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I recently had to cancel a four night stay for two couples in a B&B in Cornwall at short notice because of work commitments. The booking was made by credit card by phone (£50 deposit). The owner's web site stated that the full charge of almost £600 would be payable if less than 14 days notice was given. I could only give 9 days notice.
I am not particularly trying to avoid payment, but would like to know if it is actually enforceable, as the owner's attitude when I cancelled was extremely abrasive and unfriendly.
Post the T&C of the B&B or the name and ill look, most places now do non-refundable deposits, stated at the time of booking, this covers there overheads in such events, as there would have saved you the rooms and might not have had time to let the rooms again, hence a small non-refundable deposit, but charging the full price of the rooms/break seems abit harsh, without looking at there terms, it would be hard to speckulate on such. With them now having your CC on record, there can deduct the figure which you might have to chase at a later stage, which i hope does'nt happen. Most places just charge the non-refundable deposit, should a cancellation occurr.
Just because you can't go to the B&B due to work, why does this involve the other couple? There can still go without you, which might limit the losses to you.
Can you not just change the dates you all go, that way you won't lose out. ?
Contract law - not an expert but it's possible that the full charge might be an unfair term. Even if it is, contract law still says that you are likely to be liable to pay them damages by your breach of contract. In this case lost profit etc. But, they have a duty to keep the loss arising from breach of contract to a minimum. It might be worth asking a friend to make an enquiry and see if they now have vacancies for the same period. If they haven't then their losses aren't going to be that great.
Most hotels charge for a full night if you don't cancel before a certain time.
The point is that since you made the booking, the B&B owner may have had to turn away other bookings.
For example, assume that there are 3 rooms in the B&B and you booked 2 rooms. Another party calls after you and wants all 3 rooms. Not available because there is only one free. The third room remains unlet. You now cancel and get a friend to call an see if a room is available. Answer, yes there is - regardless of your cancellation.
"In the event of cancellation less than 14 days prior to arrival, we will make every effort to resell the accommodation booked.
However you may be charged in full unless we are able to resell your room.
We strongly advise all potential guests to take out Travel Insurance to cover this eventuality as all accommodation booked must be paid for no matter what the circumstances are. "
When I examined my travel insurance closely, my situation was excluded.
There was no opportunity to go later as this was the last week the place was open.
The other couple could not go because they are disabled and I was the driver.
I had booked two rooms for 4 nights. Two single night bookings were taken because we were not there and these have been deducted from the bill.
It also transpires that my wife made the initial booking by email.
Not sure where all this leaves me, but I have now been threatened with legal action if I don't pay.
Get someone to make enquiries about free rooms for those dates. If the rooms are free, then they haven't been able to re-let them, and you are liable for their loss. If they have been re-let, they haven't lost any money and you would have strong grounds to argue the charge.
Apologies to people who I was in the process of helping, I may be gone some time.
B & B cancellation charges
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