Booked a holiday home rental in England

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This discussion was created from comments split from: How can we get our deposit back?.

NCMoney

Hello. I'm a new member and hope I can get some help with getting my deposit back. Here's the story so far
My wife and I booked a holiday home rental in England for 3 weeks in September and paid £2,000 deposit with the balance of £4,000.00 due 4 weeks before moving in. Yes. It's expensive but it's a beautiful house and my wife has a lot of family in England whom she hopes to visit us in the house. The owner says that the deposit is non refundable as printed in their terms and conditions but I believe, in these extraordinary times, with Covid19 and the quarantine (and being vulnerable at age 74 and 75) that the full deposit should be refunded. We don't want a credit as we live in the USA and don't know when, if ever, we will return to England.
I have read on British newspapers that some UK booking companies are being forced (encouraged?) to make refunds even if their T&C state no refunds.
I have yet to formally ask for a refund but have asked what options we have in the event that we cannot travel. I got no reply to that request. So, in the event of a likely refusal what can I do from here in North Carolina to get their attention and our money back?
I have followed Martin for years never thinking I would need to use his site.
Thanks in advance.
NCMoney

diggingdude

NCMoney said:

Hello. I'm a new member and hope I can get some help with getting my deposit back. Here's the story so far
My wife and I booked a holiday home rental in England for 3 weeks in September and paid £2,000 deposit with the balance of £4,000.00 due 4 weeks before moving in. Yes. It's expensive but it's a beautiful house and my wife has a lot of family in England whom she hopes to visit us in the house. The owner says that the deposit is non refundable as printed in their terms and conditions but I believe, in these extraordinary times, with Covid19 and the quarantine (and being vulnerable at age 74 and 75) that the full deposit should be refunded. We don't want a credit as we live in the USA and don't know when, if ever, we will return to England.
I have read on British newspapers that some UK booking companies are being forced (encouraged?) to make refunds even if their T&C state no refunds.
I have yet to formally ask for a refund but have asked what options we have in the event that we cannot travel. I got no reply to that request. So, in the event of a likely refusal what can I do from here in North Carolina to get their attention and our money back?
I have followed Martin for years never thinking I would need to use his site.
Thanks in advance.
NCMoney

You are posting in the wrong section, however there is currently no reason to believe you won't be able to go on holiday in september so why would they need to offer a refund?

macman

As above, but if the accommodation is available, then you are not entitled to a refund. Highly unlikely that UK quarantine will still be in force in September, but even if it were, that does not preclude you from doing so at the booked address for 2 weeks. Your ages are not relevant.
I suggest you refer to the terms of your holiday insurance, as that is probably your only option, other than to accept a voucher.

MSE_ForumTeam2

@NCMoney
I have split this into a new thread for your question.

sheramber

Holiday homes in England are due to open 4 July . If the accommodation is open then the owner/ letting company have no requirement to refund you as they are not cancelling. 
The refunds you refer to are for cases where the accommodation is closed under lockdown rules. From 4 July that will no longer apply in England.  

Any restrictions  on your ability to your travel would have  to be covered by you travel insurance.

[Deleted User]

Hi NCMoney,  I really feel it for you but I take it this is a private arrangement so unfortunately as others have said, you are at the mercy of the house owner and  IF the house is available at the time of travel then you will have to adhere to the t's and c's you agreed to.    It is all so uncertain at the moment though and if you are not able to get a flight here (either FCO advice or your flights not running)  at the time then, you may be able to claim on your insurance?   If flights going ahead then am assuming you would want to travel?   If any medical problems prevent you from flying perhaps you would also be covered under your insurance?  You would need to check what you require for this.

As for paying the additional £4,000.... trickey because if you don't pay it then you are in effect cancelling and will lose your deposit any way.   I certainly don't envy you.  Not sure I would want to part with the 4 grand either.    No consolation but hundreds if not thousands of people caught in same situation. People who have villas in US booked are facing similar dilemmas.