Terms & Conditions

Ivy Cottage, Earl Sterndale, SK17 0BY Terms and conditions of booking

1. Contract: The contract takes effect when payment is received and a booking confirmation is issued showing the confirmed holiday dates.

2. Deposit: A 50% deposit of the holiday cost is payable at the time of booking. This deposit is non-refundable except as outlined below. Bookings made less than six weeks before your arrival date must be paid in full.

3. Balance: The balance must be paid no later than six weeks before the commencement of your holiday. We will send a reminder shortly before the date If the balance is not received by that date we will provide one further reminder by email and if the payment is not subsequently made within 48 hours then this will be treated as a default cancellation. Contact us in good time if you are having any difficulty.

4. Insurance: We strongly advise that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellations. If you choose not to, then you accept responsibility for any loss that you may incur due to your cancellation.

5. Cancellations: All cancellations must be notified in writing preferably email. If you cancel your holiday more than 6 weeks before it is due to start, then your deposit is forfeit unless we relet the property for the dates affected. We will use our best endeavours to relet the property for the dates cancelled. If the property is relet by us or our agent, we will refund your deposit.

6. Cancellation Refund: Your booking will not be cancelled by the owner save in exceptional circumstances beyond our control. Notification will be given of the cancellation as soon as possible and we will promptly refund all payments made for your holiday. Our liability for cancellation will be limited to payments made to us and no other expenses you may have incurred.

7. Parties: No special occasion parties or events such as stag or hen parties. The maximum number of people using the accommodation at any time must not exceed 5. We reserve the right to terminate the booking without notice and without refund in case of a breach of this condition.

8. Visitors: If you wish to have visitors during your stay, the maximum number of people in the property must not exceed five. We would appreciate if you would let us know about any temporary overnight visitors additional to your original booking and there will be no charge as you have the use of the whole cottage.

9. Bookings: Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under eighteen years of age. The property is unsuitable for children between 1 and 5 years of age due to the nature of our furnishings. Please check with us if you are unsure about the suitability of the cottage for young children for any reason.

10. Maintenance: We or our representatives reserve the right to enter the property at any time to undertake essential maintenance, repair or for inspection.

11. Arrival/Departure: Tenancies normally commence at 4.00 pm unless otherwise agreed and guests are required to vacate the cottage by 10.00 am on the day of departure.

12. Smoking: There is a strict no vaping or smoking rule anywhere on the premises including the garden. This must be strictly adhered to for fire prevention and insurance purposes and in order to keep the cottage and garden pleasant for subsequent guests and our neighbours.

13. Dogs: A maximum of two small or mediium sized dogs are allowed at one time. There is no additional charge. Please don’t let dogs onto the furniture, especially sofas and beds. In the conservatory please put your own blanket or rug down first to prevent soiling. Please make sure your dog is towelled clean before coming into the property. Please do not allow dogs to use the garden as a toilet.

14. Damage to property: In making a booking you accept responsibility for any theft, breakage or damage caused by you, pets or any member of your party and agree to indemnify us in full for any loss that we may incur as a result. Small breakages ie mug, glass, plate etc we ask you to report and leave a contribution towards replacement at your discretion.

15. Damages and breakages: Please treat the facilities and accommodation with due care so that other guests may continue to enjoy them. If you notice something is missing or damaged eg light buibs, batteries etc, please make a note in the damage/breakages report book for minor issues. Anything major please let us know promptly, You may be charged for any significant loss or damage caused by guests.

16. Furniture: Please do not move any furniture from one room to another or otherwise rearrange.

17. Security: Please lock the doors and close the windows when you leave the property unoccupied and on departure.

18. Central heating etc: The central heating is on a timed programme set to a comfortable background temperature. There are several stand alone additional heaters as a supplement if required plus a woodburning stove and a stock of wood is provided. Please contact us if you have any issues in this regard during your stay. We can respond to individual requirements.

19. Cleaning: The owner reserves the right to make a charge to cover additional cleaning costs if the guest leaves the property in an unacceptable condition. This does not include routine cleaning and preparation for incoming guests.

20. Keys: Instructions for keys will be provided prior to arrival and arrangements for return are set out in the cottage.

21. Subletting: Guests may in no circumstances re-let, sublet or part with possession of the property during the letting.

22. Defects etc: Should any small appliances malfunction during your stay we will replace them as soon as possible or in the case of larger appliances arrange for repairs as soon as possible. If appropriate we may offer compensation at our discretion for any inconvenience or discomfort arising.

23. Guests’ property: We as owners are not responsible for the loss of any personal belongings or valuables of any of the guests. We will return any property left behind if required on payment of postage.

24. Inventory: All inventory must remain in the property and not be taken to another property. Please take care with any items left around the property and do not use any bowl, jug, container, furniture or fitting for an inappropriate purpose. Many items are antique and are left in the property to add to its character.

25. Safety: Guests are responsible for the safety and security of their children at all times. Never leave children without adult supervision.

26. Parking: Roadside parking outside the cottage.

27. Noise: Please respect the community and keep noise levels to a minimum, especially between 10 pm and 8 am.

28 Termination: We reserve the right to terminate a holiday without compensation where the unreasonable behaviour of any guest significantly affects the enjoyment, comfort or health and safety of others.

29. Check-out: Check-out is by 10.00 am on the day of departure. Please ensure all beds are stripped and towels which have been used are placed in the bath, leaving unused towels folded in the rooms. Please empty all bins and the dishwasher.

30. Complaints/Issues: Any problem or complaint which the client may have concerning their holiday must be immediately reported directly to us by any means upon which we will endeavour to put matters right.

31. Amendments: We reserve the right to make reasonable amendments or additions to these terms and conditions without notice.

This property is privately owned and is a longstanding family home. We hope all guests enjoy the facilities and treat the property with the same respect that they would with their own home.

We would encourage guests to read the green folder we leave prominently in the cottage which covers many of the above issues in more detail and offers information on facilities and visitor attractions.