Legal rights for booked property in Bournomouth

mikeh18071975

Hi All, hope you can help. My brother has booked a holiday rental with a local property company in Bournemouth before the coronavirous, this was going to be for myself and my two kids, my brother and his child and our mother and father. He has paid £500 deposit for the house, the rest of the money (£1100) is due by the end of June. Due to my parents having to shield, they feel its better that they don't go, even if the government lets them go (house booked for mid August). My brother contacted the property company, who said they won't give the deposit back has holidaying in Britain maybe open in August. They say we can cancel it and they will try and get someone else for the property, they can then refund the deposit, minus a organisation fee. But if they don't get anyone for the property, we would be liable for the rest of the money (total of £1600). By law can they do this?

Myself and my brother are thinking of going on our own with the kids. But don't want to pay the rest of the money, as at the present we still can't go on holiday due to Government advice, and if we pay the rest, we will probably struggle to get it back from the property company, even if its still the advice not to go on holiday. 
Can someone advise on our legal rights?
Can we get them to postpone payment until a week before travel?
Are we liable for the rest of the money?
Can we cancel it and get our money back?

Thanks for all help Michael

manetti

If the government allows it and the property is available then you will be subject to their usual cancellation terms - do you have the terms and conditions of the booking? Do they align with what the property company is telling you?

If you miss the date when the full payment is due then this could be considered cancellation by you.

If the property isn't available then you would be due a full refund.

"Can we get them to postpone payment until a week before travel?" - you can ask but they don't have to agree.

[Deleted User]

It is true that nobody can say what the situation will be like mid-August and most people will be hoping holidays can be taken in UK by then.   We will also know more by end of June when your money is due (hopefully).

What do the terms and conditions say about cancellation?   As above person says if you do not pay the balance when due it will be considered a voluntary cancellation and you would probably lose whatever the t's and c's state (unless the company agree to wait or to transfer it to next year?)    

If we are still unable to travel/mix/stay in holiday accommodation at the time of your booking then you should be able to obtain a refund. 

Edited to add:  About whether they can demand the full amount if they don't re-let the cottage?   I would have thought if you cancel then all you could lose is your deposit or whatever the t's and c's dictate the penalty for cancelling now would be?