Holiday let changed dates and price

Staunts

Hi, I booked a holiday cottage in Devon for 4 nights in July/August at a cost of £1000.

It’s a cottage with a pool which was important to us when choosing a property.

I emailed the holiday let company before booking checking the dates and a couple of other things, and received a prompt reply stating the dates were fine etc. I then paid a deposit of £250.

Today I have been to their online portal to pay the balance to find the dates have been changed from 4 nights to 7, and the price increased to £1700.

I emailed the company who responded saying it’s 7 night minimum in peak season and I would have received an email stating this with the option to proceed.
I did not receive any email, and the T&C’s on their website and in my booking confirmation say 4 night minimum.

I responded with screenshots of emails back and forth regarding the dates and confirmation their end that this was ok.
The company have now said the owners have increased it to 7 nights because of spiralling costs.

Do I have any recourse here, either to insist that the booking goes ahead, or to the difference in cost between my original booking and now having to find a different property with the same amenities.

Thanks for any help or advice

Aylesbury_Duck

Presumably they'll let you cancel the booking for a full refund of your deposit?

Staunts

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003070#Comment_82003070

Yes they will, and if that’s all they need to do then so be it.

It’s incredibly frustrating that businesses can do this though, as I’m now left with less choice and paying more money for something comparable.

Aylesbury_Duck

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003077#Comment_82003077

I agree, and I only asked on the off-chance they were trying to withhold your deposit, which would be grossly unfair, and unlawful.

I've seen "loss of bargain" mentioned on here before, and it may apply here, but the onus would be on you to prove exactly how much extra you'd have to pay to secure the booking you originally had. That might prove difficult because I suspect most holiday lets of this type of accommodation would seek week-long bookings. No point creating unnecessary gaps in their income if they know they'll have the demand to fil the whole summer.

Jemma01

I feel your frustration, completely unprofessional.

The problem with this industry is that both of you can cancel up to a certain time in the contract. You need to check the terms and conditions, which I'm pretty sure gives both of you the privilege to cancel up to a certain period.

However, I do find it shady that the dates have changed without notice and mutual agreement, that's unacceptable. I know my petty self would cancel at the last minute possible to cause them inconvenience and not do business with ppl like that.