Inhabit Short Stays Terms & Conditions
By making a reservation or staying in one of inhabit: short stays’ properties you agree to abide by these terms and conditions
Terms & Conditions
These Terms and Conditions apply to bookings made with Inhabit: Short Stays Limited.
Please read these terms carefully before making a booking. They set out important information about payment, cancellation, check-in and check-out, guest responsibilities, security deposits, damage, house rules, use of the property and security devices.
If you have booked through Airbnb, Booking.com or another third-party platform, the platform’s own terms may also apply.
1. Scope
1.1 Your reservation with Inhabit: Short Stays Limited is for short-term holiday let, serviced accommodation or temporary accommodation purposes only. It is not intended to create a tenancy, assured tenancy, assured shorthold tenancy, principal home, or any right of occupation beyond the agreed booking period.
You acknowledge that the property is not your only or principal home and that you will not be entitled to any rights under the Rent Act 1977, the Housing Act 1988, or any amendment or re-enactment of such legislation.
1.2 Our rates are subject to change without notice unless otherwise agreed by us in writing.
1.3 VAT is charged where applicable.
2. Agreement for Occupation
2.1 We permit you to occupy the property for the agreed hire period only, subject to these Terms and Conditions. Occupation is by you personally and only by the guests named in the booking. You are responsible for the actions and omissions of any guest or visitor to the property.
2.2 You must be 23 years or over to book accommodation with us.
2.3 We reserve the right to refuse any booking for any reason. A booking is only accepted once we issue a Booking Confirmation email.
2.4 You may arrive at the property after 3pm on the start date of your booking, unless otherwise agreed. Unless otherwise agreed, you must vacate the property by 11am on the final day of your booking. If you fail to arrive by midnight on the start date and do not advise us of a late arrival, we may treat the booking as cancelled by you.
2.5 If you wish to extend your stay, we will do our best to assist, subject to availability. However, an extension may not always be possible.
2.6 The number of people occupying the property must not exceed the number agreed in the booking. If the maximum number of permitted occupants is exceeded, we reserve the right to remove excess and/or all occupants without refund. This may also result in loss of security deposit.
3. Paying for Your Accommodation
3.1 The following terms apply to payment:
3.1.1 To secure your reservation, payment in full must be received by us in cleared funds at least 28 days before your arrival date, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
3.1.2 If payment of the full amount is not received at least 28 days before your arrival date, we reserve the right to cancel the reservation and any deposit paid may be forfeited.
3.1.3 If you fail to pay any sum due under this agreement, you will pay us interest on the unpaid sum. If you are a business, interest will be charged in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, as amended. If you are a consumer, interest will be charged at 4% above the Bank of England base rate from time to time. Interest will accrue daily from the due date until payment is received in full cleared funds, whether before or after judgment.
3.1.4 We expect the property to be left in a reasonable condition on departure, including rubbish being placed in the appropriate bins and used dishes being placed in the dishwasher or sink. If additional cleaning is required at our discretion, the cost may be charged as an Additional Charge.
3.1.5 Smoking is not permitted inside any of our properties. Guests who wish to smoke must do so outside the property.
3.1.6 Where there is evidence of smoking inside the property, we reserve the right to charge £100 for specialist cleaning as an Additional Charge.
3.1.7 Anyone found using, possessing, or being under the influence of illegal drugs or substances classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 may be reported to the police and asked to leave the property immediately. Any evidence or suspicion of drug use at the property may be reported to the police.
3.1.8 Daily housekeeping is not included. Bed linen and bath towels are provided. A daily maid service may be available for an Additional Charge. Towels and linen must not be removed from the property.
3.1.9 Any booking obtained under false pretence may be cancelled, with advance payment, deposit and/or rental money forfeited. The guest may not be permitted to check in.
3.1.10 Pets are not permitted in any of our properties unless expressly agreed in writing. Any pets or evidence of pets at the property may result in forfeiture of advance payment, deposit and/or rental money.
4. Loss, Damage and Security Deposit
4.1 Please inspect the property on arrival. Unless we receive notification of any issues within 3 hours of check-in, we will assume that you have accepted the property as being in good repair, clean, tidy and in a satisfactory condition.
4.2 Responsibility for damage to the property and its contents passes to you on check-in and remains with you until the property is returned to us. You are liable for all loss or damage, except fair wear and tear, caused during your stay. You are also liable for any reasonable loss of rental income resulting from such loss or damage.
4.3 A security deposit may be taken at or before check-in. This may be taken as a payment or as an authorisation on the credit or debit card used to make the reservation. The security deposit will be returned in full, or the payment authorisation cancelled, once the property has been returned in accordance with this agreement. Where you are liable for loss, damage or Additional Charges, we may withhold some or all of the security deposit to cover those costs and any associated administration fees.
5. Additional Charges
5.1 Additional Charges may include any charges specified in the reservation and any charges set out in these Terms and Conditions.
5.2 Where Additional Charges are payable, including charges for damage, you authorise us to deduct them from the security deposit or from the credit/debit card used to make the reservation, up to the pre-authorised amount detailed in the reservation. This amount may be between £100 and £500. Our hold on your security deposit is normally released or refunded on the day of departure unless you have been notified of Additional Charges. If Additional Charges exceed the security deposit amount, you will be invoiced for the balance. If no credit or debit card was used for the reservation, you must pay Additional Charges by another method acceptable to us. All Additional Charges are due on the check-out date unless otherwise stated.
5.3 If you fail to pay any Additional Charges within 14 days of the invoice date, you may incur an administration fee of £50 to cover the cost of issuing a debt collection letter.
6. Changes to Your Booking by Us
6.1 In the unlikely event that we need to cancel or make a change to your accommodation, we will use reasonable efforts to contact you as soon as possible. Where possible, we will offer alternative accommodation. If the alternatives are not acceptable to you, the booking will be treated as cancelled and we will refund any money paid to us within 48 hours of cancellation.
6.2 We shall not be liable for changes, cancellations or any other effect on your booking caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural or man-made disasters, fire, adverse weather conditions, or other force majeure events.
7. Cancellation or Alteration of Your Booking by You
7.1 We will use reasonable endeavours to accommodate requests to alter your reservation, subject to availability.
7.2 If you wish to cancel all or part of your booking, you must notify us in writing. If we receive written notice at least 28 days before your arrival date, no cancellation fee will be charged and your deposit will be refunded, unless stated differently at the time of booking. It is your responsibility to ensure that we receive your cancellation notice in time.
7.3 If you cancel within 28 days of your arrival date, or in the case of a no-show, the total price of the reservation will be charged.
7.4 No refunds will be made for non-arrivals.
8. Liability for Personal Injury, Loss of Property and Services
8.1 We shall have no liability for death or personal injury to you or any member of your party unless this results from an act or omission on our part.
8.2 Guests using their own electrical appliances, including hair dryers, curlers, tongs, shavers, personal computers and other devices, must use the appropriate adaptor where required. Non-UK plugs used without the correct adaptor or transformer are a serious fire risk. All heated appliances must be switched off and stored safely before leaving the property. Guests found to be in breach of this rule may be asked to leave with immediate effect.
8.3 You must take all necessary steps to safeguard your personal property. We accept no liability for damage to, or loss of, personal property unless caused by our negligence.
8.4 Cars and their contents are parked at the owner’s risk. Please ensure that vehicles are secure and possessions are kept out of sight.
8.5 Personal items left at the property will be kept for one week after departure or forwarded at the guest’s expense.
8.6 Except where there is a total failure to provide accommodation as reasonably expected under this agreement, we cannot be held responsible for any failure or interruption to services at the property, including gas, water, electricity, internet, or for any disturbance caused by maintenance work being carried out in or around the property.
8.7 We shall have no liability for losses that were not foreseeable at the time this agreement was entered into or losses not caused by our breach. If you are entering this agreement in the course of business, we shall have no liability for loss of profit, loss of goodwill, increased costs, loss of anticipated savings, loss of business, or any special, indirect or consequential loss, whether arising through breach of contract, tort, negligence or breach of statutory duty. In any case, our total liability to you is limited to the cost of your reservation.
8.8 All descriptions and photographs of the property are for illustration only. While we use reasonable endeavours to ensure they are accurate and up to date, we do not warrant that they are complete or exact.
8.9 We do not exclude liability for fraud, and your statutory rights are not affected by any term in this agreement.
9. Keys
9.1 Unless otherwise agreed, one set of keys will be issued to the guest. If a guest loses the keys, they must notify us as soon as possible. We may instruct a locksmith to replace the lock and/or keys and charge the guest as an Additional Charge.
9.2 If a guest locks themselves out of the property and requires our assistance to re-enter, we reserve the right to charge an administration fee as an Additional Charge.
9.3 We will retain keys to the property and may access the property to provide services set out in this agreement, carry out necessary maintenance, inspect the property, or carry out repairs to the structure, roof, exterior, services, appliances or equipment. We reserve the right to enter the property at any reasonable time during your stay for essential maintenance, where we suspect damage has been caused, or in an emergency. We will make reasonable efforts to contact you before entering the property.
9.4 On check-out, keys must be left as instructed and the property must be left locked. Loss of keys will incur an Additional Charge.
9.5 You must ensure that the property is locked whenever it is unoccupied. You must take reasonable care to prevent loss or theft of keys.
10. Wireless Broadband Internet and Hardware
Wireless broadband internet is usually available at our properties. However, we will not be liable for loss of service due to connection issues, supplier issues, environmental factors, human error, guest interference with the router, or other matters outside our reasonable control.
The WiFi router and related internet equipment must remain plugged in, switched on and connected at all times. Guests must not reset, unplug, move, tamper with, or change the settings of the router or related equipment unless we have given written permission.
Internet access is not a guaranteed contractual provision. We do not accept responsibility for damage to your computer, device or data, nor for the security of data transferred over the internet. Guests are responsible for protecting their own devices from loss of data, unauthorised access or viruses. Usage must be reasonable and lawful at all times.
11. Maintenance Call-Outs
If a guest reports that a service or appliance is faulty and subsequent inspection confirms that the appliance was not faulty but was not being operated correctly, and where usage instructions have been provided, we reserve the right to charge the guest for the maintenance call-out as an Additional Charge.
12. Guest Obligations
12.1 The guest agrees to the following obligations. Breach of these obligations may entitle us to cancel the remainder of the booking:
12.1.1 Guests must not keep any animals, insects, birds or reptiles in the property.
12.1.2 Where guests with small children occupy the property, the guest is responsible for providing suitable childproofing and safety equipment.
12.1.3 Guests must not do or permit anything that is reasonably likely to make any insurance policy on the property void or voidable or increase the premium.
12.1.4 Guests must not do anything that may cause nuisance or annoyance to the owners, other occupiers, neighbours or local residents. Guests must not do anything at the property that is illegal or immoral. Noise disturbance after 11pm and before 7am may be reported to the local council.
12.1.5 At the end of the booking, the property must be cleared of the guest’s belongings and left in good repair and clean condition. The guest will pay, as an Additional Charge, for the repair or replacement of any fixtures, furniture, furnishings or other items that are broken, lost, damaged or destroyed, except for reasonable wear and tear.
12.1.6 Guests must use the property as short-term living accommodation only. Guests must not use the property to run a business, hold meetings, host events, provide services, trade from the property, or use the property for any commercial purpose without our written permission.
12.1.7 Guests must not make alterations to the property or attempt to make repairs.
12.1.8 Guests must allow us or our authorised representatives access at reasonable times to inspect the property or carry out maintenance.
12.1.9 Guests must not assign, underlet, sub-license, charge, or part with possession of the whole or any part of the property. Guests must not take in lodgers or share occupation with any person not named in the booking.
12.1.10 Guests must not sell, loan, charge, dispose of, or part with possession of any of the contents of the property, including furniture and effects.
12.1.11 Guests must not hang flower pots, clothes or other articles outside the property unless expressly permitted.
12.1.12 Guests must not block or put noxious or damaging substances into sinks, baths, toilets, cisterns, waste pipes or soil pipes. Guests must immediately report any blockage or overflow to us.
12.1.13 Guests must not leave entrance doors or windows open. All doors and windows must be properly secured when the property is unoccupied and during bad weather.
12.1.14 Guests must take reasonable precautions to prevent condensation by keeping the property adequately ventilated and heated. Extractor fans in bathrooms and en-suites must be used where provided to prevent damage to the property.
12.1.15 Guests must not change any lock or have duplicate keys made.
12.1.16 Guests must notify us as soon as reasonably possible of any plumbing, electrical or general maintenance issue, or any damage to the property or its contents. Guests must not attempt to remedy such issues themselves.
12.1.17 Guests are responsible for maintaining suitable insurance for their personal property.
12.1.18 Guests must use all equipment provided at the property strictly in accordance with its operating instructions and only for its intended use.
12.1.19 Guests must not leave or store valuable personal possessions where they can be easily viewed by third parties.
12.1.20 The number of people occupying the property must not exceed the maximum number of permitted occupants set out in the booking.
12.1.21 Guests must use cleaning products, liquids, tablets and similar items strictly in accordance with their usage instructions and must ensure such products are kept out of reach of children. We accept no liability for misuse of products supplied.
12.1.22 Guests must not install or use portable cooking appliances, camping stoves or similar items in the property.
12.1.23 Guests must not behave in an abusive or threatening manner towards our staff, contractors, neighbours or representatives.
12.1.24 Guests must not cover, disconnect, disable, reset, move, tamper with or interfere with any external security camera, video doorbell, WiFi router, smart lock, key safe, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm or other safety, security, access or internet device at the property.
12.2 You indemnify us and will keep us indemnified on demand for all claims, liabilities, losses, costs and expenses, including legal fees, incurred or suffered by us in connection with this agreement or any use or misuse of the property, except where caused by our fault or where relating to personal injury or death caused by our act or omission.
13. Termination of This Agreement
13.1 We may end this agreement with immediate effect if:
13.1.1 The accommodation fee is not paid when due;
13.1.2 You are in breach of any of these Terms and Conditions; or
13.1.3 The client becomes bankrupt, has an administration order made against them, or has a judgment enforced against them.
13.2 We may also terminate this agreement at any time and for any reason by giving reasonable written notice.
13.3 At the end of the accommodation period, the client must return all keys to the property and give vacant possession of the property.
14. Health and Safety
14.1 Failure to comply with this section may be treated as a breach of contract and may result in the guest being asked to leave.
14.2 Guests must keep the property free of hazardous objects and substances at all times and must not leave the property in a condition that would make it unsafe for housekeepers, staff, visitors or guests.
15. Data Protection, Privacy and External Security Devices
15.1 We are required to collect certain personal data about clients and guests for operational and legal purposes. Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. Personal data will be collected for specified and lawful purposes and will not be processed in a manner incompatible with those purposes.
The purpose for which we hold your personal data is to carry out this agreement and manage your booking. We do not pass your information to third parties except where necessary for this purpose, where required by law, or where reasonably necessary to protect the property, guests, staff or neighbours.
We may use cookies on our website to monitor website usage and improve our services. Where required, we will request your consent.
15.2 External security cameras, video doorbells and/or similar recording devices may be in use at the exterior of our properties. These are used for the protection of the property, prevention and detection of crime, guest safety, staff safety, neighbour protection, and to help monitor compliance with these Terms and Conditions.
Cameras are located externally only and may cover areas such as entrances, exits, driveways, parking areas, gardens, bin stores, pathways, communal or external access areas and the immediate exterior of the property.
There are no security cameras or recording devices inside the property. Cameras do not monitor bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, kitchens or other internal private spaces.
Guests must not cover, move, disconnect, damage, disable or otherwise interfere with any external security camera, video doorbell, WiFi router, smart lock, key safe, alarm, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm or other safety, security, access or internet device.
The WiFi router must remain plugged in, switched on and connected at all times during the stay. Guests must not reset, unplug, move or change the settings of the router unless we have given written permission.
Any interference with cameras, routers, locks, alarms or safety/security devices may be treated as a serious breach of these Terms and Conditions and may result in termination of the booking, removal from the property and/or Additional Charges.
Recordings may be reviewed where reasonably necessary, including in relation to security, damage, unauthorised guests, complaints, nuisance, suspected parties/events, check-in/check-out, safety incidents or disputes. Recordings will only be retained for as long as reasonably necessary and handled in accordance with applicable data protection law.
16. Complaints
16.1 Any complaints should be notified to us as soon as possible. We will do our best to resolve complaints in a timely and reasonable manner.
Inhabit: Short Stays Limited
m: +44 7847 413713
e: [email protected]
16.2 If you booked through a third-party booking platform or agent, you may also be able to raise your complaint with them.
17. Law
This agreement and any matters arising from it are subject to the law of England and Wales. In the event of a dispute, you will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
18. Severance
If any provision, or part of a provision, in these Terms and Conditions is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If this is not possible, it shall be struck out. The rest of the agreement shall remain enforceable.
19. Interpretation
In this agreement, the following words and phrases have the following meanings unless the context requires otherwise:
Additional Charge means a charge or fee additional to the rental amount. This includes charges specified as an Additional Charge in these Terms and Conditions or in the reservation, and any other reasonable charge incurred under these Terms and Conditions.
Managing Agent, Us or We means Inhabit: Short Stays Limited, offering accommodation on behalf of the property owners.
Client means the person who arranges the accommodation. The client may also be the guest.
Guest means any adult authorised by us to stay at the property. The guest may also be the client.
Property means accommodation managed by Inhabit: Short Stays Limited on behalf of the owner or owners.
Reservation means an offer from you to us to hire one of the properties on the terms of this agreement, following your provision of sufficient information to enable us to complete the telephone, email or website booking process.
Furniture and Appliances means furniture, appliances and other items usually found within the property and any other items which we agree to provide.
Inclusive Services means the services included in the booking, as confirmed in writing at the time of reservation.
Serviced Accommodation means a fully furnished and equipped property made available for short or medium-term occupation, including the agreed utilities, furnishings, appliances and services confirmed in the reservation.