Terms and Conditions
RESERVATIONS
The contract of letting is between the Visitor and the Host. Bookings are only accepted subject to availability, to these conditions and by agreement with the Host. Abodes of Oxford (AO) reserve the right to refuse any booking or to cancel any booking already made, in which case every effort will be made to offer alternative accommodation. If none is available AO will return any rental money paid by the Visitor. AO will not be liable for any other losses/damages, etc. suffered by the Visitor as a result of the property being unavailable on the day stated. We also reserve the right to change tariffs after publication should this be considered necessary. Any such changes will be made clear prior to the booking being accepted.
INITIAL PAYMENT
The initial payment shall include 30% of the total accommodation fee if booking more that 6 weeks before the arrival date, otherwise the full payment is due. A booking fee of £30 is payable on reservations of more than 7 nights. On-line reservations are not charged this booking fee.
BOOKING and PAYMENT
Please complete the Booking Form on the website with the Initial payment at the time of booking. Payment can be made by all main credit or debit cards. Handling charge of 3% on credit cards. Payment can be made by bank transfer if payment is received two weeks or more before arrival please include a £12 handling charge. The amount credited into the account will be taken as the amount paid. Receipt of the initial payment does not imply acceptance of booking. Confirmation of your booking will be sent to you by return either by post or e-mail. If the chosen room(s) is unavailable, alternative accommodation will be offered; all payment will be returned to the Visitor if this is not acceptable.
BALANCE OF PAYMENT
The Balance of Payment for up to the first 6 weeks is due 6 weeks prior to the arrival date. Upon receipt of the balance the accommodation address and host information will be issued. A £4 reminder fee is charged if the balance is not received by the date stated on your Confirmation of Booking. We reserve the right to cancel any booking if payment of the balance is more than 7 days late.
REPEAT and LONG TERM RESERVATIONS
Returning visitors for additional reservations will be taken as a continuation of the acceptance of the terms and conditions. For long-term visitors staying for more than 6 weeks, payments must be arranged and paid 4 weeks in advance for each subsequent four-week block. Payment of additional weeks will be taken as an acceptance of the accommodation. If paying in instalments, this will incur a £15 administrative charge on each occasion, unless the visitor has authorised AO in writing to process the payment on agreed dates with a designated credit or debit card. Failure to meet payment on time will automatically cancel the booking. Visitors paying for the accommodation in full prior to the arrival date will still be entitled to the same conditions of booking and will be refunded.
CANCELLATION BY VISITOR
IT IS STRONGLY ADVISED THAT THE VISITOR IS ADEQUATELY COVERED BY COMPREHENSIVE PERSONAL TRAVEL AND MEDICAL INSURANCE
The amount of money refunded will be a percentage of the accommodation fee and booking fee (if applicable) instalment (up to first 6 weeks) based on the number of weeks notice given of the cancellation. In all cases the deposit and booking fee is non-refundable.
| Number of weeks notice of confirmed cancellation | Percentage of rent refunded |
|---|---|
| More than 6 weeks | 70% |
| Between 4 weeks and 6 weeks | 50% |
| Less than 4 weeks and during stay | No refund |
CANCELLATION BY THE HOST
Any cancellations made by the Host, or by Abodes of Oxford on behalf of the Host will be fully refunded in the event that suitable alternative accommodation cannot be found.
RETURNABLE SECURITY BOND
Missing or broken items, replacements or repairs must be reported without delay - NOT at the end of the stay - to the Host so that immediate correction can be made and disputes over who caused the damage can be eliminated. Visitors must pay for any damage caused and payment for the breakages or damage must provide adequate compensation. The Visitor must leave the room in the same condition as it was found. Some hosts will require a returnable security bond of £50, payable on arrival, which will be returned unless the Host makes a valid claim that is agreed by both parties. Lost keys will be charged for at £50.
LIABILITY
Bookings are made on the understanding that occupancy of the room is only for the period of time agreed by AO and the Visitor. The Visitor is expected to be mindful of the fact that they are staying in the home of their host and must respect the family and property at all times. The Visitor's right to occupy the room may be forfeited without compensation if:
- More people than specified in our description, or as stated on the Confirmation of Booking, attempt to occupy the room
- Visitor's guests are entertained without the Host's permission.
- The Visitor causes damage, noise, unreasonable disturbance or conduct.
- The visitor uses illegal substances or consumes alcohol (if under the age of 18) within the confines of the host family property
- Theft
ALTERATION OF BOOKINGS (whenever possible only)
Visitors who wish to change a booking prior to arrival once the Confirmation of Booking has been sent out will be charged a fee equivalent to £30. Changes will only be possible with the agreement of the Host. Otherwise the above cancellation charges will apply.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
As the accommodation is provided within a family home the visitor must make arrangements with the host at least one week before to agree on a convenient time of arrival. It is the responsibility of the visitor to arrive at the home at the agreed time. The Host should be informed of any delay or change to the previously agreed arrival time as soon as possible to ensure the host is available upon the Visitor's arrival. In all cases, the Property must be vacated by 10.00am on the day of departure.
DAYTIME VACATION OF HOUSE
Visitors are expected to vacate the house between the hours of 8.30 and 17.00 hrs during weekdays unless agreed otherwise with the host.
DESCRIPTIONS
We have compiled the information on our accommodation as accurately as possible. However, to avoid any disappointment, we advise the Visitor to verify the description with the Host immediately upon receipt of the Confirmation of Booking. AO has taken all reasonable care to ensure the quality of the Host and Accommodation reserved for Visitors and cannot be held liable for any dissatisfaction that the Visitor may have with the Host or Accommodation. AO is not responsible for the accuracy of any verbal information given by any of its employees, or by the Host. The Visitor is advised to confirm in writing to AO any verbal information imparted by AO, or by the Host, that the Visitor deems to be important. We cannot accept responsibility should the Property not conform to the Visitors own standards, should these differ from our reasonable standards. Facilities or equipment may have been withdrawn or altered, or changes may have been made outside our control, for which AO is unable to accept responsibility.
USE OF KITCHEN FACILITES
Where stated some hosts allow some use of the kitchen facilities such as microwave, kettle and toaster. Visitors who have requested the use of and paid for these facilities must ensure that the facilities are used only at times previously agreed with the host with food purchased by the visitor. Please respect that the kitchen is within a family home where the hosts need to prepare their own meals for their family. The use of the kitchen is only for the agreed times. Food prepared must be consumed in the kitchen and not in the bedroom unless otherwise agreed with the host. COMPLAINTSCOMPLAINTS
INTERNET USE
Internet or wireless use is free of charge for the first three hours or for reasonable use. This service is not available after 23.00 unless previously agreed with the host.
COMPLAINTS
In the event of a complaint regarding the accommodation, the matter should always be taken up with the Host immediately. Reasonable time must be allowed for the Host to rectify a complaint or meet any reasonable request by the Visitor. If this is not possible or satisfaction is not obtained then the Visitor or the Host should telephone our office. Unless we are completely satisfied with the nature of the complaint, an alternative can only be offered by AO with the Host's consent. We regret that we are unable to arbitrate any complaint once you have left the Property or it is after your stated departure date.
CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL
Abodes of Oxford cannot be held responsible for problems and delays resulting from circumstances beyond their control (force majeure) e.g. strikes, postal delays, transport delays, changes to the personal circumstances of our hosts, terrorism, war etc.
EXTRA SERVICES
Additional meals, where provided, will be charged at the following rates:
Evening Meal: £6.00 per person per night
These meals must be booked and paid for in advance.
AO cannot be held liable for payment of additional charges for extra services and facilities not included in the price paid to AO. It is the Visitor's responsibility to settle these charges before departing the establishment.
STATUTORY RIGHTS
These terms and conditions do not affect your statutory rights under English Law.
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