UK booking conditions

mbtaylor

We need to cancel our cottage for August as local rules mean we can't get our aged relative out of the cottage to beach or town as the council is making it car free. Also 4 households sharing is not allowed currently.
Booking conditions say:
1 If we don't pay the balance then we lose the deposit. No mention of anything else in this paragraph.
2 If we cancel we are liable for the whole cost, some of which could be refunded if the cottage could be re-let.
These two seem to conflict to me & I'm not sure what to do.
The agent refers us to these printed conditions & to travel insurance.  Our insurance ran out in May, couldn't be renewed & we haven't replaced it because of covid.
What should we do?

comeandgo

The booking is August,  what's allowable this week can change very quickly and be different next week or Month.  Reading the booking conditions if the cottage not rebooked you are liable for the cost.  If you cancel now the owner may be able to rebook and you don't loose much or you hang on for Boris daily changes.  

Mrsn

I would imagine at this point if they can’t relet the cottage you will be liable for the costs. As comeandgo has said the guidance is changing all the time, August is still quiet away yet for things to change.

sharpe106

They are correct at the moment, the normal terms and conditions apply for August, this could obviously change. You have hired a cottage, they are providing a cottage, you can physically get to said cottage. That is all the company need to provide that is what you both agreed to. They had met their part of the contract. 
Most companies have it if you cancel it early you lose you deposit and the closer to the time the more you lose if they can't re let the cottage. 

mbtaylor

My problem is that one part of the conditions says we lose the deposit & another part says we lose the lot (unless they can re-let).

sharpe106

Who did you book it with? usually you only lose the lot if you cancel it close to the time. 

mbtaylor

its original cottages

[Deleted User]

Have a look at the terms and conditions you agreed to.   These are what you will be obliged to stick to if you cancel yourself.  What they are saying is IF they manage to re-let the cottage then they will refund you but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one as not many new bookings being made just now.

Where is it you are going to?   Most will have parking conditions in place for elderly or infirm as they do now (has the relative got a blue badge).

Also as previous said, things changing all the time so the guidelines now may not apply in August esp regarding more households mixing.   

mbtaylor

thanks.  t&c are as my earlier post - that's why i'm confused.  St Ives cornwall is proposing no cars in the town between 11am & 4pm - that's why i have the issue about transporting people to beach or town.  (cottage is halfway up a 1 in 5 hill!)

sharpe106

The relevant terms and conditions. 

3.    BALANCE PAYMENT

The Balance of the Hire will be due for payment twelve weeks before the holiday commencement date. On receipt of the Balance Payment, advice on key collection arrangements and directions to the property will be sent to the Hirer. The Owner/the Agency reserves the right to cancel a holiday where full payment has not been received more than 14 days after the due date. The deposit paid on the booking is non-­returnable.

7.    BOOKING CANCELLATION

If you are forced to cancel your holiday you must inform the Agency as soon as possible. The day we receive your notice to cancel is the date on which we will cancel your booking with the owner. If you cancel your booking you will remain liable for full payment.

We recommend that all guests consider taking out a travel insurance policy, which may provide cover in the event of a cancellation.

https://www.originalcottages.co.uk/booking-conditions

Thrugelmir

mbtaylor said:

thanks.  t&c are as my earlier post - that's why i'm confused.  St Ives cornwall is proposing no cars in the town between 11am & 4pm - that's why i have the issue about transporting people to beach or town.  (cottage is halfway up a 1 in 5 hill!)

St Ives isn't particularly flat!  Much is pedestrianised as well. You'd struggle to park in the town in peak season.