1: Contract
The hiring contract is between Secret Places and the party leader or third party agent who must sign a booking form accepting the booking conditions on behalf of all persons included in the reservation.
A contract exists when the required deposit has been paid and Secret Places have acknowledged the same by issue of a booking confirmation. The renter understands and consents to the use of the credit card details provided on the registration form or booking form without original signature, serving in place of an original signature and that the credit card authorisation cannot be revoked and will not terminate until 60 days after the rental property is vacated.
The contract is subject to United States Law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Courts.
2: Confirmation
On receipt of the required deposit payment and the signed booking form a confirmation will be issued. Accommodation is reserved only for the number of persons named on the booking form. Any alterations, substitutions or additions to these details must be notified and agreed in advance of the commencement of the rental in writing. A charge may be levied for this service if notification is less than eight weeks before the rental commencement date. Bookings may not be assigned to another party except by express agreement with Secret Places in writing.
Once a confirmation has been issued the hirer is responsible for the total price of the property rental as shown on the confirmation. Signing of the booking form constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions by the client.
3: Balance of Payment
The balance of payment will be required in full before the hire is due to commence. This date will be communicated in writing to the hirer on their confirmation. Where payment in full has not been received by Secret Places by this date the reservation will be deemed cancelled and the deposit forfeit. Bookings made within 30 days of the rental commencement date must be paid in full at the time of booking.
4: Price guarantee
All prices are subject to change without notice and may be subject to currency fluctuations. Rentals paid for in full at the time of booking will not be subject to any increase (Note: a surcharge may be applicable if state or local taxes are increased). Payment by credit card will incur an administration charge - credit card with a non-US billing address may incur higher administration charges.
5: Cancellation and/or date change
If the hirer wishes to cancel the booking this must be done in writing by email and a confirmation of the instruction received back from Secret Places. Cancellation will only become effective from the date that written notification is received and acknowledged by Secret Places. No refunds are available for early departure or no shows.
Change of date (if available) will be subject to an administration charge.
In the event of cancellation, the following charges will apply:
Guests who cancel within 48 hours of the original confirmation date will get back 100% of the amount paid less an administration fee of $50 / £50 / €50
Guests who cancel up to 31 days before arrival date will get back 100% of the rental amount paid less an administration fee of $100 / £100 / €100
Remaining balance payments are due 30 days before arrival
Guests who cancel 30 days or fewer before arrival date (or are no-show) will forfeit 100% of the rental amount paid*
*For cancellations 30 days or fewer before check-in, refunds may be given entirely at our discretion and only where exact dates and rates can be re-booked - an administration fee of $100 / £100 / €100 will be deducted from any potential refund
5.2: Insurance
Guests are strongly advised to purchase adequate travel and/or medical insurance cover to protect against the cost of medical attention, cancellations due to family illness, loss of job, family bereavement, named storms or other unforeseen eventualities. No responsibility is accepted for any death, injury, illness or loss or damage to property, including motor vehicles howsoever caused.
6.1: Liability
The rental home is subject to a high standard of maintenance of its fabric, fittings fixtures and services. Secret Places accept no liability whatsoever for any injury or loss sustained by guests or any other visitors to the home, It’s surrounding landscape,docks or swimming pool or for any loss or damage howsoever caused to any property brought to the premises.
6.2: Indemnity
Guest and guest's guests shall hereby indemnify and hold harmless the homeowner and its agents against any and all claims of personal injury or property damage or loss arising from the use of the premises. Guest expressly recognizes that any insurance for property damage or loss which the homeowner may maintain on the property does not cover guest's personal property.
7: Number of occupants
Under no circumstances may more than the maximum number of persons booking, occupy the property except by prior written agreement. The designated maximum number of occupants for each property INCLUDES all children (excludes infants less than 1 year). The total number of occupants must be declared at time of booking. The right to refuse admittance is reserved should this condition be contravened.
Homes are located in residential areas/communities. Motor homes, boat trailers, travel trailers, jet skis etc are not allowed at the property and CANNOT be stored on the property overnight. Please seek local storage for such vehicles and equipment prior to arrival. Parking is restricted to driveways only with no overnight street parking allowed - guests are advised that in some properties garage space may be restricted due to the storage of homeowners own vehicle.
8: Hirer's responsibilities
The hirer undertakes to comply with Florida statute requirements and on arrival to register all guests staying in licensed homes in accordance with the instructions issued by Secret Places.
The client is responsible for the property during the period of rental and undertakes that all members of the party will take all reasonable steps to take care of it. All damage and breakages are the responsibility of the hirer and their replacement or repair costs are payable on demand.
On arrival at the property the managing agent will require a security deposit authorisation. This security deposit authorisation may be made in the form of a blank credit card imprint (VISA or MASTERCARD only) - no actual monies are charged to the card at this stage.
Refusal to provide a security deposit may result in access to the property being denied or delayed.
This authorisation will be held as security against loss or damage to the property, excess cleaning costs or other attributable charges. The hirer will not refuse legitimate charges made against the security deposit. Charges may be incurred for
Property damage, staining and / or breakages
Excessive cleaning or garbage left behind
Excessive utility use
This list is not exclusive.
The credit card security imprint will be destroyed within 21 days of the end of the rental period subject to an inspection by the managing agent.
Where the costs of any damage/repairs become chargeable guests will be notified by email within seven days of departure.
If any equipment in the home fails during the period of hire it must be reported immediately to the managing agent. Secret Places will not be held responsible for any equipment failure in the home, provided that reasonable arrangements are taken for its timely repair or replacement.
9: Arrival & Departure time
Check in times are after 4.00pm on the day of arrival
Check out times are before 11.00am on the day of departure
10: Force Majeure
No liability can be accepted for events which are force majeure, that is to say beyond our control, e.g. war, threat of war, riots, civil commotion, terrorist activities, industrial disputes, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, hurricanes or adverse weather conditions.
11: Conditions of Carriage
These booking conditions are subject to the conditions of carriage of the hirer's road, rail airline or sea carrier taking them to or from the property and these may contain further conditions which limit or exclude responsibility.
12: Website Advertising
The website is a guide to the quality and description of the property and its facilities. Secret Places reserve the right to make modifications and changes without notice which are shown to be necessary in the light of operating conditions. No liability is accepted for unintentional errors, mistakes or omissions in any photography, video or text concerning the property.
13: Building Work / Construction
Secret Places will always inform clients prior to confirming a reservation if it is known that general building/construction work is present or planned in the immediate area of the property. Secret Places cannot be held responsible for building/construction work in the area which commences after confirmation of the booking. Relocation to alternative properties, compensation or refunds are not available.
Secret Places reserve the right to substitute alternative accommodation in the event of unforeseen circumstances which may render the original property unsuitable for rental, this may include if a property has been sold or is no longer participating in our rental program.
14: General Provisions
The following general provisions respecting the property should be noted:
Although we love animals all our properties are designated as "non pet friendly" by their homeowners. Any guests ignoring this rule may be asked to leave.
Where pool heating is provided by solar energy water temperature is determined by the ambient air temperature. Therefore no guarantee with respect to pool water temperature is possible or implied.
Swimming Pools are cleaned and serviced weekly. No responsibility can be accepted for dust, dirt or other incursion entering the pool water between cleans.
Cable and/or Internet TV is provided - the service level has been chosen by the homeowner. No refund shall be given for outages, lack of content, or personal preferences with regard to cable TV or Internet TV service.
High-speed wireless internet is provided as a convenience only and is not an integral part of the property rental contract. No refund will be given for outages, lack of content, speed, access problems or lack of streaming preferences with regard to the internet service.
The property is subject to regular insecticide treatment and as far as possible is screened against insect incursion. These treatments may leave some dead insects inside the property and this shall not be taken as a sign of any infestation.
For the benefit of all of our guests the property is designated as NON SMOKING and hirers should note that any contravention of this injunction will render them liable to excess cleaning charges associated with ridding the property of smoke, ash and odours that may have permeated the furnishings.
The rental property is situated in a mixed residential area and guests are therefore requested and expected to behave appropriately by avoiding noise or nuisance to other residents. Under State and Local laws nude or topless sunbathing is not permitted.
Mandatory evacuation - If state or local authorities order a mandatory evacuation of any area that Secret Places offers properties, due to a hurricane evacuation or other natural catastrophe, no refund of any monies paid will be available, nor will a stay be allowed at a later date. Secret Places strongly recommends trip interruption insurance.
15: Compensation
Any claim for compensation, including for "loss of enjoyment" must be reported whilst the clients are still in occupation. No claims will be entertained unless reported directly whilst the clients are still in occupation and good evidence exists that the managing agent have been given reasonable opportunity to rectify any issue giving rise to complaint.
The managing agent will endeavour to help guests with any problems they may encounter, however clients must be aware that the owners are not representatives or agents of any third party, including their tour operator and car hire company, and cannot be held responsible for any aspects of their vacation not directly related to the property rental.
In any claim for compensation the liability of the owner/agent shall not exceed the total amount paid by the hirer for the rental of the property.
Once your booking is confirmed, all agreements of the rental policy are in force. You understand that by booking your selected property you have agreed to follow the outlined terms and conditions above.