| How to book your holiday accommodation.. |
| The following will normally answer any queries that you may have about the booking procedure, the property facilities or the services provided. Please read carefully and if you are in doubt about any point don't hesitate to phone or e-mail. |
| BOOKING
PROCEDURE IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND FAQ's: Suitability of the property Terms and conditions Arrival and departure times Holiday insurance Security Deposit Sleeping capacity Linen Hire Cleaning at the end of your stay Heating charges Residence tax Swimming pools Kitchens Bathrooms Seating arrangements Local amenities Travel discounts What to do if something is not right |
| BOOKING PROCEDURE |
| 1. Availability can change on a daily basis, so please telephone or e-mail to check the availability for the weeks that you want. |
| 2. Reserve
the dates by phone, giving your card details for payment of the deposit of 25% of the total rental. For bookings made 8 weeks or less before the start date full payment is required. You are advised not to send these details by e-mail. We can accept any card showing the Visa or Mastercard symbol (not Maestro or Amex). The payment will be in Euros and the deduction from your account, in your local currency, will depend on the exchange rate and any charges that your bank applies. |
| 3. You
must confirm the booking promptly by completing and posting
TWO copies of the Booking Form that
you can print from the link on the relevant property details page. The booking is not considered as definitive until this document has been
received. We allow a maximum of 21 days to receive this document, after which there is no gauarantee that the reservation will be maintained. Note that each property has it's own Booking Form which indicates any specific terms applied. The general Terms and Conditions are also available from a link on the property details. The Booking Form is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. Most computers have this installed, but in case of difficulty click on this link for the free download - Download Acrobat Reader |
| 4. The booking becomes firm once the signed booking form has been received and the payment cleared. You will then receive a receipt and confirmation of your booking by return. |
| 5. The balance will be due 8 weeks before the start of your holiday. This date is indicated on the booking confirmation. Make a note in your diary to phone us at that time to confirm the card number that you wish us to use. |
| 6. At the time of the balance payment, please post us the documentary proof of your holiday insurance (click this link to see a full explanation of this requirement). Where a Security Deposit cheque is required in advance rather then on arrival (refer to property details and its Terms and Conditions) please post this to the owners at the same time. |
| 7. Once
the balance payment has cleared and we have received all the required documentation
from you, you will receive your final receipt and arrival instructions. Return to the top/menu |
| Important information and FAQ's |
| Suitability
of the property Please ensure that the property is fully suitable for your party's needs and expectations, particularly as regards young children. Study the information carefully. In most cases, this will be sufficient to make a fully informed decision. However, if there are any specific criteria that are important to you don't hesitate to ask the appropriate questions before booking and we will reply as honestly as possible. Unlike many web sites, we know the properties and can be your eyes and ears. Return to the top/menu |
| Terms and Conditions Please make sure that you have read and understood the Terms and Conditions. These are available from a link on the property details. In signing the Letting Contract you are accepting these Terms and Conditions. Note that the letting contract is between the client and the owner (or in a few cases a local management agency). Return to the top/menu |
| Arrival and departure times Bookings are Saturday to Saturday, unless stated otherwise. Please note that you are asked to arrive no earlier than 5pm. Departures are no later than 10am. This timing is essential to allow the owner to correctly prepare the property and carry out maintenance. If you are to arrive later than 8pm, please let the owner or caretaker know so that specific arrangements can be made. Return to the top/menu |
| Holiday insurance Due to the requirements of holiday property owners' insurance in France it is mandatory that clients have adequate holiday insurance covering all members of their party, including personal liability cover. This covers damage or injury that your party members may cause to a third party or to their property. In France, this is not normally covered by the property owners' insurance. We therefore require documentary proof of this insurance cover. Click here for a full explanation of this requirement. Return to the top/menu |
| Sleeping capacity Please note that you are not permitted to exceed the maximum sleeping capacity stated in the property details unless the owner has given specific agreement beforehand. Some properties may allow an additional cot, if stated in the property details, otherwise babies are included in this number. Tents and camping cars are not permitted. External day visitors are permitted solely at the owners' discretion and you must therefore ask the owner or their representative beforehand, particularly with regard to use of the pool or other facilities. If you have booked at a reduced price for low occupancy the sleeping capacity is limited to the agreed figure (check the property details to see whether bedrooms may be made unavailable). Return to the top/menu |
| Security Deposit The Security Deposit is the property owners' protection to cover the unlikely event of undeclared damage, unsatisfactory condition of the property, or failure to pay any additional local charges (linen hire, heating, etc.). Property owners may have different systems for this and you can find out what applies to each property in the property details and on the booking form. In general, a cheque is required, this is not cashed and will normally be returned to you within 15 days of your return home, OR, a cash sum will be held by the owner during your stay and returned to you on departure. Please ensure that you have a cheque to hand on arrival (or the cash sum if this is the case). Note that this aspect is entirely handled by the owner and that we do not intervene in determining deductions nor can we reasonably be requested to arbitrate for things that we have not been witness to. Return to the top/menu |
| Linen Hire The arrangements for bed linen and/or towels are stated in the property details together with the charges applicable (some are inclusive in the rental price). Linen charges are paid directly to the owner or their representative on arrival. One set of bed linen (and towels, if this is included) is supplied, irrespective of the duration of your stay. A further change of bed linen (and towels) may be available and if this is the case, it will normally be subject to an additional charge. If this is not indicated in the property details, please ask. 1. Bed linen and towels supplied or hired. In this case you need only bring beach/pool towels. 2. Bed linen only supplied or hired. In this case you need to bring bath towels, beach/pool towels, tea towels. 3. If you bring you own bed linen, there will be pillows and either blankets or duvets supplied (if this is not marked in the property details please ask). Where square French pillows are supplied, the pillow cases are usually included in the rental. Bed linen is not normally provided for cots. Return to the top/menu |
| Cleaning at the end of your stay This is always a delicate question and whilst the vast majority of clients are sensible about this, the actions of a very small minority mean that we have to point out the obligations so that it is clear to all concerned. Owners may have one of four possible systems and this will be indicated in the property details and on the booking form: 1. No cleaning service is provided. You are required to leave the property clean and tidy on departure. The property owner is not expecting a full spring-clean an polish, just a reasonable effort, after which they will undertake to return the property to pristine condition for the incoming guests. In particular this will include kitchen and bathrooms, sweeping or vacuuming the floor, washing up, oven, fridge, bbq, bins, etc. 2. A cleaning service is provided as an option at extra charge. In this case, the service may be requested beforehand and the charge paid directly to the owner or their representative on arrival. If this option is not taken, then 1. above applies. 3. A cleaning service is provided as a mandatory extra charge. In this case the charge should be paid directly to the owner or their representative on arrival. 4. Cleaning is included in the rental price. Please note that where a cleaning service is provided at the end of your stay (optional, mandatory or inclusive) this covers 'normal' cleaning and does not dispense you from behaving in a reasonable manner. Return to the top/menu |
| Heating charges For bookings outside the summer season (typically early May to end of September) you may require heating in the property. The property details give any additional cost applied for this. Usually this is a fixed price for a week, applied when the heating is "on" and available for use. The owner may use their discretion to reduce this charge if, for instance, there was a cold spell lasting only two or three days. Some properties may have heating charged at cost from a meter reading and some may be inclusive in the rental price, this is indicated in the property details where applicable. Any heating charges are paid directly to the owner or their representative. Return to the top/menu |
| Residence Tax In some areas the local authority applies a residence tax (Taxe de Sejour) to occupants of holiday properties for the duration of their stay. It is the responsability of the property owner to collect this tax. The property details give the last know rate, where applicable. In recent years this has typically been 0.50 to 0.75 Euros per person per day, with young children generally not counted. The rate for the coming season is usually fixed by the local authorities in April/May. Return to the top/menu |
| Swimming Pools In accordance with the new legislation on swimming pool safety, all holiday property pools should be equipped with a safety system. This may be a fence and gate, a roller-blind cover, an alarm, or a full enclosure. We indicate in the property details what equipment the owner has stated, either installed or due to be installed. We do not accept any responsibility for compliance of this equipment with the relevant specifications or legislation. We point out that since July 2008 the safety authorities have expressed doubts concerning the effectiveness of certain pool alarms. If you are concerned about the pool safety equipment and any risks thereof you must ask for further information before booking and make a fully informed decision on whether the property is suitable for your needs. Return to the top/menu |
| Kitchens Whilst not normally mentioned in the property description, the kitchen will have either a cooker, or a hob and separate oven, and also a fridge. Note that in France the oven may not necessarily have a grill function. In a few rare cases, there will only be a mini counter-top oven and in these cases it is indicated in the property description ("mini-oven"). If a dishwasher and/or microwave oven, and/or washing machine and/or tumble dryer is present it is specifically mentioned. The washing machine and/or tumble dryer may be situated in the kitchen, in a utility room, in the bathroom or in a garage or outbuilding. Whilst we encourage owners to provide a wide range of kitchen equipment, crockery and cutlery, there may be differences from what you would normally expect in the UK. Return to the top/menu |
| Bathrooms Please note that in France you very often find that there is no toilet in the bathroom and that it will be situated elsewhere in the house. In the property description the following convention is used : Bathroom - bath and basin, no toilet (bath will often have a shower attachment, but not necessarily a screen or curtain). Bathroom (bath and shower) - bath, separate shower cubicle, basin, no toilet. Shower room - shower cubicle, basin, no toilet. Bathroom with toilet - bath and basin and toilet (bath will often have a shower attachment, but not necessarily a screen or curtain). Shower room with toilet - shower cubicle, basin and toilet. Bathroom (bath and shower) with toilet - bath, separate shower cubicle, basin and toilet. Separate toilet - toilet, with or without hand basin, situated elsewhere (indicated ground floor or first floor). En-suite - the facilities are accessible directly from the bedroom or are situated in the bedroom (but may not necessarily be completely separated or with a door). Return to the top/menu |
| Seating arrangements Since the French place greater importance in the dining area, the comfortable seating (settees, armchairs) may not seat the full number of the property sleeping capacity. Consult the photos of the property, or ask us, if this point is important to you. Return to the top/menu |
| Local amenities Information on local amenities is provided for guidance only and is not contractual. Amenities may have closed or be unavailable at the time of your stay. Return to the top/menu |
| Travel discounts We cant offer travel booking, only accommodation, but we can give our clients access to preferential rates through certain travel brokers with whom we have agreements. Properties featured in the 'Chez Nous' brochure or on their web site qualify for discounts through the Chez Nous Travel Service. Please ask for the discount code at the time of booking. All properties qualify for discounts through the Online Travel Group. Please ask for details. Return to the top/menu |
| What to do if something is not right The number of problems reported back to us is of a very low level, witness to the diligence of the property owners. Nevertheless, it is impossible to eliminate all possibility of a breakdown in the equipment or a defect that has gone unseen. If there is a problem you must contact the property owner or the caretaker. In many instances a simple and rapid solution can be found with the minimum of inconvenience. The property owner will normally take all necessary steps to rectify the problem as soon as possible but may be at the mercy of local tradesmen or suppliers and in this case delays are inevitable. It is not acceptable to collect a list of grievances for a letter of complaint once you return home. If the owner was not notified nor given the opportunity to rectify the problem, a subsequent complaint is unlikely to be considered favourably. Note that your Letting Contract is between the client and the property owner (or in a few cases a local management agency), the names of these parties being indicated on the contract. Your attention is drawn to the Terms and Conditions, that you accept in signing the Letting Contract. Accord Services is responsible for presenting the property details on behalf of the owner, for receiving the funds into a holding account and for sending the paperwork. In the unlikely event of a serious matter you must address your correspondence to the property owner (or the local management agency is this is the case). We would or course appreciate receiving a copy in order to be fully informed. Return to the top/menu |