1. CONTRACT OF HIRE

The hiring contract shall be between the Hirer and Mr & Mrs G.E.Gilbert ("the owners") of the property for which the booking is made and shall be deemed to be made subject to these Conditions of Hire.

2. INITIAL PAYMENT

Bookings will be confirmed upon receipt of the required deposit payment.

3. BALANCE PAYMENT

The Balance of Hire will be due for payment six weeks (42 days) before the holiday commencement date. In the case of late payment any discounts granted maybe withdrawn and we reserve the right to cancel a holiday where full payment has not been received less than 28 days before the holiday commencement date. If booking less than 6 weeks before your holiday, the total rental is due, plus insurance and breakages deposit as before, plus linen and towel hire if required.

4. VALUE ADDED TAX

Not applicable.

5. CONFIRMATION OF BOOKING

Once a Confirmation of Booking has been issued the Hirer is responsible for the total published price of the property and extras as shown on the Confirmation. Dates booked, can only be changed once we have confirmed them in writing to you, and if the reasons are covered by the cancellation insurance.

6. BOOKING CANCELLATION

Cancellation and Curtailment Protection Insurance is essential, and summary details of a scheme which can be arranged on behalf of the Hirer, will be sent on request. We reserve the right to refuse any booking and to cancel any booking if Thornbrook becomes unavailable for reasons beyond our control. We will refund in this case any moneys paid, but will be under no other obligation.

6. AMENITIES

The use of accommodation and amenities is entirely at the user's risk, and no responsibility can be accepted for injury, or loss or damage to users' or visitors' belongings.

7. INJURIES, MOTOR CAR AND PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Baggage and personal belongings are at the Hirer's risk at all times, and no responsibility can be accepted for loss of or damage to any vehicle or its contents.Under no circumstances shall we be liable for any damage, injury, or loss of any kind, to you or any members of your party, or your property whilst at Thornbrook.

8. HIRER'S RESPONSIBILITIES RE CLEANING AND DAMAGE

The Hirer is responsible for the property and is expected to take all reasonable care of it. Should you have any reason to complain as to the cleanliness of Thornbrook at the start of your holiday, please contact the caretaker , whose tel. no. and address are on the separate sheet. All equipment, utensils, etc., must be left clean and the property must be left clean and tidy at the end of the hire period (" the finishing date"). As mentioned above a deposit of £80 is required to be paid at the same time as the balance of holiday rental and any moneys remaing after settlement of charges for linen/breakages/ damages/ oil/ electricity will be repayable within 3 weeks of the finishing date provided that the property has been left clean and tidy with no breakages etc, exceeding the amount of the deposit. The owners reserve the right to make an additional charge for extra cleaning if in their opinion it is necessary. All damage and breakages are the legal responsibilities of the Hirer, and their further cost shall be reimbursed on demand.

9. PARTY SIZE

Under no circumstances may more than the maximum number of persons, as stated in the description, occupy a property, except by prior written agreement (in which case an extra charge may apply). We will permit only the members of the party entered on the booking form occupying Thornbrook for holiday purposes only, during the time booked.We reserve the right to refuse admittance if this condition is not observed. In addition, the owners reserve the right to refuse or revoke (before or during the holiday) any bookings from parties which may in their opinion (and at their sole discretion) be unsuitable for the property concerned. We reserve the right to enter the property at any reasonable time, provided reasonable notice is given to the hirer.

10. PETS

No pets are allowed.

11. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

If you have a complaint you must immediately bring it to the attention of the owners, and they will do their best to resolve the matter to the Hirers satisfaction. The owners reserve the right to deal with all verbal complaints as they think fit during the course of the holiday, in the event of a dispute they are prepared to refer the matter to the Devon Tourist Board to act as experts not as arbitrators. All such complaints must be in writing and made within 7 days of the end of the holiday.

12. BROCHURE

We have taken every care to ensure the accuracy of property descriptions. All information is given in good faith and believed correct at the time of printing but we cannot accept any claim arising from any matter which may be considered to be a mis-description.

13. DURATION OF HOLIDAY

The Holiday will commence at 3pm on the commencement date and the hirer undertakes to vacate the cottage in a clean and tidy state no later than 10.30 am on the finishing date. If any of these conditions are not complied with we have the right to require you to vacate Thornbrook at once, without any compensation

14. LEGAL

The Conditions of Hire, the Brochure and Booking Form shall be deemed to be the only agreement entered between the Hirer and the owners and there shall be no other terms and conditions either expressed or implied. This agreement shall be entered into on receipt of the Hirer's deposit and/or the receipt of a booking confirmation by the Hirer whichever shall have first occurred. The agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the Laws of England and each party submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts. Any dispute arising between the parties if not mutually resolved shall be referred to a single arbitrator to be agreed and in default of such agreement to the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. In either case such arbitration shall be subject to the provisions of the Arbitration Act 1950 as amended.