Terms & Conditions
1. Booking Contract
1.1 When you submit a booking via our online reservation system you will receive an automatically generated booking summary by email to the email address you provide in the booking form. This does not form a contract between us. A contract shall only arise when we have received your Deposit and have confirmed your booking by post or email (the Contract).
1.2 The Contract for the provision by us of your short-term holiday rental accommodation (the Cottage) for the dates of your booking (the Stay) will be between the owners of Pitt Farm Holiday Cottages – (Coast & Country Leisure Limited) (we or us) and the person making the booking (you) under the following booking conditions. These booking conditions shall apply to and form part of the Contract and the Contract shall be governed by English law. These terms and conditions do not affect your statutory rights.
1.3 You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of making the booking. At the time of booking or when otherwise requested by us, you must provide a list of the names and approximate ages of all adults, children and infants that will be staying in the Cottage. You are entitled to change members of your booking party prior to arrival provided that you do not exceed the maximum occupancy of the cottage (or the reduced occupancy agreed at the time of booking if lower); however where you have previously provided details of the booking party to us, we will need you to provide details of any such changes. You are responsible for ensuring that all members of your booking party comply with the Terms of Use (as set out below), however, the Contract for the provision of accommodation is between us and you (as the person making the booking).
2. Bookings, the Deposit and Payment
2.1 Bookings can be made by using our website, by email and by telephone. Upon acceptance of your booking you are required to pay a deposit of 25% of the cost of the Stay (the Deposit). The Deposit forms part of the payment for your Stay and will only be refundable in the circumstances set out in Clause 3.
2.2 Upon receipt of the Deposit we will confirm and send you a summary of your booking.
2.3 The balance will be due no later than 60 days from the start of your Stay. We will send you a payment reminder.
2.4 Full payment is due at the time of booking if your booking is made within 60 days of the start of your Stay.
2.5 We are entitled to cancel a Stay where payment is not been received when due. We will send you more than one reminder and do our best to contact you by telephone and email before any such cancellation. If we cancel in such circumstances, we will attempt to re-let the Cottage. If we are able to re-let the Cottage you may be entitled to a refund or your liability to us may be reduced (in the same way as envisaged by Clause 3.3).
2.6 Once you have a confirmed booking your ability to cancel and receive a return of any monies paid by you is set out in Clause 3 below.
2.7 Once a booking is confirmed the dates of your Stay are not not transferable other than by us in the limited circumstances contemplated by Clause 3.5(b) below following a Force Majeure Event. If you are unable to make use of your booking, you may transfer your booking to a third party with our consent which we will not withhold unreasonably.
2.8 It is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate insurance in place to cover any loss or damage that you may suffer as a result of any cancellation of your Stay. We strongly recommend that you consider taking out such insurance immediately following your booking being confirmed.
3. CANCELLATION
3.1 Cancellation by you
If you need or wish to cancel your booking, you need to confirm your intention to cancel in writing to us as soon as possible. It is important that you notify us as soon as possible should you wish to cancel, as this will give us a chance to re-let the Cottage.
3.2 Cancellation by you more than 60 days prior to the first day of your Stay
If you notify us of your wish to cancel more than 60 days before the first day of your Stay, you will not be liable to pay the balance.
Where we are able to re-let the Cottage for all or part of the period of your Stay, you will be entitled to the return of all or part of the Deposit, less in all cases an administration fee of £120 to cover our costs and third party costs related to the cancellation and rebooking (such costs include our admin costs, bank fees, accounting fees and agent’s fees or commission payments).
The amount we refund to you under this Clause will depend on the final letting price that we receive for the new booking (which may be less than you have paid or agreed to pay).
If we are unable to re-let the Cottage for the dates of your Stay you will not be entitled to the return of any of the Deposit.
Examples (Cancellation by you more than 60 days prior to the first day of your booking):
i. If you book a stay costing £2000 and wish to cancel having paid a £500 deposit, and notify us more than 60 days prior to the start of the Stay, and we are able to re-let the cottage for £2000, you will be refunded £380 of your £500 deposit.
ii. If you book a stay costing £2000 and wish to cancel having paid a £500 deposit, and notify us more than 60 days prior to the start of the stay, and we are not able to re-let the cottage you will be refunded £0.
iii. If you book a stay costing £2000 and wish to cancel having paid a £500 deposit, and notify us more than 60 days prior to the start of the stay, and we are only able to re-let the cottage for £1900 you will be refunded £280 of your £500 deposit.
3.3 Cancellation by you less than 60 days prior to the first day of your booking
If you notify us of your wish to cancel less than 60 days before the first day of your Stay, you will be liable to pay the balance (if you have not already paid it). Where we are able to re-let the Cottage for all or part of the period of your Stay, you will be entitled to the return of all or part of the cost of your Stay, less in all cases an administration fee of £120 to cover our costs and third party costs related to the cancellation and rebooking (such costs include our admin costs, bank fees, accounting fees and agent’s fees or commission payments).
The amount we refund to you under this clause will depend on the final letting price that we receive for the new booking (which may be less than you have paid or agreed to pay).
If we are unable to re-let the Cottage for the dates of your Stay you will only be entitled to a nominal refund to cover the costs that we do not otherwise have to expend relating to your stay (laundry costs, cleaning costs and welcome pack costs). The exact amount will depend on the particular cottage booked, but is unlikely to be more than £100).
Examples (Cancellation by you less than 60 days prior to the first day of your booking):
These examples ignore the security deposit which will be returned in full.
i. If you book a stay costing £2000 and wish to cancel having paid the full cost of your Stay, and notify us less than 60 days prior to the start of the stay, and we are able to re-let the cottage for £2000, you will be refunded £1880 of your £2000 payment.
ii. If you book a stay costing £2000 and wish to cancel having paid the full cost of your Stay, and notify us less than 60 days prior to the start of the Stay, and we are not able to re-let the cottage, you will be refunded a nominal amount equal to the expected cost of cleaning, laundry and welcome pack (unlikely to be more than £100) to the extent that we have not had to incur such costs in relation to your booking.
iii. If you book a stay costing £2000 and wish to cancel having paid the full cost of your Stay, and notify us less than 60 days to the start of the stay, and we are only able to re-let the cottage for £1900 you will be refunded £1780.
3.4 Your inability to travel
Your inability (or the inability of any, some or all of your intended occupants) to travel to and stay at your Cottage for any reason (including but not limited to, illness, requirement or recommendation to self-isolate or quarantine, jury duty, incarceration, change in personal or work circumstances, family emergencies and travel delays) remains at your risk and does not give rise to a right to cancel or to receive a refund other than under the terms of this Clause 3.
Examples (Cancellation request due to a local lockdown where we are able to remain open):
These examples ignore the security deposit which will be returned in full.
i. If you book a stay costing £2000 and two weeks prior to the stay the booking lead is pronounced subject to a local lockdown and notifies us of the same at that time and the lockdown continues for the period of the Stay and we are not able to re-let the cottage, you will be refunded £2000 of your £2000 payment.
ii. If you book a stay costing £2000 and two weeks prior to the stay the booking lead is pronounced subject to a local lockdown, and notifies us of the same at that time and we are able to re-let the cottage for £1700, you will be refunded £2000 of your £2000 payment.
iii. If you book a stay costing £2000 and two weeks prior to the stay the booking lead is pronounced subject to a local lockdown, and notifies us of the same at that time (as it is likely to continue for the period of the stay) but thereafter the restriction is lifted one day prior to the Stay and we have not yet re-let the Cottage, the Stay will be reinstated and you will be entitled to use the Cottage. If at that time you decide that you do not wish to use the Cottage (and we are unable to re-let it), you will otherwise not be entitled to any refund (other than any nominal amounts equal to costs that we do not have to incur –such as laundry / cleaning / welcome packs – to the extent that they have not been expended.
3.5 Cancellation by us
If our performance is hindered or prevented by a Force Majeure Event (please see definition below), we may, at our sole discretion, offer you:
(a) a full or partial refund; or
(b) alternative dates; or
(c) such other remedy as we consider appropriate (acting reasonably) with regard to the circumstances.
For the purposes of this Contract, Force Majeure Event means any of the following circumstances which may hinder or prevent the performance by us of the Contract, including but not limited to: (a) acts of God, flood, drought, earthquake or other natural disaster; (b) epidemic or pandemic; (c) terrorist attack, civil war, civil commotion or riots, war, threat of or preparation for war, armed conflict, imposition of sanctions, embargo, or breaking off of diplomatic relations; (d) nuclear, chemical or biological contamination or sonic boom; (e) any law or any action taken by a government or public authority, including without limitation imposing a restriction, prohibition, or failing to grant a necessary licence or consent; (f) collapse of buildings, fire, explosion or accident; (g) any labour or trade dispute, strikes, industrial action or lockouts; (h) non-performance by suppliers or contractors; and (i) interruption or failure of utility service.
3.6 We reserve the right to refuse to hand over the Cottage to (or to allow the continued occupation by) any person who in our reasonable opinion is not in a suitable state to take charge of it.
3.7 We reserve the right to require any guest to leave the Cottage and the site where, in our reasonable opinion, the guest fails to observe the Terms of Use or otherwise poses a threat to our safety or the safety or enjoyment of other guests or causes damage to property or danger to others.
3.8 In the circumstances described in 3.7 and 3.8, no refunds shall be given unless we are able to re-let the cottage and having done so have fully recovered any costs associated with the relevant circumstances.
TERMS OF USE
4 ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
4.1 We cannot accommodate early arrival or late departures as we need this time to perform maintenance and cleaning to the cottages and the site as a whole.
4.2 You may access the property from 4pm on the day of arrival. If you are likely to arrive after 7pm please let us know and we will let you know how to access your cottage in the event that we are unable to greet you in person.
4.3 You must vacate your Cottage by no later than 10am on your day of departure.
5 PLEASE SPEAK TO US
5.1 It is our mission to ensure you have an enjoyable stay (we know how much we look forward to our holidays and are sure that you are no different). So if you have any problem or cause for complaint, we ask that you contact us as soon as possible to give us the best chance to resolve it. We value your custom and want you to enjoy your stay. We live on site, and will do our best to resolve any issues as soon as we can.
5.2 If you notice that something is broken or not working properly please tell us even if it is not causing you a problem or discomfort as we want to ensure things are as good as they can be for all guests.
6 CARE OF THE PROPERTY and SECURITY DEPOSIT
6.1 Prior to your arrival you will be asked to pay a security deposit (the amount depends on the size of the cottage). We ask that you look after the Cottage and its contents as if it were your own home and hand it back to us in the same condition as it was at the start of your Stay. If you mistreat your cottage or its contents (or fail to comply with other obligations giving rise to costs incurred by us) you are required to cover the cost of any resulting damage and this may be deducted from your security deposit. The security deposit is principally to cover repairs or replacements as a result of damage and breakages and/or extra cleaning costs – for example where the Cottage has not been returned to us in accordance with the departure cleaning requirements. If you lose a key we will replace it and deduct this cost from your security deposit.
6.2 We appreciate that accidents can happen and we take a pragmatic and sensible approach to damage and breakages – we would not charge you for the odd broken mug or glass, but please do inform us of any breakages or damage so that we can put it right. However, for example if you decide dye your hair and the product used discolours tiles / fittings; if you apply tanning products and this spills on and discolours the furnishings; or if you leave pots and pans unwashed or with burnt on food residue then we will need to deduct the cost of putting things right.
6.3 The security deposit will be refunded to the credit/debit card from which payment was made (or back to your bank account) usually within 10 working days of your departure (subject to any deductions made).
7 CLEANING
7.1 On departure, please leave the Cottage as you found it, in a clean and tidy condition. Please ensure that you have washed and dried up (or loaded the dishwasher and started the cycle), removed rubbish from the cottages and put it in relevant bins and recycling facilities, and ensure that ovens and barbeques are clean and free from grease. Please return any furniture or other items that you have moved back to where they were at arrival.
8 USE OF THE PROPERTY
8.1 The cottages are for holiday use only and must not be used for any other purpose. Your Stay does not give rise to any tenancy or the relationship of landlord and tenant between the parties.
8.2 Your booking will provide for a maximum number of persons (including children and infants) who may occupy the Cottage. This will either be agreed with you at the time of booking, or otherwise will be the capacity of the cottage as stated on the website. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to accommodate an additional bed (a z-bed provided by us) in certain rooms of certain cottages – however this will be subject to overall limits on guest numbers across the site and may be subject to a supplemental fee. The identity of anyone staying at the Cottage must be disclosed to us prior to their arrival (if they are not mentioned on the booking form). We reserve the right to refuse admittance or require you to leave if this condition is not observed.
8.3 If you wish to invite additional visitors to visit you in your cottage during your Stay, please ask us. We will try to accommodate this but we need to comply with the maximum site occupancy limits and consider our other guests. Such visitors will not be permitted to use any of the site facilities which are for booked guests only.
8.4 All facilities must be used considerately and appropriately. You must not use the Cottage or the site for any illegal, dangerous, offensive, noxious or noisy activities or behave in a way that may be a nuisance or annoyance to us, other guests or our neighbours. Pitt Farm is a peaceful location and we ask that you respect that and other guests. As such, the playing of music, singing or other excessive noise that can be heard outside of your cottage after 9pm is not permitted. Communal facilities such as the tennis court, games barn, playground and zip wire may not be used after 930pm.
8.5 Smoking is not allowed in any of the cottages or any other buildings on the site. Smoking on the grounds should be away from the buildings, play areas, and animal enclosures and will be tolerated provided that all cigarette ends are disposed of properly. Vaping is permitted outside (other than at the children’s play area) but please be considerate of other guests.
8.6 We do not permit guests to bring dogs or pets of any other kind to Pitt Farm (but assistance dogs are welcome by prior arrangement (we need to ensure our own livestock and animals are properly safeguarded)).
8.7 Your use of the property does not entitle you to:
(a) charge an electric vehicle or appliance other than personal electronic devices (ff you have particular charging requirements, please get in touch before your Stay and we can discuss this); or
(b) use any outdoor paddling pool, plunge pool, hot tub, bouncy castle, inflatable, gazebo or other similar structure or apparatus.
8.8 We retain the reasonable right of entry to the Cottage at all reasonable times for purposes of inspection or to carry out any necessary repairs or maintenance. We will do our best to minimise disruption to you if we need to enter the Cottage during your Stay.
8.9 If you wish to engage any third party to perform any service (including by way of example private catering, beauty therapy, childminding or entertainment services) at the site or the Cottage you must obtain our written permission. Such permission should be requested in advance of your stay with details of the entity you intend to use to perform the service, the service to be performed and details of their public and employer’s liability insurance. Consent will only be given where we and our insurers are happy that the appropriate risks have been covered. The use of candles or fireworks is not permitted in any circumstances.
8.10 Any recommendation of a supplier made by us will be based on our genuine belief or experience or feedback received by us from other guests or local contacts. A recommendation by us of a supplier does not relieve you of the requirement to obtain our written permission as set out above.
8.11 We will not accept liability for the services provided (or failure to provide such services) by any third party supplier or business used by you in the course of your Stay (regardless of whether they are recommended or referred by us). This will not apply where we have been negligent or dishonest in this regard.
9 SUPERVISION
9.1 There must be at least one capable and responsible adult over the age of 18 in every Cottage.
9.2 You are responsible for the full active physical supervision of all members or your party under the age of 18 at all times. This is particularly important in all children’s play areas, close to the stream and ponds, near to our animals, whilst using the play area, the tennis court and our playrooms. There are specific supervision ratios for the swimming pool (please see our swimming pool terms of use for more details).
9.3 Regardless of supervision, for safety reasons scooting or cycling on the driveways is not permitted – although Pitt Farm is a peaceful site, we do have large vehicles visiting and working on the site (such as bin lorries, farm vehicles and delivery trucks). Bicycles, scooters and ride-ons must not be stored or used in the cottages in any circumstances.
9.4 Parties not supervising their children responsibly may be asked to put appropriate arrangements in place or to leave the relevant facility.
10 LIABILITY
10.1 You must take all necessary steps to safeguard yourselves and your property.
10.2 We, our employees, contractors and representatives shall not be liable to you or your party for loss or damage to property.
10.3 We, our employees, contractors and representatives shall not be liable to you or your party for accidents or injuries to you and your party, either within the property or outside unless demonstrably caused by our negligence or wilful misconduct or that of those for whom we are legally responsible.
10.4 We shall not be liable to you for the failure or non-availability of any particular facility in the Cottage or at the site although in all cases we will seek to rectify any such failure as soon as is reasonably practicable.
11 SWIMMING POOL SAFETY
The safety of our guests is paramount. The swimming pool is there for your enjoyment but we require you to observe the Swimming Pool Rules which will be made available to you in your Welcome Pack upon arrival and are displayed in the swimming pool building in relation to its use. If you or members of your party fail to observe these regulations during your stay we reserve the right to close this facility or restrict your access to it.
12 DOGS
We only allow well behaved dogs, and only when have they been booked in and paid for. (£30 per dog, per stay, per cottage. Maximum two dogs per cottage). In order to maintain the cottages for everyone to enjoy, it is necessary that guests bringing dog(s) agree to abide by the dog rules on our website. We reserve the right to refuse admittance if these conditions are not observed.
13 Fire Prevention Advice & Safety Rules
Your safety is our top priority. This guidance is designed to minimize the risk of fire during your stay and to ensure preparedness in the event of an emergency.
No Open Flames
For insurance and safety reasons, the use of naked flames within the cottage is strictly prohibited. This includes:
• The use of candles
• Smoking indoors
Safe Use of Cooking Appliances
• Cooking appliances, such as toasters and cookers, must only be used by a competent person.
• Cooking must always be attended while in use.
• Do not operate cooking appliances if impaired due to alcohol, drugs, or exhaustion.
Lithium-Ion Battery Charging
Due to the risk of spontaneous combustion, recharging lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes, scooters, or similar devices is prohibited inside the cottage.
• If charging is required, we can arrange for batteries to be charged outside the residential accommodation, such as in the play barn or via an outdoor extension lead.
Fire Escape Routes & Good Housekeeping
• Escape pathways must be kept clear of clutter and trip hazards.
• Doors leading to escape routes should remain closed as much as possible, particularly at night, to enhance fire containment.
• Bedroom fire doors must be shut when sleeping.
Barbecue Safety
When using the barbecue, please ensure the following:
• It must be operated only by someone experienced and responsible.
• The user must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• The barbecue must always be used outdoors and never left unattended.
• Hot coals must not be disposed of in bins until they have fully cooled.
Fire Safety for Guests with Impairments
• If a guest has difficulty hearing the fire alarm, we can provide an alternate alarm system with pillow vibration and strobe lighting. Please inform us in advance so we can arrange this for you.
• If a guest requires assistance to evacuate, it is essential that a designated member of your party is responsible for assisting them in an emergency.
In the Event of a Fire
In the event of a fire, please follow the fire action notice located on the back of bedroom doors. This notice provides essential guidance on what to do in an emergency.