Terms & Conditions

Please note that unless otherwise stated in the main cottage description:

• You should bring sheets, pillowcases, kitchen and bathroom towels.
• Two dogs are allowed per house without prior permission, BUT, if you wish to bring more, please ask.
• Electricity, gas and other fuels are charged at current rates.
• VAT at 17.5% is included in all rents where applicable.
• All cottages have an immersion heater or the equivalent for hot water.
• Bedrooms have pillows and blankets or duvets (please see Note 1 above).
• All kitchens include a cooker, fridge, kettle, pots and pans, cutlery, crockery, iron and vacuum-cleaner (Additional equipment is listed in the brochure).
• All properties have parking nearby.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LET

Please remember a reservation is a legal contract.

1. Definition of Terms
Unique Cottages is a trading name of Ecosse Unique Limited. The company is registered in Scotland, no. SC 150813. The registered address is Monksford Road, Newtown St Boswells, Roxburghshire, TD6 0SB. Parties applying to rent properties are referred to as 'the Clients' until the commencement of their let when they are referred to as 'the Tenants'. Ecosse Unique, referred to as 'the Agent', will act only as agent for the owners of the properties, 'the Owners'. Contracts to let the property are therefore between the Owners of the property and the Clients/Tenants.

2. Deposits
When a booking is made more than 6 weeks before the tenancy is due to commence, a deposit of one-third of the total rental must be paid to confirm the booking. If a booking is made 6 weeks or less before the tenancy is due to commence, the full rent, together with any additional charges, must be paid at the time the booking is made. If the Agent does not accept a booking, then all monies paid will be refunded immediately.

3. Balance of Rental
Once a booking has been accepted by the Agent, the Clients must pay the balance of rental, together with any additional charges, six weeks before the tenancy commences. If the balance has not been paid by this time the Agent reserves the right to cancel the booking, in which case a cancellation charge will apply. The Agent is not obliged to send reminders - the date on which the balance is due is clearly indicated on the Booking Confirmation.

The majority of the Agent's cottage owners are not VAT registered and therefore no tax is payable, but where VAT is payable this is included in the weekly rent. The Agent reserves the right to amend prices quoted on the web sites or in their brochure due to any errors, omissions or changes in the rate of VAT.

5a. UK Bookings
Payments will be accepted by cheques made payable to 'Ecosse Unique Ltd', by credit card, debit card or cash. The Agent cannot accept post- dated cheques and cash should only be sent by recorded delivery. Any charges imposed on the Agent by their Bank for handling dishonoureed cheques, bank transfers or other payments will be passed on to the clients who are liable to reimburse the Agent in respect of these charges within 7 days of notification from the Agent. If a payment by Direct Debit is not honoured then the Client should pay the deposit and balance as outlined in paragraphs 2 and 3.

5b. Overseas Bookings
Overseas Clients may pay by sterling cheque drawn on a UK bank, or by Mastercard, Amex or Visa (CCs bear a small surcharge). Any charges for overseas payments will be passed on to the Clients.

6. Authority to Sign
The person completing the booking form certifies that: a. He/she is authorised to agree the booking conditions on behalf of all persons included on the booking form, including those who may be added/substituted at a later date. b. He/she is over 18 years of age and is a member of the party intending to occupy the property. c. He/she agrees to take responsibility for the party occupying the property.

7. Eligibility
Bookings will not be accepted without prior consent from the Agent from: a. Groups of single persons under the age of 21. b. All male or all female parties comprising more than 6 people.

8. The Tenancy Agreement
The tenancy gives the Tenants the right to occupy the property for a holiday within the meaning of Schedule 1 paragraph 9 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988.

Properties are let for a maximum of 4 weeks. Lettings commence at 4pm on the first day of the tenancy and end at 10am on the departure date unless otherwise agreed. The tenancy period cannot be extended without the Agent's permission. Tenants will be liable for any cost whatsoever incurred as a result of an unauthorised extension.

9. Linen
Tenants should bring their own bed linen and towels unless these are stated as 'included' in the property description. Bed linen and towels can be hired and, where supplied, linen is changed between tenancies, and weekly during tenancies. Tenants should always bring their own beach towels.

10. Extras at the Cottages
Unless otherwise stated in the main cottage description electricity, gas and other fuels are charged at current rates.

11. Pets
Pets are accepted at properties only with the prior consent of the Agent or Owners and are to be kept under control at all times and exercised off the premises. Neither the Agent nor the Owners can accept responsibility for their safety. They should not be allowed in the bedrooms or on the furniture, or be left unsupervised in the property due to the risk of damage to furniture etc. Tenants are responsible for cleaning up any fouling which their pets may cause around the property. A weekly charge will be made for each pet and in some cases a refundable damage deposit may be required. Where a description states that pets are not accepted this does not mean that there have never been any pets at the property.

12. The Tenants' Obligations
a. To pay for all gas, electricity, fuel and other charges not stated as included in the rental. b. To pay for any losses or damage to the property caused by the Tenants or a member of their party (reasonable wear and tear excluded) unless such loss or damage can be made good under any householder's insurance policy held by the Owners. c. To take good care of the property and leave it in a clean and tidy condition at the end of the tenancy. No cleaning service is provided during the tenancy unless specifically stated but this can sometimes be arranged. A refundable damage deposit may sometimes be required. d. To allow the Owners and Agent reasonable access to the property. e. To not exceed the total number of people as stipulated in the description of the property, and not to transfer possession of the property or share it except with members of the party as shown on the Booking Form. f) To notify the Agent prior to the commencement of the tenancy of any changes to party numbers. g) To not cause undue noise or disruption or become a nuisance to occupants of any adjoining premises. h) A cot may only be occupied by a child of 24 months or less.

13. Alteration of a Booking
When the Agent has accepted a booking, the cottage booked can only be changed for another by treating the original booking as a cancellation (see following paragraph 16). The dates of the holiday may be changed providing the same cottage is available for the new dates and the Owners are agreeable to the change. In either case a re-booking fee of £25 is payable.

14. Cancellations
All cancellations must be notified to the Agent before the holiday commences, ideally by telephone but in any case in writing within 7 days of the event that gives rise to the cancellation. If two or more consecutive weeks are booked at more than one property this is considered to be one holiday.

Cancellation Refund Protection is included for all bookings sleeping no more than seven persons (excluding babies) made through the Agent with rentals up to and including £300 per week. Where the weekly rental is in excess of £300 with up to and including seven persons (excluding babies), the Agent offers Cancellation Refund Protection for a nominal fee, but this applies to UK residents only aged 75 or under at the commencement of the holiday.

While every effort will be made to re-let a cancellation not covered by insurance, it is important to remember that if a substitute tenant cannot be found, the client remains responsible for the period of the reserved tenancy, plus the cost of any additional advertising which may be necessary.

The Cancellation Refund Plan promises that full payment, less an administration fee of £25, will be refunded in the event of death, injury, illness (see note 1 below) or summons for jury service of any member of the party or close relative or business associate of the Clients which, in the Agent's opinion, reasonably prevents the Clients from fulfilling the booking. Close relatives comprise husband, wife and their children, long-term partner (being a proven relationship for at least two years), father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother and sister.

Written confirmation of the cancellation must be supported by documentary proof of the reason for cancellation and, in the case of illness or death, be signed by a qualified medical doctor. When claims under the Cancellation Refund Plan are accepted by the Agent, no further payment will be due for the holiday and all previous payments, less the administration charge of £25, will be refunded in full.

Note 1 Illness - The following are NOT covered by the cancellation policy: pregnancy or related illness, epidemic or pandemic. Any medical condition or illness diagnosed or known about before, or at the time of, booking. Any self-inflicted illness or injury. Any illness or injury which, in the opinion of the Agent, is not serious enough to prevent the person taking the holiday.

Please note the above cancellation refund plan does NOT cover any event where our obligations are prevented or affected by reason of force majeure. Please refer to section 20.

15. Complaints
All complaints must first be referred to the owner/caretaker during the tenancy to allow remedial action to be taken. Should no satisfaction be received from the owner/caretaker, tenants are asked to inform the Agent immediately. In no circumstances can compensation be made for complaints raised only after the tenancy has ended should the tenant fail to advise the owner/caretaker or Agent during his/her tenancy.

16. Non-availability of Property
If for any reason beyond the Owner's control the property is unavailable on the day when the tenancy is due to begin (e.g. due to flooding, fire damage etc.) or the property becomes unsuitable for holiday letting, clients will receive a full refund of all rents and charges already paid. The Agent will make every effort to find a suitable alternative property but the Clients shall have no further claim against the Owners or Agent. Please also refer to section 20.

17. Liability
The Agent accepts no liability for any act, neglect or default on the part of the Owners or any other person not employed by them or under their control, nor for any accident, damage, loss, injury, expense or inconvenience to either person or property which the Tenants, or any other person, may suffer or incur arising from, or in any way connected with, the Tenancy. The Owners accept no liability for loss or damage to the Tenants' possessions on the Owners' land or property. Please also refer to section 20.

18. Breach of Contract
If Tenants breach any of the above terms and conditions the Owners or Agent reserve the right to re-enter the property and terminate the tenancy, without prejudice to the other rights and remedies of the owners.

19. Validity Clause
If any term or provision in these Booking Conditions shall in whole or in part be held to any extent to be illegal or unenforceable under any enactment or rule of law, that term or provisions or part shall, to that extent, be deemed not to form part of this agreement and the enforceability of the remainder of this agreement shall not be affected.

20. Force Majeure
The owner and the agent do not accept liability or pay compensation for any loss, damage or expense where our obligations are prevented or affected by reason of force majeure. Force Majeure means any event which we or the owner providing the service could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid such as war or threat of war, riots, civil strife, terrorist activity, epidemic, industrial action, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions, closure of airports or ports, technical problems with transport, governmental action and all other similar events.

21. Brochure/Web Descriptions
While every effort is made to make brochure and web site descriptions as accurate as possible, some of the information contained relates to factors which are beyond the control of the Agent, such as shops, public houses etc. Details of such establishments may change without the Agent's knowledge and cannot be absolutely relied upon.

22. Discrepancies
This web site and these Booking Conditions replace and supersede all previous web sites and booking conditions, and in the case of any discrepancy between these booking conditions and the contents of any Ecosse Unique brochures/web site, these conditions shall prevail.

23. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
The contract is deemed to have been made at Monksford Road, Newtown St Boswells, Roxburghshire. The validity, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by Scots' Law. The Clients and the Tenants submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.