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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU: holiday cottage owner refusing any reconciliation for Easter break?

62 replies

dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:00

Just this really. He’s refusing any refund or credit for a holiday we booked at the end of last year for Easter break. It’s a lot of money for us. It’s in a rural area where health services will be stretched. We are NOT going. He is actively encouraging us to go ahead despite it meaning we will be breaking the law, as will he as he has to travel across counties to clean the place. The only thing he’ll do is remarket and pay us any monies he can reclaim.

I know this is nothing in scheme of things. It’s money and important thing is that we’re all well and safe. But I am so stressed - I’ve been awake since 2am fretting about it. Is small claims court an option?

Thanks for reading my rant

OP posts:
Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:05

I seem to have set up voting by mistake! The person who thinks I’m being unreasonable - can you explain why? May be useful to give some perspective

OP posts:
LefttoherownDevizes · 26/03/2020 07:10

I feel you're pain. We're about £2k down for the DC's having their school trips cancelled, youngest is in year 6 and it was to be their first school trip. It is really sad.

We have been advised we're best trying to claim refunds from our travel insurance, have you tried that?

Thelaughinggnome123 · 26/03/2020 07:11

I think the person thinks you're unreasonable as its money you can afford to lose, of all things to get started this shouldn't be one. Try asking if you can now the booking.

SpillTheTeaa · 26/03/2020 07:12

He should pay you back any penny the knob head.
I would leave a review so other people are aware he's sly.
Yes he's lost out on business but you've also lost out on money. That isn't fair. Try and go through your insurance if you have any.

rosie1959 · 26/03/2020 07:13

Check out Government rules regarding holiday accommodation I had a quick look and as far as I can see he should close holiday let's
We always holiday in the UK but still have a yearly travel Insurance. Do you have travel insurance
Maybe worth looking into who you can report him to for still being open.

Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:14

Thank you for replying. Been trying but they’re only dealing with urgent claims at the moment (ie next few days). I hate the uncertainty - so much money to lose and can’t see a way forward. We seem to have no rights. I’m sorry about your financial loss too - I hope you get some recompense.

I think what’s upset me so much is his bullish attitude and blatant encouragement of us to ignore gov advice and come down anyway where we can order food in and isolate 🤦‍♀️. It may as well be on the moon. He just doesn’t get it and thinks it’s perfectly acceptable that he travels across 2 counties to clean the place (presumably normal local cleaner not working!). It’s impossible to deal with someone like that

OP posts:
Teddypops · 26/03/2020 07:21

If it is in Cornwall name and shame him to the local MP for the property.

Cornwall is on red alert for people flouting the rules and encouraging holiday makers.

Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:23

@rosie1959 thank you. Think I’ve found it. Seems to be new gov guidance! I’ve put a link here in case of interest to anyone else. Thank you - think this helps us!

www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-advice-for-accommodation-providers

OP posts:
Palavah · 26/03/2020 07:23

Did you book directly with him or through a broker/agent? I would let them know, and let the local MP/tourist board know.

What do the T's and C's of the booking say?

Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:23

@Teddypops thank you. Yes it is in Cornwall. Good idea

OP posts:
Bibijayne · 26/03/2020 07:24

The Government gas closed holiday let's and hotels unless serving as temporary accommodation/ somewhere you live.

He is breaking the law. He should offer you the ability to change dates or a refund in these circumstances.

Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:25

@Palavah thank you. T&cs say no refund on cancellation. That’s all he quotes to us. But he refuses to accept this isn’t us randomly cancelling - we are prohibited from going. And now it looks as if he should be closed anyway. That should help us. He’s so unreasonable

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Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:27

@Bibijayne thank you. Is it definitely law? Is he definitely breaking the law? Or is it just gov guidelines? Trying to get my head around it...

OP posts:
letmeinthroughyourwindow · 26/03/2020 07:27

He will have a mortgage to pay on the property, or maybe he relies on the rental income for his pension.

I know it's a lot of money to you, but it might be a lot of money to him too.

In his situation I would do my best to reschedule, but not offer refunds. Why should he shoulder the cost because you didn't take out travel insurance?

rosie1959 · 26/03/2020 07:30

Threatening to report him may well change his mind

Raindancer411 · 26/03/2020 07:30

Report report report. These are not normal times. I hope someone can help :)

Tarararara · 26/03/2020 07:31

Problem is, even if he capitulates and offers you a credit note (which by the way, is the only concession that the major agencies - Sykes, Cottages.com etc are offering at present) would you want to go? He sounds despicable.

Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:32

@letmeinthroughyourwindow I didn’t say we haven’t taken our travel insurance - that’s your assumption. But trying to get through to insurer impossible at present.

I would have more sympathy, and did have, for him until he started to flagrantly disregard gov advice and told us to too. He’s been telling us it’s a great place to isolate and you won’t see anyone etc. And he won’t offer anything to share burden. He’s putting it all on us.

OP posts:
rosie1959 · 26/03/2020 07:34

He should either refund or offer a credit
Why should he shoulder the cost? Because he is running a business and he can no longer offer his product
If the OP should have Insurance then so should he

Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:34

He is a despicable character - I am truly horrified by his behaviour. Putting our health at risk and the local community and potentially pressure on local health resources if we fall ill. I don’t want to reschedule now.

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GarkandGookin · 26/03/2020 07:34

We have the same issue. No cancellation and they insist on us paying the balance as the several hundred pounds deposit isn't enough. It was supposed to be a big birthday treat so we spent a lot of money for the first time ever. Now we won't get to go and won't be able to book somewhere else later because we have spent the holiday budget. I understand they still have costs but they are profiting from the situation which seems wrong to me.

Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:35

Thank you all - I know this is nothing in current situation but I’ve been awake since 2am and very stressed about it. Thank you for listening and responding. It has really helped

OP posts:
lilgreen · 26/03/2020 07:36

Try to move the date forward to October or next Easter.

Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:36

@GarkandGookin have you looked at gov advice I’ve posted in link above? Might be useful to you. I wish you luck and I agree - to profit from this situation seems very wrong

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Original poster
dancingqueen1978 · 26/03/2020 07:37

@lilgreen thank you for suggestion but I don’t want anything to do with him bar refund. Relations have deteriorated.

OP posts: