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Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

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Original poster

People who own holiday cottages to rent out - what do you put on your booking forms?

54 replies

wilbur · 23/09/2008 09:34

We have recently bought a holiday cottage for investment and have started to receive bookings (hooray!). I need to make up a booking form to send to people when I receive their deposit to confirm the booking. Does anyone have any tips about what to include? I have Term and Conditions of booking already, to attach to the form, but was wondering what I have to spell out on the form itself, beyond cost and the date that balance of payment should be received.

Another tips about handling 3rd party bookings, how you organise money etc, gratefully received.

OP posts:

Original poster

wilbur · 23/09/2008 16:05

Oooh - anywhere near Tenby? My family are from Tenby originally, but I have never been there. One of these years dh has promised that I can go and do a "Who do you think you are" trip there.

OP posts:

jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 23/09/2008 16:05

Our council have just introduced recycling, up until now haven't done it thinking that guests wouldn't be bothered to do it on holiday but one lot have asked why I don't recycle so I'll have to look into it.

jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 23/09/2008 16:08

Well hello neighbour!! Yes, not far from Tenby, towards Manorbier

Mercy · 23/09/2008 16:10

Wilbur, when we are looking for self catering accommodation we try to get places which have a cancellation plan (or at least since having children we have!)

Also, I've noticed that some owners/companies specify that they will not take bookings from all male or all female groups (or of not more than 3 people)

I'll see if I can remember anything else (dh and I have been doing s/c for years now)

jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 23/09/2008 16:14

WOW ..... just googled Lower Mill Estate!!

Wilbur, you lucky luck thing, they look gorgeous!

Original poster

wilbur · 23/09/2008 16:25

To be fair, jellyshoes, we are in one of the more modest properties, but yes, we are v lucky, the estate is gorgeous.

Mercy - yes, the agency that rents out the place now says no all male or female groups. I may play that by ear, or at least for female groups as the place has an indoor pool and spa so I was hoping to get some groups of knackered mums recharging their batteries .

OP posts:

bossykate · 23/09/2008 16:27

have to say i would never rent somewhere that expected me to leave it pristine. i do the normal every day cleaning that i would do if we were at home - but a deep clean? no! tis meant to be a holiday after all!

jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 23/09/2008 16:30

Oh Wilbur, please don't think I'm being nasty, I meant it, they look lovely. I'm sure you will rent it out to holidaymakers really easily.

Original poster

wilbur · 23/09/2008 16:57

jellyshoes - I didn't think you were being nasty at all - I just meant I couldn't claim ownership of one of the big houses (in my next life, maybe, sigh ).

BK - yes, I wouldn't expect a cleaning frenzy, just dishes in the dishwasher, counters given a quick wipe, that kind of thing. Not sure how you ask for that without coming across as a neat freak though.

OP posts:

jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 23/09/2008 17:12

I don't expect the cottage the be pristine either.

The majority of my guests don't wipe the w/surfaces. They do wash up and maybe leave the dishes on the drainer (I haven't got a d/w) for me to put away and that's fine by me.

Generally, if the place if found nice and neat MOST people will leave it neat. I've put a note in our welcome folder explaining that it's our family home and that we have lovingly renovated it to a high standard and would appreciate it if guests could leave it as they find it (hint hint) for the benefit of future guests. Basically, don't trash the joint!

bluesky · 23/09/2008 17:23

wilbur, I've just found copy of old booking form we had when we stayed in Cornwall.

Had name and address of hirer
dates of letting
forename, name, age (if under 18) and male/female of all going on the holiday

payment: if there are more than 8 weeks before your holiday start date, please forward one third of the total rent due for the week(s) required. The balance plus £100 breakage deposit is due 8 weeks before your holiday starts, please forward the total rent plus £100 breakage deposit.

Confirmation: we will confirm receipt of your payment by return. Directions to the property, parking and key collection arrangements will be sent to you in the two weeks prior to the start of your holiday.

Declaration: I have read and accept the booking conditions. I am over 18 and would like to book the property for the dates and people show. I agree to leave the property in a clean and tidy condition and to be responsible for any and all damage or breakages.

Signature and date

Hope that helps!

Original poster

wilbur · 23/09/2008 17:33

Oh, parking, yes, thank you bluesky, had forgotten about that. Good declaration at the end too, thank you.

OP posts:

WendyWeber · 23/09/2008 19:08

Hi wilbur, have just found my C4U confirmation invoice; it has

Party Details - list of names in this case, because it's abroad, but for UK ones it's just no. of adults, children & pets if applicable. (You need this in case there are ever over-occupancy issues - some people lie about numbers, esp children, to get the property they want )

Property name (not address) & address & contact details of owner (& caretaker if applicable)

Property rental amount

Extra notes (eg no smoking)

Then after the balance is paid you get property address, directions, key collection arrangements (a key safe would be an excellent idea), parking etc

We stayed on Lower Mill earlier this year, at one of the lake-front houses - it is fab & the Spa is a great asset, have you anything about that in your bumf?

Original poster

wilbur · 24/09/2008 08:33

Wendy - that's great. Interesting that they don't give the full cottage address until all is paid - for security presumably? Yes, we're bigging up the Spa! When we were staying there earlier in the summer looking round at places, we swam inside and out every day which was bliss, I even tried the swimming pond (although it was a bit chilly in such a rubbish summer). I had a look at keysafes online yesterday and they are quite reasonable, so I think that's the way we'll go.

OP posts:

Anteater · 25/09/2008 00:09

anyone fancy doing a holiday cottage exchange thingy..?
we have two very child friendly cottages in ullswater and would like to swap one for a london place mid december..

WendyWeber · 25/09/2008 00:11

Hello, anteater

There is a new MN house swap topic you know...just a sec...

WendyWeber · 25/09/2008 00:13

here

Countess Drac is looking for a half-term swap but somehow I doubt if Cumbria was what she had in mind (& anyway that's not mid-December)

Anteater · 25/09/2008 05:05

thank you WW

We make loads of info available on web site; local walks, web address's for food and attractions, loads of photos etc
we email Ts and Cs on booking £200 deposit, balance 5 weeks before arrival.