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Original poster

Holiday From Hell - Live

359 replies

Bartlebum · 15/03/2024 17:30

Please help!

It's my nan's 80th birthday and we have arranged for 29 of us to come to North Devon for a weekend to celebrate. Arrived at 3pm to boiler faults in our cottage, no heating and no hot water. Immediately reported and the owner did not reply.

We have seven cottages in total and as everyone arrived we realised all of them are out, so we checked the gas tanks for the whole property and they are empty.

I have been calling the booking agent we went through who said they won't deal with this guy anymore as he has had nothing but complaints, so have terminated the contract.

As we paid them I have asked them to sort it so they said they will do what they can to get in touch with him.

It's been 2.5 hours and no progress. 29 people, two elderly, 7 children and one with a disability. I have asked them to find alternative accomodation but they said its not on them, it's on the owner of the property who is not contactable.

I don't know what to do. There is no one on site as it was all done via key codes. The owner lives several hours away in London, we are freezing and can't begin celebrating my nan turning 80 on what should have been an amazing occasion. We literally stayed here two years ago and had the most amazing time but it's changed hands and not been maintained to any standard.

Anyone been in a similar situation? I've been nice to the agents and I don't want to kick off but I can't believe they won't help me.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
14
AnaMaeve · 15/03/2024 20:00

OP hasn't returned.

I was going to suggest that they share the location so that PP’s may have been able to provide details of local hotels/accomodation that they could contact.

fleurneige · 15/03/2024 19:59

SconeJam · 15/03/2024 19:46

Where in North Devon are you?
I live in North Devon and if you are nearby I have some plug in heaters you can borrow and wood.

B R A V O

Original poster
Bartlebum · 15/03/2024 19:58

Okay I can't see all the updates but I will read them later. To update the owner blamed the cleaners for the lack of heating, water and pool, and the agent came through in the end and in the background agreed with the owners of a mansion in the next town that we could relocate there, and explained the situation to get it is for no extra cost.

I know that's the least they could do but they were between a rock and a hard place and didn't log off for the weekend and leave us like I feared they were going to.

I packed my weekends shopping into bin bags and am not sitting in the car piled high with food as it won't fit in the boot, being driven to the new place. I hope it's better as the members of the family with the electric shower we're not happy to move and kicked off a bit!

OP posts:
chattyness · 15/03/2024 19:56

EeesandWhizz · 15/03/2024 18:46

Where in North Devon? Get on the local facebook group, someone might be able to help contact the owner or lend you some electric/gas heaters.

I was going to suggest this too , local people will rally round and lend you heaters etc if they can and probably bring you some wood too or help you get into the wood store. You never know there may even be some landlords with empty cottages that will let you stay in them, especially if you tell them about your vulnerable relatives .
Also as others have said, take as many photos and video as possible of all the grotty facilities to help back up your case for refund.

K0OLA1D · 15/03/2024 19:48

Sorry for the shit time op. I hope you've managed to get something sorted

ArrrMeHearties · 15/03/2024 19:48

I'm so sorry your having such a shit time on what should be a brilliant weekend celebrating your grans birthday. Id like to hope the owner of the cottages is going to be forthcoming with compensation of some kind

puzzledout · 15/03/2024 19:47

SconeJam · 15/03/2024 19:46

Where in North Devon are you?
I live in North Devon and if you are nearby I have some plug in heaters you can borrow and wood.

Oh how lovely!!! 🥰

SconeJam · 15/03/2024 19:46

Where in North Devon are you?
I live in North Devon and if you are nearby I have some plug in heaters you can borrow and wood.

Peonies007 · 15/03/2024 19:42

In terms of refund once you get back home..
You must complain to agent first. Once you get fobbed off, you go and do chargeback via card company within 120 days (credit or debit). If that doesn't work you claim on section 75 (credit card only, limits apply).
If that wouldn't be successful (it will) you sue the agent AND card company (jointly liable).

I'm excitedly on step 2 of the process atm.

Diversion · 15/03/2024 19:40

Please do not use the wood burning stoves. As the rest of the properties are a mess it is unlikely that the flue/chimneys will have been swept. I'm sorry you have had your celebration ruined 🙁

whenemmafallsinlove · 15/03/2024 19:38

You have to leave your justify the full refund you are due.its not fit for habitation doe to lack of hot water.
Groups in to hotels. Drink and food and go home tomorrow and rebook elsewhere for another time. And name and shame them everywhere

Severalwhippets · 15/03/2024 19:36

Movinghouseatlast · 15/03/2024 19:29

People have had chargebacks refused because they have stayed. I'm on quite a few Facebook accomodation owners groups and have read of this happening many times.

Edited
Show quote history

I can only say that we would have been charged if we stayed. I don’t know the legalities around it. Every company seems to have different policies.

areyoutheregod · 15/03/2024 19:33

I agree with the comments saying to leave. Is it possible to stay elsewhere?

EarringsandLipstick · 15/03/2024 19:33

You have to leave. There are too many unresolvable issues.

I know 29 is a large number to source accommodation for - but split into smaller groups & ring around.

Then raise merry hell about the accommodation.

Eyesopenwideawake · 15/03/2024 19:29

On a practical note are there any hotels nearby that can accommodate your group?

1000yardstare · 15/03/2024 19:29

I'd be explaining to the owners and agents via vm and email that if things were not rectified soon I would be breaking into woodshed/ using furniture for firewood until the problem was sorted. Robbing arseholes. Let them chase me through small claims when they had advanced notice of 29 people staying.

But then I have no fucks to give

Movinghouseatlast · 15/03/2024 19:29

WinteryConditions · 15/03/2024 19:13

It isn't true that you can't claim chargeback unless you leave the accommodation. (section 75/credit card or debit card chargeback)

There is so much incorrect information on this thread 🤦🏻‍♀️

Show quote history

People have had chargebacks refused because they have stayed. I'm on quite a few Facebook accomodation owners groups and have read of this happening many times.

Wigtopia · 15/03/2024 19:29

I got pet way through the first sentence, got as far as

”… arranged for 29” and that was it for me. Sent a shiver down my spine. Sounds like hell to me and i doubt I’m even at the hellish bits!!

Severalwhippets · 15/03/2024 19:29

Moving out immediately.
Our claim was that it was inhabitable, and yours definitely is with no Vaduz services.

Say to Nan not to be disappointed, she will have her celebration as promised. Where are you op? Can we help on MN?

Peonies007 · 15/03/2024 19:28

Bartlebum · 15/03/2024 17:30

Please help!

It's my nan's 80th birthday and we have arranged for 29 of us to come to North Devon for a weekend to celebrate. Arrived at 3pm to boiler faults in our cottage, no heating and no hot water. Immediately reported and the owner did not reply.

We have seven cottages in total and as everyone arrived we realised all of them are out, so we checked the gas tanks for the whole property and they are empty.

I have been calling the booking agent we went through who said they won't deal with this guy anymore as he has had nothing but complaints, so have terminated the contract.

As we paid them I have asked them to sort it so they said they will do what they can to get in touch with him.

It's been 2.5 hours and no progress. 29 people, two elderly, 7 children and one with a disability. I have asked them to find alternative accomodation but they said its not on them, it's on the owner of the property who is not contactable.

I don't know what to do. There is no one on site as it was all done via key codes. The owner lives several hours away in London, we are freezing and can't begin celebrating my nan turning 80 on what should have been an amazing occasion. We literally stayed here two years ago and had the most amazing time but it's changed hands and not been maintained to any standard.

Anyone been in a similar situation? I've been nice to the agents and I don't want to kick off but I can't believe they won't help me.

I had similar happen recently, except booking company had to do their procedures which took over a day whilst we were freezing.
First.. email short complaint to people you booked with.
say.. this happened, houses aren't fit for purpose. you are requiring full refund/tank to be filled or whatever you want.
If you can afford it start looking around airbnb and/or hotels. But quite a big hroup so might be tough.
You can deal with refund after you get home.
It's horrible when your holiday/special occasion get ruined like this.

StarlightLady · 15/03/2024 19:28

Rainraindontgoaway · 15/03/2024 19:26

Definitely, break the lock.

Show quote history

Acting unlawfully is not going to help the OP’s cause. It could have reverse impact.

Severalwhippets · 15/03/2024 19:27

Get yourselves into the nearest hotel. Organise drinks and try and sort this out in the morning.

I have been where you are with air bnb and the only thing that gave us a ‘valid’ claim was the photographs, take loads and moving out.

Rainraindontgoaway · 15/03/2024 19:26

cuckyplunt · 15/03/2024 18:27

I’d be smashing into the wood store for a start.

Definitely, break the lock.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 15/03/2024 19:26

.

CrashyTime · 15/03/2024 19:22

Bartlebum · 15/03/2024 17:30

Please help!

It's my nan's 80th birthday and we have arranged for 29 of us to come to North Devon for a weekend to celebrate. Arrived at 3pm to boiler faults in our cottage, no heating and no hot water. Immediately reported and the owner did not reply.

We have seven cottages in total and as everyone arrived we realised all of them are out, so we checked the gas tanks for the whole property and they are empty.

I have been calling the booking agent we went through who said they won't deal with this guy anymore as he has had nothing but complaints, so have terminated the contract.

As we paid them I have asked them to sort it so they said they will do what they can to get in touch with him.

It's been 2.5 hours and no progress. 29 people, two elderly, 7 children and one with a disability. I have asked them to find alternative accomodation but they said its not on them, it's on the owner of the property who is not contactable.

I don't know what to do. There is no one on site as it was all done via key codes. The owner lives several hours away in London, we are freezing and can't begin celebrating my nan turning 80 on what should have been an amazing occasion. We literally stayed here two years ago and had the most amazing time but it's changed hands and not been maintained to any standard.

Anyone been in a similar situation? I've been nice to the agents and I don't want to kick off but I can't believe they won't help me.

Hopefully you paid by credit card, contact them and ask if they can reclaim the money? That should get the owner"s attention.