Booking

When you, as the person making the booking (the lead guest), submit a booking via the online reservation system, you will receive an automatically generated booking summary by email to the address you provide and a request for payment of the deposit will be issued. A contract shall only arise when the booking is confirmed in writing via our (Owner) confirmation to you (lead guest) by email and subsequent confirmation of deposit payment received. If the deposit is not paid within 3 days of the booking agreement, unless otherwise agreed, the booking may be cancelled by us. The lead guest must be responsible for ensuring all payments due to us. All prices are for the entire property, not on a per person basis.

Payment terms

A deposit equating to 25% of the total, with a minimum £400 if 25% is lower, is payable within 3 days of the booking request. The remaining balance is due for payment 56 days before arrival or by a date agreed with us. If payment is not received by the agreed date, we reserve the right to cancel the booking. Bookings made within 56 days of arrival are due for full payment within 3 days of booking unless otherwise agreed. A security bond of £250 will be held on the card, any payment can be taken up until 7 days after departure and will only called upon if there are damages to the property (including garden), costs associated with any of the terms detailed in the contract below or the property has not been left in a reasonable condition upon departure, i.e. it needs extra cleaning.

Coronavirus

We fully understand it has been a difficult time for everyone and our cancellation terms are as fair as we can make them. The following section of the terms details our policy in full but if your booking needs to be cancelled because of national lockdown restrictions, we will offer a change of date or a full refund.
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover all possible circumstances. We are not allowed to offer advice regarding travel insurance or recommend a particular policy, but here are some suggestions where you can check what is available for yourselves.
https://www.which.co.uk/money/insurance/travel-insurance
https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance

Guest Cancellation

To minimise inconvenience and cost of cancelled bookings, guests are strongly advised to have UK travel insurance in place. Cancellation by the lead guest must be made in writing (incl. via email) as soon as possible. If the cancellation is received:

Any time prior to your arrival date, when due to UK/Scottish government Coronavirus legal restrictions e.g. local/national lockdown, we will offer a credit voucher to the full value of your booking against a future stay or a refund of all payments made.

More than 56 days before the arrival date, for any other reason, in the event of cancellation by you, we shall refund any deposit paid if we succeed in re-letting the property. If we are unable to re-let the property, the deposit will be retained.

Less than 56 days from the arrival date, for any reason affecting you other than government legal Coronavirus restrictions, you will receive no refund of payments made, unless we can rebook the house for the cancelled dates, in which case the cancelling guest will receive a refund equating to the value of the replacement booking up to the full value of their booking payments. Reasons include illness, self-isolation etc. To cover such circumstances, guests are strongly advised to have UK travel insurance in place.

We will do our best to accommodate everyone during these times and would ask that you contact us directly with any queries relating to cancellations at any time. We want guests to feel valued and we want to do our best to avoid disappointments and protect everyone.

Cancellation by us at any stage:

If, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to provide the accommodation described, our liability shall be limited to providing a full refund of all funds received.
We strongly recommend you take out your own travel insurance for UK holidays which covers booking cancellations. This will give you the peace of mind that you will get your money back if we need to cancel your holiday at almost the last minute. If you choose not to then you accept responsibility for any loss that you may incur due to our cancellation.

Changes of Date

We will consider a change of date after the booking has been confirmed but are not bound to do so. If a date change is agreed, a revised booking confirmation with new dates and any revisions to cost will be provided to the guest. If the guest booking has to be postponed due to new UK/Scottish Government legal Coronavirus restrictions or guidance, we will move the booking to a later agreed date or provide a credit voucher, to the value of any payments made, against the new cost of a future booking or give you a full refund.

Owner Liability

If, at any time prior to guest arrival, the property becomes unavailable, unusable or as Owners, we have to cancel the booking for any reason e.g. house emergency, Scottish government covid lockdown restrictions etc, then our sole obligation is to confirm the cancellation of the booking to you as soon as possible and reimburse you for all payments made to us or offer credit voucher against a future stay. We shall not be liable to the guest for any type of indirect or consequential damage, losses, costs, expenses or other claims for consequential compensation whatsoever (however caused) incurred by the guest or anyone in the guest’s group which arise from, or in connection with, the property rental. We can help you find similar local alternative accommodation but cannot guarantee this will be available.
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Use of the property

The holiday rental commences at 4pm on the arrival date and departure is 10am on the departure date unless otherwise agreed.
The number of people residing in the property must not exceed eight, unless agreed by exception, and the property must not be used for any other purpose. We reserve the right to refuse entry to any or all of the guest’s group if this condition is not observed, and generally in the case of any breach of contract by the guest or anyone in the guest’s group. The lead guest is responsible for ensuring that all in their group using the property comply with these terms and conditions.
The Contract to stay in the property for the holiday period, does not create the relationship of Landlord and Tenant between the parties. This Contract relates to a “holiday let” the purpose of which is to confer on you as a holidaymaker the right to occupy our property for a holiday only. You shall not be entitled to any private residential tenancy or other tenancy, assured short hold or assured tenancy, lease, licence or other right to occupy, nor shall you obtain any security of tenure under any applicable law including but not limited to under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 now or at the end of the Holiday Period. You may not sub-let the property.

The Property must only be used for holiday purposes. The property must not be used for business purposes, nor should it be used as the Client’s primary residence. Items should not be posted to the property without prior permission.

Guest Care of the property

Smoking is not permitted in the house. You shall take reasonable care of the property and its furniture, fittings and effects in the house and on the property. Please leave everything in the same state of repair and condition and reasonably clean and tidy on departure.

Please use the literature provided at the property to help understand how to dispose of general rubbish, recycling and bottles. A minimum charge of £150 may apply to any unreasonable amount of cleaning or disposal of rubbish or bottles where the requirements have not been followed

Problems during your Stay/Breakages

Should you have any problem with the accommodation, please call our contact number (on correspondence) as soon as possible so that we can respond. We will endeavour to fix any problems as quickly as is practical to do so. Any problems, breakages, or damage – however small – should be communicated to us as soon as possible so that we can resolve it and avoid disappointment to future guests. The lead guest will be held responsible for any reasonable costs resulting from any loss, damage or theft/removal of items by any member of the guest’s party or anyone invited to stay in the house without the Owner’s permission. This will include any non-standard cleaning costs arising. Costs will be deducted from the security bond. If the costs exceed the security bond, the lead guest will be required to reimburse us in full for all such losses etc. Please note we do not mind the odd broken glass and plate, we want you to feel relaxed when you are there.

Complaints made after the holiday let has ended may not be considered, especially whereby the guests have denied us the opportunity to rectify or resolve the issue during the holiday let.

Half of One is a property over 130 years old and as an original old Croft offers a lot of character and charm. It may be prone to damp, condensation and some leaks (especially when there is sideways rain!). These problems can be alleviated in many cases by ventilating the Property. Please advise us of any leaks or storm damage.

Right of Entry

We reserve the right to enter the Property in person or through our responsible person and tradesman at any reasonable time to carry out any necessary repairs, maintenance or for inspection.

Pets

Your pets are very welcome. We request that you keep any pets, where permitted, under strict control at all times and to accept liability for any damage caused. Pets should be house-trained and must not be left alone in or near the accommodation. Please remove any excessive dogs hairs and fouling in the gardens should be cleared. We would prefer if pets did not go on the furniture.

When out walking in and around the property, you must ensure that dogs are kept on a lead except where indicated. Dogs must not be allowed to disturb livestock, deer or game birds. Lambing is a particularly sensitive time so please ensure dogs are kept on the lead during April and May at all times. Please keep the dogs on the lead when you are walking down to and from the beach.

Electric vehicle (EV) charging.

EV charging is forbidden. This activity is not included as standard in our insurance product and is therefore not permitted due to our electrical infrastructure. Clients found to be charging vehicles at the property could be liable for a £150 charge and asked to vacate the premises

Public chargers are located in Portree, Uig, Staffin, Broadford & Lochalsh, we cannot be liable for their availability.

Wifi

The lead guest must note that Wi-Fi is a complimentary service offered with the property, which is an over the air data service. The property is incredibly remote and if the Wi-Fi is not working during the Clients stay, no compensation will be offered. However, we will endeavour to make the service operational. Surprisingly there is a reasonably strong mobile signal for guests at the house

Information on the property

We aim to ensure that the information provided by us is accurately conveyed on our website, in brochures and other promotional literature or material produced and circulated by us. There may be small differences between the actual property and its description, as the Owner, we are always seeking to improve services and facilities or are required to adjust facilities and furnishings to comply with health and hygiene guidelines and legislation.

Contract

Confirmed bookings are made for the temporary rental of the property for the use of holiday accommodation only and that occupancy is a holiday let to which Section 12(2) and paragraphs 8 to Schedule 4 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988 apply. The booking agreement grants guests a right, with our permission, to stay in the house for the agreed period only.

Care of your property

Your vehicles and their accessories and contents, and any property and valuables you bring with you are left entirely at your own risk.
If you leave any property behind we will use reasonable endeavours to return it to you, although we reserve the right to charge you in advance for any reasonable postal or courier costs. We may dispose of any unclaimed property after six (6) months.

Garden

The small garden and uniquely beautiful views are a great feature of Half of One. To enable guests to enjoy the experience please makes sure that all 3 small gates to the property are always closed (1 front, and 2 driveway gates). Please also close the metal sheep gates when you are parked and when you leave in order to keep the small parking area clear of sheep poo. Any damage to plants or property incurred as a result of sheep getting into the garden will be recovered using the security deposit, including clearing sheep poo.

It is important to have clear T&C’s but it is more important to ensure you have a wonderful experience at Half of One, so we will endeavour to be as flexible and helpful as possible when there are issues or questions raised.

ENJOY!