THE DOWER HOUSE HEXTON

Terms and Conditions of Booking
(For Private Group Hire Only)

• Arrival & Departure times to be agreed with Dee Shipman at least a week before your stay. (01462 442 955).
• It is an absolute must that the property is left in the same clean and tidy condition that it is found in on day of arrival. A returnable £250 security deposit is required to be paid at the same time as the confirmation of booking deposit, and will be returned when the property has been checked for breakages/damage etc after the end of the stay. If there are any breakages, excessive cleaning (at an hourly rate) and/or complaints from neighbours (party noise) costs will be taken from the deposit.
• We will hold the provisional booking for 7 days, giving you time to send us the deposits. A deposit of 50% of the total hire fee secures the booking, the balance to clear through our bank on or before departure from The Dower House. Payment can be made by bank transfer direct to:-

  Bank Lloyds TSB
  Account name Shipman Productions Ltd
  Account number 00298009
  Sort code 30 – 10 – 49

  Or by cheque made payable to Shipman Productions Ltd and sent to Shipman Productions Ltd, The Dower House, Hexton, Nr Hitchin, Herts SG5 3JF.

• Cancellation; the owners reserve the right to retain the deposit. We will do our best to re-let the property and should we be successful a refund of the deposit will be made less £35 administration charge.
• If you let us know more than 6 weeks prior to arrival that you wish to cancel your booking, you will lose half of the 50% deposit, ie 25% of the total hire fee which is non-refundable anyway. If you let us know between 4 and 6 weeks before arrival, this will mean the loss of the 50% of the total booking fee. If you cancel within 4 weeks of arrival you will be liable for the full balance of the hire charge. We will always endeavour to re-let and reimburse you.
• In the unlikely situation of any unforeseen reason the property is unavailable (ie in the case of fire), and a confirmed booking has to be cancelled, we will return to the Hirer any monies paid, where upon the Owner’s liability will cease and the guest shall have no further claim. We strongly recommend that you obtain appropriate holiday insurance.
• You agree that as the property is used for private group short-term hire and is exempt from security of tenure under the Rent Acts.
• The Owner shall not be liable to the Hirer or third parties for any death, personal injury, accident, cancellation, damage or loss of your personal property, expense or inconvenience, which may be suffered, incurred, arise out of or in any way connected with the rental. No term of the Contract is enforceable under the Contracts (Rights of The Third Parties) Act 1999 by a person who is not a party to the Contract.
• We provide all information and all statements are made in good faith and check, so far as is reasonable.
• We shall not be liable for any loss or damage resulting from information given, or statements made whether orally, or in writing.
• Parents must take full responsibility for the well being and supervision of their children during their stay.
• The maximum accommodation capacity is 25 people for The Dower House, any requests for additional guests must be agreed by the owners before the hire.
• We ask that our guests behave with regard for to our nearby village. Any anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and the owners can request that guests leave should this be the case. The Hirer will remain liable for the whole cost of hire and no refund will be due. Amplified music is not allowed.
• All bed linen, towels, kitchen towels, and tablecloths are provided.
• Cots or cot linen not provided.
• Electricity and central heating are included in the price quoted.
• NO SMOKING in The Dower House.
• It is part of this agreement that if any furniture or other items are moved eg beds, cushions, lamps etc they must be replaced where they were before departure.
• The kitchen must be left clean and everything in its original place before departure
• All windows and doors must be closed and secured before departure from the property.
• All food contents of the cupboards and larder are for the owners’ use only.