Holiday Cottage Bond?

I have booked a holiday cottage in cornwall for a week for me my girlfriend and our two friends ( BF & GF),

They have called me today on reciept of my booking form and requested a £50 per head bond because were all under 25.

Ok so thats ageist but not the point.

I am happy to pay this but when i requested some contract to protect my bond they dont have one??

thier response was.... err its covered by our standard terms,

my response... yes and all that syas is it may be required and would be held by the property owners....!!! WTF!!

so not only do they want £200 off me now... thats 3 months early, they wont justify why other than "cause we say so", they wont protect it with a contract and no garantees ill get it back.

Now....

can u imagine if the place is booked up solid for the next 3 months and they want everyones money in prior to the holiday thats nearly £2400 of other ppls money sat in the owners bank account earning interest,,,,

thats a nice little earner..

Any way.. my real question is should the bond be protected and under the new laws should it be held by a third party or is that only residential lettings?

Any direction appreciated...

I wouldn't say that's ageist - more realistic given that u25s are more likely to party and get overexcited with someone else's property (and that's why car hire is similarly expensive for young people).

You might ask them if they require 'deposits' from other people, esp those with small children that are similarly likely to trash the place, albeit in a different manner.

Maybe check with them what they consider to be 'reasonable damage', 'reasonable wear and tear' etc in the same way that you might square this up from a landlord that you were renting your home from. Their insurace will cover them for anything serious or accidental (as might your own holiday insurance). It does smell a biut fishy, and there are lots of stories of landlords who seem to sometimes use such bonds to make free money from tenants, and you have to go to court to get it back. But a conscienscious landlord will hold it in a separate account and give to back to you with interest.

Sounds like you need to ask more questions before you commit - maybe do a deal (eg you ought to pay a flat rate for the proprty, not per head). Or tke your business elsewhere. Also check out their regulatory body's website (dunno who covers their conduct, but there must be some body) to see what their guidance is.

Of course it's ageist, these people have no reason to think that "number"'s group will damage their property other than their age, but it's an acceptable type of discrimination.

I'd tell 'em to stuff it, myself. It's one thing asking for a deposit against damages, it's another asking for it 3 months in advance and not giving you any form of receipt or contract.

It does seem odd - if they need a deposit to cover breakages, why can't they just take it when you arrive? I know some places do ask for money up front in case of cancellation, but that should apply to everyone...

Maybe you should draw up your own contract for them to sign? hehehe...

Dear Sirs

I enclose a cheque for £XYZ as requested in respect of an additional deposit. The terms under which I send this to you are as follows:

1. The money is and remains mine at all times
2. If there is damage beyond reasonable wear and tear then the Landlord will be entitled to deduct a reasonable amount in respect of the replacement cost of the damaged item, it being agreed that the Landlord will make every effort to clean the soiled item if appropriate and otherwise to replace with an item of similar quality and not one of a more expensive nature
3. The Landlord will hold my money on trust for me and will return my money to me immediately on the end of our holiday without delay. The Landlord will account to me for interest at X per cent calculated on a daily basis.

Yours faithfully


Alex Numbers

They'll probably tell you to get stuffed but it's worth a try. Incidentally if they've already accepted your booking (eg have they banked your cheque?) I don't see how they can impose additional T&Cs unless they reserve the right to do so in the small print, in which case if you want to be difficult you should ask them how they took all appropriate steps to draw it to your attention before you concluded the contract.

Ed

I have to say, I think almost every property I've ever hired as wanted a returnable security/damages deposit in addition to the main hire charge. It's not usually paid though until the main payment is made. A non-returnable deposit (often 25%) is usually payable when booking.

Originally Posted by sinbad

Of course it's ageist, these people have no reason to think that "number"'s group will damage their property other than their age, but it's an acceptable type of discrimination.

They'd say it was an acceptable type of risk management. I'm not saying it's right though. But then neither is more mature riders/drivers subsidising youngsters' insurance, which is why we don't pay a flat rate.

But I'm old enough to be able to look back and understand why!