Non refundable full uk holiday payment if Corona Virus prevents holiday it cant be legal

homerhobson

A group of us were bound for Cornwall in July  some camping  and one couple in a holiday cottage. The campsite im sure will simply move the booking to next year if CV continues past summer ( Highly likely). Another couple booked a holiday cottage near to the campsite in January, they have stopped there many times before, They paid there deposit,  they have recently received communication from the company/Owners  stating that they would like full payment now and that if the holiday does not go ahead due to CV they will lose the full payment, surely this cant be legal   they have badgered the couple saying that if they dont pay up now they will offer it to someone else, they apparently have families queuing to book this cottage ( i find that hard to believe in the current situation). My friends dont want to lose the opportunity should it arise to stay in Cornwall again but Im convinced that the holiday company/Owners cant ask for and do what they are stating.  Iv advised the couple to cancel the holiday all together and  never go and stay there again. This has to be wrong   you cant ask for full payment knowing that in reality  holidays in the uk are not going to happen this year    

Many thanks in advance 

Ben

Aylesbury_Duck

The owners can ask and your friends can refuse.  What were the terms of the booking when it comes to payment?  If your friends cancel, they would (probably) not be entitled to their deposit back.  If your friends refuse to pay the balance earlier than required by the original agreement, and the owner cancels their booking, they're entitled to a refund of their deposit.

I'd politely refuse to pay the balance early (when is it actually due?) and call the owner's bluff.  The owner would then presumably cancel their booking, have to refund the deposit and sell the break to all those they supposedly have queuing to book.

homerhobson

Thanks Aylesbury_Duck
Much appreciated      
Ben

The_Rainmaker

Aylesbury_Duck said:

  If your friends refuse to pay the balance earlier than required by the original agreement, and the owner cancels their booking, they're entitled to a refund of their deposit.

If the friends refuse to pay when due then the contract has been broken then they will not be entitled to their deposit back (they might be due some if the cottage is re-let)

homerhobson

They are going to cancel now and either get a deposit refund or lose it, it wasn't much, just think the owners are trying it on, black mail in a sense or bribing  to try and gain the money knowing fine well that this could go on well past July  i can see this lasting a long time.
Thanks

Ben

happyandcontented

They could do a chargeback if paid by CC or debit card if the owner cancels and doesn't provide the service. Or claim on their travel insurance.