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AIBU?

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Original poster

Should they give a refund and let us cancel?

142 replies

Idolikeanicepieceofcake · 29/04/2019 16:08

I booked a holiday for next week a year in advance for a dog-friendly, quiet, rural cottage. It was meant to be a week of peace and quiet for us after enduring 7 months of building work from the house nextdoor. We are due to go this Saturday.
Yesterday the people who rent it emailed me to say that there would be building work going on during the time of our break, but they have asked the builders to refrain from doing their noisier work before 10am or after 4pm. That to me says that there will be noisy building work between 10am and 4pm, the time that we would have been enjoying the garden/having bbq/reading/sunbathing weather permitting.
I am really upset because it cost a lot of money, and I do not want to go on what should be a peaceful getaway and spend the whole time with building work in the background. They also have only given us 6 days notice that this will be happening!
Do you think that I would be unreasonable to ask for a complete refund so that I can try and salvage this one precious week of annual leave?

OP posts:
WeeDangerousSpike · 29/04/2019 17:19

That's crap. Definitely a full refund required.

I know of a dog friendly rural cottage on the Cornwall / Devon border I can post details of if you want OP?

GabsAlot · 29/04/2019 17:22

what cf's they would have known ages ago about the extension works-they ust didnt want u to cancel so left it

if you get no joy take it to small claims

averylongtimeago · 29/04/2019 17:24

That's not on. Emergency repairs may be (though refunds for guests should be covered by their insurance in that case) but an extension? No way.

If you look on FB for the group "Book your holiday Direct with the owner " you will probably find a cottage on there.

SihtricsHorseWitnere · 29/04/2019 17:25

They are serious CF cunts. Just NO. 'I have been attempting to contact you and will record all my attempts. This is entirely unacceptable and you know it, as is your refusal to respond to me. We want a full refund and will work to that end.'

maddy68 · 29/04/2019 17:27

Yes ask for a refund. Explain you were trying to get away from building work

crimsonlake · 29/04/2019 17:29

This is terrible, I hope you get your refund.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 29/04/2019 17:37

It seems they’re banking on the possibility you’ll be out exploring in those hours? Still unacceptable. Call airb’n’b so they guarantee your refund!

dreamingofsun · 29/04/2019 17:44

if it was a long term let then you are entitled to 'quiet enjoyment' of the property and the LL cant access without your permission. Not sure what the rule son ST lets are though. Sale of goods act is based on what a 'reasonable man' would expect....and from the responses you have had here i dont think most people would find it acceptable to have this. If you dont get any joy from owners then there is always the small claims court

Puzzledandpissedoff · 29/04/2019 17:46

Hang on! The building work is actually on the house you’re staying in? Or is it s neighbours building work?

OP said the property owners were going to request the "noisiest work" only at certain times. Since they wouldn't have influence over anyone else's builders, I guess it must be their place?

SihtricsHorseWitnere · 29/04/2019 17:48

The OP states that the building work is an extension that's being attached to the cottage they are renting. What a pisstake.

motherheroic · 29/04/2019 17:52

I bet they used your money to help fund that extension. If that's the case I can see why they are avoiding you.

Knittedfairies · 29/04/2019 17:53

We had a holiday cottage booked last year and got an email to say building work at a neighbouring property was likely to be happening during our week away. We were offered the same options as BrexitBirgit. (We went with the discount)

CoraPirbright · 29/04/2019 18:00

That’s absolutely disgraceful! They must have known for months that this was going to happen. They would have had to find builders and get quotes, get drawings done, possibly apply for planning permission (even if it is under permitted development I think you still have to let the council know), let the neighbours know and have their say........

I would def email them and say that especially since this is a special get-away booked with the express intention of escaping the building work of your neighbours, under no circumstances is this acceptable to you, more so given that they have sprung this on you with only 6 days to go. That you will be going for a full refund and will take them to court if necessary.

I dont think the name ‘cheeky fuckers’ begins to cover this. Perhaps FC’s - fraudulent cunts??

ChicCroissant · 29/04/2019 18:01

Have you let them know you want to cancel OP, not just asked them to call back? I'd do that even if you have to leave a message AND send them a letter that has to be signed for on receipt. Tell them ASAP.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 29/04/2019 18:02

You're right, Sihtrics ... stupidly, I missed that bit

I can just about see you might get someone in for a small repair while a place is rented out, but building an extension? Errr no Hmm

HollowTalk · 29/04/2019 18:05

Can you tell us how they advertised this place? What kind of language did they use? Did they say "quiet" and "relaxing" etc?

BeanBag7 · 29/04/2019 18:06

YANBU. They must have known about this weeks ago and haven't given you enough notice to book somewhere else (on purpose?)

ShinyPinkLipgloss · 29/04/2019 18:10

If they don't get back to you within 24 hours I'd be going to ABTA / Credit card provider to arrange for your payment to be revoked (in full). Simply explain the situation AND the fact they are not responding to you. Send screenshots of your messages on FB and any emails.

Kewcumber · 29/04/2019 18:11

Don;t just email. Send them a record delivery letter tomorrow morning with guarantee next day delivery (keep a copy) saying that you do not want to stay whilst building works are going on and please return money as you will not be coming

Kewcumber · 29/04/2019 18:11

and yes if it's credit car/paypal - ask for a charge back

Kewcumber · 29/04/2019 18:13

I have a second home. You cannot let it out as a holiday cottage whilst you are building an extension. They're just being greedy fuckers.

HollowTalk · 29/04/2019 18:20

It's not just that they don't want to stay there. It's not as advertised.

Did you speak to the owners on the phone? Did you tell them about the building works you were escaping?

JAMMFYesPlease · 29/04/2019 18:26

What CFs they are! I do hope you paid by credit card so you can initiate a chargeback
They're not providing what was advertised. I'm sorry your week away has been ruined.

HermioneKipper · 29/04/2019 18:33

Outrageous. Absolutely demand a refund. Maybe threaten a smear campaign on social media if they refuse to play ball?!

FellaGoneRogue · 29/04/2019 19:19

Is there an option of another property or is it a one man outfit?

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