2008 Booking Conditions

1. Booking
All bookings must be made through Cornish Horizons (the  trading name of Cornish Horizons Ltd. registered address 1 High Street, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey GU21 2PG, registered no.0470 9085 hereinafter referred to as 'the agents'), who act as agents on behalf of the owner of the Property. The booking is a contract between the owner of the Property and the applicant (the person signing the booking form - known as 'the tenant' during occupation of the Property) for occupation of the Property for a specified period. A booking will only be accepted in writing on the agent's official booking form, accompanied by the specified deposit or full rent (see below) and a contract will exist between the applicant and the owner on receipt by the applicant of written confirmation of the booking from the agents. The agents reserve the right until then to refuse the booking and return any payments made. The tenant understands that their booking details and contact information will be passed to the owner and/or the owner's cleaner and/or caretaker.

2. Authority to sign
The applicant confirms that he or she has read and understood the description of the property being booked as found in the agents current brochure (subject to any amendments on the accompanying addendum / supplement), brochure supplement or website (hereinafter called the 'property details'). The applicant is responsible for the property and ensuring that all members of the party observe these booking conditions and must advise the agents if the applicant is not a member of the party. The applicant must be over eighteen years old.

3. Eligibility and special conditions
Bookings to single sex parties in excess of two or groups of people where the majority of the party are under the age of 25 (in both cases whether for all or part of the period booked) will only be accepted if specifically agreed and, if so, special conditions might apply. The agent and owner also reserve the right to apply such special conditions to other applicants if they consider this to be appropriate. Such special conditions may include the requirement for references or for the payment of a special bond (see clause 17) of an amount to be agreed. The owner is not required to give an explanation for any such requirement.

4. Property description and facilities
The agents make every effort to provide an up-to-date true and accurate description of the property but the tenant accepts that minor differences may arise between the description or photographs and the actual property. All distances are approximate. The tenant is responsible for ensuring the selected property is suitable for their needs and for making any specific requirements/needs known to the agents.

5. Times and duration of letting
Lettings generally run from 3 p.m. on the day of arrival to 10 a.m. on the day of departure unless specified to the contrary in the property details. Changeover days are as specified on the property details, unless otherwise agreed and noted on the applicants booking form.

6. Payment of rent
The full rent is due with bookings made less than 8 weeks in advance. A minimum deposit of 25% of the rent must be included with bookings made more than 8 weeks in advance and the balance must reach the agents at least 8 weeks before commencement of the tenancy (reminders are not sent). Dishonoured cheques or non payment of balances by the due date may be considered as a cancellation. Rents include VAT where applicable.

7. Payments from UK
Payments can be made by: (a) cheque (made out to "Cornish Horizons"); (b) debit card*; (c) credit card* (Note that a non-refundable surcharge of 2.5% is payable when paying by credit card or a non UK debit card); (d) postal order or cash (we do not recommend making cash payments by post). If you wish to make payment by an alternative method please contact us with details. *NB We do not normally accept American Express or Electron cards

8. Overseas payments
Payments from outside UK can be made in one of the following ways: (a) a UK debit card*; (b) credit card or a non UK debit card* (Note that a non-refundable surcharge of 2.5% is payable when paying by credit card or a non UK debit card); (c) cheque drawn on a UK bank and made out in pounds sterling; (d) By bank draft made out in pounds Sterling from a UK bank. *NB We do not normally accept American Express or Electron cards

9. Cancellation
All cancellations must be advised immediately by telephone followed as soon as possible by confirmation in writing. Where the applicant cancels the booking for any reason he/she will remain liable for the full amount of the rent. If, however, the agents are successful in re-letting the period or part thereof they shall return the rent paid for the period which has been re-let, less the following deductions: any reduction in the re-letting rent which the agent has had to make in order to re-let the property; £15.00 (plus VAT) agent's cancellation fee; any expenses incurred by the agent for additional administration or advertising; for overseas payment - any expenses incurred by the agents due to currency cheque negotiation or overseas postage. The applicant is not entitled to require the agents to re-let the property at the full asking rent unless he/she has already paid the full amount of the rent.

10. Property information folder
An information folder is provided in each property with important information about the property, local services and who to contact in case of problems. If missing, tenants must advise the agents immediately. Specific owners conditions with which tenants should comply may be included. The inventory included with the folder should be checked by tenants on arrival and any discrepancies reported immediately to the owner or caretaker otherwise the inventory will be deemed to be correct.

11. Changes to a booking
If an applicant wishes to change their booking to another property this will be treated as a cancellation (see above) and a new booking. Applicants wishing to change dates on the same property may do so provided the property is available and the owner is in agreement. In either event a £15.00 (plus VAT) rebooking fee is payable.

12. Non availability of property
If for any reason beyond the owners' control the property is not available for all or part of the period booked (e.g. fire damage) or the property has become unsuitable for holiday letting, the agents will make every reasonable effort to arrange for alternative accommodation. If this is not possible or acceptable to the applicant then the owners' and Cornish Horizons' liability shall be limited to the refund of all rents paid in respect of the period of unavailability.

13. Pets
Pets are only permitted where specified in the property details although some properties will accept an assistance dog. Additional payments are normally required for each pet at a rate per week (or part thereof) and are as specified in the property details. Specific owners rules may apply (e.g. to be excluded from certain areas) and in all cases tenants are to comply with the following rules:
(i) pets are to be kept under control at all times, exercised off the premises and never left alone in the property (as many pets become distressed and can cause damage in these circumstances).
(ii) pets are to be kept off the furniture and are not permitted in bedrooms.
(iii) pets are not to be allowed to mess in the garden and all "accidents" are to be cleaned up immediately. There will be a charge made on discovery of evidence of contravention of these conditions following the tenant's departure. It should be noted that even where pets are not accepted the agents cannot categorically guarantee that there have been no pets at the property or in the grounds.

14. Breach of contract
The owners or agents on their behalf reserve the right to terminate the tenancy, without refund, if there shall be a breach of any of these conditions (this is without prejudice to any of the other rights and remedies available to the owner).

15. Problems or complaints
Any problems or deficiencies with the accommodation or contents should be reported to the owner, caretaker or housekeeper (as appropriate) immediately or at least within 24 hours. Any complaints about the accommodation or failure on the part of the owner, caretaker or housekeeper to rectify problems must be reported to the agents within 24 hours. In both cases a prompt notification by the tenant is required to enable remedial action to be taken. On no account will complaints be accepted or correspondence entered into where complaints are made after the end of the tenancy since no opportunity to take remedial action was allowed.

16. Matters beyond the owners control
Neither the owner nor the agents can be held responsible for matters beyond their control such as:
(i) noise, nuisance or disturbance resulting from building works, noisy neighbours or local events, etc.
(ii) disruption of service from utility suppliers
(iii) closure of shops or amenities described in the property details

17. Security & special bonds
Certain owners require a security bond to be sent with the balance or full payment of the rent. Where required, this will be indicated and the amount specified in the property details. This must be on a totally separate cheque (made out to the owner) as it will be held by the agents un-cashed. It will be returned to the tenant within 28 days of departure, provided that there are no deductions to be made as a result of damage or failure to comply with these booking terms and conditions. If charges have to be made the cheque will be paid in immediately. Any dispute about any deductions must be taken up directly with the owner of the property. A special bond of an amount to be agreed may be required by the owner of any property for bookings made by certain parties. The terms relating to a special bond are the same as those for security bonds except that it will paid in prior to occupation and held in the owner's bank account.

18. Tenants obligations
The tenants agree:
a. To comply with the restrictions noted in the property details (eg. no smoking).
b. To pay the cost of all damage caused by the tenant, or tenant's party, to the structure, grounds, fittings or contents (fair
wear and tear excluded). This is irrespective of whether any security bond paid is sufficient to cover this. This includes repairs, replacements and the cost of extra or special cleaning (e.g. stained carpet). All minor damage such as breakage of
glasses, etc. should be rectified before leaving or, if impossible, should be paid for when the keys are returned.
c. Where electricity is not included in the rent or is not paid by a slot meter (in both cases see property details), to pay for
electricity at cost price. The meter will be read before arrival and the tenant will be asked for payment on departure.
d. To pay for any additional services which might be specified in property details (e.g. telephone calls)
e. To take good care of the property during occupation, to use the property and its contents in a safe and appropriate manner, to read instruction booklets before use of appliances and to leave the property in a clean and tidy condition at the end of the holiday.
f. Not to share the property with anyone who is not a member of the party and not to exceed the total number of people specified on the property details unless agreed in writing.
g. Not to assign, sublet or part with possession of the tenancy without the agents' approval and agreement in writing.
h. To allow the owner or agent reasonable access for the purposes of inspection or repair.
i. Not to cause annoyance or nuisance to occupants of adjoining properties.
j. To comply with the security and safety precautions and rubbish disposal instructions in the property information folder (see above).
k. To leave on time. The tenant will be liable for any extra costs incurred for staying beyond the departure time.
l. At the end of the holiday to return the property keys from whence they came or otherwise as instructed by the agents or the owner and to pay the cost of replacement of any such keys or change of locks as result of the tenant's failure to return the keys.
m. Not to arrive before the arrival time without specific agreement.

19. Personal Property
The owner is not responsible for tenants' personal property either during or after occupation of the property. If items are left behind the tenant should let the agents or owner know as soon as possible so that these can be searched for and returned if found. Reimbursement for postage, packing and any other expenses as well as an administrative charge will normally be required in advance. Items which are not claimed or where postage, packing etc. is unpaid will only be kept for a short period before being disposed of.

20. Insurance
The agents strongly recommend that tenants obtain their own comprehensive insurance cover for their holiday to cover such risks as cancellation, accident or breakdown (application forms can be sent for cancellation plan insurance on request). If the tenant has to cancel their holiday they must advise the agent whether or not they have cancellation insurance. Please note that in general most holiday homes only have standard building and contents insurance which does not include accidental damage cover.

21. The Tenancy and Jurisdiction
The tenant will have the right to occupy the property for a holiday within the meaning of Housing Act 1988 (Schedule 1, paragraph 9). In all disputes and interpretation of this contract English law and jurisdiction will apply. If a court finds that one of these booking conditions is illegal, void or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remainder of the booking conditions will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.

22. Cornish Horizons liability
The agents are not liable for any act, neglect or omission on the part of the owner, the owner's representative or any other person not directly in the agents employ. The agents are not liable for errors or misrepresentation in the property details or other information which has been provided by the owner.