BOOKING GUIDELINES

How to book

Payment
Your payment for the holiday is in two stages, the initial payment, 40%, and the balance payment, 60%. You must pay the initial payment at the time of your booking. You must pay the balance payment at the latest eight weeks prior to the first day of your property rental.

Although our prices are given in Euros, for your convenience payment may be made in Sterling at the Sterling equivalent of the sums due in accordance with the following procedure:-

The Sterling equivalent of the initial payment is calculated according to the 'bank sells', or tourist rate for Euros on the day when you confirm your booking to us. This exchange rate can be obtained in a daily newspaper or in an exchange bureau. If you are in any doubt as to the conversion rate please telephone us on the day in question.

For payment of the balance please use the same conversion procedure from Euros into Sterling on the day the balance is due. It may be that the exchange rates for the two payments will differ.

When we receive cleared funds by way of the two payments, we will issue your itinerary, map and key instructions.

Refundable damage deposit
A refundable damage deposit is payable in cash directly to the owners upon your arrival at the property. Where the deposit is greater than EUR 300, most of the owners will accept part Euros and part Sterling cash. Sterling cheques are not accepted. The deposit is refunded at the end of the holiday when the owner has checked the property. Some owners retain the deposit for 48 hours and then refund it to Susan Paradise who forwards it to tenants by cheque. For exact details please see individual property itinerary.

Arrivals and departures
Bookings are from Saturday to Saturday unless otherwise stated on the property details. If you want to arrive on a different day, please check with us before making your travel arrangements. Your house will be ready for you from 16.00. Please do not arrive early as time is needed to prepare the property thoroughly for you. For the same reason, you are asked to leave by 10.00 on the day of your departure. Remember that French time is one hour ahead of UK time. We cannot guarantee access to the property if tenants do not keep to the arrival times, so if you are delayed you must ring the owner or the key holder to let them know. The owners expect you to arrive between 16-18.00 so please try to plan your journey accordingly.

Linen hire
If this facility is available it will be mentioned on the property details and you will need to arrange it in advance and pay the owners direct. If linen is not available, you will need to take sheets, pillow cases, towels and tea towels. Blankets and pillows are provided (not duvets unless specified on your itinerary). Please note that French pillows are nearly always square. You can purchase inexpensive square pillow cases at most French hypermarkets.

Cleaning
Most of the owners only have a few hours to prepare the house for the next tenants. You are therefore required to leave the house in a clean and tidy condition. Your co-operation in this matter will be much appreciated. If you are unable to do this, or would prefer not to, a final cleaning charge of approximately EUR 10-12 per hour will be deducted from your damage deposit. In some properties a final cleaning charge is automatically imposed (see property details).

Brochure and web site accuracy
We try to be as accurate as possible in our property descriptions but please note that distances and sizes quoted are approximate.

Please check all details
Please check your booking confirmation and your itinerary carefully and advise us immediately of any apparent error.