Holiday cottage in Lakes

[Theukisgreatt]

Have a week booked I a holiday cottage in the lakes in mid-April. Phoned up a week ago to see where we stood, they basically said business as usual. We waited to see if any further restrictions came in (we were never going to go!) Anyway, two days ago we had an email saying they were closing the cottage for a month (including over our booked dates). However, they will only offer to change dates, and not refund. I cannot move my annual leave as the leave year finishes at the end of May and most of next year is booked up already (well it is supposed to be!)

Of course this is a small issue in the scheme of things but the cottage is £1200 and stupidly we do not have travel insurance, never have for domestic travel but will learn from this. My question is, if the cottage is closed, the holiday cancelled by the owner, should we be able to get a refund, or am I just being silly?

Take care all and thank you for reading.

Sorry to hear about this. If you really can't get a refund would other family or friends be able to use the cottage on rescheduled dates and pay you for it instead?

You could try asking on the 'Money' board or 'Travel > UK' board to get some advice.

I would explain and a reasonable owner would allow you longer if they could

We have a holiday cottage ( with Airbnb ) and Airbnb have cancelled and refunded everyone

I believe it’s unlawful to operate a holiday cottage since the announcement last night , so they should refund you

Who did you book with ? An agency ?

Did you pay by credit card ?

They should definitely refund you!

Hi everyone, sorry for the delay. Unfortunately we booked directly and did not pay by credit card, will be changing this next time. The man has said we can claim on travel insurance (which we don't have) I cant understand them shutting up shop and keeping everyone's money, they have 6 places on their site, its 10s of thousands of pounds.

I could ask around but I dont think I'm likely to find anyone to take on the booking. We would plan to book again for next year but am uncomfortable being tied to it!

Does anyone else own a cottage?

What do the booking Ts and Cs say?

From the Citizens' Advice Bureau website:

You’re entitled to a refund if the company cancels your holiday before you go. You might also get compensation unless:

there are unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances - like a natural disaster
not enough people have booked on the trip
The company must have told you beforehand that the trip wouldn’t go ahead if they didn’t get as many bookings as they needed. They must also give you the right amount of notice before cancelling.

If the company cancels your package holiday on or after 1 July 2018, you should get your money within 14 days of the trip being cancelled.

They should definitely refund you!

They may not be able to. If it doesn't say that the booking is refundable in the T&Cs then offering a rebooking is generous. It's not their fault you might not be able to use it, or that you didn't take out insurance.

@ErrolTheDragon but I can't use it because they have closed them? Nothing in the terms and conditions about them cancelling it. Will check out CAB, thank you!

I'd ask Martin Lewis. Are you on Twitter? @MartinSLewis

If it doesn't say that the booking is refundable in the T&Cs then offering a rebooking is generous

I think contract law might disagree with you!

OP - ring Which - they'll be able to advise you. And let us know what they say.

I'm not @lizziemacqueen. Perhaps this the time to join! Thank you for the suggestion. Will give which a go too!

Fair enough.... though will force majeur be likely to apply?
Cancelling a booking because we're in a pandemic situation and no one in their right minds would be taking the holiday anyway isn't exactly a normal situation.

OP - I'm going to PM you!

Thank you