Terms & Conditions
Orkney Escapes arranges bookings of accommodation as owners of holiday accommodation.
Your contract is between you, the Client (referred to as ‘you', ‘your') and the Owner of Orkney Escapes (referred to as ‘we', ‘us'). Once you book accommodation this automatically confirms your agreement to the Terms and Conditions below on behalf of you and other members of your party. All bookings are provisional until confirmed by us.
Short Term Let License numbers: Merchants House OR00206F Fisherman's cottage OR00205F
Contract
A binding contract when your booking is confirmed either by email or confirmation invoice. The rental contract is between the client and the Owner Wendy Barker of Orkney Escapes and is subject to Scots Law.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Information you provide will be held by the owner for the purposes of contacting you with regard to your forthcoming booking only. See privacy policy on the website.
BOOKINGS
You must be 18 years or over to book an Orkney Escapes property.
Your booking is for holiday purposes only unless otherwise agreed in writing. Orkney Escapes has the right to refuse any booking prior to the issuing of any confirmation in writing.
We will confirm the booking in writing on receipt of the Deposit. When you receive your confirmation, please check all the details carefully for accuracy and contact us immediately if you find they are incorrect.
The numbers in your party must not exceed the numbers stated on booking except by prior agreement. Merchants House Maximum 9 occupants. Fisherman's Cottage maximum 4 occupants. Subletting is prohibited.
Prices
The price includes bed linen, towels, electricity, heating, lighting, Wi-Fi Internet and use of telephone if available for UK and local calls evenings and weekends and responsible local use during the day.
Payment
A deposit payment of £100 for each week in the Fisherman's Cottage and £200 for each week booked in the Merchants House is required. The receipt of the deposit by Orkney Escapes and when the booking is confirmed by Orkney Escapes the Client is responsible for the full letting charge.
Merchants House:
The balance, and any additional costs agreed with Orkney Escapes, is due 8 weeks prior to the start of your holiday.
Fisherman's cottage:
The balance, and any additional costs agreed with Orkney Escapes, is due 4 weeks prior to the start of your holiday.
If the balance is not received by the balance due date, then we assume the booking is cancelled and we will be entitled to re-let for the period and the deposit will be forfeited.
If booking 8 weeks before the start date or less then the full price will be payable in full at the time of booking
Payments may be made by cheque made payable to: Orkney Escapes Ltd or it is also possible to pay by Direct Bank Transfer to UK bank account. (Please contact Orkney Escapes and we will provide you with the account details).
Send cheques to Orkney Escapes Ltd., School House, Kirbister, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3HU
CANCELLATIONS
All cancellations by the client must be advised in writing
If the client cancels a confirmed booking, he/she remains liable for payment of the full cost of the holiday. The client is advised to take out a Holiday Cancellation Insurance Policy.
Upon receipt of written confirmation of a cancellation from the client the owner will endeavour to re-let the property for the period of the let. If successful will make a full refund to the client less an administration charge of £50 and less any booking discounts we may have to offer to ensure a replacement booking.
If not successful in re-letting after notice of over 6/8 weeks prior to the hire the deposit will be forfeited. If cancellation occurs less than 4 weeks prior to hire and the owner is unable to re-let for the period through their usual channels, then the entire letting charge will be forfeited. If cancellation occurs 4/6 weeks before hire and the owner is unable to re-let, 70% of the full cost will be charged.
If you wish to cancel your booking please let us know and we will try to re-let.
Cancellations by Orkney Escapes
We may have to make changes to the booking at any time and reserve the right to do so. You will be informed of these changes as soon as they are applicable. If the property cannot be made available for the period booked due to events beyond the owners control or any reason that would make the property unfit for rental or force majeure and the owner is forced to cancel the booking, the whole of the letting charge will be refunded and the client will have no further claim against the owner for any consequential loss or incidental expenditure.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE / LETTING PERIOD
On the arrival day the property will be ready for you at 15:00 Hrs. This may be extended to 17.00 due to intensive cleaning. You will be met to hand over the keys and to be shown all the facilities.
On your departure day the property is to be vacated by 10:00 Hrs. If you are arriving much later than 15:00 Hrs. Please let us know and we can make alternative arrangements. Weekly lets are Friday to Friday with a maximum period of four weeks.
FACILITIES
Services
Use of electricity, heating, hot water, broadband Wi-Fi, bedlinen, duvets and towels are all included in the weekly tariffs. Tea towels and napkins are provided in the Kitchen. No cleaning service is provided during the hire up to two weeks, however this can be sometimes arranged on request for a separate charge. A washer dryer is provided. Coal and Kindling will be provided for a two week minimum stay – A charge may apply for further supplies.
Maintenance
Orkney Escapes reserve the right of entry to the property at all reasonable times for the purposes of inspection or to carry out necessary repairs or maintenance.
CARE OF PROPERTY
The property must be left clean and in a state in which you would like to be welcomed with. Beds to be stripped of bedlinen a placed in the bag provided at the end of stay. Wipes and Sanitary protection pads must not be flushed down the toilet
Pets
Dogs may be accepted by prior arrangement with the owner at an additional £30 per week per dog. Pets must be confined to the downstairs areas only and not left alone in the property unless caged. Pets own bedding must be supplied by the client. Owners must ensure all soiling is removed from courtyard and lawn – and must be watered in.
Smoking
Smoking is strictly not permitted indoors. Outdoors smoking is permitted, all butts must be cleared up safely.
Breakages and damage
For the benefit of the next clients staying in the house, please advise of any breakage or damage that occurs during your stay. We do not charge for breakages or damage which occur as a result of normal use, however, we reserve the right to demand payment for damage or breakages which occur as a result of accidental or deliberate misuse or beyond wear and tear.
COMPLAINTS
If a cause for complaint occurs during the rental period the owner or housekeeper at Orkney Escapes must be contacted immediately so that the issue may be resolved.
LIABILITIES
Brochure / Website Details
The description in the brochure / website matches the properties at the time of issue and every effort will be made to keep details current. Orkney Escapes does not accept responsibility for any changes, omissions or defects, that may affect the property or its amenities, which were made after the time of issue.
Price change
Orkney Escapes reserves the right to amend prices quoted on the website due to errors or omissions but such changes shall be notified to the client as soon as possible and the client shall be able to cancel the booking if the amended price is significantly higher than the original price quoted.
Injury, Loss or Damage
The use of the property including courtyard pier and quay and its equipment is entirely at the Client's risk and no responsibility can be accepted by Orkney Escapes for injury to the Client or a member of his or her party, not for injury, loss or damage to their belongings, including motor vehicles however caused.
The Client will indemnify Orkney Escapes against all loss and damage arising directly or indirectly to the property and its contents from any deliberate or negligent act or omission by you, or any other person accompanying you or any member of your party.
Children are welcome but must be kept under parental supervision as the properties do have open access to the sea and unstable pier stonework.
Client's Responsibilities
To take good care of the property. The Client shall take reasonable and proper care of the property, its furniture, pictures, fittings and effects in or on the property and leave them in the same clean and tidy condition and state of repair at the end of the letting period as at the beginning. Any additional cleaning of the property, following your departure, beyond the normal amount reasonably required, may be charged as extra.
To leave the premises secure if left unoccupied during the period of let
To pay for any losses or damage to the property caused by the tenants or a member of their party except by normal wear and tear
To not exceed the total number of people as stipulated in the description of the property
To notify the owner prior to commencement of the hire of any changes in party numbers.
To not cause undue noise or disruption or become a nuisance to occupants of adjoining premises
To ensure a cot is only occupied by a child of 24 months or less.
To not move any items of furniture from room to room and to replace in its original position if moved within rooms.
To ensure baths, sinks, lavatories, cisterns and pipes are kept free of blockages – wipes must not be flushed down the WC.
To follow safety instructions supplied for equipment and appliances
Safety regulations
Orkney Escapes confirms
All furniture and furnishings comply with the relevant fire safety regulations.
All flues and installation pipework in the property are checked regularly by the owner.
All electrical appliances and equipment compliant.
Public indemnity and liability
The owner does not accept any responsibility or liability for acts of omission of third parties, which may prevent or disrupt a clients booking. The booking contract exists between the owner and the client and is limited to the property let. The information and descriptions supplied are believed to be accurate and are offered in good faith. It may be possible that certain facilities or features may not be available on occasions due to circumstances beyond the Owners control for which the Owner accepts no liability. In addition, no liability can be accepted by the Owner for any injury, loss or damage suffered by the client, any member of the client’s party or to the property arising out of or in connection with the use of the property unless resulting from the negligence of the owner. The client must ensure that all children are supervised at all times whilst in and around the accommodation properties and in particular near the access to the quay area.
Force Majeure
The owner does not accept liability or pay compensation for any loss, damage or expense where our obligations are prevented by reason of force majeure.
Force majeure means any event which the owner providing the service could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid such as war, riots, civil strife, terrorist activity, epidemic, pandemic, industrial action, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, closure of airports technical problems with transport, governmental action and all similar events.