Caravan holiday deposit not being refunded-help!

Vickster80

Hi,

Could anyone give me some advice on my rights in the following situation?

I booked a holiday through a private caravan owner after seeing their advert on UKCaravans4hire. In all correspondence between us the deposit was stated as being refundable and was to secure dates.

The holiday was due to start on 12th July. I booked in March and paid the £100 refundable deposit to secure dates. My mother became ill and due to her possibly needing an operation I decided to cancel the holiday on 16th May. Since then I have been emailing and messaging the owner for a refund of our deposit and he finally responded on 1st July stating that if I cancel the holiday my deposit is forfeited.

I would understand this if it was the night before or if not enough time was given to fill the dates but this is not the case.

Does anyone have any similar experience of this?

Thanks
Vicky

Diamandis

They are only allowed to keep their actual losses. If they manage to let out the caravan to someone else for the same price you should be able to get most of your deposit back

You can find information on this here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cancelling-goods-or-services-guide-for-consumers/cancelling-goods-or-services

Vickster80

Thank you, that’s really helpful

ThumbRemote

Diamandis wrote: »

They are only allowed to keep their actual losses. If they manage to let out the caravan to someone else for the same price you should be able to get most of your deposit back

You can find information on this here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cancelling-goods-or-services-guide-for-consumers/cancelling-goods-or-services

However, loss of profit is a valid loss. So if they don't let out the van, in theory they could actually pursue you for more money.

12th July is only a week and a half away. They've got very little chance to re-let the van at this short notice. For many holidays if you cancelled at this point you'd be liable for the whole balance as well.

I'd have thought you would just be best writing the money off.

nickcc

ThumbRemote wrote: »

However, loss of profit is a valid loss. So if they don't let out the van, in theory they could actually pursue you for more money.

12th July is only a week and a half away. They've got very little chance to re-let the van at this short notice. For many holidays if you cancelled at this point you'd be liable for the whole balance as well.

I'd have thought you would just be best writing the money off.

Op states holiday was cancelled in May.

daveyjp

OP get a friend to make an enquiry to book it for that date and see if it is available.

teddysmum

It is unusual to see an owner offering a refundable deposit. The deposit usually stays as damages cover and is then refunded when the caravan is checked over, after the holiday.

greenface

teddysmum wrote: »

It is unusual to see an owner offering a refundable deposit. The deposit usually stays as damages cover and is then refunded when the caravan is checked over, after the holiday.

that's my thought and as a holiday home owner myself . we do that and word it as refundable deposit £50 . May look at re-wording it.