Holiday cottage cancellation.

royP_2

In January of this year to celebrate my 80th Birthday I booked a Holiday Cottage in October for  My Wife and I plus our two sons and their families, as things stand we are unable to all go on this holiday as we are only allowed to meet with one other family group, therefore we wish to cancel.
I have asked the rental company what my position is and the following is the reply:
We do understand that given your circumstances along with the current government guidelines it may make your travel plans difficult. As Treworra Stables itself is currently available, we would need to approach the owner on your behalf to see if they would be willing to allow us to move the funds from your current booking to a new booking with them later this year, or next if you would prefer. Whilst we cannot guarantee this, but we will do our best to arrange this, there would be a £20 admin fee incurred. We are unable to offer a transfer to a different property I am afraid.
If this is not possible you may wish to cancel. You would unfortunately lose your booking fee and deposit in this situation. 
I don't mind them keeping my depost but would rather have a choice as to which cottage I choose.
Is it correct that they have no need to refund my deposit when non of us forsaw this pandemic.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated as I can ill afford to loose my £550 deposit.
Thanks.

Grumpy_chap

If you cancel, then it is your loss.  If the venue cancels, then you should get a refund.  
Why are you unable to go there in October?  It would be permitted under the current rules so far as I can make out.
Why do you want a new choice of which property to go to?  I assume you originally chose this property with free will.

Upsidedownandaround

Is it correct that they have no need to refund my deposit when non of us forsaw this pandemic.

Yes. What they are offering seems fair. The owner of the current property isn't going to consent you moving the date of your stay if it means you stay somewhere else and he has to pass the deposit to another owner. 

royP_2

Grumpy_chap said:

If you cancel, then it is your loss.  If the venue cancels, then you should get a refund.  
Why are you unable to go there in October?  It would be permitted under the current rules so far as I can make out.
Why do you want a new choice of which property to go to?  I assume you originally chose this property with free will.

According to the current rules only 2 family groups are allowed to be togethet not three as in our case.
I have no wish to cancel, it is the law.

royP_2

Upsidedownandaround said:

Is it correct that they have no need to refund my deposit when non of us forsaw this pandemic.

Yes. What they are offering seems fair. The owner of the current property isn't going to consent you moving the date of your stay if it means you stay somewhere else and he has to pass the deposit to another owner. 
Fair comment.

Tigsteroonie

But it's not the fault of the accommodation that you are mixing three families, and not travelling as two families or even one really big family.

bradders1983

The rules could change 50 times between now and 3 months time. Also it is no concern of the cottage people how your party is made up.

If you cancel you are subject to their normal cancellation terms.

Thrugelmir

royP_2 said:

Grumpy_chap said:

If you cancel, then it is your loss.  If the venue cancels, then you should get a refund.  
Why are you unable to go there in October?  It would be permitted under the current rules so far as I can make out.
Why do you want a new choice of which property to go to?  I assume you originally chose this property with free will.

According to the current rules only 2 family groups are allowed to be togethet not three as in our case.
I have no wish to cancel, it is the law.

You have booked a property to rent. The make up of the staying guests is entirely up to you. Your decision your choice whether to cancel or not.  The property owner has not stopped you from using the property. Nor possibly will they now be in a position to relet the property. Which is why deposits are required on a non refundable basis. 

mattyprice4004

They didn’t write the law, so it’s not their fault either - and your group arrangement isn’t their concern.

The accommodation is available for you, if you can’t / won’t use it that’s your loss to bear I’m afraid.