1. Contract
• The contract to hire Pear Cottage or Meadow Cottage as listed in the enclosed information sheets incorporates conditions 1 to 29 below and is between us and you as the hirer. The contract does not take effect until we despatch written confirmation of your booking to you (via email unless requested otherwise). The contract is made in England and is governed in all respects by English Law
2. Hire Terms
• The prices quoted in the information sheets relate to all contracts made up to December 31 (of the year to which the prices relate). Any holiday bookings made for periods after this time are subject to price change
3. Booking Alterations
• It may be possible to alter any of your holiday arrangements after your booking has been confirmed, you must notify us in writing and we will do our best to help. The names of guests on the booking form must be the only persons staying during the rental period. Any changes should be notified to us in writing prior to the rental period (see paragraph 16 below). We do not allow sub letting of the properties
4. Number of Persons
• The maximum number of persons allowed in either Cottage is five. Additional persons may not be accommodated. Unless we are informed of the no. of persons on the booking form there may not be sufficient linen etc provided.
5. Restrictions
• Strictly NO SMOKING and NO PETS (except service pets) are permitted in the cottages
6. Deposits (Please refer to section 22 below regarding the Damage Deposit)
• Provisional bookings may be made by phone. The provisional booking is held until a deposit of £50 per week (or part week) is received, together with the booking form. If the deposit has not been received after one week from making the provisional booking, the period booked becomes vacant and may be allocated to another customer. All reasonable efforts will be made to contact you first to see if you still wish to proceed with the booking in this event. Upon receipt of the deposit, an acknowledgement will be sent to you by email to indicate confirmation of booking and will be deemed to be acceptance of these conditions
• The deposit is non-returnable unless the booking cannot be confirmed, in which case it will be returned. Please read cancellations below in paragraph 11
7. Late Bookings
• If a booking is made less than thirty days before the holiday start date, full payment must be sent with the booking form. Upon receipt of this an acknowledgement will be sent via email within one working day (this being deemed to be acceptance of these conditions) together with all final details. In the event that the booking cannot be confirmed, the full payment will be returned. It is your responsibility to inform us of non-receipt of final details
8. Balance Outstanding
Payment on arrival is accepted by cheque (with valid guarantee card), All major debit/credit cards, or cash
( All payments must be paid in Pound sterling)
9. Payment
• Cheques should be made payable to "Hill Top Farm Cottages" we reserve the right to recover any bank charges incurred in handling dishonoured cheques. In no circumstances are post dated cheques acceptable
10. Final details
• Final details consist of directions to Hill Top Farm. Keys are to be collected from the farm house on arrival. A description of cottage instructions and rules is available in each cottage. It is your responsibility to read these and notify us of any misunderstanding
11. Booking Cancellation
• To cancel your booking you must immediately notify us in writing by recorded delivery post and enclose your booking confirmation. We will endeavor to re-let the property on the same hire terms but unless such re-let is obtained you will remain responsible for the full payment of the hire period
12. Keys and damage to property
• The keys to the cottage can be collected from the farmhouse on arrival. Should your arrival time be within unsociable hours 9pm - 7am please let us know at the time of booking. They must be handed back to us at the end of your stay. The hirer is responsible for any damages other than "wear and tear". Please refer to section 22 below regarding the Damage Deposit
13. Occupation
• Unless otherwise stated on your booking confirmation, the normal time of occupation is after 3pm on the hire start date. Occupation before 3pm will not be allowed unless prior permission has been given. If we are prevented by circumstances beyond our control from making the cottage available and cannot provide a suitable alternative, we will refund all monies paid by you but no further liability will be accepted
14. Departure
• The cottage must be vacated by 11 am on the final day of hire except for Sundays which is 1pm
15. Minors
• Booking from persons under the age of eighteen years cannot be accepted
16. Unsuitable Hirers
• We reserve the right to decline to accept a booking or refuse to hand over the keys to any persons or group where in our opinion the facilities are not suitable for the person or any group member on the grounds of age, ill health, disability, inexperience or any other reason. In such cases all sums paid shall be refunded in full and the contract shall be discharged without further liability on either party. We reserve the right to repossess the cottage at any time where damage has been caused by you or any member of your party or in our opinion is likely to be caused by you or any member of your party. In such cases we shall not be liable to make a refund of any portion of the hire terms paid
17. Modifications and Descriptions
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the description of the cottages and any other descriptions (including those of surrounding areas etc) contained in the information sheets and website pages are correct. We reserve the right to make modifications to the cottage specifications that are considered necessary in the light of operating requirements. In the interests of continued improvement, we reserve the right to alter or delete furniture, fittings, amenities or facilities, either advertised or previously available, without prior notice. If material changes occur after your booking is confirmed we will endeavor to advise you by telephone and, if there is time before your departure, confirm in writing
18. Hirer's Obligations
• You are responsible for the cottage and its equipment during the period of hire and are expected to take all reasonable care of it. The cottage is let fully furnished. Duvets, bed linen & towels are provided (sufficient for the number of people in the party). You are advised to check on arrival and report any shortcomings, damage or missing items immediately to us - so that the matter can be remedied for you. You must undertake to report and pay for any damage caused to the cottage or for equipment lost, damaged, broken or stolen during your period of stay. Unsuitable substitutes are not accepted. All equipment, utensils, etc. must be left in a clean condition at the end of the hire period. This is also true for the general state of the property, including carpets, work surfaces, sinks, bathroom, toilet, etc. - Please refer to section 22 below regarding the Damage Deposit
19. Hirer's Property
• We do not accept any liability for loss of, or damage to, personal effects, baggage, motor car, motor-car accessories, or any other item belonging to you or in your possession
20. Disputes
• If you are not entirely satisfied with the accommodation you should contact us - as detailed on the cottage notice board, immediately to resolve the problem. If, after that, you still feel that the problem has not been resolved to your satisfaction then you must, within seven days of returning from your stay, put your comments in writing to us. Unless this procedure is strictly observed we cannot entertain any claim arising out of the complaint
21. Bed Linen
• Clean duvet covers, bottom sheet and pillowcases will be provided for the double bed and the single beds in the cottages. This will be done on a change of letting only. A spare set will be available for those bookings of 2 weeks and over. We must be informed on the booking form on the exact no. of persons staying otherwise there may be insufficient linen provided
22. Damage deposit
• We will usually ask for a "damage deposit" of £100 (cash, or Cheque (with valid cheque card) upon arrival. It will be refunded at the end of your stay unless there is damage in excess of normal wear and tear, broken glasses plates etc. - for example permanent damage (which includes clearly visible irremovable stains) to furniture / carpets / linen/ utilities etc. It will also be used to pay for excessive cleaning and tidying costs where the cottage has NOT been left in as "close as reasonably possible" condition as found on arrival
• Please note that this clause has only been added to protect the owners, from the very rare occasions (fortunately) where furniture, equipment, contents have been left damaged beyond reasonable repair
23. Equipment Failure
• We regularly check, maintain and replace all equipment in the cottages but occasionally they may fail unexpectedly. Where this equipment (e.g. washing machine, boiler etc) cannot be easily fixed (fuse etc) then we have left our contact no. in the cottage and we will endeavor to sort out any problems as quickly as reasonably possible. The hirer accepts that they may have to accept alternative arrangements
24. Car Parking
• Substantial car parking is available around the farm house (around 100 Yds from the road). However, if you intend to bring more than 2 vehicles please let us know at the time of booking so that we can ensure there is adequate access around horse boxes etc. Please note that whilst every care is taken (no damage so far), this is a working farm with horses in particular moving from the stables to the menage or fields frequently - therefore vehicles parked on the farm are at the owners own risk.
• Please take care when driving around the farm courtyard. The farm gate must be closed whenever entering or leaving the property.
26. Bicycles
• A bicycle stand/rack has been provided at the side of the games & exercise room, sufficient for 4 bicycles. Bicycles are not permitted to be stored in the cottages. A tarpaulin can be provided for weather proofing, however the Hirer is responsible for bringing an adequate bicycle lock. Hill Top Farm Cottages accept no liability for loss or damage to bicycles brought to the farm
27. Games Room
• A key is available for the games room from the farm. It contains an LCD tv (with freeview), Table Fussball, dart board, rowing machine and running machine. It is expected that Hirer's will be courteous to each other when using the facilities. Use of any of the facilities is at the Hirer's own risk and the owners do not accept any liability for injury as a result of use or misuse of the equipment
28. Farm Animal Etiquette
• Please do not feed any of the animals on the farm or go into the fields with them unless given specific (supervised) permission to do so from the owners. They have special diets and incorrect feeding can make them ill. Approaching the cows or horses incorrectly can be very dangerous (The cows (Dexters) are a hardy breed and live outdoors 24/7/365. They have horns and strong mothering instincts towards their calves)).
• The duck and chicken paddock is behind the cottages, so please keep the french doors closed unless using the mesh gates, otherwise you will find the ducks and chickens making themselves at home and a significant mess! Feeding them will encourage them to pester and knock on the windows for more.
• Again, for the removal of doubt, should you enter any of the animal enclosures, Hill Top Farm Cottages and the owners do not accept any liability for injuries that may be incurred
29. Hen and Stag parties
• Sorry, but no Hen/Stag parties. This is a family farm and not a suitable environment.
