Terms and Conditions
The Muckle Snug and The Wee Bothy at East Lothian Cottages Rentonhall Farm, Haddington, EH41 4PD
Within these Booking Terms and Conditions, “you” and “your” mean the person signing the Booking Form, but these Terms and Conditions also apply to all other persons booked in the party. “We”, “us” and “our” means the owners and managers of The Muckle Snug and The Wee Bothy, Rentonhall Farm, Haddington, EH41 4PD.
1. Booking contract
1.1 By making an online submission of the booking form you are agreeing to enter into a contract with us on the following Terms and Conditions.
1.2 You warrant that you are over 21 years of age.
1.3 In making a booking, you warrant that you have the authority to accept and do accept these Terms and Conditions on behalf of all your party.
1.4 The contract of hire is not effective until written confirmation of the booking is dispatched to you via email. We reserve the right to refuse any booking.
1.5 This contract is made on the basis that each holiday cottage (“the property”) is to be occupied by you or your party for a holiday as mentioned in the Housing Act 1988 Schedule 1 Paragraph 9. You acknowledge that the tenancy granted by this agreement is not an assured tenancy, nor a private residential tenancy as detailed in the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, and that no statutory periodic tenancy will arise when it ends.
2. Booking procedure
2.1 Until we have received both an online booking form and a booking deposit equivalent to 20% of the total cost, all bookings remain provisional and may be varied or cancelled without notice or reason.
2.2 Upon our receipt of the booking form and booking deposit, we will issue emailed confirmation of the booking, at which point you will become liable for the balance of the rental, due no later than four weeks prior to the booking start date or, if the booking is made less than four weeks prior to the start date, at the time of booking. If the balance is not paid when due, we reserve the right to cancel the booking and re-let the property.
2.3 In submitting the booking form you are confirming your agreement to these Terms and Conditions.
3. Prices and payment
3.1 Unless stated otherwise, where rents are advertised they are 'per week' and for accommodation only. We reserve the right to amend prices without notice.
3.2 All prices include taxes (where applicable), cleaning on departure, linen, towels, electricity, water, wifi, central heating and, in The Muckle Snug, one basket of logs. Further baskets are available to buy.
3.3 We request payment by direct bank transfer (BACS). In the case of a currency conversion, a small surcharge may apply. If a BACS payment is not possible, alternative payment methods may be accepted, at our discretion.
4. Security deposit
4.1 We will request a security deposit of £50, payable with the balance.
4.2 We will inspect the property after your departure and notify you of any damage or breakages. Subject to reasonable care of the property, the security deposit will be refunded in full within 14 days of your departure using the bank details supplied at the time of booking.
4.3 If there is any damage or additional cleaning required beyond the usual time committed to departure cleaning, an appropriate proportion of the security deposit will be retained.
4.4 If the security deposit you have paid is not sufficient to meet such additional costs, you will be required to pay any balance within 14 days of demand.
4.5 We reserve the right to hold the security deposit for longer than two weeks in the event of a dispute, or if we are awaiting bills or proof of damage.
5. Your responsibilities
5.1 Unless otherwise agreed, you must arrive after 4pm on the day of arrival, and vacate the property and return the keys to us by 10am on the day of departure.
5.2 If we are not available to meet you upon arrival, arrangements will be made with you in advance regarding the collection of a key. This may involve accessing the key via a wall-mounted keysafe alongside the property, in which case we will make you aware of the code prior to arrival.
5.3 Should you fail to arrive on the date agreed without any prior notice of delay, we reserve the right to re-rent the property with immediate effect. Regardless of any such re-rental, you will become immediately liable for full payment of your booking.
5.4 You agree to take good care of the property and its contents, and to immediately advise us of any breakages, loss or damage.
5.5 You will be liable for breakages, loss or damage resulting from your occupation and will be expected to leave the property (particularly kitchen utensils and appliances) clean and tidy, as you found it. Extra cleaning will be charged for.
5.6 You are responsible for the correct and decent behaviour of your party. You and your party will not abuse the property or display antisocial behaviour of any sort at any time, including breaching reasonable levels of noise between the hours of 10pm and 8am.
5.7 The number of persons using each cottage is not to exceed those listed on the booking form and, in any case, no more than 6 in The Muckle Snug and 2 in The Wee Bothy, unless prior agreement has been reached.
5.8 You shall not part with possessions of the property, nor sub-let it nor share it except with a member of the party shown on the booking form.
5.9 If you intend to organise a function at the property (eg. a party of any sort), you must seek prior permission from us. Additional charges and/or an increased security deposit may be sought, at our discretion.
5.10 You must accept responsibility for the safety of your children. They should be monitored at all times and you should verify the suitability of any children’s equipment which is provided as we cannot accept liability.
5.11 Special consideration should be given in relation to children’s safety and the wood burning stove located in The Muckle Snug, any steps or stairs, and any outdoor space.
5.12 In the event of you breaching any of your responsibilities as laid out in this contract, we reserve the right to ask you to vacate the property immediately, at which point this contract will terminate without refund or compensation, save that you will remain liable for any costs or damages incurred by us as a result of the breach. We reserve the right to deduct such costs and damages from the security deposit.
6. Our liability
6.1 We cannot be held responsible or liable for any accident, loss or mishap to you or your personal property whilst on or using the premises, or from any illness or injury arising from any cause whatsoever.
6.2 Any valuables left in the property are left at your own risk. It is essential and your responsibility to ensure that all doors, sliders and windows are closed and locked when leaving the property and, if the wall-mounted key safe is used, that the dial is sufficiently rotated and the sliding front closed to restrict easy access to the key.
6.3 We are not responsible for noise or disturbance originating beyond the bounds of the property.
6.4 While we will endeavour to arrange prompt repair, we do not accept responsibility for the failure of public services such as water or electricity, or unforeseen breakdown of domestic and mechanical equipment such as heating boilers or plumbing or sewerage systems.
6.5 We strongly recommend that you take out personal travel insurance for your stay prior to arrival, including cover for accidental damage to the property, cancellation cover and medical and emergency expenses.
6.6 We cannot accept responsibility for any changes or closures to local amenities or attractions mentioned in our brochures or on the website.
6.7 We reserve the right to alter or withdraw amenities or facilities at East Lothian Cottages without prior notice where reasonably necessary due to repairs, maintenance, weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
6.8 The cottages are for holiday purposes only and, whilst wifi is provided, its provision is subject to availability and network conditions. An uninterrupted service cannot therefore be guaranteed. It may not be available 24 hours a day and is provided for pleasure, not for business purposes.
7. Access to the property
7.1 While we shall endeavour to ensure your uninterrupted enjoyment of the property, we or our agents shall be allowed access at any reasonable time during your stay if special circumstances or emergencies arise (for example, if repairs need to be carried out). In such circumstances, we will endeavour to give reasonable notice to you, if practicable.
7.2 Gardeners may enter the ground during your stay but will do their utmost to ensure there is no interference with your enjoyment of the property.
8. Complaints
8.1 Should you have any cause for complaint during your stay, please notify us promptly and, as soon as possible thereafter, in writing. It is important that this is done while you are still at the property so that an immediate investigation can be made and, if necessary, remedial action taken. We shall do everything possible to ensure that complaints are dealt with promptly and satisfactorily.
8.2 In no circumstances can compensation be considered for complaints raised after the holiday has ended, when you have denied us the opportunity to investigate the complaint and remedy the situation.
9. Alteration or cancellation by you
9.1 If you should need to amend your dates once a booking has been confirmed and we accept this amendment (subject to availability and payment of any difference in price), we retain the right to charge an administrative fee of £25.
9.2 If you wish to cancel your booking, you must do so in writing. The effective date of cancellation is the date we receive written notification.
9.3 Cancellation by you more than eight weeks prior to the entry date will result in the return of all payments received. Cancellation by you less than eight weeks prior to the entry date will result in forfeit of the deposit only. In the event of cancellation by you less than four weeks prior to the entry date, we reserve the right to retain full payment. If at such time full payment has not yet been made, it will still be due.
More than 8 weeks notice
All payments returned
4 - 8 weeks notice
Loss of deposit
Less than 4 weeks notice
Full payment due
9.4 In the event of cancellation by you, we will attempt to re-rent the property for the same period. If it is possible to do so on the same terms, we will refund all money paid, deposit included, minus a £25 administrative fee. Depending on the length of cancellation notice given, we reserve the right to re-offer the property at a discounted rate. In such cases, we will deduct any discounted rate received from our claim to your full payment.
10 Alteration or cancellation by us
10.1 We do not accept any liability for compensation where performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations are prevented or affected by reasons outwith our reasonable control, including but not limited to adverse weather conditions, acts of God, explosion, tempest, flood, fire or accident, war or threat of war, break-in, criminal damage, civil disturbances, restrictions and regulations of any kind on the part of the government or local authorities, riots or civil strife, strikes, lock-outs or other industrial action or dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, actual or threatened terrorist activity, epidemic and all similar situations beyond our control.
10.2 If as a result of such situations we have to cancel your booking prior to your arrival, we will advise you as soon as possible and offer a full refund (or a proportion in the case of curtailment). We will also do all we can to help you find suitable alternative accommodation, but regret that we cannot pay compensation or any reimbursement of any expenses or costs you may incur as a result of any such cancellation or change. Our liability shall be limited to the amount of any rent paid.
11. Brochure and website accuracy
11.1 Our website and other marketing materials have been prepared in good faith, and we have taken every care to ensure their accuracy. However, as we are always hoping to improve the cottages, there may be small differences between the accommodation and its facilities, and the photographs and descriptions. We shall not be liable for any minor or insignificant inaccuracies but, should there be any significant changes between your booking and your stay, we will inform you as soon as possible.
12. Pets
12.1 Dogs are welcome in either cottage by prior arrangement for a surcharge of £15 per week; your intention to bring a pet, and the number of pets, must be declared at the time of booking.
12.2 In the unlikely event of damage, you must accept liability, and an appropriate deduction from your security deposit.
12.3 Dogs must be under strict control at all times while in the property and kept on a lead whenever beyond the property garden, for the sake of other guests and the other animals here on the property.
12.4 Any fouling of lawns, etc, must be cleared up without delay.
12.5 You must bring a bed, basket or cage for your dog to sleep in.
12.6 Dogs must not lie on bedding or be allowed into the bedrooms or onto the sofas.
12.7 Dogs must not be left alone in the property or elsewhere at any time.
12.8 Any additional cleaning required as a result of a pet’s stay may incur a surcharge, at our discretion.
12.9 Failure to observe these rules may result in you being asked to leave the property without compensation.
12.10 You may at times see other dogs on site. These may be pets belonging to other holiday cottage guests, or working dogs belonging to the owners of the horses in the adjoining fields. Please treat all unknown dogs with appropriate caution.
12.11 Registered assistance dogs are welcome free of charge.
13. Smoking
13.1 No smoking is allowed in either cottage. Should there be any indication of smoke or smoking within the property, either as a result of smoking inside or smoking on the doorstep, we reserve the right to levy a charge of at least £150 to cover the cost of deep cleaning.
13.2 In the event of a breach of 13.1, we reserve the right to ask you to vacate the property and the contract will terminate immediately without refund or compensation, save that you will remain liable for any costs incurred by us as a result of the breach. We reserve the right to deduct such costs from the housekeeping deposit.
14. Security
14.1 We cannot guarantee the security of your vehicles or personal possessions whilst within the vicinity of the property and cannot be held liable for loss or damage thereto, from any cause whatsoever.
14.2 Please be aware that, for mutual reassurance, limited CCTV is in use around the exterior of our home, which includes the approach to the cottages. Beyond this, there is no coverage of the cottages themselves. All recording equipment is kept securely, and recordings can only be accessed by us. Your privacy is therefore assured, though you are welcome to request a copy of any recordings, where available, during your stay.
15. Privacy Policy
15.1 It is a priority of East Lothian Cottages to ensure that your personal information provided remains secure and confidential. We may use your data in the future to update you on our products. We will not sell your personal information to third parties, and will only disclose such information when required to do so by any lawful authority, as required by law. Please advise us if you would like your personal details to be deleted from our database after your holiday. For full details of our privacy policy, please read our Privacy Policy accessible via the website.
16. Law
16.1 These Terms and Conditions and the contract to which they apply shall be subject to Scottish Law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Scotland.