The following terms and conditions apply to all bookings at The Cottage at White Birch Farm. The intention of these conditions is not only to protect our rights as owners but also your rights as as a guest. We ask that you please read them carefully. The payment of the deposit on your booking, constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions and you are bound by them.

Guest registration is required for all bookings. This will include details of your name, address and contact details.

We reserve the right to refuse bookings. The property is not suitable for children under 5.

Unfortunately we cannot hold tentative reservations if payments are not received on time and we strongly recommend that bookings for peak holiday periods (such as Easter, long weekends, and when special Southern Highlands events and festivals are scheduled) are secured quickly by payment of a deposit.

PAYMENT

Your booking is split into two portions – the non-refundable 50% deposit and the remaining balance. You may pay both portions (the full amount) in Australian Dollars, up-front or pay the deposit initially and subsequently pay the remaining balance. The booking is only confirmed once the deposit has been paid.

Balance of the rental amount will be due 28 days prior to occupancy. If you do not pay the balance by that time the owners have the right to cancel the booking and you will be responsible for payment of all fees and charges.

If your stay commences in less than 4 weeks from the time of booking, the full amount must be paid up front.

SECURITY BOND

A bond payment of $300 is required at the same time as the outstanding balance of your Booking. It will be credited once our property has been inspected and deemed left in a similar state to your arrival. We agree to ensure this occurs within 5 business days of your departure.

Any damage, loss or expense incurred by the owner as a result of your breach of these Terms & Conditions will be charged against the bond. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, any breakage, damage, theft or excess cleaning requirements, or extra guests beyond those declared. Our right to recover these losses is not limited to the amount of the security deposit. We may recover any excess as a debt against you. Please report all loss or damage to us as soon as possible.

The inventory is checked carefully, and we endeavour to have any necessary repairs attended to promptly to ensure everything is in order before your arrival. We make every effort to present our cottage as well as we can for your enjoyment. However, things do occasionally happen that are beyond our control, so if you do find something amiss on your arrival, please report this to us immediately.

CANCELLATION

Your deposit payment is non refundable. Within 20 days of your check-in date, the balance is also non refundable. However, if you cancel within 20 days of your check-in date, and we are able to secure a replacement booking for the same period at the same price, your balance may be refunded, less a $55 administrative fee. However, if we cannot re-let the property, your total payment is non refundable.

We do not give refunds if you depart early for any reason or for “no shows”. We have a minimum 2 or 3 night stay policy. No refund will be made for a variation to the extent that it breaches our minimum nights stay policy.

We recommend you take out appropriate travel insurance to protect against unforeseen events or circumstances that might result in changes to your travel plans and consequential loss of all or part of your deposit or rental moneys on cancellation or early departure. Insurance is also advisable since the owners are not responsible for any injuries, illness or accidents that may occur whilst staying at our property.

CHECK IN / CHECK OUT AND KEY COLLECTION

Check-in time is not before 3pm on the arrival date and check out time is generally not later than 11am on departure date. Later departure is subject to prior arrangement and availability and extra charges may apply.

It will be helpful to us to advise an expected arrival time and confirm a mobile contact number at least 3 days before arrival. We will include details of finding our property and key collection in an email once booking payment is completed.

UNAVAILABILITY

If the Property becomes unavailable for your occupancy due to unforeseen circumstances (eg. fire, storm, damage, etc) then the owners will inform you immediately and any moneys paid will be refunded in full.

USE AND OCCUPANCY OF THE PROPERTY

The Cottage at White Birch Farm is a self-contained residential dwelling located on our farm at Robertson. We will be resident in our home on the same property during your stay. Your booking confirmation gives you permission to occupy and use the cottage strictly as a residential dwelling for short-stay holiday purposes in accordance with the following conditions of occupancy. It does not form a residential tenancy agreement under NSW residential tenancy laws. We may terminate your right to occupy the property immediately if you do not observe these conditions. Also, we may be entitled to evict you from the property without refund of moneys paid and recover extra charges from the security deposit.

You and any other occupants or visitors to the property must comply with the House Rules of the Holiday Rentals Code of Conduct. These are included in the Property Information Folder. You are liable for the actions of all persons occupying the property during your rental period and are responsible for ensuring they abide by these conditions of occupancy.

You must not use the property for any purpose other than as a residential dwelling.

You must look after and take care of the property and all its furnishings, fittings and equipment and ensure that no loss or damage occurs.

Please do not move the furniture, un-cable electrical appliances or change their settings.

You must supervise your children, and any visiting children, and be with them at all times and ensure you accompany them if they are outside exploring as there are four fish ponds on the property. The owners are not responsible for any accidents.

 BEDDING

Although the price of the cottage includes a maximum of four people, please make sure to include in your booking, the number of people you intend staying, as it does affect our housekeeping preparation. Any attempt to have more than four people staying overnight will terminate this agreement and you will be asked to vacate the property immediately without refund.

You may not bring mattresses, tents, caravans or the like onto the property and no more than 3 cars may be parked in the grounds.

NO FIRES

Please be aware, the property is located in a rural area where lighting of fires outdoors is subject to prohibitions or restrictions at various times. You must not light any fires or burn vegetation or other rubbish in the grounds at any time.

SMOKING

The Cottage at White Birch Farm is strictly non smoking inside and outside.

PETS

No dogs or other pets, inside or out.

PARTIES & FUNCTIONS

Parties and Functions are strictly prohibited. You must not use the property, inside or out, for any function, party or other like gathering. Disturbance to the neighbours, including excessive noise, loud music, loud or abusive language or other behaviour or activities that are audible outside the boundaries of the property, is prohibited and may result in termination and eviction without refund and extra charges may be made for security and other expenses.

FARM ANIMALS

The animals love to have a chat over the fence! Please don’t feed them without one of us present, and don’t open any gates or enter paddocks unless we accompany you.

SECURITY

Please ensure the cottage is locked while you are absent to protect your property and ours.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

No responsibility is accepted for your personal belongings or property left on or near the premises or for personal belongings left behind on your departure. However, we will make every effort to return left items to you at your expense if you request us to do so within a reasonable period.

DEPARTURE

Before departing, please clean up and leave the property in good order. All food must be removed from the fridge. All garbage and recyclable items are to be bagged and placed in the bins in the rumpus room under the cottage. If you have an excessive amount of rubbish that will not fit in the bins, please take it with you when you leave the property. We will charge you a disposal fee of $50 if we have to take your rubbish to the tip.

All dishes, cookware and utensils should be washed and put away clean. Your tariff includes normal cleaning of the property on your departure. However, if excess cleaning is required because you have not complied with these requirements, you will be charged at cost.

The property should be vacated on time. You are responsible for the safekeeping and replacement of accommodation keys. Lost keys will be charged for.

BBQ

If you use the BBQ, please clean it after use to avoid a $35 cleaning surcharge.

LIABILITY

We do not accept liability for any injury, debt, damage, loss, delay, expense or inconvenience arising directly or indirectly from events beyond our control.

We have taken care to describe the property as accurately as possible. Images in brochures or on web sites are intended as a general indication of the appearance of the property.

Occasionally, furniture may be replaced or moved. We do not accept liability for any alleged incorrect description, error or omission.

PROBLEMS OR COMPLAINTS

In the case of any problem or complaint, please inform us at the earliest opportunity so we have the chance to rectify the situation as quickly and efficiently as possible. You must allow repair/service access to the property during reasonable hours.

Any complaint, which cannot be resolved locally, must be notified in writing to us prior to departure from the property. Failure to follow this procedure may hinder the ability for us to rectify the problem or complaint and reduce or extinguish any claim you may have.