Booking Terms and Conditions

Friends of Tuscany Ltd is an independent business operating as an agent for the  property owner.

Payment

To secure the booking, a % payment of the grand total is due within 2 days of your confirmation of intention to book. Payment in full must be fully settled by the agreed final payment date which will be outlined in your rental agreement. If that date is already passed, then payment must be fully settled within 2 days of your confirmation of intention to book.

Cancellation

Cancellation must be made in writing. The cancellation charge will be the full deposit if you cancel more than 8 weeks before departure. The following cancellation charges will apply. Cancellation less than x weeks (stated in each rental agreement) before departure 100% of the amount paid is chargeable. We will endeavour to re-book any cancelled booking and if successful will only charge you an administration fee of £30. If the villa is re-booked at a lower price then you will be refunded the difference.

Our responsibility

We, (the agency) accept responsibility that the accommodation you book with us is supplied to the standard described. A contract between you and the owners will come into existence when we receive payment and accept your booking by issuing a confirmation of booking for the holiday dates shown in the rental agreement. The contract binds you and all the members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that all members of your party accept the terms of the contract set out in these terms & conditions of booking. Failure to disclose all relevant information or comply with these terms may lead to termination of the contract and loss of the booking.

Your contract is with the owner of the property and in the unlikely event of a complaint, you must report it directly to the property owner or the agency. Both the owner and the agency will attempt to resolve the matter immediately. If you do not report a problem during your stay (to offer the opportunity to rectify it), the agency will not be held responsible and no refund or compensation will be provided.

We reserve the right to make reasonable amendments or additions to these terms and conditions without notice.

Indemnity & Liability:

Friends of Tuscany Ltd is an independent business operating as an agent for the  property owner.

The Guest is responsible for their own travel/health insurance. Neither the Owner nor Friends of Tuscany shall be held responsible in any way for accidental injury, death or damage/loss to personal effects of the Guest. We strongly advise that you take out comprehensive travel insurance. If you choose not to then you accept responsibility for any loss that you may incur including cancellation.

Bookings cannot be accepted from persons under eighteen years of age.

We reserve the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason.

We or our representative reserve the right to enter the villa or apartment at any time to undertake essential maintenance or for inspection purposes.

Care of Property – loss or breakage:

You are responsible for the accommodation occupied and should leave it in the same condition as you found it on arrival. The owner will charge for any loss or damage caused by your failure to respect the property, fixtures or fittings or for extra cleaning if required. Small breakages such as glasses or cups are considered ‘wear and tear’ and are not usually charged for. Breakages such as outdoor pool furniture and sun umbrellas will be charged for. Please note that in the event that any keys issued are not returned at the end of your stay, then the cost of replacement will be charged to you.

Local conditions:

Friends of Tuscany Ltd is an independent business operating as an agent for the  property owner.

Adverse weather, water shortages, power cuts, pest infestations or any other local circumstances outside of our control and which could not be avoided are not the responsibility of Friends of Tuscany and no refunds will be awarded in these circumstances.

Please be aware adverse weather may result in pool closures or delays in the opening date of a pool.

Force Majeure:

Friends of Tuscany Ltd. can accept no responsibility for any loss due to a cancellation, delay or any alteration caused by wars, acts of terrorism or threat of terrorism, revolutions, riots or other civic disturbance, industrial disputes, significant risks to human health such as an outbreak of serious disease at the travel destination, natural disaster, earthquakes, fire or storms, failure of public services, acts of Government, cancellation of transport, or anything which can reasonably be deemed as beyond the control of Friends of Tuscany Ltd. or the property owner.

Price

Our prices are the rent per villa or apartment. All additional costs, for example heating, firewood, additional cleaning requests, equipment hire for guests with special needs, or other local services, are directly payable to the owner. Occasionally we may require a forward payment for such additional services.

When you book a holiday, the owner and/or property manager, is advised of your arrival and departure dates, your name, party size, ages of children and any optional additional information you may have supplied. This is so they are aware of the booking and can prepare the villa accordingly. Sometimes a contact phone number and email address is requested for simplifying arrivals. No other information is passed to the owner/manager.

COVID-19:

We both acknowledge the COVID-19 global crisis and accept our obligations to comply with any official guidance from governments or local authorities, both in the UK and whilst in destination.

1. We will have no liability for any refunds, compensation, costs, expenses or other losses of any kind incurred by you (including, where applicable, the cost of medical treatment), in the following circumstances:

(i) If you, or anyone in your booking party, test positive for Covid-19 and have to quarantine for a period of time, or are notified or otherwise become aware that you have, or suspect you may have, come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 (or where they otherwise suspect they may have Covid-19) and have to self-isolate for a period of time. If this happens within 14 days of your departure date, you must contact us as you may no longer be able to travel. We will offer you the following options where possible and subject to availability:

(a) Postponing your booking to a later date. We will notify you of any impact to the price the postponement may have (please note that you may have to pay full cancellation charges on some elements of your booking, such as the flight, as well any increase in cost imposed by other suppliers);

(b) If not everyone in the booking is affected, you will have the right to transfer your place on the booking to another person nominated by you.

(c) Cancelling your booking, in which case our standard cancellation charges shall apply as of the date we receive notice of cancellation from the lead name. You may be able to claim these charges back from your travel insurance.

If this happens whilst you are in destination, please notify us without delay and we will provide such reasonable assistance as we can in the circumstances. However, we will not be responsible for covering the cost of any curtailment of your booking, missed transport arrangements, additional accommodation required (either in the UK or in destination, prior to your departure), or other associated costs incurred by you. You must ensure you have travel insurance which covers these costs.

(ii) You fail any tests, checks or other measures imposed by a supplier, airline, port or airport, border control authority or other government body or local authority or fail to submit for testing or assessment when requested to do so and, as such, you are denied entry to board the flight, entry to the destination, access to the services or you are otherwise unable to proceed with your booking, or that portion of your booking.

2. You also acknowledge that the suppliers providing your booking and associated travel services, including airlines, hotels and excursion providers, will need to comply with national and/or local guidance and requirements relating to Covid-19 and have implemented certain measures as a result. This will likely include specific requirements regarding personal protective equipment, such as use of face-masks by staff (and you may be required to wear a face-mask as well), social distancing, maximum number restrictions on the use of certain facilities, designated alternative entrance and exit routes, mandatory hand sanitisation, limited entertainment options, limited food/drink availability and amendments to the usual or normally expected safety standards and procedures. We do not expect these measures to have a significant impact on your enjoyment of your booking and all measures will be taken with the purpose of securing your safety and those around

Footnote
We rely on and expect very good relationships with the local owners of the properties and have always found them helpful, responsible and willing to please. Please feel free to ask for anything that would make your stay more comfortable. Their considerable local knowledge and goodwill is usually as valuable as their accommodation in making your stay memorable.