A Guide to booking contracts for holiday homeowners
A good booking contract will let you and your guests know exactly where you stand and what to do if anything goes wrong. Reserve their dates and then ask your guests to sign your contract and send it back to you before you formally book them in.
Here’s our guide to what you should include in your contract:
- All of your guests’ names and contact phone numbers.
- Your name and contact details.
- Their arrival and departure dates
- Their holiday dates. Check in and check out times and procedures.
- How much booking deposit they’re paying and when they’re paying it by. Some owners make this non-refundable – make that clear if it is the case.
- How much they’re paying for the holiday and when the final balance is due to be paid.
- How much security deposit they’re paying and when it is due by. Make it clear that any breakages or excessive cleaning costs will be taken out of this amount. Let them know how long it will take you to return this the property has been checked after they leave.
- Cancellations. Make sure people know what will happen if they cancel and cover yourself in case your property is left empty. It’s a good idea to have a time scale for refunds which you state in your contract.
For example:
A cancellation 29 – 56 days before arrival date – 50% of rental refunded
15 to 28 days before arrival date – 25%
0 to 14 days before arrival date – 10 %
See How do I deal with cancellations? for more details.
- Ask your guests to buy their own travel insurance and make it clear that you’re not liable for people hurting themselves or damaging their things during their stay to your property.
- Behaviour. State your house rules – let people know exactly where you stand with smoking, pets and maximum occupancy.
- Need to know. If your complex has any rules about parking or using the pool, let your guests know in advance. If your insurance needs special security measures to be in place, put it in here.
You can email us for an example booking form to adapt for your own property.
What if I have to cancel a booking?
You should only have to cancel a booking if something goes seriously wrong with your property, if you find yourself in that position you need to get some alternative accommodation for your guests sorted out. Being in touch with other owners can really help should the worst come to the worst.
