact you if this happens.
10.5 If we have to cancel a booking under clause 10.4 and you have made any payment in advance for accommodation that has not been provided to you, we will refund this amount to you.
10.8 We may cancel the contract for accommodation at any time with immediate effect by giving you written notice if:
10.8.1 You do not pay us when you are supposed to.
10.8.2. If you or your guests are in quarantine and/or unable to travel due to illness. This will be treated as a normal cancellation and you should claim on your own travel insurance. No transfer or refund will be offered.
10.8.3. You break the contract in any material way.

Events Outside our Control
12.1 We will make every effort to make the accommodation available to you on time. However, there may be delays due to an event outside our control.
12.2 We will not be liable or responsible for any failure to perform, or delay in performance of, any of our obligations under these terms that is caused by an event outside our control.
12.3 We cannot accept responsibility or pay any compensation where the holiday let is frustrated in circumstances amounting to force majeure, including events such as the destruction and damage of the holiday property through fire, flood, explosion, storm or weather damage or adverse weather conditions, neighbouring building works, burglary, criminal damage, riot or civil strife, industrial action, natural or nuclear disaster, war or threat of war, actual or threatened terrorist activity, non-availability of public transport, destruction/interruption of utility services including WiFi and internet, epidemic/pandemic, temporary invasion by pests and/or similar situations beyond our control, either before the commencement date or during the holiday period. The guest is aware that internet speeds can vary.
12.4 No liability is accepted by us for access difficulties to the holiday property caused by weather conditions affecting public roads. adverse weather conditions may affect public roads to the property, however, road conditions can change rapidly. Therefore you are strongly advised to seek the latest information relating to access prior to setting off on your journey. You are advised to take comprehensive holiday insurance.

Information About us and how to Contact Us
13.1 Within the property you will be able to access property information folders. These contain important information relating to your stay. It is imperative that you familiarise yourself with the equipment at the property using these folders because they contain information such as how to operate the cooker, gas fire, and under floor heating.
13.2 If you have any questions or if you have any complaints, please contact us. You can contact us by using the online enquiries form or by email info@harbourcottagecraster.co.uk If you wish to contact us in writing, or if any clause in these terms requires you to give us notice in writing (for example, to cancel the contract), you can send this to us by emailing us at info@harbourcottagecraster.co.uk. We will confirm receipt of this by email. If we have to contact you or give you notice in writing, we will do so by email to the address you provide to us in the booking.
13.3 If you experience any difficulties during your stay please contact us on the numbers provided above and follow up by sending us an email. Important service provider numbers are available for you in the property information folders within the property.
13.4 Where you are experiencing any problems, we will arrange to come out to the property. if however we are called out and identify no problems, then we will charge a call out charge of £25:00 per hour. This will be deducted from the cautionary deposit.

How we may use your Personal Information
14.1 Data is collected and stored in compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and, unless we are obliged by law to do so, your data will not be disclosed to third parties.
14.2 We will use the personal information you provide to us to:
provide the accommodation
for anti-fraud measures
process your payment for accommodation
inform you about future special offers. You may stop receiving these at any time by contacting us.

Other Important Terms
15.1 We will provide you with comprehensive arrival and house instructions for your reference. These guides will contain all the information required to enjoy your stay, such as the key safe code, and WiFi code. In the interests of security, you agree to keep such sensitive information confidential and will not print or discuss the contents with anyone not included in the booking party.
15.2 This contract is between you and us. However, you acknowledge that the owner may enforce any and all of the terms of this agreement.
15.3 Except as otherwise outlined in this agreement, no other person shall have any rights to enforce any of its terms. No-one other than such individuals as listed in the booking may enjoy the accommodation.