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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
CottonCandyLand · 16/03/2024 02:48

WinteryConditions · 15/03/2024 18:18

Also, take LOADS and loads of photos and videos. Show the cold water etc.

Does the gas tank have a phone number on it?

How do you prove water is cold in a video? 😕

KomodoOhno · 16/03/2024 03:33

I'm so glad you were able to move. I hope it's a wonderful time for your Nan!

Mylittlepea · 16/03/2024 05:05

So glad you’ve got it sorted now, have a great time 🎉

Just don’t drink the bath water😉🤣😛

SignoraVolpe · 16/03/2024 05:55

Have a great time.
Hope you gave the electric shower people the smallest room?

quantumbutterfly · 16/03/2024 06:03

CottonCandyLand · 16/03/2024 02:48

How do you prove water is cold in a video? 😕

If it's solid, it's cold, otherwise one has to emote coldness...😁

TerfTalking · 16/03/2024 07:18

Well done, enjoy

Bordesleyhills · 16/03/2024 07:18

Excellent- they are good soles in the world! Sorry you tangled with some who weren’t - moral of the story if your renting property don’t do it too far from home unless you have a fantastic team/ agent you can trust . Rural gas tanks are expensive and a nightmare if you run out!

Devonn82 · 16/03/2024 07:24

I live in ND and I hope you enjoy the mansion!

Trying to think where that may be! Enjoy!!

NewYearTimeToChange · 16/03/2024 07:35

Am I the only person thinking that now you have had this fantastic outcome and customer service you should definitely share the name of the agent? They sound like the kind of company I would be happy to book with.
Really pleased your celebration weekend has been rescued and I hope you all have a lovely time together.

LeWifi · 16/03/2024 07:45

Such a lovey update. I hope you all now have a wonderful weekend.

serin · 16/03/2024 08:01

quantumbutterfly · 16/03/2024 06:03

If it's solid, it's cold, otherwise one has to emote coldness...😁

🤣🤣🤣

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 16/03/2024 08:18

I am so glad you got sorted.

The agents sound good (and the mansion owners) - disasters and problems happen, it is how they get resolved that matters.

Enjoy your weekend, and Happy Birthday to your Granny 😀

Matobe · 16/03/2024 08:24

We need the link to new house once you’ve left!

and maybe the old one to flood their reviews..

Dahliasrule · 16/03/2024 09:06

So pleased you are sorted. Have a wonderful stay.
i, too, think you should share the name of the agent. They deserve recognition for sorting it out.

BusyMummy001 · 16/03/2024 09:07

NewYearTimeToChange · 16/03/2024 07:35

Am I the only person thinking that now you have had this fantastic outcome and customer service you should definitely share the name of the agent? They sound like the kind of company I would be happy to book with.
Really pleased your celebration weekend has been rescued and I hope you all have a lovely time together.

Think you are alone, as they absolutely pulled out the stops to relocate the family and give them an enhanced experience of a manor house. Not an easy task to relocate 7 families to one location within a day. Hats off to them and to the wonderful owners of the manor venue they are staying int.

That said, I’d name and shame the owner of the mouldy cottages as they may be listed with multiple agents or try to list with another one.

legosnowqueen · 16/03/2024 09:08

What a great turnaround - have a wonderful weekend & please do share links to both places!

LadyPoncenbyFroglett · 16/03/2024 09:25

The holiday let industry is a fool's game, they should not take your money prior to arrival - this would save so many people the horror of being sandwiched between heavy construction, for a start. I've witnessed some terribly upset people quite destroyed by agencies not telling them about such things prior to arrival.
A 24 hour grace period would help.
I would want a full refund and ask my bank to pursue it, if you paid by credit card.

pavedwithgoodintentions · 16/03/2024 09:37

I'm glad your new accommodation has been sorted and it sounds amazing.

I'd be honest in a review: rave about the new accommodation and how wonderful they were to step up for you. But I would absolutely be scathing about what you were met with when you got to the original properties that you booked (no oil, no heat, no hot water, mould, uncleaned, black smoke, etc and no initial concern about the welfare of any of you across the 7 cottages, etc). It's only when you kicked off when the agent finally came through in spite of the owner's failures.

FloofCloud · 16/03/2024 09:47

Is this through VRBO? I had trouble with them, but that was before we arrived at the replacement accommodation, if you're already in then that's great news!
Enjoy your weekend

ConJob · 16/03/2024 10:22

Do tell us who the agent is, they sound wonderful!

slore · 16/03/2024 10:30

That's a brilliant update. Enjoy your holiday, and happy birthday to your Nan.

WidmyBreadbin · 16/03/2024 10:33

Send me a PM. I'm in north Devon and will make some calls

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 16/03/2024 10:55

Thank goodness it was sorted.
I just hope the agents refuse to handle this owner’s property again! Absolutely no excuses.
The worst we ever experienced was lumpy mattresses, and two loos with not a sheet of paper, when we’d just arrived and I was bursting.

PuppyMonkey · 16/03/2024 11:19

Bloody hell, well done that booking agent. Please share pix of Saltburn and the name of company!

ChateauMargaux · 16/03/2024 11:23

I hope you find a moment to write a review for the agenta / give them a shout out on twitter. The really have aaved this weekend for you all. Good things happen too!