Booking Conditions 2009

Reservations of all accommodation whether made by telephone, fax, in person, in writing or from the Internet are accepted by Norfolk Country Cottages hereinafter referred to as NCC on the following conditions.

• Contract of hire
  The hiring contract will be between you the Hirer and the Owner of the property for which the booking is made and shall be deemed to be made subject to these Conditions of Hire and governed by English Law. NCC act as Agents for owners, and are not Principals. The Contract of Hire is not effective until NCC despatch to the Hirer written confirmation of the booking. The contract is for the hire of the property for holiday purposes only. We do not accept bookings from Hirers under 18 years of age.
  
  
• Initial Payment
  Bookings will be confirmed upon receipt by NCC of the required deposit payment, which includes our Cancellation Protection Scheme. However, if the booking is made within eight weeks of the holiday commencement date, the full accommodation rental will be required.
  
  
• Balance Payment
  The Balance of the Hire will be due for payment eight weeks before the holiday commencement date. The Owner/NCC reserve the right to cancel a holiday where full payment has not been received less than 21 days before the holiday commencement date. The deposit paid on the booking is non-returnable.
  
  
• Credit Cards
  Deposits for holiday bookings may be made by credit or debit card without additional charge. However, we reserve the right to make a charge of 2% if customers wish to pay their holiday balance by credit card. Where the full amount is paid by credit card in a single transaction there is no charge. All bookings paid for by credit/debit cards are subject to these booking conditions.
  
  
• Value Added Tax
  Where VAT applies to the property rental, it is included in the quoted price at the rate at the time of printing i.e. 15%. All VAT inclusive rentals are subject to change if the rate changes. NCC Confirmation of Booking is not a VAT invoice.
  
  
• Confirmation of Booking
  Once NCC has issued a Confirmation of Booking, you are responsible for the total published price of the property and extras as shown on the confirmation. Amendments to bookings, where applicable, will be subject to a £35 administration fee.
  
  
• Booking Cancellation
  The Cancellation/Curtailment Protection Scheme does not extend to overseas bookings and these visitors are advised to make their own alternative arrangements to ensure cover. If you are forced to cancel your holiday you must inform NCC immediately - see Cancellation/Curtailment Protection Scheme for details of how to make a claim. In all cases of cancellation where the reason for cancellation is not covered by the Cancellation Protection Scheme, the deposit is forfeited.
  
  Our Cancellation Protection Scheme is automatically arranged for you and is included in the cost of your holiday. This protects you for all or part of your responsibility for the balance of hire terms and/or deposit if you cancel for one of the qualifying reasons set out here. A cancellation made for reasons outside these listed on here are not protected in this way, and you will remain liable for full payment unless we are able to re-let all or part of the period booked. It is possible to opt out of this scheme but there is no monetary value to the Hirer and the hire charge will be payable in full.
  
  
• Booking Fee
  NCC charges a booking fee of £20 for the first booking in any calendar year, payable at the time of booking. Additional bookings with the same customer reference where the cottage hire period starts in the same calendar year will not attract a booking fee. A calendar year is defined as 1st January to 31st December.
  
  
• Amenities
  The use of accommodation and amenities, where offered, such as swimming pools, rowing boats, beach huts etc. is entirely at the users’ risk, and no responsibility can be accepted for injury, or loss or damage to user's or visitors’ belongings. However, the Owner/NCC do not seek to exclude or limit legal liability for the negligence of their servants or agents.
  
  
• Party Numbers
  In no circumstances may more than the maximum number of persons, as stated in the brochure occupy a property. Owners reserve the right to refuse admittance if this condition is not observed. In addition, The Owner/NCC reserve the right to refuse or revoke any bookings from parties that may in their opinion (and at their sole discretion) be unsuitable for the property concerned.
  
  
• Your Responsibilities
  For the whole of the period included within your booking, you will be responsible for the property and will be expected to take all reasonable care of it. The property and all equipment and utensils must be left clean and tidy at the end of the hire period.
  
  
• Damage
  All damages and breakages are the legal responsibility of you, the hirer and should be notified to the Owner or Keyholder before the end of your holiday. Their cost shall be refundable on demand. However, minor damage or breakages will not normally be charged but we do reserve the right to charge bad tenants for extra cleaning, breakage or damage beyond what is reasonably expected. The Owner/NCC reserve the right to charge you any additional costs incurred as a consequence and may, at their discretion, refuse future bookings. The Owner/NCC have the right to enter the property (without prior notice if this is not practical or possible) if special circumstances or emergencies arise (for example if repairs need to be carried out).
  
  Any Damages/Security Deposits charged by the owner and administered by the Owner themselves or by NCC will be cashed no more than one week before the holiday start date to allow for bank clearance and reimbursed promptly after the holiday (less any penalties which may be incurred). NCC reserves the right to request payment of a security deposit should it be deemed necessary by the Owner.
  
  The Owner/NCC reserves the right to repossess the Holiday Home at any time, where you or any member of your party has caused damage. The Owner/NCC shall not be liable to make a refund of any remaining portion of the hire terms paid.
  
  
• Customer Service
  If you are dissatisfied with the service you received you should follow the complaints procedure outlined in this brochure in the "Information for You" section of the brochure/website. Any contract shall be governed by English law and interpretation.
  
  
• Literature
  The Owner/NCC take every care to ensure the accuracy of the property descriptions. All information in this brochure and on our website is given in good faith and is believed to be correct at the time of going to press, but the Owner/NCC cannot be held responsible for changes beyond its control, which may become known after publication of this literature. In addition, whilst we describe properties as non-smoking or no pets as instructed by the Home Owner, we cannot guarantee the fact. The Owner/NCC’s description of a cottage shows what amenities that property has but generally does not state what is not in the property. Please be aware that if a property is advertised as having an enclosed garden, this does not necessarily mean a secure garden. It may be enclosed by hedging or open style fencing
  
  Further, the Owner/NCC cannot accept liability for happenings outside its reasonable control, such as breakdown of domestic appliances, plumbing, wiring, temporary invasion of pests, damage resulting from exceptional weather conditions or the owner's negligence resulting in loss, injury or accident.
  
  
• Legal
  In the event of any dispute between parties it shall be referred to the jurisdiction of the English courts only and any actions shall be heard in the court for the area in which the property is located. Any disputes arising between you and The Owner or NCC, if not mutually resolved, can be referred to a single arbitrator agreed, or in the default of such agreement, to the President for the time being of the Law Society or Institute of Arbitrators. In either case, such arbitration would be subject to the provisions of the Arbitration Act of 1996 or any statutory modification thereof for the time being in force. All parties will contribute equally to the cost of Arbitration.
  
  
• Availability
  The Hiring Contract is made on the understanding that the property and its facilities as published will be available for the dates stated. In the unlikely event that a property is not available through events arising outside the control of the Owner/NCC, then the Owner/NCC may be forced to cancel the booking. The Hirer will be advised as early as possible. Where possible, The Hirer will be offered suitable alternative accommodation, which, if not acceptable, will entitle the Hirer to a refund of all monies due. The Hirer will not as a result have any further claims against the Owner/NCC or the owner. Please note that reservation requests taken via our website are not confirmed bookings until we have contacted you and accepted a payment.
  
  This brochure and Booking Conditions supersede previous issues.