These terms and conditions only apply in relation to a booking made by a person who currently works for the NHS and has requested accommodation under the NHS Homes Scheme (www.nhshomes.co.uk) (“NHS Worker”). Bookings made and accepted in those circumstances are only on the following conditions:
holidaycottages.co.uk (“the Website”) is a website owned and operated by The Travel Chapter Limited.
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Contract and Booking
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In consideration of the NHS Worker paying the cleaning fee and the contribution towards the Owner’s utilities and overheads as set out in paragraph 3 below, the Owner will grant the NHS Worker a licence to occupy their Property subject to these terms and conditions.
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The Travel Chapter Limited, trading as holidaycottages.co.uk, hereinafter called "the Agency" act only as agents for (i) the owners of the accommodation ("the Owner") or (ii) other agencies who themselves act as agents for the Owner. In all circumstances, the contract is between the NHS Worker and the Owner. The Agency is part of a group, and “Agency Group” means the Agency and any subsidiary or direct or indirect holding company of the Agency, and any subsidiary of any such direct or indirect holding company from time to time.
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This contract is made on the basis that the property ("the Property") is to be occupied by the NHS Worker under a licence and the NHS Worker acknowledges that the rights to occupy the Property granted by this contract is not an assured tenancy and that no statutory periodic tenancy will arise when it ends. By confirming a Booking the NHS Worker is confirming that they are not occupying the Property as their only or principal home.
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Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under 18 years of age.
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No bookings are valid until confirmed by the Agency in writing. Such confirmation will include further details of the booking including the period of occupation and the associated fees.
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Once a booking is confirmed it is not subject to change. Whilst we will be under no obligation to do so, we may in certain circumstances and with the agreement of the Owner, make minor adjustments to bookings.
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Owner's responsibilities
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The Owner is solely responsible for providing the accommodation and for the safety of the NHS Worker and all other people who occupy the Property under the booking provided the Owner is aware of the people at the Property and has permitted their occupation. The Agency accepts no responsibility for personal injury to, or death of, any NHS Worker or any people occupying the Property with the NHS Worker, or loss of or consequential loss or damage to their property, or for other matters over which the Agency has no control, except to the extent such personal injury or death is caused by the negligence or wilful default of the Agent.
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The Owner will ensure the Property is clean upon arrival. However, the Owner will not clean the Property, or arrange for it to be cleaned, whilst the Property is occupied by the NHS Worker.
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The Owner will provide two sets of Bed Linen for the NHS Worker to rotate and clean during their stay.
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The Owner will comply with all Health and Safety requirements as detailed by the Short Term Accommodation Association (“STAA”) which can be found here.
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The Owner will comply with the STAA code of conduct for the purposes of any activity on the NHS Homes Scheme as if they (and we) were members, See the STAA code of conduct.
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NHS Worker’s responsibilities and forfeiture
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The NHS Worker will occupy the Property solely to support their work for the NHS (which may include self-isolating from other family members) and not for any other purpose (including, without limitation, for a holiday).
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The NHS Worker shall keep the Property and all furniture, fixtures, fittings and effects in, on or at the Property in the same state of repair as at the commencement of their stay, and shall leave the Property in the same state of cleanliness and general order in which it was found.
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NHS Worker should keep the property clean and tidy during their stay.
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The NHS Worker must report and pay to the Owner the cost of any damage or breakages made during their occupancy.
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The NHS Worker will not smoke at the Property. The Agency and the Owner reserve the right to make a reasonable charge where guests have contravened an Owner's request for their Property to be smoke-free.
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The NHS Worker will, on request, provide proof of being a current worker for the NHS and agrees to all personal information shared with NHS homes at time of enquiry to be transferred to and held by the Agency in accordance with our Privacy Statement. The NHS Worker will also ensure that proof they work for the NHS can be presented at the property upon request.
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The NHS Worker agrees to pay the cleaning fee and the contribution towards the Owner’s utilities and other overheads as communicated to the NHS Worker as part of the enquiry and confirmed in the booking confirmation.
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The NHS worker will not bring back any work related materials to the Property. Work related materials will include, without limitation, any clothing or personal protective equipment worn whilst at any hospital, clinic, other NHS establishment or other place of work (including patients’ homes) visited by the NHS Worker.
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The right to stay in the Property may be forfeited without compensation if:
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More people than declared to the Agency at the time of booking or before the commencement of the stay and/or the number the Property holds, attempt to take up occupation;
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Overnight guests are entertained without the Owner's express permission;
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Any activity is undertaken which is illegal (including an activity which breaches any regulations or guidance introduced by any UK Government in respect of Covid-19);
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Any activity is undertaken which does or may cause unreasonable damage, noise, behaviour or disturbance;
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the NHS Worker smokes in or at the Property.
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Proof of being an NHS worker has not been shared with NHS homes at time of enquiry and/or cannot be presented at the property upon request.
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Pets
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As we are expecting Properties to be occupied solely by NHS Workers, dogs will not be allowed in properties on the basis they would be left at home whilst the NHS Worker is at work. However, the Owner may provide written consent, upon request, for pets to stay at the Property.
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Registered assistance dogs are allowed in all Properties, even when where the property description states that pets are not allowed, provided that all NHS Worker comply with the provisions of paragraph 4.4. You must notify us of the intended presence of any assistance dogs, with evidence of registration, prior to making a Booking.
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If any NHS Worker have an allergy to dogs, please be aware that Owners (and we) cannot guarantee that a dog has not stayed in a particular Property. We and Owners cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present in a Property.
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The following terms apply to any pet permitted to stay in the Property:
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Pets must be under strict control at all times while in or at the Property;
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Any fouling must be cleared up without delay;
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The pet owner must bring the pet's bed or basket for sleeping in;
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Pets must not be left alone in or at the Property or elsewhere at any time;
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Pets must not lie on beds or furnishings, and hair must be cleared up before departing;
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Pet owners must ensure that their pets are free from parasites and fleas before they occupy the Property. Failure to do so may incur subsequent charges;
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You will be liable for any damage caused by any NHS Worker’s pet(s). Any damage is to be reported to the Owner (or their representative) immediately. Any additional cleaning required, that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.
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If you break the terms of paragraph 4.4, the Owner (including their representative) or the Agency may notify you that you have broken these terms and may cancel this Booking and ask that the NHS Worker leave the Property before the end of the stay period, and that they pay an additional reasonable charge.
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Pets other than dogs may be allowed at the Owner’s discretion. This must be approved prior to making a Booking the Owner has the right to refuse to allow NHS Worker to enter or stay in the Property or ask NHS Worker to leave the Property before the end of the stay period if prior approval has not been given. Additional charges and terms may apply.
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Owner's access to Property
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The Owner or their representative, including the Agency, shall be allowed access to the Property at any reasonable time during any holiday occupancy.
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VAT and IPT
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All prices quoted include VAT and Insurance Premium Tax where applicable at current rates.
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Complaints procedure
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In the event of there being cause for complaint concerning a Property, the matter shall be taken up with the Owner (or Owner's caretaker) at once (their details are supplied on the booking confirmation and they understand that they are the first point of contact should there be cause for complaint), only thereafter reported to the Agency if required. It is important that this is done whilst you are still at the Property so that an on-the-spot investigation can be made if necessary and remedial action taken if required.
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Literature
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We have compiled the information in our brochure and on our Website as accurately as possible at the time of going to press. However, facilities may be altered or withdrawn for reasons outside the Agency's control, in which case we cannot accept responsibility.
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We make every effort to ensure that the Property details supplied to us by the Owners are accurately reproduced. Mistakes may occur from time to time, and confirmation should be requested prior to booking. The Occupiers accept that minor differences between text/photographs/illustrations in the brochure and on the Website and the actual Property may arise. We cannot accept responsibility should the Property not conform to the NHS Worker standards. If a facility is particularly important to you, please check with us prior to your booking.
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Communication with you and data
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Please see our Privacy Statement which explains how we will process your personal data.
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All electronic data transferred pursuant to these terms and conditions remains the property of the Agency or their agents and may not be replicated in part or whole without the Agency's prior written permission. Electronic data will not be preserved indefinitely by the Agency.
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Legal
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Any dispute, claim or other matter which may arise in relation to your booking will be governed by English law and you agree that any dispute will be dealt with exclusively by the courts of England and Wales.
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These Booking Conditions will apply to all confirmed bookings we administer under the NHS Homes Scheme as agent for the Owner and these conditions supersede all previous editions relating to that scheme; including those on our Websites.