GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

FOR

"AMERICAN PALMS" VACATION HOME 

Please ensure you read and understand the following Terms and Conditions regarding your rental accommodation. If you have any queries, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Whilst we reserve the right to increase or decrease our rental prices at any time, we will confirm to you the current price at the time of booking. As soon as you have confirmed your booking and paid your deposit (or full payment), the cost of the rental is guaranteed against any further increases unless these increases are brought about by Government action. This guarantee is offered subject to our conditions of payment being adhered to and providing that you do not make any amendments.

Your holiday home rental INCLUDES: Accommodation as booked, services (water and electricity), bedding and towels plus all other facilities detailed on this website.

It EXCLUDES pool/spa heating (unless otherwise stated), flights, attraction tickets, car hire and holiday insurance.

BOOKING
The signing of the Booking Form confirms acceptance of the Terms and Conditions set out and shall be binding on the persons intending to occupy the premises, whether or not such persons have signed the Booking Form. Each booking will be confirmed as soon as reasonably possible after receipt of the signed Booking Form and the appropriate deposit.

RESERVATION DEPOSIT 
A reservation deposit of £150 (or US$250) per week booked is payable at the time of booking and is non-refundable.

PAYMENT OF BALANCE 
THE FULL BALANCE IS PAYABLE NO LATER THAN 10 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL DATE OF THE RENTAL PERIOD.        We reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled if we do not receive the balance by the due date. In the event of a payment not being honoured by the Bank upon which it is drawn, we will make a charge of £25 (or $40)  to cover bank charges and administration costs.

CHEQUE PAYMENTS 
Cheques should be made payable to Maureen Allchurch and sent to our UK address quoted in the issued Booking Form and as shown on our "Contact Us" page on this website. 

SECURITY DEPOSIT

 A refundable security deposit of £200 (or $300) payable to the owner when the Balance rental Monies are due. The security deposit does not relieve Guests of liability for damages that exceed the amount of the security deposit. In the event of any dispute relating to damage to the Premises, the parties agree that said dispute will be resolved in the appropriate state court having jurisdiction in Polk, Orange or Osceola Counties, Florida and the prevailing party shall be awarded its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs against the non-prevailing party both at the trial and appellate level. Formal service of process is waived and may be accomplished by certified mail, return receipt requested or DHL or any other international method of mail delivery with a receipt showing delivery. Service shall include a copy of any relevant complaint and summons.

The security deposit is refundable subject to a final inspection of the property. The refund will be done within 14 days of that inspection by way of  £ cheque or $ check (to match the currency that the booking was paid by).

Alternatively, for a separate advance payment of £35 (or $50) the following can be arranged by contacting the Owner: 

DAMAGES WAIVER

Upon making a payment of £35 (or $50) a house damage waiver (HDW) will be made available to Guest to cover damage to the Premises caused by Guest in excess of normal wear and tear. The expression "Guests" and/or "Guests" means any member(s) of the party named in the completed Booking Form.

A Guest that has purchased HDW will not be obligated to pay for loss or damage to the contents of the Premises during Guest’s stay up to an aggregate amount of $1,000 (one thousand US dollars) per stay (from the date of check in to the date of check out), but will be fully liable for all losses in excess of $1,000 (one thousand US dollars). For those Guests purchasing HDW, certain conditions apply:
a). HDW coverage does not include intentional acts of a Guest, gross negligence or wilful conduct, any damage Guest has failed to report to the owner’s Management Company prior to or upon check out, normal wear and tear, and damage or loss caused by a pet or other animal brought onto the premises by Guest. HDW only applies to the direct physical loss or damage to the covered property and does not cover loss of use of such property nor does the waiver apply to loss or damage to any property owned by or brought on to the premises by Guest.
b). Guest must report all damage immediately to the Management Company at its offices located at 8281 ChampionsGate Boulevard, ChampionsGate, Florida 33896. As used herein, “immediately” means within 24 hours of the loss, and, in all cases, prior to check out. The Management Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine the extent of repairs necessary to correct any damage caused by Guest. HDW is void if Guest fails to report damage to the Premises immediately.
c). Purchase of the HDW is optional. The owner and the Management Company encourage the purchase of the HDW to cover those circumstances that may arise during Guest’s occupancy and are purely accidental. If Guest elects not to purchase the HDW, the owner will require the payment of refundable security deposit in the amount of £200 (or $300). 

CANCELLATIONS
YOU MUST GIVE WRITTEN NOTICE IF YOU WISH TO CANCEL A BOOKING AND THE DEPOSIT WILL BE FORFEITED. If the booking is cancelled after the balance has been paid, reasonable steps will be taken to replace the booking. If this is unsuccessful then the fee shown below will be payable. CLIENTS ARE ADVISED TO TAKE OUT ADEQUATE INSURANCE TO COVER THIS.

OCCUPANCY AND AVAILABILITY
The house will be ready for occupancy from 4 p.m. on your arrival date and must be vacated by 10 a.m. on your departure date. No more than 8 persons (including children) are permitted to stay in the villa. The accommodation is reserved exclusively for the guests named on the Booking Form and no other persons whatsoever are permitted to stay there unless this has been agreed with the owners or their agents, in writing.

LIABILITY
As owners we accept no responsibility whatsoever for personal injury, accident, loss or damage to persons or personal effects howsoever caused.

GUESTS SHOULD NOT SWIM ALONE NOR ALLOW UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN TO USE THE POOL OR SPA.

The owners cannot accept responsiblity or liability for any failure of service in the villa. However, in this event, the guest should inform our local Management Company who will do everything within reason to rectify the problem.

CLEANING
The villa is always prepared to an exceptionally high standard prior to guests arrival.  If guests require an interim clean whilst they are in residence this can be arranged, subject to a charge of US$ 100.00 payable to our Management Agent.   There are ample supplies of bed linen and towels, however guests are asked not to remove any item whatsoever from the vacation home.

NO SMOKING POLICY
In compliance with Florida State law, smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the villa.

NO PETS
For the comfort of all guests a "no pets" policy is followed.

"FORCE MAJEURE"
The owners of the property or their agents will not be liable for loss or delay caused by any of the following:

Strikes, riots, political unrest, hostilities, war or threat of war, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, fire, flood, technical/weather problems with transport, aircraft grounding, closure of airports or ports, weather conditions or any other event beyond the owners or their agents control.

(Updated 22 October 2009)