Terms and Conditions

Yew Tree Cottage Terms and Conditions

In these terms and conditions the following terms have the following meanings:

'Accommodation' means the cottage Yew Tree Cottage, Cranfield Road, Moulsoe, Milton Keynes, MK16 0HL

'Agreement' means the agreement between the owners of Yew Tree Cottage and the Visitor for the holiday rental of Accommodation on these Terms and Conditions;

'Visitor' means the person named in the confirmation invoice.

'Organiser’ means Helen Wilson who is responsible for organising the holiday booking, and whos correspondence address is 17 – 19 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes, MK10 9LD or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

1. Agreement
   1. These Terms and Conditions are also located on our website www.yewtreecottage.biz The making of a booking (unless cancelled within 7 working days of receipt of the confirmation email) will form an agreement on these Terms and Conditions between the Visitor and The Organiser for the holiday rental of the Accommodation.
   2. The Organiser permits the Visitor to occupy the Accommodation for the holiday period shown in the confirmation email together with the use of its contents.
   3. The Visitor will be responsible for all payments and for any damage, other than that covered under the non-refundable accidental damage waiver fee), whether caused by the Visitor or his or her party and shall make his or her party fully aware of these Terms and Conditions.
2. Price Changes
   1. Holiday prices can be reviewed at any time (although this is kept to a minimum) Once prices are reviewed, the price for each Visitor's booking is confirmed on their confirmation invoice.
   2. If the Visitor has booked in advance of the price review, and the price for their holiday has changed as a result of the review, the Organiser will notify the Visitor in writing as soon as possible. The Organiser will then ask the Visitor to confirm the booking at the agreed new price, or confirm that they no longer wish to continue with the booking. Should the Visitor choose not to continue they shall be entitled to a full refund.
   3. If The Organiser has not heard back from the Visitor within 4 weeks it shall notify them again and if it has still not received confirmation within a further 4 weeks it shall have the right to terminate the booking. In such circumstances, The Organiser will only be liable for the return of the deposit. It is important in order for The Organiser to correspond with the Visitor that the Visitor keeps Yew Tree Cottage notified of any changes in their contact details by writing to

Helen Wilson, 17-19 Swanwick Lane, Broughton, Milton Keynes, MK10 9LD

or by calling 07800589792 or e-mailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

3. Booking and Payment Terms
   1. For bookings made 6 weeks or more in advance, the booking for a holiday will be effective when a deposit of at least one third of the holiday price (rounding up to the nearest pound sterling) has been received by Organiser. Up to that time it will be a provisional booking, and provisional bookings are normally held for a maximum of 7 working days. The full balance of the total holiday cost (including any increase made in accordance with these Terms and Conditions) will be payable not later than 6 weeks before the holiday begins.
   2. For bookings made for a holiday less than 6 weeks away, full payment must be made at the time of booking.
   3. The holiday price includes Value Added Tax (VAT). If rates of VAT change from that included in the holiday price The Organiser may amend prices accordingly.
   4. All payments can only be accepted in Pounds Sterling and, a card charge applies for payments all card payments of 3% on the total booking value. Payments are welcomed by bank transfer or cheque to avoid these charges.
   5. The above will vary if bookings are made through Holiday Booking sites, and in these cases the terms and conditions of these individual sites must be adhered to.

4. Cancellation
   1. If a visitor wishes to cancel a booking it must give The Organiser notice in writing as soon as possible. A 100% cancellation charge will be payable. On receipt of the written cancellation The Organiser will endeavour to re-book the Accommodation for the holiday period and, if successful for the whole or part of the period, will refund the relevant proportion of the money paid less £110.00 (one hundred pounds) to cover office administration.
   2. If, following a booking, the full balance is not paid on time, The Organiser shall notify the Visitor. If, after 30 days from the date on which full payment is due, full payment has not been received by The Organiser then they may cancel the holiday booking and the above cancellation charges will apply and the Visitor remains liable for 100% of the holiday cost.
5. Organisers Right to Refuse/Alter
   1. The Organiser may, at its discretion, refuse any booking.
   2. The Organiser may cancel or alter arrangements made for the Visitor whether before or during the holiday period provided that such cancellation or alteration is necessary:
      1. due to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Organiser; or
      2. to perform or complete essential remedial or refurbishment works.
   3. If a booking is altered or cancelled by the Organiser due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, it will take reasonable steps to offer a suitable alternative booking. If The Organiser is not able to offer such an alternative or the Visitor does not accept the alternative offered, The Organiser will return to the Visitor the relevant proportion of the money paid by the Visitor to The Organiser in respect of the Accommodation and will not otherwise be liable for any loss caused by such alteration or cancellation.
   4. If a booking is altered or cancelled by the Organiser in order to perform or complete essential remedial or refurbishment works it shall offer the Visitor an alternative dates to stay or offer a full refund
6. Change of Booking
   1. Transferred bookings are not normally permitted e.g. a change in the Visitor or a transfer from one date to another.
   2. The Organiser may, at its discretion, accept transferred bookings subject to payment of a fee of £100 (one hundred pounds). However, bookings will not normally be accepted within one month of the Visitor's holiday, or from one calendar year to another.
7. Maximum Numbers of Visitors
   1. Occupation must be limited to the maximum number of persons for the Accommodation stated on the Organisers website (or other advertising portals), in the available beds only - no tents, caravans or campervans are allowed. The occupation limits are set in line with the level of services available in each cottage. To exceed the maximum number of persons in the cottage overloads the facilities available which are often not designed or capable of supporting additional usage, and can lead to extensive and expensive damage. As such any over-occupancy is considered to be a serious infringement of the Terms and Conditions and can result in an immediate requirement to vacate the premises, with no refund of monies due, and possible further charges in the event of damage to the facilities caused by excess usage.
8. Services
   1. The holiday price will include all charges for water, electricity and oil. Visitors must comply with the instructions found in the welcome pack in the Accommodation regarding the appropriate fuel for use on open fires or stoves within the Accommodation. Any damage caused by using inappropriate fuel will be charged to the Visitor. Logs will be provided for the first night’s stay (free of charge). Additional logs, kindle and coal will be available at the cottage but we kindly request that visitors make a donation towards these costs at the end of their stay
9. Liability and Loss of Visitor Property
   1. Any Visitor's property found at the Accommodation or on The Organisers property will be subject to the Organisers Policy regarding lost property as described in the welcome pack in the Accommodation. Lost property will normally be disposed of if it is not collected within 6 months and The Organiser may charge a reasonable administration fee to cover the costs of storage and handling of lost property.
10. Pets
    1. Dogs are permitted with prior written consent. When dogs are permitted then a maximum number of two dogs shall apply and only well trained dogs are permitted on condition that they are not allowed upstairs, on the furniture, and especially the beds, nor left unattended in the Accommodation.
    2. Assistance dogs are permitted in the Accommodation and the restrictions and charges described in Clause 10.1 above do not apply to such dogs, however the Visitor must notify The Organiser of the intended presence of any assistance dogs prior to booking.
11. Right of Entry
    1. As with any accommodation, there is a need for on going and occasionally unforeseen work in any Accommodation. The Organiser and its contractors may enter the Accommodation at any reasonable time for reasonable cause. This includes the need to undertake inspections and audits necessary to operate the business, the undertaking of unforeseen (internal and external) remedial repairs together with any annual external re-decoration for which access to the inside of the Accommodation may be required. External windows and doors may be opened during this process.
    2. The Organiser will give the Visitor reasonable notice of such requirements, and aims to restrict the working hours of our contractors where possible so minimal disruption is caused to the Visitors. If this is not possible the Organiser will offer you reasonable compensation for any foreseeable inconvenience or loss of enjoyment caused on that day.
12. Visitor Obligations
    1. The Visitor will be responsible for all payments and for any damage, other than that covered under the non-refundable accidental damage waiver fee (see clause 13.3), whether caused by the Visitor or his or her party and shall make his or her party fully aware of these Terms and Conditions.
    2. The Visitor agrees to keep and leave the Accommodation and its contents in the same state of repair and condition, and in a clean and tidy condition as at the commencement of the booking period (reasonable wear and tear excepted). Excessive untidiness / dirtiness may result in an end of stay cleaning charge being applied.
    3. The Visitor must allow The Organiser and/or its agents to enter the Accommodation to inspect the condition of it, on reasonable notice, except in emergency when immediate access must be granted.
    4. The Visitor must not use the Accommodation or allow its use for any dangerous, offensive, noisy, illegal or immoral activities or carry on there any act that may be a nuisance or annoyance to The Organiser or to any neighbours.
    5. The Visitor and his or her party must comply with any reasonable regulations relating to the Accommodation of which the Visitor has written notice. Such regulations will be found in the welcome folder in the Accommodation, typical examples would include any local conditions regarding parking, waste disposal and recycling.
    6. Smoking is not permitted in any part of the Accommodation and the Visitor and any member of his or her party agrees not to smoke inside the Accommodation.
    7. The use of candles or fireworks by the Visitor or his or her party at the Accommodation is not permitted unless expressly agreed in writing with the Organiser. There are to be no external fires or bonfires.
13. Damages and Security Charge
    1. The Organiser recommends that Visitors hold personal insurance for accidental damage and personal liability.
    2. If on arrival at the Accommodation you discover that anything is damaged then this must be reported to The Organiser immediately otherwise it will be presumed that the damage/loss was caused by the Visitor and a charge will be made.
    3. All bookings will be subject to a non-refundable accidental damage waiver fee, in lieu of being required to lodge a sum of money to cover the cost of accidental damage during your holiday. This charge exempts you from having to pay for any minor accidental damage and/or breakages in, at or to the cottage up to the value of £500 per stay and is payable to us with your final balance.
       This charge is not obligatory and if you prefer not to pay the accidental damage waiver fee, you may pay a refundable damage deposit of £500 at the time of booking. The cost of any damages or breakages up to the value of £500 will be deducted from the deposit and the remainder refunded to you. If no damage or breakages happen during your stay, the deposit will be refunded to you in full within 4 weeks of the end of your stay.
       Whether you pay the non-refundable accidental damage waiver fee or the refundable damage deposit you will be responsible for the cost of any breakages and/or damage caused in excess of £500.
14. Occupation
    1. The Agreement is personal to the Visitor. The Visitor must not use the Accommodation except for the purpose of a holiday by the Visitor and the Visitor's party during the holiday period, and not for any other purpose or longer period.
    2. The maximum occupancy of the Accommodation shall not be exceeded. However The Organiser will always give reasonable consideration to specific requests for use of the Accommodation which may relate to occupancy (for example, a function or celebration). If the Visitor wishes to hold any function or celebrations exceeding the occupancy limit it must first obtain the written permission of The Organiser. If permission is granted, an additional charge will be made.
15. Water Supply
    1. The Organiser cannot accept responsibility for a shortage of water (or other utilities e.g. power cuts, frozen oil) at the Accommodation where this is as a result of a drought, an act or omission of the relevant water services company or for any other reason outside of our reasonable control.
16. Weather
    1. If the Accommodation becomes inaccessible due to bad weather the Organiser will take reasonable steps to inform the Visitor..
17. Comments/Complaints
    1. Every reasonable care will be taken to ensure that the Accommodation is presented to visitors to a high standard. Should the Visitor find on arrival that there is a problem, or cause for complaint, the Visitor should immediately contact The Organiser. Reasonable steps will then be taken to assist the Visitor.
    2. The Organiser is committed to ensuring that any problems or complaints the Visitor may have whilst at the Accommodation are resolved efficiently and promptly, but as such must be given the opportunity to do so. Any refusal to notify The Organiser or refusal of reasonable rectification may affect the Visitor's right to compensation or repayment.
    3. Visitors must provide a contact telephone number and suitable time for The Organiser to communicate with them about problems or complaints. Visitors must allow access to the Accommodation by any staff or contractors of The Organiser to resolve problems or complaints.
18. Arrival and Departure Times
    1. The Visitor and his or her party must arrive after the arrival time (2.00pm on the first day of the holiday period) and depart before the departure time (10:00am on the last day of the holiday period). Any stay that extends over this period will be subject to a charge being made for additional days.
    2. The Visitor will be issued with a set of keys to the Accommodation on the first day of the holiday period and the Visitor must return them on the last day of the holiday period or the date of departure, if earlier. Failure to do so will incur the cost of a replacement set.
19. Rural way of life
    1. The cottage is located in a rural area and any action by the Visitor and his or her party that interrupts or endangers the livelihood of others authorised to use the Accommodation and/or the surrounding land belonging to The Organiser, will constitute a breach of the Agreement by the Visitor.
20. Right to Evict
    1. The Organiser may terminate the Agreement on notice, and in such case the Visitor and his or her party must leave the Accommodation, (without compensation being payable to the Visitor or any member of his or her party) if:
       1. this is deemed necessary by The Organiser where there is a serious breach by the Visitor of the Agreement or the Visitor's or his or her party's behaviour endangers the safety of other visitors or members of staff; or
       2. any complaints are made of anti-social behaviour or unreasonable breakages or damage occurs or smoking restrictions are not observed.
21. Governing Law
    1. The construction, validity and performance of the Agreement shall be governed by the law of England and Wales, and both parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the UK Courts.

Signed: …………………………………………………………………………………

Name (Print): …………………………………………………………………………

Date: ……………………………………………………………………………………