terms and conditions

 

These Terms & Conditions are in place to ensure the quality of your stay at Waterside and that of future guests. Please ensure that you read and understand them, contacting us if you have any queries or concerns.

1.   Acceptance of the Terms and Conditions

The person who signs the Booking Form certifies that they are authorised to agree the Booking Terms and Conditions on behalf of all persons included on the Booking Form, including those substituted or added at a later date. 

The signatory must be a member of the party occupying the property and must be 25 years or over. Please contact us if you are unable to meet this criteria.

Generally, bookings are not accepted from parties of guests under 25 years of age. 

2.  Booking

2.1  Confirmation and Deposit

To confirm your booking, a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the full rental cost must be received along with the completed and signed Booking Form. Your booking is not confirmed until receipt of the deposit and the Booking Form. 

2.2  Paying Your Balance


The balance (the remaining 75%) of the rental fee, together with the Security Deposit, will be due a minimum of 10 weeks prior to the commencement of the rental period.

If the remaining balance of the rental cost and the Security Deposit are not received in accordance with these terms, it will be deemed that you have cancelled your booking and the cancellation charges (see Section 2.5) will apply. 

2.3  Payment

Only on-line Bank Transfers are accepted for payment. Please contact us if you are unable to make on-line bank transfers. 

2.4  Alternative Currencies


The currency quoted throughout is the British Pound. We do of course welcome bookings from guests who are resident outside of the UK. The exchange rate applicable at the time of booking will be applied. Any currency transfer charges incurred will be at the responsibility of the Guest.


2.5  Cancellation by You 


In the event that you need to cancel your booking for any reason, at any time, you must confirm the cancellation in writing by email. The cancellation point will be taken from the receipt (time/date) of your email.


In the event of your need to cancel the booking, the following charges will apply: 

  • Cancellation over 26 weeks prior to the first day of the rental period:  

  • Deposit Only

  • Cancellation between 16 and 26 weeks prior to the first day of the rental period:

  • 50% of the rental cost

  • Cancellation less than 16 weeks prior to the first day of the rental term: 

  • 100% of the rental cost

  • In all cases, if the Security Deposit has been paid, this will be refunded


The cancellation charges above have been calculated as a genuine pre-estimate of the losses we would incur in the event you cancelled your holiday in the stipulated time period.

To ensure that you are covered against these cancellation charges, you are strongly advised to obtain Fully Comprehensive Travel Insurance for your whole party, to include cancellation charges, as soon as you have booked the villa or any other part of your holiday (please see Section 9).


COVID-19 (or any Pandemic) Related Cancellations


For cancellations related to Covid-19 (or any Pandemic issue) the following additional cancellation terms will apply;

A full refund of all Villa Rental and Security Deposit monies paid will be provided for any of the following reasons;

  • An FCO ban on travel to the USA is in place on the day your rental is due to start

  • A USA Government ban on travel into the USA from the UK (for holiday purposes) is in place on the day your rental is due to start

  • Your home address is in a UK Government Lockdown and you are unable to leave the area (to go to the airport) on the day your rental is due to start

  • The State of Florida undertakes lockdown measures, state-wide or locally, which include a temporary ban on letting short term vacation homes, resulting in the villa not being available for your use on the day your rental is due to start

2.6  Cancellation By Us

In the unlikely event that circumstances beyond our control necessitate the cancellation of your rental arrangement, we will only be liable to refund monies already paid by you.

This will be without interest, compensation or consequential loss of any kind.

2.7  Alterations to Confirmed Bookings

Please contact us immediately if you wish to make any changes to your booking. This includes;

  • Adding (where this is possible) or removing Guests (Florida State Law requirement)

  • Changing Guests names (Florida State Law requirement)

  • Amendments to the dates of your Booking (where this is possible) 

Please Note:

  • The new start date of an amended booking must be within 4 weeks of the date originally booked. If this is not the case, the original booking will be deemed to be cancelled and a new booking put in place. No monies will be refunded for the original booking that has been cancelled 

  • If the new booking dates fall within a higher price band, an additional charge will be made to reflect this

  • If the new booking dates fall within a lower price band, the original cost will remain in place   

  • Increasing or decreasing the length of stay (where this is possible)

Please Note:

  • Additional days will be charged on a pro-rata basis of the appropriate weekly rate

  • No refund will be given for a reduction in days from the original booking


3.  Security Deposit


3.1  General


A Security Deposit of £300 is required for all Rental periods. This becomes due at the time the final balance is paid (10 weeks before the rental period commences).

We will hold this Security Deposit until the villa has been inspected upon your departure. Once it is determined that the property is in a satisfactory condition, with all fittings present, the Security Deposit will be returned to you. This will be within 7 days of your departure from the villa.

For your own protection, you should carry out an inspection as soon as you arrive at the villa and report and damage or missing items to the Management Company. The villa is also inspected by our Management Company both before the start and at the end of each rental. 


3.2  Damage and Breakages


You are solely responsible for any damage or breakages beyond normal 'wear and tear' that may be caused to the property and/or to its contents during your stay. Upon arrival, you should immediately report any damage to the premises to the Management Company. Any subsequent damage and/or breakage must also be reported immediately to the Management Company. 

Examples of such damage may include, but is not limited to, broken windows or shutters, damaged pool screens, burn marks, appliance problems, major stains to furnishings, mattresses, bedding or towels. The value of any significant damage or breakages will be deducted from the Security Deposit.

Charges for damages, losses or any maintenance or repairs to the villa, equipment, amenities or fixtures, or any cleaning services over and above those normally required to prepare the villa for the next guest will be deducted from the Security Deposit.


3.3  Damage Excess


In the event that any damage or loss is assessed to be in excess of the amount of the Security Deposit, you will be responsible for full reimbursement of the outstanding amount.  The said amount should be paid within 14 days of receipt of our written notification to you.


3.4  Smoking


For the comfort of all of our guests, Waterside is designated as a 'No Smoking’ villa, and all Guests must refrain from smoking inside or on the pool deck. In the event that neutralization of smoke odours from cigarettes, cigars, pipes or other smoking materials is required or in the event that burn marks from smoking materials are detected, the cost for elimination of those odours or repair of the burn marks will be deducted from the Security Deposit.


3.5  Keys

Waterside has a digital front door lock and alarm. You will be allocated a unique 4-digit number before the commencement of your holiday. This number will be deleted on the day of your departure. Please make a note of the 4 digit number in a safe place. If you forget the number whilst you are staying at the villa, please contact our Management Company.

3.6  The Playstation 4


A Playstation 4 has been provided at the villa for your enjoyment. The system includes the main unit (which also serves as a Blu-ray DVD player), two controllers and a memory card. You are responsible for the proper use of the Playstation 4 and its various components.

If the departure inventory reveals that any components of the system are missing or damaged, the cost to replace these items will be deducted from the Security Deposit.



4.  GENERAL CONDITIONS


4.1  Party Size


The maximum number of guests that the villa is licensed for is 7, however, bookings of more than 6 people are generally not accepted. Everyone occupying the property must be listed on the Booking Form, including small children/babies. This is a Florida State Law requirement and must be adhered to. 

If the Management Company find that additional persons are staying at the villa, the whole rental will be cancelled immediately and you will be instructed to leave the property. This will render the booking void, no compensation will be paid nor monies refunded.


4.2  Pets


No pets of any kind are permitted at the villa.


4.3  Persons under 21 Years of Age

Persons under 21 years of age are not accepted unless accompanied by parents or responsible adults over the age of 25.

Please contact us if you are unable to meet this criteria.


5.  THE SWIMMING POOL


The pool depth is from 3’ to 5’ 6”.

The pool has been converted to salt water rather than chlorine. This not only provides superior hygiene conditions but leaves you without chlorine smells and dry skin.

The level of salt required to maintain hygiene levels is far less than you experience when swimming in the sea and the salt cannot even be tasted.


5.1  Pool Deck – No Glass!


Glass and crockery are not permitted on the pool deck (anywhere outside the villa) under any circumstances. If broken glass or crockery is found on the pool deck you will be responsible for the costs of draining and re-filling the pool in order to check for and clear glass fragments. These costs will be deducted from your Security Deposit.


5.2  Pool Cleaning


The pool is cleaned and checked for salt balance every week for your safety and comfort.  


5.3  Pool Heating


A state-of-the-art pool heater is fitted at the villa. 

Pool Heating is recommended from October through to April.  If specified, this will be activated on the day of your arrival but may take some time to heat the pool to the specified temperature. We are unable to guarantee the water temperature with pool heating as this will depend on the prevailing weather conditions.

Pool Heating runs for approximately 8 hours per day and the maximum temperature is set to 84 - 86 Degrees. However, in cooler weather the Pool temperature could drop to around 70 Degrees overnight. When the Pool Heating comes on it will take several hours to heat up and may not reach 84 - 86 Degrees. Generally, the maximum water temperature achievable will be approximately 10 degrees higher than the prevailing air temperature. This is NOT a fault in the system.

In the unlikely event that the pool heating breaks down during your stay the Management Company will make every effort to repair the heater. If this isn’t possible, a refund of the unused portion of the pool heating costs will be given. 

6.  INSECTS 

6.1  Pest Control


Florida has a tropical climate, which is ideal for both humans and pests. Pests are a fairly common occurrence and the villa has a monthly pest control program in place.

To help eliminate these uninvited guests we recommend that all windows and doors remain shut at all times and that all opened food is stored in the refrigerator. If you become aware of a pest problem inside the villa, sprays such as Raid can be purchased locally. If the problem is more widespread, you should inform our Management Company immediately so that the appropriate treatment can be initiated.


7.  PROBLEMS AND COMPLAINTS


7.1  Problem and Complaint Reporting


We are committed to ensuring that your stay in our villa is as pleasurable as possible.

In the unlikely event that you should have a problem with the villa or its facilities, please bring this to the attention of the Management Company immediately so they can investigate the circumstances and take any necessary action. In no circumstances can compensation be made for any complaints that are made after the date of departure, or where you have denied or prevented our Management Company the opportunity to try to put matters right during your stay.

If you are still dissatisfied with the outcome please send your complaint, in writing to us within 14 days of your return home. Please note that none of these provisions affect your Statutory Rights - your contract with us is governed by English Law and English Courts.


7.2  Liability


We, together with the Management Company of the villa, accept no responsibility whatsoever for death, personal injury, accidents, loss or damage to persons or personal belongings however caused.

The use of the villa and its amenities including the pool is entirely at the user's own risk. Children must be supervised by responsible adults at all times when using the pool. 

We, together with the Management Company, cannot accept responsibility for the sudden failure of villa equipment but will take immediate, reasonable action to rectify any such failure upon notification by you. 


7.3  Force Majeure


Neither we, nor the Management Company will be liable for loss or delay occasioned by any of the following: strikes, riots, political unrest, hostilities, war or threat of war, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, fire, flood, technical/weather problems with transport, aircraft grounding, closure of airports or ports, weather conditions, Pandemics or any other event beyond our or the Management Companies control.


7.4  Management Company Access


The Management Company shall be allowed access to the villa at any reasonable time during your stay.


7.5  Law


This contract is subject to the laws of England and all parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts.


7.6  Code of Conduct


The villa is situated in the quiet residential area of Eagle Pointe, consisting of approximately 50/50 rental homes/US families. It is a condition of the rental that you should be considerate in your behaviour and keep noise levels to a reasonable level so as not to disturb our neighbours.

In the event that any member of your party behaves in a way that is likely to cause distress, danger or annoyance to any other residents of Eagle Pointe or damage to any property, the Management Company reserve the right to terminate your rental agreement immediately and forthwith. Neither we, nor the Management Company, will be liable for any costs you may incur, nor shall we pay any compensation, nor make any refunds due to this action.


7.7  Parking Restrictions


In accordance with the Eagle Pointe Homeowners Association rules, no truck or van, boat, trailer, recreational vehicle (RV), commercial vehicle or other types of non-passenger vehicles, equipment, implements or accessories shall be parked, stored or otherwise kept on any portion of the property or elsewhere on Eagle Pointe.

The connection of the Villa’s utility supplies to any external vehicle/appliance is strictly prohibited.


8.  ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE


The villa will be available for occupancy from 4.00pm on the date of arrival and must be vacated by 10.00am on the day of departure.

It is very important that we have sufficient time to prepare the villa to an impeccable standard for our next guest. If you do not vacate the villa by 10:00am on your departure day, you will be charged £25 for every hour, or part thereof, past 10:00am. This amount will be deducted from your Security Deposit. 

If the villa isn’t booked by another guest on the day of your departure it may be possible to check-out after 10:00am. This option will be charged at £10 per hour.

9.  INSURANCE

It is a requirement of renting the villa that you take out Fully Comprehensive Travel Insurance for your whole party, to include cancellation charges, as soon as you have booked the villa or any other part of your holiday.  You will be responsible for the payment of any cancellation charges (see Section 2.5) and this insurance will provide cover for that and other eventualities.

If you do not take out such Insurance please be aware that you accept and remain responsible for all losses that are incurred by both parties (renter and rentee).

Non-US residents should also ensure that their entire party has adequate Medical Insurance Cover for their entire stay in the USA.

10.  ACCEPTANCE

In reserving the villa and returning the signed (by hand or email) Booking Form, you are agreeing to be bound by the Terms and Conditions stated above on behalf of your entire party. 


Waterside – Terms & Conditions of Rental – October 2020