BOOKING PROCEDURE

SELECTING YOUR HOLIDAY PROPERTY
All our properties have been visited by at least one member of staff. Please do ask for assistance and recommendations when selecting a property. Please check the entry day, which is usually Saturday but can also be either Sunday or Friday, and also that the bedroom configuration, facilities and amenities are suitable for your particular party. If in doubt, please call us and ask.

RESERVING YOUR CHOSEN PROPERTY
You can check availability online by viewing the calendar on the house page.

If you are seeking a short break, we recommend that you call the office in the first instance – 01381 610496 or email LHH@LHHScotland.com

PAYING YOUR DEPOSIT
A booking is only secure once a payment is received; the most efficient and secure way to pay is via the website.

In order to confirm your booking, we require a completed booking form, or online form submitted, 30% deposit, £12 booking fee and, if appropriate, any pet charge.

Bookings are not secure until a payment is received, therefore we recommend payment by credit or debit card using the online booking facility.

We regret we are unable to hold provisional bookings.

If your booking is to commence within 12 weeks, the full amount is payable.

PAYING YOUR BALANCE
The balance becomes due 12 weeks prior to arrival. You will be sent a reminder to say that your balance is due shortly so that you do not miss the date. If the balance is not received, we will contact you by email or phone. If the balance is not settled by the due date, or shortly after, it may be regarded as cancelled and the week opened for re-letting. The deposit is non-refundable.

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING DEPOSIT (GHD) – This is a direct arrangement between you and the owner.

WHAT IS THIS?
Before the rental starts, we will require a Good Housekeeping Deposit (GHD) from you, as a bond, representing your agreement to leave the property as found. The owner may claim for any loss or damage up to the amount of the GHD. They may claim for excessive cleaning costs, smoking in non-smoking properties, over-occupancy etc. They may make a claim for any costs arising from your rental which were not anticipated or charged for.

There may be an enhanced GHD for certain types of booking: weddings, stag/hen parties, film shoots etc.

HOW AND WHEN DO I PAY THIS?
You may pay this in one of two ways:

• By cheque made payable to the owner and banked 7 days prior to arrival. Please contact LHH for account details. It is the owner’s responsibility to refund this to you following your departure. Returning customers may find that their cheque is not banked and is destroyed following their stay.
• By Pre-Authorised Credit or Debit Card. If your booking was paid for by Credit or Debit Card, you may Pre-Authorise payment of the GHD using the same card details. The funds will be allocated from your card to LHH but will not be taken unless there is a claim.

No Claim
Provided the property is left as found at the end of the rental, no claim will be made. The Pre-Authorisation code will be cancelled and no charge will be made on your card.

Claim Arising
If the property owner claims for loss or damage, and informs us of any such claim, within the 7 days following your departure, the whole of the pre-authorised deposit will be charged to your card. If the claim is for less that the full GHD amount the remaining balance will be re-credited to the same card.

WHAT HAPPENS IN THE EVENT OF A CLAIM?
The owner is required to give you a full explanation as to why they are making a claim and be able to back up any such claim with first hand reports from either themselves or their housekeepers. If they have to replace broken items they must do so with the same or similarly priced items. Additional cleaning will be at the rate charged by their cleaners or cleaning company. If a non smoking house has been used for smoking the full amount may be claimed. This is not an exhaustive list and any additional costs incurred as a result of your occupancy may be a cause for claim.

As this bond is a direct and legal agreement between you and the owner, LHH can offer to act in a mediatory capacity but do not have any jurisdiction over the holding or refunding of these deposits. In the event of a dispute, LHH will assist in trying to reach an amicable and fair conclusion for both parties.

CANCELLATION OF BOOKINGS
If you have to cancel your booking, you will need to:

1. Inform your insurance company
2. Inform LHH Ltd immediately, by letter or email, so that we may release the week for re-letting. LHH Ltd will try to secure a re-let and, if successful, will refund your deposit/balance less an administration fee of £70

If your week has not been re-let by the time the balance is due, you are still required to complete your obligation to pay the full amount. If the balance is not paid by the due date, the booking is regarded as annulled and the deposit becomes non-refundable. In this event, and in order to minimise loss to the owner, LHH Ltd reserves the right to re-let the week less a discount up to the value of the retained deposit.

CANCELLATION INSURANCE

Loss of rental due to cancellation can be avoided:

We cannot stress enough the importance of taking out cancellation insurance. The unexpected can and does occur and, as with other insurances, it is in your interest to cover yourself for any eventuality. Shared between members of the group, it can be as little as £5 per person, which is surely worth the peace of mind it brings.

If you would rather take the risk:
Of course, some people feel that they would rather take the risk and not cover their booking by insurance. This is an individual choice that only you can make, but please be aware of the liabilities and penalties involved in taking such a risk. Neither the owner nor LHH Ltd can take this responsibility for you.

There are many opportunities for cancellation insurance and we recommend you visit http://www.jsinsurance.co.uk/travel_insurance/ for a suitable quote.