Terms and Conditions

Conditions of Booking

These terms and conditions form a contract between Miller Hill Cottage & the prime guest making the booking. By renting the cottage, guests undertake to keep the property, furniture, fixtures and other items belonging to the cottage in the same state of repair/condition as found at the start of the rental period. 

Payments

Booking Deposit: A 30% deposit is required to reserve the cottage within 3 days of confirmation of the booking. The payment is made by bank transfer. This is 30% of the rental cost only.

Damage Deposit: In addition to the rental cost, a £100 charge is requested at the same time as the balance payment, which is refundable post visit, assuming that the cottage is left in acceptable condition.

Full Payment: If the booking is less than 6 weeks away, then full payment of the rental plus the £100 damage deposit will then be required at the time of booking. 

Balance Payment: Payment of the 70% remainder of the rental cost, plus the £100 damage deposit is required 6 weeks in advance of your arrival date. Regrettably, if we do not receive the final payment within 5 days of the reminder, the booking will be cancelled. The booking will then be treated as a cancellation. Please see the section below – ‘Cancellations’

Welcome, Arrival and Departure

Directions, welcome email and entry details will be send 7 days prior to your arrival.Please arrive between 16:00 and 23:00 (there is a key safe) and leave by 10:00 on the day of departure. The owner prefers to meet all guests on arrival and answer any questions, but this may not always be possible. We therefore provide detailed instructions in the welcome email and cottage pack plus a telephone number for emergencies.

Damages, Breakages and Care of our cottage.

Breakages and accidental damage can happen from time to time. We ask that you report any breakages or damage immediately, so that we can sort them out for our next visitors. Please note that in agreeing to rent Miller Hill Cottage, you are agreeing to be billed for any breakages or damage caused during your stay. Breakages/Damages may be deducted from the damage deposit and or invoiced for any additional amounts required to repair/replace items required to return the cottage to the state as before your arrival.

If during your stay we become concerned as to the extent of any damage, breakages or disturbance, we reserve the right to enter the property and in extreme circumstances may require the guest(s) to vacate the property. If this action is taken, it shall be deemed the rental of the property has immediately come to an end and the guest(s) nor anybody within the group shall not be entitled to a refund or any compensation.

Recycling and waste removal: Guests are required to recycle and dispose of their waste in accordance with the local council’s requirements. These details are left in the cottage and will be very similar to the recycling rules of your own local council. The recycling guidelines are described in the cottage information pack. In addition, due to hygiene and infection control, we ask that guests put their non-recycled rubbish into the black bin at the side of the cottage.

Security: Guests are responsible for the safekeeping of the cottage and the contents; therefore, you must remember to lock all doors and windows. 

Saving the environment: Please consider the environment by switching off lights and keeping the heating at a reasonable level. All electricity and initial supply of coal & logs are all included in the price. If you need more please ask and we can provide at cost. 

Smoking: Please note that smoking is not allowed in any part of any cottage and that cigarette ends must not be put in the inside waste bin but bagged and put in the dog waste bin outside. The rear terrace is a lovely space to have a cigarette and admire the view. 

Cottage equipment and facilities and allergies: The welcome email outlines everything that is provided. We offer extensive ‘extras’ as well as bedding, towels, full kitchen equipment etc. We also provide a welcome pack and our products are likely to contain nuts, gluten and lactose. For those with allergies, if you have any concerns please do ask or do not use the time supplied.

Guests,   Booking details and furry friends.

Numbers of people and pets: The number of persons and pets using the   property, grounds and garden must not exceed the maximum number stated on the   original booking confirmation. We reserve the right to refuse entry if this   condition is not met. Normally we will accept up to 4 small to medium dogs or   3 larger dogs, but any more must be by prior arrangement and noted on the   booking.

Doggie guests: We love to meet your pets as much as you. We   provide doggie treats, bowls and a spare dog blanket. Dogs are allowed   everywhere apart from the bedroom as we have guests who have allergies and   don’t have pets. Dogs are therefore not   allowed in the bedroom and there is a gate for your use. Dogs are   welcome on the furniture that you use a blanket for them to sit on. Dogs are   not to be left unattended in the cottage, unless left in a suitable crate or by prior agreement.   A large crate can be supplied if required. 

The garden and outdoor spaces: Our communications describe the garden as   ‘enclosed’; this does not mean that it is ‘escape proof’ for pets and we   cannot be held responsible if this happens. Guests are very welcome to play   in the shared garden with the dogs, but are reminded that pets must be kept   under control/supervised at all times. Note that the garden will be shared by   the owner’s dogs and they will be in the garden sometimes and we want   everyone to play nicely together. Also guests must clear up any fouling of   gardens and grounds as they occur. There is a specific dog poo bin on the   cottage fence for this use. There is an enclosed totally private terrace at   the back which can also be used by your dogs.

Finally, we aim to be as flexible as possible and wish to welcome all   dogs, however, please discuss any potential issues with your dog’s behaviour   in advance so we can prepare. We know that accidents happen with all dogs,   but dogs with continence problems are not permitted, unless by prior   agreement outlining how the problem will be managed.

Cancellations

If you cancel the holiday: We recommend that you take out a cancellation insurance   policy-just in case. This low cost insurance and will cover your   booking costs and has many other benefits too, in case you need to cancel   your holiday. There are several companies offering this service that you can   find via Google.

If you are not insured and you needed to cancel   your holiday, the   following guidance will be used to determine whether any refund could be made.

Scenario one: If   you have only paid your 30% deposit and notice   of cancellation is given more than 6 weeks prior to the arrival date

1. If the dates can   be filled by another booking: The deposit, minus a £50 admin charge will be refunded. 

2. If the dates can   not be filled by another booking: The entire deposit will be retained 

Scenario Two: If   you have paid for your holiday in full and notice of cancellation is given less than 6 weeks prior to the   arrival date

3. If the dates can   be filled by another booking: The full payment minus the 30% deposit will be refunded

4. If the dates can   not be filled by another booking: The entire payment will be retained, minus the   £100 damage deposit 

In either case, as a good will gesture when there are genuine reasons   for cancellation, some of the retained deposit/payment may be used towards   the cost of another future booking. Any refunds due will only be made once   the replacement booking has been paid for in full.

If we cancel the holiday: We would only cancel your holiday if the   accommodation was unavailable for reasons beyond our control. In such an   instance we would refund you all monies you have paid to us. Our liability   would not extend beyond this refund and does not include any credit card   charges or other losses, such as train fares, etc. Again, these costs would   be covered by holiday insurance, which we encourage you to buy.

Cancellations due to COVID 19: We will only refund a holiday if we have to close the cottage due to national restrictions. If you are subject to local restrictions but the cottage remains open, then from April 2021, our above Ts and Cs will apply. If you become ill with COVID 19 or any other illness and you are unable to use your booking, then the above Ts and Cs will apply. 

Transferring a booking to a different date.

Generally, the procedure above for ‘cancellations’ applies if you want to transfer, but please do get in touch to discuss this as we aim to be as flexible as possible as we understand that people’s circumstances sometimes change beyond their control. We are able to transfer the booking to a different guest as well if this is an option for you. If possible, a date transfer will be offered, but the guest will be made aware of additional charges applicable to cover the change where loss of bookings could be involved. Normally a £50 admin fee will apply as a minimum plus any differences in cost to change a booking.

Complaints.

We work very hard to ensure all our guests have a wonderful holiday and actively ask for feedback as to how we might improve your holiday experience. If, however you have any cause for complaint, please do let the owner, Carole know as soon as reasonably possible so that we can try to rectify the problem during your stay. It is a condition of booking that we are given the opportunity to resolve or rectify any issues you have when you first become aware of the complaint and this must be before your departure. If you don’t raise a complaint that you may have during stay, we regret that we shall not, except in limited circumstances, be liable for complaints raised after the rental period has come to an end. Any complaints must be made in a reasonable manner.

Data Protection (UK GDPR 2018)
Miller Hill Cottage will only use the personal data of the guest(s) for the purpose of processing the booking and for carrying out the company’s obligations in accordance with the contract. We will not pass on your personal data to any 3rd parties and will comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 as the primary law regulating how we use your personal data.

Public Liability Insurance.

Miller Hill cottage has suitable Public liability insurance. Refer to small print section for limitation of liabilities.

SMALL PRINT

Limitation of Liability-THE HIRER’S ATTENTION IS   PARTICULARLY DRAWN TO THIS CONDITION.

This condition sets out the entire financial liability   of the Miller Hill Cottage to the Hirer in respect of:-

1. Any breach of these Conditions.

2. The hire of the Holiday   Accommodation by the guest(s); and any representation, statement or tortuous   act or omission (including negligence) arising under or in connection with   this agreement.

3. All warranties, conditions and   other terms implied by statute or common law are, to the fullest extent   permitted by law, excluded from the Contract and these Conditions. Nothing in   these Conditions limits or excludes the liability of Miller Hill Cottage

4. For death or personal injury   resulting from the negligence for any damage or liability incurred by the   guest(s).

5. Miller Hill Cottage makes every   effort to update the descriptions on its Facebook page or contained with any   supplied documents for any material changes made to the holiday   accommodation, however Miller Hill Cottage shall not be held responsible for   any minor discrepancies in the holiday accommodation from the descriptions on   its Facebook page or contained with any supplied documents, or any changes   made to the holiday accommodation after the date of the booking enquiry. If   Miller Hill Cottage has made any changes to the holiday accommodation which   are material, we shall use reasonable endeavour to notify the guest(s).

6. Miller Hill Cottage shall not be   liable for:-
 (a) any injury;
 (b) any sickness;
 (c) any loss;
 (d) any damage;
 (e) any additional expense;
 (f) any damages for inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by or arising   from traveling to and from the cottage or out of the use or condition of the   holiday accommodation and its appearance, plumbing, gas, oil, electrics,   private water, exceptional weather conditions or negligence. Miller Hill   Cottage shall not be liable for any damage or loss caused to any belongs of   the guest(s) during the hire period.

7. Miller Hill Cottage total liability   in contract, tort (including negligence or breach of statutory duty),   misrepresentation, restitution or otherwise arising in connection with the   performance or contemplated performance of the Contract shall be limited to   the Price.