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Original poster

UK holiday accommodation cancelled

26 replies

Timbucktime · 14/03/2021 20:28

Has anybody else had their UK summer holiday cancelled? I had heard about a couple of people who had had their holiday accommodation for this summer cancelled by the owner and now it’s happen to a relative.

Some very upset children who had their holiday last year cancelled like many did and were really looking forward to this summer in Cornwall.
The owner tried to up the price last year, but agreed to honour last years price for this Aug when the holiday was moved.
As soon as the date was announced for uk self catering accommodation to open they had a call from the owner cancelling the booking for Aug saying they had to do maintenance.

Clearly they know that people will be willing to pay a lot more for UK holidays this summer so are happy to cancel existing bookings.
I really hope this doesn’t happen to too many people.

OP posts:
Vthirtyone · 14/03/2021 20:34

Yes! We had booked 4 cottages together (family) and had it cancelled, apparently they are having drainage and electrical work (in July?). My Mum got the email, I haven't got the heart to say I think they got a better offer from some other holiday makers and we've been gazumped.

Original poster
Timbucktime · 14/03/2021 21:02

Sorry to hear that. You would think they would try and come up with a bit more of believable excuse wouldn’t you.
Had all this time while they have been closed to do all this ‘work’. How strange that they decide to break it in months down the road in school holidays 🤔🤔🤔

OP posts:
pointythings · 14/03/2021 21:05

That's awful behaviour. I know holiday let owners have had it hard, but so has everyone else. There's no excuse for price gouging. Not all are like this - our summer holiday accommodation is with someone we know very well and they will not take a deposit until they know we can definitely go.

peak2021 · 14/03/2021 22:01

Awful behaviour though at least it is several months in advance. If it is not booked direct but through a cottages or self catering website, perhaps let them know.

MrsDThomas · 15/03/2021 06:40

My friend has a cottage and we were there decorating and cleaning over the weekend ready for March 27th when she re-opens. She is already fully booked till the end of September. But all these bookings are through the company so prices cannot be increased by the owner, as its the company who determines the price.

peak2021 · 15/03/2021 06:44

I wonder if the local trading standards should be informed? Won't get you your booking back, but may deter any price hike.

Ifailed · 15/03/2021 06:56

I suspect they had a better offer - they are in it to make money.

Forestdweller11 · 15/03/2021 07:01

Locally (national park, so v touristy) I have heard anecdotally that agents are encouraging their holiday cottage owners to cancel/refund existing bookings as they can then readvertise at a price far above the losses they incur in having to provide a refund.

Original poster
Timbucktime · 15/03/2021 07:01

I’m sure the people that they no doubt will have already booked into the week my relatives already paid for/booked will have a lovely holiday.
I wonder if they know that another poor family have had their looked forward to holiday cancelled for them.

OP posts:
Oblomov21 · 15/03/2021 07:02

Maintenance? Well that's probably a lie. They've had a better offer. What can be done in this situation? What are your legal rights?
I'd be pressing for them to honour it, if I knew what my rights were legally?

ItsIgginningtolooklikelockdown · 15/03/2021 07:05

What date has been announced for U.K. self catering to open?
I would be upset too OP sounds very dodgy.

YukoandHiro · 15/03/2021 07:09

That's hideous behaviour - make sure you expose them on tripadvisor or Airbnb or whatever

TheChosenTwo · 15/03/2021 07:16

That’s maddening. I’d be so tempted to drive down there at some point during the dates to find out for definite and then call the owners Grin

Cakecrumbsinmybra · 15/03/2021 07:20

Through AirBnb the owners get really penalised for cancelling - they lose super host status and have to pay per cancellation (I am a host).

Original poster
Timbucktime · 15/03/2021 07:50

I know that it was booked direct with the owner but will definitely encourage my relative to expose them.
I hope anyone else that finds themselves in the same situation does the same. This really needs highlighting so that it more people’s looked forward to holidays don’t get ruined due to greed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Timbucktime · 15/03/2021 07:53

@ItsIgginningtolooklikelockdown

What date has been announced for U.K. self catering to open? I would be upset too OP sounds very dodgy.
Single households in UK self catering accommodation should be able to go ahead from 12th April
OP posts:
Doomsdayiscoming · 15/03/2021 07:54

The problem is someone paying the extortionate re-listing price.

Welcome to Capitalism.

Oblomov21 · 15/03/2021 09:31

It's the owners lack of morals and not being honourable.

It's not the fault of the new customer.

He doesn't know your history. He's sitting at home thinking, let's book a week in Cornwall. Is that the price? Seems overinflated. Supply and demand, I guess. Sod it, I've been locked up for a year, I've spent nothing so we can afford it, even if it seems like a lot, but sod it lets go anyway. He doesn't know you've been ripped off and had a booking for £500 that he's now paying £750 for.

Wildswimming3 · 15/03/2021 09:36

We live in devon and often stay in a cottage in cornwall, often the same ones as we have dogs. I had a quick look recently and the owners have doubled the price! We wont be bothering, weve bought a tent

Original poster
Timbucktime · 15/03/2021 10:31

All the more reason to do a negative trip advisor etc review oblomov21
So at least potential new customers can see what the owner is like. The new customer will pay a lot more but who’s to say the owner won’t do the same to them.

OP posts:
peak2021 · 15/03/2021 11:20

The other one is if you have a friendly MP who would be willing to raise the matter in the Commons. Parliamentary privilege means the owner can be named and cannot be sued.

IrmaFayLear · 15/03/2021 11:29

Narrow escape if you ask me. Cornwall is going to be absolutely rammed this year.

I wish I’d had the foresight to buy a holiday cottage before all this ! Owners must be rubbing their hands with glee.

My gazumping incident was with a puppy. Removed from breeder’s list who then charged twice as much....

Blacklampshades · 15/03/2021 11:34

I was just looking at cottages in Cornwall prices vary £3000-£4000 for 7 nights- Greed

jollyunicorn83 · 15/03/2021 11:37

Yes same happened to us. They actually said they wanted US to cancel and rebook because they've put the price up

Dowser · 15/03/2021 12:10

@Blacklampshades

I was just looking at cottages in Cornwall prices vary £3000-£4000 for 7 nights- Greed
You can get a decent second hand touring caravan for that or less Then join the caravan and camping club
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