Frequently Asked Questions
For your information we offer here the answers to some of the questions we are most frequently asked by clients when making a cottage holiday booking:
Q. Can I bring my pet (cat or dog) on holiday with me? Well-behaved pets are welcome at many of our Kent and East Sussex holiday cottages and this is indicated in each individual property's description. There is a charge of £20 per pet for each week of your holiday (or Short Break). Please bring your pet's own bed and feeding bowls. Pets should not be allowed on furniture and must not be left unattended in your holiday home. Gardens should be left free of pet excrement.
Q. What is the security deposit mentioned at the foot of some of the property descriptions? A security deposit is taken as a guarantee against any breakages or damage incurred during your stay or excess cleaning required at the end. It should be paid on arrival to the owner or key holder either in cash, with a guaranteed sterling cheque or signed travellers' cheque. After inspection it will be returned to you at the end of your stay or, if this is not possible, by post within two weeks of your departure. Breakages or damage should always be reported to the key holder and holiday homes should be left in a clean and tidy condition, although each property will be cleaned between holiday lets. Some of our property owners do not meet clients personally at the accommodation and therefore request that Freedom Holiday Homes collect the refundable security deposit in advance. This will be returned to guests after their stay.
Q. What is a Short Break? Short breaks are available in many of our self catering properties from October-April inclusive excluding Bank Holiday weeks and October half term. Three night weekend breaks and four night mid-week break prices are shown on individual property details where applicable. Some properties may also be available for short breaks between May-September but only at short notice and on request with the individual homeowner.
The weekend short break starts on a Friday for 3 nights. Mid week 4 night breaks are from Monday to Friday. 5 & 6 nights breaks are charged at the normal weekly rate. Please note that short breaks are not available over Christmas, which is charged weekly at the peak season rate.
Q. Is linen included in the holiday price? Bed linen is included in the holiday price for all of our properties. Towels are also included unless otherwise stated.
Q. At what time should I arrive at my holiday home and when should I leave? The standard time of arrival at a holiday home is 3pm, leaving by 10am on the day of departure. This allows for cleaning of the property between holiday lets. Arrival time is advised on travel directions but is usually between 3 to 4pm. If your travel arrangements require you to arrive later than 3pm you should notify Freedom Holiday Homes by completing the appropriate section on the booking form when you confirm your holiday booking. If you are not certain of your exact time of arrival when you book, you should notify the homeowner or key holder direct, by telephone, as early as possible once you have received from us the directions to the property and key holder details.
Q. I have chosen my holiday home. How do I make a booking? You should first check that your chosen accommodation is available on the date you require by contacting Freedom Holiday Homes by email, telephone or fax. We will then make a provisional booking for you, which we will hold for 7 days. To confirm the booking we require a 33% deposit payment within 7 days. (See Booking Conditions page.) If you are booking within 8 weeks of the start of your holiday, payment in full is required.
Q. What if I need to cancel? When you book your holiday a legal contract is made between you and the holiday home owner. If you cannot go on holiday and the accommodation cannot be re-let, you may forfeit any deposit you have paid and be liable to pay any outstanding balance of the cottage holiday rental.
For your peace of mind, we operate a Cancellation Protection Scheme which is included in bookings for UK customers.
If Cancellation Insurance is taken independently, please advise Freedom Holiday Homes of the Company name and Policy number with your reservation booking form.
