Booking Conditions for Cottages

1. CONTRACT

The Contract for a short-term holiday rental shall be made between the Client and Upper Court. The contract will be entered into when Upper Court issues the confirmation form and will be subject to all the following booking conditions.

2. PAYMENT
A deposit of one third of the rental fee is payable if the booking is made more than eight weeks before the commencement of the rental. Non-payment of the balance of the rental on or before the due date shall be construed as a cancellation of the contract by the Client. For bookings made less than eight weeks before the commencement of the rental, the total rental fee is payable on sending the Booking Form. For bookings made less than two weeks before the commencement of the rental, no cheques can be accepted. All payments shall be made to H W Herford at the address on the bottom of the Booking Form.

3. CANCELLATION
You should notify us immediately by telephone should you consider it necessary to cancel your holi¬day and this should be followed by written confirmation of the cancellation. Every effort will be made to relet the cottage, and if we are successful you will receive a full refund, less an administration charge of £50 per booking. If we are unsuccessful in reletting the cottage you will be liable to pay the full cost of the holiday, whether or not the final balance of the cost has been paid at the time of cancellation. You are advised to insure against this eventuality. Further details can be provided of appropriate insurers' on request.

4. CANCELLATION INSURANCE

Cancellation Insurance is not compulsory but Upper Court does strongly recommend such insurance cover to protect against the cancellation penalty. Accordingly, a Holiday Insurance proposal form is enclosed with confirmation or you may choose to take out Holiday Insurance through your own insurance broker.

5. VAT

VAT is included in the rental fee.

6. PERIOD OF HIRE

Rentals commence, unless otherwise notified, at 4.00pm on the day of arrival and terminate at 10.00am on the day of departure.

7. NUMBER OF PERSONS USING THE PROPERTY

The number of persons occupying the property must not exceed the maximum number stipulated in the brochure. Upper Court reserves the right to refuse entry to the entire party if this condition is not observed.

8. COMPLAINTS

All complaints must be notified to the owners immediately so that an on the spot investigation can take place and remedial action taken if required.  In no circumstances will compensation be made for complaints raised after the tenancy has ended.

9. CARE OF THE PROPERTY

The Client shall take all reasonable and proper care of the property and its furniture, pictures, fittings and effects in or on the property and leave them in the same state of repair and in the same clean and tidy condition at the end of the rental period as at the beginning.

10. TENANTS OBLIGATIONS

The tenant agrees to:

- take good care of the property and leave it in a clean and tidy condition

- reimburse Upper Court for replacement, repair or extra cleaning costs on demand

- permit the owners or owners agents reasonable access to the property

- not part with possessions of the property or share them except with other booked parties

- not cause an annoyance or become a nuisance to other guests

11. PETS

Upper Court regrets that they do not accept pets, except one dog in the Dovecote. Pets should not be left unattended in the cottage and always be under control due to hens and wildfowl on the lake. Please give prior notification – charge is per night.

12. LIABILITY

Upper Court, its employees and agents does not accept third party liability in respect of breach of contract, negligence, misrepresentation or otherwise.

Upper Court accepts no liability in the event of any accident, injury, loss or damage sustained by any resident, their family, visitors, vehicles or personal effects, howsoever caused.

13. WARRANTIES

Upper Court does not warrant and is not responsible for the accuracy of any verbal information given or statements made by any of its servants or agents.

14. CHILDREN

Guests must accept responsibility for their children's safety, no child may use the swimming pool, take out the boat unaccompanied or use the playground.

15. RIGHTS

Upper Court reserves the right to change any published rates.

Upper Court reserves the right to decline accommodation and to order any unauthorised person off the premises. Upper Court reserves the right to enter premises at any time but will always endeavour to do so when convenient to guests.

16. ELECTRICALS & HEATING

Every cottage has a dishwasher, a microwave, a fridge-freezer, a food processor, a washing machine and tumble dryer, as well as a vacuum cleaner, an ironing board and iron. They are well equipped with cooking utensils, china and glassware, cafetieres to champagne flutes. All cottages have extremely efficient gas central heating.