Booking Conditions

All bookings are made with REAL SPAIN acting as agents of the owners or of our local representatives in Spain. The client's signature on the booking form will be taken as their party's acceptance of the following terms and conditions, and a contract will exist between REAL SPAIN and the client once we have a written confirmation of booking. The contract and the conditions herein will be governed by English law and both parties will submit to the jurisdiction of the English courts at all times.

1. BOOKING: Bookings can be made by telephone,Email or post. If the property is available we will take a provisional booking and hold an option for the client up to, and no longer than 5 working days. Within this period we must receive the booking form duly completed and signed together with the client's deposit of 20% of the property rental.

2. PAYMENT OF BALANCE: The balance must be paid at least 8 weeks before commencement of the letting period. Please note that we do not send reminders for the balance and that the property confirmation which the client receives after paying the deposit serves also as the final invoice. If the balance is not paid on time we reserve the right to cancel the booking, retain the deposit and apply cancellation charges as described in Condition 4. For bookings made within 8 weeks of occupation full payment will be required.

3. AMENDMENT BY THE CLIENT: If, after confirmation, the client wishes to alter any details of their booking we will us our best endeavours to comply with their request. Minor changes which do not require reissue of documentation, including invoices, are made free of charge. Where further and new documents are necessary an amendment fee of £30.00. in addition to the increase, if any, in the cost of the revised arrangements will be charged. A change of property or dates is deemed to be a cancellation and re-booking will be treated accordingly. All amendments must be confirmed in writing.

4. CANCELLATION BY THE CLIENT: Any cancellation must be notified to us in writing. If the notification of cancellation is received more than 56 days before the letting period, only the deposit will be retained by us. If less than 56 days, the following charges apply:

56 days or more. Deposit only.

55 - 29 days. 50%.

28 - 8 days 90%.

7 days to letting period 100%

5. FLIGHTS: We are not bonded to accept bookings for flights for clients. We will however, pass on details to companies who can supply flights under the ATOL scheme.

6. ALTERATIONS & CANCELLATIONS BY US: Although it is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to confirmed arrangements, it can occasionally happen, and we will advise clients at the earliest possible date. If for any reason beyond our control, we are unable to provide the client with the property they have booked, we will offer the an alternative property of comparable standard, if this is not possible, or the client does not wish to be transferred, we will cancel the booking and refund the amount paid to REAL SPAIN for the property.

7. OUR LIABILITY: REAL SPAIN act as agents for the property owners. Properties are inspected by us and/or our agents, where possible, prior to their rental season. The owners contract with us and our representatives to maintain the properties in good condition. We decline all responsibility for any modification made by the owners without our knowledge. We also do not accept responsibility for events outside our reasonable control, such as breakdown of domestic appliances, plumbing, electrical wiring, damage resulting from occasional weather conditions, the breakdown of the supply of water, gas or electricity, swimming pool filtering systems. Though we will, through our local representatives, use our best endeavours to arrange for these problems to be solved. We also do not accept any responsibility for any form of noise disturbance such as loud music, shouting, singing, which emanates from nearby properties not in our direct control. Neither do we accept any responsibility for disturbance or noise caused by building work to nearby sites, use of any form of mechanical or electrical machinery, including motorised vehicles or any other noise or disturbance which might occur outside the boundaries of the property rented by the client, therefore rendering such disturbances beyond our control. Real Spain also do not accept any responsibility for services supplied which are free of charge such as the accuracy of descriptions of restaurants, bars, beaches & other places of interest, or the prices charged by independent tour companies and taxi firms which are beyond our control, this also applies to reliability and timing of taxis, which are completely independent of us, and are beyond our control.

8. COMPLAINTS: We do not wish to have dissatisfied clients, but in the event of client having a problem during their stay, we ask in the first instance for them to report within 24 hours any deficiency to us, by telephone, to our office in the UK, and to our local representative in Spain. This will give us the opportunity to put matters right during the client's stay. In the unlikely event that the problem cannot be resolved whilst the client is using the property and they wish to take the matter up with us upon their return, the client must do this in writing no later than 7 days following completion of the property rental.

9. THE CLIENT'S RESPONSIBILITY: At all times the client is responsible for any property hired to them and in their care. The client is responsible for proper conduct of themselves and their party. The client is also responsible for leaving the property in good order and in a clean condition. Only those persons stipulated on the booking form may use the property. Under no circumstances should the number of persons notified to us in advance be exceeded. Owners and our representatives are entitled to refuse admission and/or to request those in excess of the maximum permitted number to vacate the property. Clients are also responsible for any damage or loss of any item of equipment belonging to the property, and as such the client will be entirely responsible for covering the cost of replacement or repair of such items.

10. PRICES: The prices quoted in our literature are all calculated on the rate of exchange at the time of going to press. In the event of any increases due to currency fluctuation, REAL SPAIN will absorb up to 2% of this cost. All amounts in excess of 2% will be surcharged to the client. If the surcharge amounts to more than 10% then the client will be entitled to cancel and receive a full refund of all monies paid. This right must be exercised within 7 days of the date of the surcharge invoice.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The traveller to Spain should be aware of the cultural differences between that country and the UK. Safety standards and regulations conform to local standards, and could be more or less stringent than those in the UK. The enforcement and monitoring of those regulations is a matter for the Spanish authorities and the local supplier of the service concerned.

ACCOMMODATION: Nearly all our properties are second homes and therefore subject to the personal tastes of the owners. The properties vary widely in type, from villas, to houses and apartments. Most are relatively new properties, built within the last 20 years. Except where indicated, nearly all the properties are equipped with the latest appliances and have been chosen to a minimum standard. REAL SPAIN'S descriptions are honest and present a fair and as accurate as possible picture at the time of writing, but all descriptions are based on personal opinion.

UTILITIES: Water, gas, & electricity are included in the rental price, except where stated otherwise and are supplied according to different standards from those used in the city and with limitations due to being in the country. Water supplies especially in the high seasons may be erratic, particularly during a dry summer.

HEATING: Heating is not always available, particularly in country properties, which are heated by means of wood burning stoves or open fireplaces. Whether heated by electricity, gas, oil, or firewood, heating in general is expensive, and the client will pay for it locally.

LINEN: Bed linen & towels are included in the rental of our properties. Additional clean linen and towels can be provided at a small extra cost. Pool/beach towels are not provided, and clients should take their own.

CLEANING & MAID SERVICE: All properties are cleaned before and after occupation. An additional maid service can be arranged at a reasonable extra cost.

PASSPORTS, VISAS, HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: A valid 10 yearly passport is required for entry into Spain, Nationals of countries which are o the EEC do not require a visa for entry into Spain. National outside the country should check with the appropriate Consulate. At the time of going to press there are no current health requirements valid for travel to Spain. Should this change, we will advise accordingly.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE TIMES: All property rental start on a Saturday, unless otherwise stated. Clients should arrive no earlier than 4 PM local time, and depart no later than 11 AM local time.

DRIVING IN SPAIN: Drivers of hired vehicles must be at least 21 years of age and have held a full British driving licence for at least one year. If a client's driving licence is not one of the newer pink ones they will need an international driving licence. Clients taking their own vehicles to Spain are advised that they should obtain a green card from their own insurance company as this will ensure comprehensive cover. On the spot fines, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 Pesetas are issued for motoring offences including speeding, non wearing of seat belts, and drink driving. The road system in Spain is generally good, but particularly in the country, minor public roads may not always be metalled, and private roads can be rough.

LANGUAGE: In some rural districts the English language is not particularly common. Local people are usually very friendly and helpful, however an attempt to speak their language should be seen as an advantage rather than a problem, and a Spanish phrase book could prove invaluable.

YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS & SAFETY:

Unfortunately, theft occurs from time to time everywhere in the world. Clients should always lock up their property securely, remembering to close the shutters as well, and never to leave valuables in their car. We strongly advise clients to leave valuables at home.