Terms & Conditions

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF KNOYDART HOUSE STUDIO ROOM (HOLIDAY HOUSE) SHORT LET AGREEMENT FOR BOOKINGS TAKEN AFTER 1 SEPT 2023 00.01 hrs

For holiday booking T’s & C’s made before 31 Aug 2023 please email stay@knoydarthouse.co.uk

YOUR SAFETY AND COMFORT COMES FIRST

The wellbeing of our guests is of paramount importance. We meet all guests and take them by private vehicle transfer to the Studio Room on arrival and do the same on departure. The Studio is located close to the pier and village set back in a peaceful, location with a Guest mini i-pad loaded up with an E-Guide and personal short welcome video for the smoothest of check-ins on arrival.

OUR COVID CANCELLATION PROMISE

It is reassuring to know that if you are unable to travel to take your holiday because a national lockdown prevents all travel which coincides with your specific date of arrival of your booking, or because you are put into a Tier where you are not legally allowed to travel at the specific time of your booking we will guarantee that you can reschedule your stay with us up to 52 months in advance OR you can select a refund for your accommodation costs. For the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to refund for disinclination to travel the refund guarantee is for bookings DIRECTLY impacted by legal restrictions only at the time the booking will commence and not for any other reason.  Please note that the refund also only applies only to the address given on the booking at the time of booking, being put in a high tier and when the travel restriction coincides with the period of your holiday.  

The refund guarantee covers legal lockdowns impacting on your holiday booking which are in place on date of arrival and legal Tier restrictions in place on the date of arrival, but does NOT cover periods prior to date of arrival nor does it cover disinclination to travel or general government guidance. For the avoidance of doubt the refund guarantee does not cover you (or members of your party) if you are unable to travel because you (or a member of your party) fall ill with Covid, or are required to quarantine or self-isolate. These events can now be fully covered under your own  travel insurance policy and a lot of bank annual travel policies also cover this. There are a number of policies that include cover for illness with Covid and self-isolation (example links below) or you can look for suitable cover on comparison sites such as gocompare. We are not selling, promoting, endorsing or recommending any particular product, and do not benefit financially from, nor have any formal relationship with, any of these providers.

Coverwise  Alianz Assitance Trailfinders

With the exception of the specific circumstances above, any other cancellations circumstances are as per the policy below.

Your booking should be for holiday purposes only unless otherwise agreed in writing. These properties must not be used for party purposes, weddings or filming without prior written agreement or email confirmation of same is acceptable. A Facility Fee may be payable for a function or party where the numbers using the property exceed the capacity the house can sleep 2 whole house or one further adult or 2 children under 12 by special arrangement. Your contract is between you and the Owner of the property and is subject to the following conditions. The properties are as described on our web site www.knoydarthouse.co.uk The accommodation is of a very high standard and will be returned in the same condition, thank you.

YOUR HOLIDAY HOUSE

• You can arrive at your accommodation after 15.00 hrs on the start date of your holiday and you must have vacated the property by 10.30 hrs on your final day unless agreed otherwise by both parties. If you anticipate being much later than 1500 hrs, please let Ian or Jackie know on 01687 460012 and in any case please always confirm your departure and arrival sailing times for the ferry or your charter boat so you are promptly met on the per on arrival to collect your luggage.
• You agree to keep the accommodation clean and tidy and to leave it in a similar condition of cleanliness to when you arrived. Any additional cleaning of the property, following your departure, beyond the normal amount reasonably required, may be charged for. If you have not stayed with us before, a fully refundable good housekeeping/breakage deposit may be requested at the discretion of the owners. If requested this would be required on arrival and returned on day of departure, following handover. This can be processed as pre-authorisation on a credit or debit card on the day of arrival.
• The numbers in your party must never exceed the stated house capacity 2 for whole house, without express written prior consent. Please note there are guest supplements applicable for additional guests.

METHODS OF PAYMENT

BACS transfer is our preferred options for payment although cards can also be taken.

BACS TRANSFER ONLINE

We accept BAC transfer payments on request, please ref your payment as directed by the owner so that we can cross reference your payment for you for example “Smith 14/07/XX” e.g name, date and rental begins. We would ask that you email us once your BACS transaction has been instructed by you, so that we can check for its deposit arriving with our account and email confirmation of this and your booking to you. For our International guests we can provide IBAN Swift./Bic codes if required.

VAT

Knoydart House Vat registration Number is 150 7571 18

FUEL

There is under floor heating throughout powered by a thermal heat pump, we use low energy bulbs throughout the house. The Hide is exceptionally well heated with our underfloor heating system. We have a Rais Dainish wood-burning stove and provide a basket of logs on arrival. Our wood is sustainably sourced from Knoydart Forest Trust and additional baskets of firewood can be purchased direct by the basket on site.

DISPOSABLES PROVIDED

We provide all toilet rolls and rubbish sacks here at Knoydart House Studio Room environmentally friendly washing up liquid, surface spray and standard cleaning materials and implements. As part of our ongoing commitment to the environment we do not provide paper kitchen roll, plastic cling films or aluminium foils so please bear this in mind if you wish to use these products we would ask you to bring these with you, use responsibly and dispose of them correctly. On arrival there is a supply of teabags, coffee, Nespresso pods and sugar for your complimentary use. We do not provide any food or dry goods as the accommodation is cleared completely each week for hygenic purposes. A filled salt & pepper mill are provided as well as cooking oil.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

We do feel privileged to live in such a beautifully wild and unspoilt place and in keeping with our commitment to reducing, reusing and recycling where we can, to keep it this way for all, we have a separate recycling box at the front door woodshed which we encourage you to use, aluminium, paper and glass and plastic. Our loos are half flush/full flush options to reduce water litre usage where possible. As part of the schools curriculum for excellence, as is being taught in other schools, our school children here on Knoydart are passionate about our beaches, woods, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and recycling, encouraged by them we have installed Photovoltaic panels which feed into our electrical supply, we also have a large bank of battery invertors to store sunlight energy not fully utilised at time of collection and we run on low energy light bulbs throughout. Our electricity supply is beautifully green being off grid from our village hydro scheme and our fresh Scottish water supply here on Knoydart comes from all natural resources through high tech UV treated filters however due to being off the national grid we cannot be held responsible in the event of a disruption to supply of water or electricity services during your stay and no refunds will be given.  We operate air source heat pumps for our underfloor heating throughout. You are not charged for your electricity usage it is included in the rental.  All electricity on Knoydart is generated by the Estate’s private hydro scheme. We would only ask that when enjoying your stay you help us sustain the character of Knoydart, and be mindful of what the community strives to maintain. Please do switch off appliances when not in use both for yours and other residents benefits. The night sky is truly amazing for those experiencing the milky way here for the first time, quite a wonder when there is no light pollution. Thankyou.

Reduce – Reuse – Recycle

WIFI/TELEVISION

Wi-Fi is an open network for all guests use. The house has Freesat Smart television so please feel free to bring your amazon firesticks or devices for streaming.

MOORINGS

Guests are welcome to bring their own boats / yachts. We have 2 private moorings for exclusive use of guests of Knoydart House and Hide. These are Crown Estates Moorings and are checked annually, however they are used at your own risk.

SMOKING

To respect the wishes of both smokers and non-smokers, please do not abuse the no smoking regulations at the house. Knoydart Studio is specifically non-smoking. The Owner will make a charge if the no smoking policy is breached to cover the cost of soft furnishing and carpet cleaning. There is an outside cigarette ashtray under cover so you can enjoy your hamlet moment and stay dry! Thank you for your co-operation.

DAMAGES

Please report any breakages or damage during your stay so that they can be rectified at the time and before the next guests arrive. All damages and losses will be paid for in full and you are asked to notify the owners directly before vacating Knoydart Studio.  Cups get dropped and the unexpected can happen, accidental damage happens to everyone but it is easier to let us know and we can rectify this quickly and hassle free.

DOGS

We are very dog friendly at Knoydart Studio Room. Well behaved dogs are welcome, however please note conditions to be strictly adhered to, that is all pets must not be allowed in bedrooms or on soft furnishings, must not be left unattended in the property and must sleep in a bed or pet cushion provided by the owner. (Please remember to bring this with you). We can provide a pet basket and pet towels / bowls or pet crate on request please just say at time of booking. A pet surcharge payable along with the balance applies of £45 per pet per week or part thereof, maximum number of dogs 1, thankyou). Any damage or mess caused by pets will be made good and paid for on departure. There are wild deer, farm sheep and hens on Knoydart – you are kindly asked to keep your dogs on a lead when in the village and in and around Knoydart Studio, thankyou.

RENTALS & CHARGES / BOOKING PAYMENT

To secure your booking a deposit is payable, due to demand and to avoid disappointment dates cannot be held provisionally until your deposit has been paid, thank you. Your payment is Vat inclusive and payable by bacs transfer or by card. Bacs is our preferred method of payment. The balance of the rental will be due for payment 60 days before the arrival date; you will be sent an email confirmation once the payment has been received and also a further email with notification when the balance is due. Deposits are non-refundable in the event of cancellation. Failure to complete the balance payment when it is due, will result in cancellation of your booking and forfeiture of your booking. If the booking is made within 60 days of the arrival date then payment of the holiday deposit and balance, will be due in full. No entry to the property will be allowed without payment, in full, being cleared beforehand.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Please note that we always recommend guests take out regular travel insurance at the time of booking. Testing positive with Covid, having to self-isolate, not being able to fulfil your holiday booking because a member of the party requires to shield are considered to be known risks that is reasonable to expect you as the customer to insure against. Please do ensure you are protected by your own insurance provider from the time of making your booking just as you would for any other holiday overseas or otherwise. It is worth noting a lot of bank annual travel policies also cover this so you might wish to check as you may already be covered.

CANCELLATION OF BOOKINGS

We must be notified immediately by email of the cancellation. The day on which we receive your email cancellation is the day on which your reservation is cancelled. We will re-advertise your dates and endeavour to re-let your booking to the best of our ability.

Please note that should you cancel your booking prior to the balance due date i.e more than 60 days prior to arrival this will result in loss of deposit and the balance is no longer due. If your payment has not been received when requested, 60 days before the commencement date, we will assume that you wish to cancel and we reserve the right to cancel the stay, in which case the deposit will be forfeited in full but we will not do so without considerable effort to reach you both by telephone and by email. Failure to respond to balance requests timeously will also been deemed cancellation of the booking and forfeiture of the deposit. We will make every effort to make contact the guest by email and by telephone.

In the event you need to cancel/change your booking after the balance has been paid in full we will immediately re-advertise your dates on our website availability calendar and to our cancellation list to assist re-booking for you and every effort will be made to re-let your rental. In doing so we reserve the right to offer resell dates out a reduced rate to assist in reselling your dates for you.

If we are able to re-let your dates, we will refund you the final letting amount which may be less than you paid eg if the final letting price was discounted or only some of the days are re-let less a £75 administration fee for re-advertising and administration of the new booking. If you wish to rebook on confirmation your original dates have re-sold we will transfer your booking to a new date of your choice, and waive the rebooking admin/advertising fee. If selecting a refund rather than a new date, then this will be paid by bank transfer to you as soon as the final payment on the new booking has been received.

We always recommend you ensure that your holiday insurance covers you in the event of any cancellation. If you have booked a cancellation week /dates with us which is any holiday dates re-advertised 60 days or less from arrival date OR a Special Offer advertised ie One Night Unique stays please note the payment remains strictly non refundable however in the event we are able to re-let the date which we will make every best effort to do so,  we will reinburse you less the standard  £75 admin fee to cover the costs of advertising/marketing and rebooking the dates.  Please ensure that your holiday insurance covers you for your stay. This policy also applies to those who have received Gift Vouchers/complimentary dates and prize winners.  

USE OF HOT TUB

Please note to ensure your stay is as enjoyable and comfortable as possible, we may require to refill / refresh the hot tub water during the rental for your comfort, however in the event that this process requires to be carried out it would be conducted as swiftly as possible with the minimal amount of disruption. As a matter of good housekeeping and to maintain the highest standards attainable for you and incoming guests this would be conducted in the evening prior to your departure with minimal disruption. Your comfort and enjoyment of our facilities is our highest priority.

REPAIRS TO PROPERTY

Occasionally in rental properties damage due to possible wear and tear, an item of equipment may for some reason not be working (in the unlikely event of this) we would do our utmost to repair it as quickly as possible and we are here to ensure your holiday runs as smoothly and enjoyable as possible. Due to the remoteness of Knoydart, sometimes things may take a little bit longer than on the mainland but your enjoyment and comfort are our priority at all times.

To improve the facilities the owners reserve the right to alter or amend the facilities made available at the house.

RESTRICTION ON RENTAL

We reserve the right to remove person or persons from the property due to unreasonable behaviour, damage to the property or who exceeds the stated occupancy (unless occupancy has been agreed by both parties owner and customer direct and in advance of the let). In this case a refund of rental rate is at the entire discretion of the owner.

COMPLAINTS

The Owner hopes that you will not have any cause for complaint but in the event of a problem arising, you must in the first instance contact the Owner immediately so that any problem may be speedily resolved, as the Owner must be given the opportunity to rectify the problem. Some problems are very easily rectified if notified.

RIGHT OF ENTRY

The owner of the property reserves the right to enter the property at an agreed time with the hirer to carry out any repairs or maintenance. The owner reserves the right to ask guests to vacate the property if their behaviour is deemed to be unreasonable or damage is caused to the property. An agreed entry time will be arranged for lets of over one week to provide a fresh linen change and to properly maintain the hot tub with alkalinity, Ph and chlorine water checks for your comfort.

LIABILITY

The Owner will have no liability for death, personal injury, or loss of, or damage to, personal property including motor vehicles. In the absence of any negligence or other breach of duty by The Owner, the use by Tenants of any house or its facilities is entirely at their own risk.

ADVERSE TRAVEL CONDITIONS

In the event of ferry/plane/train disruptions due to bad weather conditions, road or railworks, Government or FCO Travel guidelines or any form of industrial action we cannot be held responsible for non-arrival or inability to arrive or depart at the property and strictly no refunds will be given. Should you need to arrange alternative accommodation prior to or after your stay as a result, we will provide administrative assistance where possible however in these scenarios you would be responsible for the full cost of any overnight stays and associated travel costs. We cannot be held responsible for any associated costs and request all guests to have standard travel/holiday insurance in place at time of booking to cover such eventuality, thank you.

HOLIDAY PROTECTION

To minimise the cost and inconvenience of a cancelled booking we would strongly advise you to take out suitable holiday/travel insurance to cover circumstances beyond the Customers’ control such as, but not limited to, jury duty, incarceration, change in personal or work circumstances, military service, illness – including Covid and shielding, weather, disrupted travel including road works and ferry disruptions, family emergencies and travel delays and or disruptions, vehicle breakdown, and delays with public transport, rail networks, flights or other transport connections . It is the responsibility of the Customer to acquire suitable travel insurance for themselves and their party to cover the booking. We strongly recommend that now Covid is also now a known risk and it is possible for you to insure your holiday against it. This can include the customer or any of the party having Covid, the customer or any of the party having to isolate or quarantine, or you wishing to shield any Members of the party.

Customer inability (or the inability of any, some or all of Your intended party) or disinclination to travel to and stay at with us for any reason.  These remain at your risk and do not give rise to a right to cancel or to receive a refund unless we re-let the property.  If you choose not to take out UK travel insurance, then you accept responsibility for any loss that you may incur due to your cancellation. We can provide proof of holiday bookings in the event they are requested for insurance purposes on request.

CANCELLATION BY OWNER

Each booking is made in good faith in the belief that the house will be available to the client on the date stated on the booking email confirmation. If for any reason due to circumstances out-with our control such that the house is not available due to flood, property damage or fire at our property, or serious medical emergency of the owner we are unable to guarantee provision of alternative accommodation however a full refund of your original rental fee paid to us would be made. For the avoidance of doubt adverse weather conditions which may prevent travel for any reason, Government or FCO (Foreign Commonwealth Office) travel guidelines and advice, fog, delayed flights, ferry disruption, road closures, are not deemed circumstances outwith our control for this clause which would give rise to a refund. We will NOT be held responsible. Normal UK  holiday travel insurance is recommended at the time of booking as we cannot be held responsible for weather or travel interruption to your travel arrangements under ANY circumstance. Thank you.

LAW

The contract between you and the Owner is subject to Scots Law and is formed in Knoydart House, Inverie, Knoydart, By Mallaig, PH41 4PL

Please ensure you have read and understand the terms and conditions of agreement for the rental of Knoydart House Studio Room prior to paying your deposit.

Thank you for taking the time to read through the above, it is for your safe and enjoyable holiday booking and protection as much as it is for ours and we appreciate your time.

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