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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
Coco1379 · 16/03/2024 18:40

If you paid through the agent they should give you the refund and or find alternative accommodation. Are they ABTA protected?

Owl55 · 16/03/2024 18:36

Contact local press / tourism office

FMo1228 · 16/03/2024 18:35

GinForBreakfast · 15/03/2024 17:39

What do the T&Cs of the contract say?

How did you pay? If credit card then gather all the evidence by photo and see if you can find alternative accommodation. Then claim back on your credit card.

+1 to the credit card approach to recoup your money, I've recently looked into this and non-delivery of good and services is exactly what the credit card companies will respond to on your behalf.

I know this doesn't help you immediately though, I'm very sorry you and your family have been treated like this. Book into hotels if you can and claim it back through small claims if you need to take it that far.

Speckybecky123 · 16/03/2024 18:25

HappierTimesAhead · 16/03/2024 12:10

Your update made me smile!! I love a happy ending! Enjoy😍

Don’t we all 😏

ThomasinaLivesHere · 16/03/2024 18:17

Glad there was a happy ending!

Katej82 · 16/03/2024 18:14

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.

We had something similar with a villa abroad and we were getting married in our case all the electricity cut no showers no coolers etc food all went bad no lighting! To top it off we were getting married and the business had said they had a back up generator they didn't. It was dreadful managed to get a hotel for the wedding at least. But we made a huge complaint got compensation now it didn't fix it but we managed to book a holiday for our first anniversary with it. Try and see if you can buy gas bottles locally keep your receipt charge them for it if they don't pay take to small claims court. So sorry for your trouble and hope your nan has a happy birthday somehow xx

busymomtoone · 16/03/2024 18:09

What a nightmare! Unless your booking is via one of those agents where they put you directly to deal with the cottage owners ( sorry not read whole thread) then as booking agents this company are 100% responsible- in fact, knowing the owners are so shit and not using them ongoing makes them 110% responsible because they should have contacted you. They are putting vulnerable people at risk and completely unacceptable. I’m sorry but you need to get tough - trading standards/ small claims/ Twitter name and shaming - throw the book at them. Make sure you take plenty of pictorial evidence. It doesn’t sound like heaters will fully solve the issues - is there a local hotel / b&b/ Airbnb that can accommodate you all? It’s particularly disappointing having stayed there before - so sorry for you all. Hope a dynamic and kind lawyer pops up on here to strengthen your case 💐

Friars28 · 16/03/2024 17:57

Who did you pay money to ?..this is disgraceful to be treated like this, i would ring agents and say, you are all booking jn to hotels and guve them the bill. They are taking peoples money and not providing a service

Fibi36 · 16/03/2024 17:56

I rent holiday property. Your contract is with the agent you booked with. It doesn't matter that the ceased trading with the owner, has no relevance. Your accomodation isn't fit for purpose. Tell the agent that you want another similar or better property immediately. Can you share who the agent is

Thisismynewname23 · 16/03/2024 17:53

Bartlebum · 15/03/2024 17:37

We have all the ovens on that are functional but they are filling the cottages up with smoke - not been cleaned. The houses are filthy and unsafe. There is black mold on the ceilings.

We have a pool here too that is turned off and half empty

Is it a sykes property? If so there’s a group dedicated to helping

pinkstripeycat · 16/03/2024 17:52

the80sweregreat · 15/03/2024 17:39

Good point re gas :(
I am sorry this is happening to you
I hope that the owners are taken to the cleaners once you get back.
People on here often say to name and shame on Twitter (x) , but again not helpful to you at the moment.
I'd be considering calling the police on them , but I guess this is extreme. You have vulnerable people with you and left high and dry , it's appalling and I bet none of it was cheap to rent for the weekend.
Hope you get some better advice and take care

It’s not a crime. It would be a civil matter.

141mum · 16/03/2024 17:51

Break the lock

Adam1630 · 16/03/2024 17:50

One possible solution is to buy a couple of LPG cylinders with a couple of regulators. A clever gas certified plumber could take the bulk cylinder out of the loop and plumb in a twinned portable propane tank. You can normally pick them up at petrol stations and they come in sizes of upto 47kg

whitebreadjamsandwich · 16/03/2024 17:49

Fab news - hope you've had a great day

wasdarknowblond · 16/03/2024 17:41

Good point about the insurance. I would try to find a hotel that could accommodate you all or find a restaurant at least for the birthday. Then give that disgusting landlord absolute Hell. So sorry for you.

naw131 · 16/03/2024 17:40

I'd book into your nearest premier..........

Patashby · 16/03/2024 17:28

If you booked through the letting agency, surely your contract is with them and they therefore bare some responsibility ??

Patashby · 16/03/2024 17:27

If you booked through the letting agency, surely your contract is with them and they therefore bare some responsibility ??

Ukholidaysaregreat · 16/03/2024 17:24

Aww! So pleased to read your last update! Hope you all really enjoy the weekend together! Have a relaxing wine tonight! Or a Mumsnet gin!Gin

Itsallchange · 16/03/2024 17:21

Sorry not read the whole thread yet but if someone like booking.com they are only someone you pay they offer no support or assistance with problems which I found out recently!
I hope you get it sorted soon

martinisforeveryone · 16/03/2024 17:17

Hope you all now enjoy a fab break and birthday celebration.

So glad the agents listened and came through for you. The owners of the new mansion and cottage really do deserve a glowing review, they’re the type of people who are needed in hospitality and should do well.

SomethingBlues · 16/03/2024 16:16

Would love to know what mansion you stayed in after you’ve left @Bartlebum - I need to book an event for a large group and am researching options.

LakieLady · 16/03/2024 16:15

What a great result! The mansion sounds fabulous. Great work by the agents and lovely that the owners of the big house were happy to accommodate you all at such short notice.

I hope the rest of your stay is wonderful, OP, and a happy birthday to your gran.

Thatfridayfeeling18 · 16/03/2024 15:51

NotQuiteNorma · 15/03/2024 17:45

Are there any tools or keys in any drawers you can access the log store with? Do none of the cottages have any logs accessible?

Would this justify breaking the lock🤔

Theinjuredcleaner · 16/03/2024 13:51

I'd also like some pics of the Saltburn mansion! Feel free to add a naked dance if you like.

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