Contract of Hire
1. Period of Hire. Guests are asked to arrive after 4pm on the day of arrival and to depart by 10am on the day of departure, unless alternative arrangements have been made with the Owners.
2. Booking & Payment. A firm booking is made following confirmation of availability and receipt of the deposit. A deposit of £250 for each rental week is payable when a booking is made. The hire charge shall be payable 6 weeks before the commencement of the letting period. If it is not received by this date then the Owners will be entitled to re-let for the period and the deposit will be forfeited by the Client. For bookings made less than 6 weeks in advance, full payment is required at time of booking, together with the deposit.
Once the booking is confirmed by the Owners the Client is responsible for the full hire charge.
3. Cancellations. Should a cancellation be made by the Client the deposit will be forfeited. If cancellation occurs less than 6 weeks prior to hire then the entire hire fee will be forfeited by the Client.
4. Availability. If the house cannot be made available for the period booked due to events beyond the Owners' control and the Owners are forced to cancel the booking, the whole of the hire charge and the deposit will be refunded and the Client will have no further claim against the Owners. Clients are strongly advised to take out a Holiday Cancellation Insurance Policy.
5. Services. Reasonable use of electricity, gas and firewood are all included in the weekly tariffs as are sheets, duvets and towels for 6 people. A charge will be made for excessive use of electricity, gas or firewood and if additional linen is used. The BT Broadband service may be used free of charge. The BT landline may be used for local calls. Any international calls or exceptional charges will be billed separately if incurred, as itemised on the BT bill when received.
6. Persons using the property. The number of persons occupying the property should not exceed six, with no children under the age of 5. The Client should be a member of the party intending to occupy the property or should notify the Owners if this is not the case, in which case the Client agrees to take responsibility for the party occupying the property. Subletting is strictly prohibited. If a discount has been offered for reduced occupancy, then the house should not be occupied by more than the number of persons indicated on the booking, unless otherwise notified to the Owners.
7. Complaints & Problems. Should there be any problem or cause for complaint during a period of letting, please contact the Owners as soon as possible and we will attempt to fix the problem.
8. Breakage or Damage. For the benefit of the next client staying in the house, please advise the Owners of any breakage or damage that occurs during your stay, or that is obvious from a previous guest. There is no charge for minor breakages or damage which occurs as a result of normal use, but the Owners reserve the right to make an appropriate deduction from the deposit or to demand further payment for major damage or breakages which occur as a result of undue care of property.
9. Care of Property. The Client shall take reasonable and proper care of the property, its furniture, pictures, fittings and effects in or on the property and leave them in the same clean and tidy condition and state of repair at the end of the letting period as at the beginning. The Client is not to cause undue noise or disruption to neighbours.
10. Pets. Unfortunately, we do not allow dogs or any other pets in the house.
11. Smokers. We would appreciate it if you could refrain from smoking indoors.
12. Liability. The Owners shall have no liability for any death, personal injury, damage or loss of personal property unless this results from our own negligence.
13. Right of Entry. The Owners reserve the right of entry to the property at all reasonable times for the purposes of inspection or to carry out necessary repairs or maintenance.
14. Injury Loss or Damage. The use of the property and its equipment is entirely at the Client's risk and no responsibility can be accepted by the Owners for injury to the Client or a member of his or her party, nor for injury loss or damage to the Client’s belongings, including motor vehicles.
15. Contract. The Contract of Hire is between the Client (the person making the booking) and the Owners, Jenny and Peter Smart. The contract will be entered into when the Client pays the deposit to the Owners.
16. Covid-19. All bookings are subject to Covid-19 restrictions operating in Scotland at the time of stay. Guests should follow all Government advice and comply with all Government guidance.
