General
The owner of the property lets the gite for holiday purposes for the client and the clients party only for the rental period agreed to the client.
The person signing the booking form must be a member of the party intending to occupy, be over eighteen years old, and certify that he or she is authorised to agree the booking conditions on behalf of all persons included on the booking form, including those he or she may substitute or add at a later date.
The client is required to bind other members of the clients party to these terms and conditions and all adult members of the clients party are deemed to have agreed to these terms and conditions prior to any booking being made by the client.
The properties are equipped for a maximum of 8 people at Le Tilleul and 6 people at Le Figuier, and it is not permitted to allow more than that number of people in the properties. The names of each member of the client’s group must be advised on the booking form, together with the ages of any children under the age of 16.
It is expressly stated that unless the client is booking both properties, it is likely that the other property will be occupied by another party, and that the courtyard, swimming pool and poolside furniture will be shared with that party.
Unless both properties are booked by a single party, the house and garden of Le Tilleul are for the exclusive use of the party that has booked Le Tilleul, and the house and garden of Le Figuier are for the exclusive use of the party that has booked Le Figuier. The party booking Le Tilleul will be provided with a key to enable them to gain access to the front garage only of Le Figuier (via the double doors on the lane) to access the bicycles and firewood stored inside. Guests at Le Figuier are advised to keep the internal door to the front garage locked at all times.
Bookings are from Friday 4.30pm to the following Friday 10.00am unless by exception otherwise agreed in writing in advance. This time period, as agreed, constitutes the rental period of the tenancy.
We regret we are unable to accept any bookings from groups of single persons under the age of 25, nor all-female nor all-male groups.
Tenants may not sub-let any part of the property for any reason.
Website
The website, correspondence and any advertising material are offered in good faith, and neither they nor any oral representations made by the owner or any designated agent form part of any agreement. The owner makes no representations as to the state or condition of the property, nor to the position, type or state of furnishings described on or shown in any literature.
Booking
Online or email reservations are held for 10 days, pending receipt of a 25% deposit by cheque payable to Helen Eadie. Receipt of the deposit secures the booking, and will be confirmed to you by email.
An account will be requested for the balance of the rental 8 weeks before the commencement of your holiday, together with directions for getting to the gites, and contact details for the caretaker.
On receiving email confirmation of your reservation, you are requested to print and complete the booking form and a copy of these terms and conditions which will be attached to the email. The completed booking form and a signed agreement to the terms and conditions, along with the 25% deposit must be sent to the following address to secure your booking:
Helen Eadie, 54 Thorley Lane, Bishop's Stortford, Herts CM23 4AD, United Kingdom.
Cancellation By The Client
In the event of cancellation by the client more than 20 weeks in advance of the start date of the rental, the deposit will be refunded by cheque.
In the event of cancellation by the client between 20 weeks and 13 weeks before the planned start date of the rental, 50% of the deposit will be returned by cheque.
In the event of a cancellation by the client between 12 weeks and 6 weeks before the planned start date of the rental, the deposit will be retained.
In the event of cancellation between 20 weeks and 6 weeks before the planned start date of the rental period, the full deposit will be returned if the property is re-let for the full duration of the originally booked rental period. The deposit, less a £25 administration fee, will be refunded by cheque once the full payment has been received by the owner for the replacement booking.
In the event of cancellation by the client within 6 weeks of the start date of the rental, the deposit will only be refunded if the property is successfully re-let for the full duration of the booked rental period, and will be refunded by cheque once the full payment has been received by the owner for the replacement booking. A £50 administration fee will be charged.
Cancellation By The Owner
In the event, for whatever reason, that the property becomes unavailable or is not reasonably fit to be let at or at any time before the commencement of the rental period or during the rental period, the owner will fully refund all monies already paid by the client.
If the cancellation is less than 6 weeks before the start of the rental period, the owner offers to use best endeavours to assist the client in finding suitable alternative accommodation.
In the event of cancellation for any reason, the limit of the owner’s liability is the refund of the sum total of monies paid by the client to the owner to that date.
The owner is not liable to the client or any member of the client’s party or any other party for any consequential losses or damages as a result of cancellation by the owner.
It is highly recommended that the client and each member of the client’s party takes out appropriate and adequate travel insurance.
Arrival Formalities
The client will be welcomed upon arrival and given the keys by the caretaker. Arrival must be between 4.30pm and 6.30pm, unless by prior arrangement, and subject to caretaker's agreement. If arrival is unexpectedly delayed (eg. due to heavy traffic), then the caretaker must be contacted by telephone no later than 3pm to advise an expected arrival time. As the caretaker lives some 20km distant, we cannot guarantee you immediate access to the property if you fail to arrive between 4.30pm and 6.30pm as stated above, nor
Late arrival or early departure for any reason does not constitute a reason for any refund or cancellation.
For long-term rentals it is the responsibility of the client to ensure that any relevant civil registration formalities are executed promptly and properly with the relevant authorities.
Security Deposit and Departure
The security deposit of €300 per property shall be paid upon arrival in cash to the caretaker in Euros. The security deposit will be repaid upon departure in cash, less any additional or premium fees as indicated in these terms and conditions. These additional fees can include repairs or extra cleaning required due to damage, pets, and any additional charge for excess use of pool heating or the pool current machine.
In the event of any breakage or damage, the client must inform the caretaker at the earliest opportunity, and the cost of breakages and damage shall be paid prior to departure if the replacement value can be ascertained at that time. No charge is made for the occasional minor breakage, such as china or glassware, as accidents do sometimes happen.
In the event that a charge is required to be levied to pay for any repairs or extra cleaning, the security deposit will be returned by cheque to the client after the remedial work has been completed.
The owner will add a 10% administration charge to the cost of any additional cleaning, repairs or remedial work should such be required.
In the event that the security deposit is insufficient to cover breakages, damage or any relevant additional fees, these costs shall be paid by cheque to the owner within 14 days of the client being advised of the sum owed.
Breakdowns or defects
Neither the owner nor any designated agents shall be liable for any defect in or the breakdown of any mechanical, electrical or any other item of equipment, goods or property, including the property itself or the swimming pool, but shall upon the receipt of notice of the same use their best endeavours in respect of the properties to effect repairs to or the replacement of any such item within a reasonable time and the client shall not be entitled to any compensation whatsoever in respect thereof.
Swimming Pool
The client notes that the pool is a constant depth of 1.50m (approx. 5ft), so may not suit families with very young children. There is no shallow end, although there are steps across the full width at one end. The pool is in an enclosed courtyard and both gites have direct access through their rear doors.
It is prohibited to interfere with the doors giving access to the courtyard so that they are unable to close securely. The client must note that doing so may constitute a criminal offence under French law, as may leaving a child unsupervised in the swimming pool area.
In principle, the swimming pool is not available at all between October and May, and is closed, covered and winterised during that period. If the client wishes to use the pool during that time, please contact us to enquire about costs and availability.
The swimming pool can be heated upon request for a fixed fee of €80 per week or part week payable upon arrival or during the week. If the heating is requested after the caretaker has left, then it will be switched on at the earliest convenient opportunity. It is not permitted to operate the heater without the express permission of the caretaker.
Unauthorised use of the swimming pool heating will result in a premium charge of €75.
Services, Furniture, Fixtures and Fittings
The full payment of the rental sum entitles the client and the clients party to use of the house and garden for the property booked for the rental period agreed. Electricity, water and gas (for the cooker) are included in the price.
One set of bed linen and towels per week is included in the rental charge for each person booked.
A small amount of basic consumables will also be provided free of charge (washing-up liquid, toilet roll, soap, dishwasher detergent). In addition, as well as a starter pack of basic groceries will be provided for your arrival - bread, jam, milk, tea bags, soft drinks, orange juice. Cooking essentials such as olive oil and vinegar will also be provided.
The owner shall not be liable for any temporary defect or stoppage in the supply of public services or utilities including water or electricity.
The client notes that not all furniture, fittings and furnishings are new, and some are antique. The owner does not represent the property as luxury accommodation but as a family home suitable for rental for holiday purposes at a market price.
During the occupancy, the client is responsible for ensuring that the building, the furniture, the fittings and fixtures, and facilities are used only in the manner for which they were intended. At the end of the rental period, the client is required to leave the cooker, oven, fridge and toilets in the same clean condition in which they were found.
Behaviour and Activities
The client is required to behave in an appropriate manner at all times in the property, and in a manner which does not constitute a nuisance to any other party, and to ensure that others in the clients party, any children in the clients party and any permitted visitors do likewise.
The client, client’s party, any children in the client’s party and any permitted visitors are required to comply with essential house rules for the safe use of the property, the swimming pool and certain equipment and facilities. It is essential, for the client’s safety and for the safety of others, that these rules are obeyed and instructions followed.
The tenant is required to permit the owners, the caretaker and any of their designated agents reasonable access to the property.
No smoking is permitted inside the gites.
No business may be conducted from the property without the express written permission of the owner in advance.
Use of the property and any furniture, fixtures, fittings and facilities are provided entirely at the tenant's risk, and no responsibility is accepted for any injuries to persons or loss or damage to any persons or persons’ property who use the property.
Duplication of any keys for the property is prohibited. If a key is lost or damaged, one will be provided by the caretaker at the earliest convenience.
Under French law, certain activities related to the use of barbecues, wood and open fires, access to and the use of swimming pools are subject to change at short notice. The owner will use best endeavours to provide the latest information in the gites or through a communication from the caretaker in English and French, but we cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this information.
Personal Effects
We are not liable for the theft, loss or damage, howsoever caused, of any of the personal effects of the client, any member of the client’s party and/or any visitor. The owner’s insurance does not cover the personal effects of the client, any member of the client’s party and/or any visitor. The owner highly recommends that appropriate and adequate travel and vacation insurance is taken out by and for the client and each member of the client’s party.
Pets
A maximum of two pets are permitted at each property, subject to prior arrangement at the time of booking. Pets are not permitted in the courtyard area, must be kept quiet and must not present a nuisance to neighbours. Pet excreta must be removed from the garden prior to departure, otherwise a clean-up fee of €50 will be levied and subtracted from the security deposit.
Clients should provide suitable bedding for their pet(s). Pets are not permitted on any furniture or on any blankets or soft furnishings.
An additional cleaning charge of €30 per pet is payable upon arrival.
Miscellaneous
Under no circumstances shall the owner's liability to the client exceed the amount paid to the owner for the rental period.
Failure by the client and/or any member of the client’s party to observe the terms and conditions grants the owner the right to immediately terminate the tenancy without any rebate or refund.
The client and each member of the clients party expressly agrees that he/she shall indemnify and hold harmless the owner, the owner’s agents, representatives and assigns against any and all liabilities, costs and expenses (including legal fees and costs of litigation) which may be incurred in connection with any claims, suits or any cause of action brought by him/her against any third party, or by any third party against him/her, his/her heirs, representatives or assigns regarding injury or loss to person or property sustained by him/her or such third party, directly or indirectly, arising out of activities, acts or omissions, no matter how caused or created, that occur during the course of the tenancy.
In the event of dispute or difference arising under this agreement or arising out of the letting or tenancy the law prevailing in England and Wales shall apply and any such dispute or difference shall be heard and determined by a court in England or Wales of the choosing of the owner.
