GÎTE RENTAL - TERMS AND CONDITIONS - 2011

These Terms and Conditions should be read in conjunction with the Booking Form which together form the Contract between the Owners and the Client.

1. Booking

All requests to reserve the Property, such term to include the house (Gite), garden and all contents where applicable, should be made using the booking form provided by the Owners, after first reading these Terms and Conditions. To reserve the Property, the Client must complete and sign the booking form and send it to the Owners, at the address set out on the booking form. A non-refundable deposit representing 30% of the total rent due for the rental period must, at the same time be paid into the owners UK bank account* (the Owners are unable to accept and process sterling cheques in France). Following receipt of the booking form and checking that the non-refundable deposit has been received, the Owners will send confirmation to the client by post or email. This is the formal acceptance of the booking by the Owners to the Client. *Payment should be made in Pounds Sterling

2. Payment of the balance

The payment of the balance of the rental charge must be made 8 weeks before the start of the rental period. At this same time the Owners require that the Client pays a refundable deposit of £200. This amount is intended to cover costs in respect of any damages to the Property occurring during the Client's rental period or any additional heavy cleaning required as a result of the Client's actions, such costs being deducted from this amount by the Owners. This refundable deposit shall not in any way seek to limit the Client's liability to the Owners. The Owners will refund the balance of the refundable deposit due within 2 weeks of the end of the rental period. The refund will be made by Sterling cheque to the client’s home address.

If payment of the final balance is not received in their bank account by the due date, the Owners reserve the right to re-let the Property.  

3. Period of Rental

The rental period commences on Saturday afternoon at 16:00 and ceases at 10:00 on the final Saturday morning of the rental period. Generally, rental periods shall be a minimum of one week's duration. However, shorter periods may be possible - please contact the Owners to discuss. The Property must be vacated at the end of the rental period.

The Property contains a full inventory of items, which the client should check and agree at the commencement of the Rental. Any discrepancies found at the end of the rental period and not previously noted to the Owners, or the cost of any damages to such items, will be deducted from the refundable deposit under the terms as set out in clause 2. Such deductions will be made prior to any refund being made.

The Owners maintain a high standard of cleanliness at the Property and at the end of the rental period it is the sole responsibility of the Client to leave it in as clean, tidy and hygienic a condition as they found it; the rental charges reflect this expectation. Any costs incurred in respect of additional cleaning necessary will be deducted from the refundable deposit as set out in clause 2.

The Property shall not be sub-let, nor shall the occupancy exceed or differ from the list of persons stated on the booking form. The Owners operate a "no pets" and a "no smoking" policy in the Property.

The Owners shall not be liable to the Client:

• For any accident or injury to the Client or any members of his/her party due to any cause whatsoever, nor for any loss or damage to personal goods or property during the rental period;
• For any temporary defect or stoppage in the supply of public services to the Property, nor in respect of any equipment, plant, machinery or appliances in/on the Property; and
• Under no circumstances will the Owners' liability to the Client exceed the amount paid to the Owner for the rental period.

Should a Client cancel a booking before the commencement of the rental period, they should notify the Owner immediately and any cancellation will be subject to the following terms:

The Client is strongly recommended to arrange a comprehensive insurance policy (including cancellation cover) and to have full cover for their party's personal belongings, public liability, etc. as the Owners accept no liability whatsoever for such matters since these are not covered by the Owners' insurance.