Terms

General
Island Holiday Cottages (will be referred to hereinafter as “the Agent” or “IHC”), act only as agents for the owners (which will be referred to hereinafter as “the owners”) of the property. Parties applying to rent properties are referred to as ‘the customer’ until the commencement of their let when they are referred to as ‘the guests’. IHC, referred to as ‘the agent’, will act only as agent for the owners of the properties, ‘the owners’. Contracts to let the property are therefore between the owners of the property and the customer /guest, and the agent acts solely on behalf of the owners. These terms set out the terms of the contract between the customer/guests and the owners, and the contractual rights and obligations between the customer/guests and the agent.

Deposits & Rate Information
A non refundable deposit of 30% of the tariff is required at the time of booking. Provisional bookings will be held for a period of 7 days only, pending receipt of the deposit/full payment. After this time bookings will automatically be cancelled without referring to the customer.
The balance & the non refundable booking fee are to be paid 2 months before the start of the holiday. The owner reserves the right to re-let the property if the balance is not paid by the date required.
The number of people booked cannot be exceeded without prior consent.
There will be a charge per dog per week for pet friendly properties. All dog charges are non-refundable.

Tariffs
Through the season properties are booked Friday-Friday, Saturday-Saturday or Sunday-Sunday depending on individual cottages and seasonal tariffs will apply. At times the owners may allow bookings to be split over 2 weeks eg. Monday-Monday. If this is agreed, the properties high season tariff will always be applicable or the 2 weekly rate would apply.

Methods of Payment
The holiday can be paid for by cheque, credit/debit card or bank transfer. Cheques should be made payable to Island Holiday Cottages. In no circumstances are post-dated cheques acceptable. Any charge raised against us by our bank for handling dishonoured cheques will be passed on to the customer. Any international payments made by bank transfer should be made in pounds sterling and must cover all incurring bank charges.

Cancellation
Deposits and booking fees are always non-refundable. In the event of cancellation of the customer’s booking less than 2 months before their holiday the balance (less the booking fee) can only be refunded if the property is re-let. If we re-let the property, the balance (less the booking fee) will be refunded minus a £30 admin fee. The amount of refund will depend on how much the property was re-let for.
It is the customer’s responsibility to take out relevant holiday insurance to cover against any events arising that may cause cancellation of their holiday.

Arrival/Departure Times
The arrival and departure times are given for each individual property in the property deposit email and the information sheet sent with the confirmation of balance payment. These times must be adhered to.

Wifi & Mobile Phone Coverage
Please be aware that Wifi and mobile phone coverage on the island may not be as reliable as you find on the mainland. The owners and IHC cannot be held responsible for inadequate service/coverage due to factors outwith the owners control.

Linen
Sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers and towels are provided in most (but not all) of our properties – see individual web pages and information sheets for confirmation of this.

Nursery Equipment
You will note some owners provide cots and highchairs – see individual web pages and information sheets regarding this requirement. Linen is not provided for cots.
The guest must check the equipment is up to standard prior to use.

Children
At no time during the period of any bookings may parents or guardians leave children or young teenagers at any property on their own either during the day or overnight
On arrival at any property it is the parent’s responsibility to carry out a risk assessment of the buildings and surrounding areas identifying any potential issues of safety for their children.
The signatory of a booking request does so on behalf of all persons who will occupy the property during the period stated.
All members of the party must be aware of and accept the booking terms and conditions.
Any breach will result in immediate termination of the booking without refund.

Pets
The web site detail clearly indicates the properties where dogs are permitted. Owners will only accept dogs at these properties on condition that:

• No dog is left unattended at the property at any time.
• Dogs are kept under strict control within the curtilage of the property and are not allowed to climb on the furniture or beds.
• All dog excrement is cleared from the garden on your departure.
• There is a charge to be paid per dog, per week.
• All dog charges are non-refundable

Where a property states “no dogs” this does not deem it “dog free” as the owners may themselves have dogs.

Numbers
The web site detail clearly states the maximum number of occupants permitted and exceeding this number constitutes a breach of contract & the Scottish licensing system. Under no circumstances may tents be erected in gardens or motorhomes/campervans parked in the property grounds to be used as additional sleeping space. Motorhomes/campervans may only be parked in grounds if it is the only mode of transport and must remain unoccupied overnight.

Cleaning
Guests are required to leave the property they have rented in a clean and tidy condition. All rubbish in wheelie bin, dishwasher emptied, used beds stripped and fires cleaned out if necessary. If a property is not left clean and tidy, any additional cleaning costs will be charged to the outgoing guests.

Smoking
All our properties are non smoking. All remnants from smoking outside the property should be cleaned on departure.

Vehicles
Your vehicles and their accessories and contents are left entirely at your own risk.
Please note that EV charging is not allowed at any property – please click on link for EV charging points https://www.zap-map.com/live/

Lost Property
The guest must check the property thoroughly before departure to ensure they have all their belongings. On returning home, should you realise something is missing, please contact the owner/housekeeper who will be able to assist you.
There is a postage and handling fee for the return of left belongings.

Guest Obligations
GUEST’S OBLIGATIONS – The guest agrees:
•To pay for all gas, electricity, fuel and telephone charges incurred during the tenancy where these services are not included in the rental.
•To pay for any losses or damages to the property and contents however caused, reasonable wear and tear excluded. Breakages should be reported as soon as possible.
•To permit the owners and agents reasonable access to the property.
•Not to cause any annoyance or become a nuisance to occupants of adjoining premises.
•They shall not sublet the said holiday accommodation or any part thereof.
•At the end of their holiday, they must depart as per the terms of their booking.

Non Availability of Property
If for any reason beyond the owners/agents control, the property is not available on the date booked, or the property is unsuitable for letting, we will offer the customer alternative accommodation of, at least, equal standard (if possible). Should this not be possible, or meet with the customer’s approval, all monies will be
returned in full and we shall not be under any other liability.

Termination
We reserve the right to refuse or terminate (without refund) any booking where we consider there to be a breach of contract of our terms and conditions.

Dissatisfaction
We work very hard with all property owners to ensure that the guest will have an enjoyable holiday. However, in the unlikely event that the guest is dissatisfied with the accommodation, then it is very important that the guest register this straight away with the owner or point of contact and do not wait until they return home, when the chance of actively helping the guest has passed. Even if the guest thinks nothing could be done to make the situation better, the guest must say something during their stay.

Complaints
“Every effort has been made to ensure that the guest have an enjoyable and memorable holiday. If, however, they have any cause for complaint, the owner and IHC are anxious that remedial action is taken as soon as possible. It is essential that the guest contact the owner or point of contact immediately if any problem arises so that it can be speedily resolved. It is often extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to resolve difficulties properly unless the owner is promptly notified. Discussion of any criticisms with the owner or his/her point of contact whilst the guest is in residence will usually enable shortcomings to be rectified straightaway. In particular, complaints of a transient nature (for example, regarding preparation of the property or heating etc of the property) cannot possibly be investigated unless registered whilst the guest is in residence. If the guest cannot make contact with the owner or point of contact, or if the guest remains unhappy with their response, the guest should immediately telephone IHC on 01688 302251. If out with office hours (9am – 4pm weekdays 2pm – 5pm Saturdays) leave a message. If, after this, the guest feels that the problem has not been resolved to their satisfaction and if properties are available, Island Holiday Cottages will try to relocate the guest to another property. 
This procedure is designed to ensure the speediest possible investigation and rectification of complaints. The guest is asked to please help the owner and IHC to help them by following this procedure.  As IHC acts only as an agent for the owner, IHC cannot accept any liability for the guests holiday property. Any assistance provided in resolving a complaint in relation to the guest’s booking is provided on a goodwill basis and in our capacity as agent only.”

Force Majeure and Travel Disruption
Neither the agent nor owner will, either jointly or individually, accept any liability to the Hirer or pay any compensation when the Owner is unable to make the property available on the booking day due to an event beyond the reasonable control of either party.  This could be owing to family circumstances, or an unexpected event, such as a pandemic, epidemic, fire, war, terrorist act, social unrest or natural disaster.  This extends to the ferry service being made unavailable for any reason (or any other travel to the property which is disrupted or cancelled).

Liability
The agents do not accept liability for any act, neglect or default on the part of the owners or any other person not within their employ, nor for any accident, damage, loss, injury, expense or inconvenience whether to person or property which the guest or any other person may suffer or incur arising out or in anyway connected with the letting.

Specifics/Appliances
The agents IHC do not accept responsibility for changes to specifications during the year. If any item is particularly important to you, please check when booking. In the unlikely event that an appliance breaks down, please report this to the owner or housekeeper immediately, so that we can get the matter rectified as soon as possible. Should they be unable to sort the matter immediately (i.e. a part needs to be ordered), the guests shall have no claim against the owner.

Amenities
The use of any amenities, where offered, such as swimming pools, bicycles, boats, barbeques, trampolines etc is entirely at the user’s risk and no responsibility can be accepted by the owner for any death or personal injury (save to the extent that such death or personal injury was caused by the negligence of the owner). No liability for any other loss or damage in connection with the use of such amenities is accepted.

Previous Websites
This web site and these booking conditions cancel all previous issues. Some properties on the website www.islandholidaycottages.com maybe advertised on other websites and magazines, the conditions for the customer’s booking made through IHC are as per the Island Holiday Cottages website.

Advertising
We will contact guests by email in the course of the booking process and occasionally will offer promotions in connection with Island Holiday Cottages etc but will never pass guests details to a third party. We may also use any guest books comments on our web pages.

Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy – Island Holiday Cottages
This privacy policy sets out how Island Holiday Cottages uses and protects any information that you give Island Holiday Cottages when you use this website or when contacting us by telephone or email. Island Holiday Cottages are committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide personal information (such as your name, address, email address etc.) when using our services (such as booking a holiday, brochure requests, contacting us with a query or general correspondence, submitting an enquiry or paying a deposit, balance or full payment for your holiday) then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement. Island Holiday Cottages may change this policy from time to time by updating this page, to ensure our privacy policy meets current legislation and internet best practice. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 25/05/2018.

Information on our Customers
Island Holiday Cottages are committed to the continued improvement of the quality service it provides and therefore telephone calls may be monitored and recorded for training and operational purposes. Your personal information will never be passed to anyone outside of Island Holiday Cottages. Our services will include sending you emails to enable us to administer the process of booking a holiday property, payments of rentals or informing you of Island Holiday Cottages’ promotions and newsletters that may be of interest to you. We send a newsletter on a monthly basis and you will always have the choice to unsubcribe to this newsletter at the time of booking and also if you receive the newsletter. We will store your personal information on our secure systems until such time as we no longer deem them to be commercially viable. If you request that your details be removed from our systems, so long as there is no outstanding action on any booking, we will be happy to do so. The security of all your personal information is of the upmost priority to Island Holiday Cottages. Access to your data is restricted to only Island Holiday Cottages authorised personnel, our internal computer network is protected by a firewall and backups stored online by a secure company. When we ask for credit card, debit card or any other financial details, these are never held by the company.

Accessing your Personal Information
If you wish to request a copy of the personal information that Island Holiday Cottages holds about you, and have any inaccuracies rectified, then please address such a request info@islandholidaycottages.com
Island Holiday Cottages Policy for Customers & Website Users under 18 years old
Those under the age of 18 years old are permitted to view are website and the information contained within it, however it is the policy of Island Holiday Cottages that those under that age of 18 are not permitted to book a holiday cottage, and therefore should not provide us with their personal details for this purpose. Those under 18 wishing to request a brochure may only do so with the express consent of their parent or legal guardian, and users under 18 years of age without this permission are not allowed to provide us with their personal information for the purposes of receiving a brochure.
Information on visitors to the Island Holiday Cottages Website
When you request a page on the Island Holiday Cottages website, you send certain information, in accordance with the HTTP protocol, to our web server so that it knows where to send the data requested. This data includes the IP Address of your computer. This data is saved and analysed to provide useful information on the amount of traffic that to the website and the efficiency with which it is handled by our server. Island Holiday Cottages do not routinely use the IP Address for any purpose, however we do retain the right to do, so if necessary, to track down any malicious traffic designed to interfere with our servers (e.g. viruses).
Links to other Websites
To provide further useful information to our customers, the Island Holiday Cottages Website does contain some links to other websites which may be on interest. Please note however, that once you have used one of these links to leave our site Island Holiday Cottages does not have any control over that other website. Therefore, Island Holiday Cottages cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites, and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. Island Holiday Cottages advises its customers and site visitors to exercise caution and look at the privacy statement that is applicable to the linked website in question