Terms and Conditions

1. North Devon Holiday Homes act solely as booking agents and property owners must therefore be recognised as principals in the contract of booking.
2. Bookings can be regarded as accepted only when written confirmation has been issued of receipt of the initial payment. If the accommodation should subsequently become unavailable, every effort will be made to offer suitable alternatives but no liability can be accepted beyond issuing a full refund and £20 credit if this should not prove possible. Any additional rental costs involved in an accepted resiting will be the responsibility of the hirer - less up to £20 ex-gratia credit.
3. When a booking has been confirmed the hirer becomes liable for the total holiday cost, with any balance outstanding being due at least 45 days before the holiday start date.
4. Parties which do not comprise of couples aged over 25 or family groups must notify this fact when making a reservation.
5. The hirer will be responsible for the cost of any breakages, damage or exceptional cleaning occasioned by any member of the party, and either make good or replace such items where practicable, or report matters and make reimbursement to the keyholder prior to departure. The hirer will also pay a deposit against such occurrences, or fuel charges, if requested.
6. A security deposit of £30 per party member (refundable within 21days of the holiday completion date) is therefore obligatory - unless paying a £5 per person waiver, for which NDHH will indemnify holidaymakers against property damage up to a maximum value of £100 only. Either payment must be made on completion of booking. It is the holidaymakers responsibility to ensure the owner or caretaker are satisifed with the condition of the property and its contents on departure.
7. Parties including any member with physical, mental or medical disabilities or infirmities must specify such conditions if they may affect the suitability of the property chosen.
8. Although all properties featured should be covered by public liability insurance, neither the property owner nor NDHH can accept liability for losses occasioned or injuries sustained due to factors beyond their reasonable control.
9. NDHH will return 75% of the paid rental or paid deposit (less booking fee), for cancellations made with documentary evidence, for the following reasons: Redundancy; Sickness; death; injury; compulsory quarantine restriction (e.g. during Bird Flu or Foot & Mouth pandemic); jury or witness service in a court of law; if your presence is requested by the police following a burglary at your home; if your home is rendered uninhabitable by fire, storm, flood or malicious damage; occupational posting unknown of at the time of booking; and cancellation of leave (for emergency services members) - for any party member, immediate relative, codirector or business partner. Cancellations requested for reasons other than those specifically listed above will be subject to charges (minimum £100) in accordance with the following scale:- No. of days written Penalty as % notice received prior of total to holiday start date holiday cost
   1. 60 + = 35%
   2. 30 - 59 = 50%
   3. 15 - 29 = 75%
   4. 1 - 14 = 90%
10. An additional charge of £20 may be made:-
    1. a) if it proves necessary to issue a reminder for any overdue balance. Should payment not then be received by return, the initial payment may be forfeited and the holiday offered for resale. The hirer will still remain liable for the balance of the holiday cost if a resale is not effected.
    2. b) if it proves necessary to issue a revised confirmation involving additional party members, pets, requests for linen etc.
11. Minor booking amendments e.g. reduction or change in party members, pets etc. should be notified direct to property owner at least 3 days prior to arrival. Any such reduction may not be subject to refund. a) if any payment by cheque or credit card is not honoured. Any such problem not immediately resolved may result in the holiday being offered for resale, with any initial payment being forfeited and liability for the total holiday cost remaining if a resale is not effected. b) if any change of holiday date or location is requested. The possibility of any such change will usually be dependant on a previously confirmed resale of the original booking in question - failing a resale, standard penalties for cancellations not covered by insurance will apply.
12. Overseas bookings are subject to an additional charge of £8. Payment can only be made by Mastercard, Visa, Sterling cheque or Eurocheque (max £400) drawn on a London bank or by bank transfer (details on request).
13. NDHH act solely as letting agents and are therefore unable to accept responsibility for any problem relating to the property. If there is any cause for dissatisfaction the hirer must initially raise the matter with the owner or appointed caretaker who will invariably be anxious to quickly put matters right. If not satisfactorily resolved, NDHH will investigate any complaint as soon as practicable and make all reasonable efforts to assist or arbitrate regarding appropriate compensation.
14. Although anxious to be kept informed of any problems which may affect future tenants’ enjoyment, belated requests to arbitrate on claims for compensation cannot be accepted unless the caretaker has been asked to correct matters and NDHH have been given the opportunity to investigate and attempt to resolve the problem at the time of its occurrence and whilst the hirer remains in occupation. Neither the property owner nor NDHH can accept liability for any alternative accommodation costs, short term equipment failure or problem beyond their reasonable control, e.g. insects, power loss, water quality. In the event of any unresolved complaint, both the property owner and hirer will accept the agency’s judgement regarding reasonable compensation.
15. The hirer will take all reasonable care of the property and its contents and leave equipment, furnishings, utensils etc. in a clean and tidy condition prior to the requested time for departure.
16. Property owners reserve the right to:- a) refuse to accept a booking on any reasonable grounds. b) enter the property at any necessary or agreed reasonable time to effect emergency maintenance or resolve any problem.
17. Where pets are accepted it is on the express condition that they are never left alone in the property or allowed in bedrooms or on any
18. Unless otherwise stated fuel costs for heating, lighting etc are normally charged at cost by coin meters or following a reading. Additional costs will also apply if bed linen is requested unless specifically stated as inclusive. If not provided a hire service is often available, please enquire.
19. Hirers rights to occupy the property may be forfeited without compensation if:-
    1. a) More people or pets than specified on the confirmation attempt to take up occupation.
    2. b) Overnight guests are entertained without the owners express permission.
    3. c) Any activity is undertaken which may cause unreasonable damage, noise or disturbance.