The Shala Hire Rules & Information
Included in The Shala:
Wi-fi for Zoom recording
Music system with 6 in ceiling speakers (blue tooth)
Soft dimmable lighting
Atmospheric star effect projectors
Re chargeable candles
Oil diffusers
Phone charger sockets
Multiple floor sockets
Footware
No outdoor shoes are to be worn inside The Shala, it is a sacred space.
Under Floor Infra Red Heating
The under floor heating is very sensitive and is just below the surface flooring.
We also have electrical sockets set in the floor.
At no time are large quantities of water allowed in The Shala.
Drinks are allowed eg. small bottles of water.
Please be extremely careful when dealing with any spillages.
No sharp and heavy objects/equipment should be brought into The Shala: no chairs, treatment beds, or even high healed shoes should be worn in the building.
Fire
Strictly no smoking in the building.
No naked flames, candles, incense or sacred wood, sage, herb burning etc. are permitted in the building at any time.
Electric or battery candles and electric essential oil diffusers are welcome.
Extra Equipment
If you wish to take extra equipment into The Shala it is imperative you consult us and have our permission before doing so. eg. musical equipment, lighting equipment, electrical fans or any other devices.
Please consider the environment and remember to switch off all electrical equipment and lights after use.
The Compost Toilet
When nature calls a cup of sawdust goes in first and another after… thats it! Please wash your hands.
Parking
Please keep driveway and driveway to barn clear for emergency and farm vehicles.
Additional Information and Services
For Your Arrival
Teachers may arrive one hour earlier by arrangement.
The house will be open for your arrival, please go in and make yourselves at home.
Arrival time is after 3pm.
Due to the cleaning and maintenance program early arrivals may not be possible.
The caretaker will greet you at the house on arrival.
You will be given full instructions on the workings of The Shala and Wellness Spa, together with answering any other questions you may have to ensure your stay is perfect.
Damage Deposit and Extra Expenses
£200 damage deposit is payable.
The damage deposit will be retained pending local inspection of the property and contents, to check that The Owner has no consequential expenses due to breakages, damages, additional cleaning, due to the liability of The Guest. The extent of recoverable costs from The Guest by The Owner are limited to the cost of any work done and other costs incurred by The Owner and are not limited to the damage deposit. Providing no damage or expense has been caused to the property, interior/exterior contents and/or grounds due to your stay. The Damage and Expense Deposit will be returned in full pending inspection of the property. This may take up to 14 days.
Please Respect Our Neighbours
This is a very peaceful location, please respect our village by keeping the noise down after 11.00pm.
Cars
Please keep driveway and driveway to barn clear for emergency and farm vehicles.
Maintenance
The owner/caretaker reserves the right to maintain and inspect the property, including the gardens, lawns, land and pool at their discretion, during your stay.
The swimming pool complex requires daily maintenance. However, please be assured that all such maintenance will be carried out as unobtrusively as possible. In this respect every effort will be made so as not to disturb or inconvenience you.
Please note: Any queries or problems relating to your retreat must be dealt with during your stay by the signee only.
Accidental Damage or Breakages
Please inform us immediately should any accidental breakages or damage occur so that we have time to sort it out before our next guests arrival.
The Septic Tank
Both properties have a septic tank, not mains drainage.
Please do not flush paper towels, facial or baby wipes, nappies or feminine products down the toilets, please use bins provided.
Please ensure that only natural waste products and toilet paper are disposed of in the toilets.
The septic tank and drains are checked regularly every Friday. Any blockages caused by The Guest will be charged for. The owner accepts no liability for inconvenience or disruption.
Swimming Pool Rules
Houghton Lodge has private use of the pool from 8.30am - 12.30pm if hired separately to Downview Farm.
Please keep our swimming pool safe and clean.
Strictly no glass objects are allowed in the pool area.
Strictly no food or drinks allowed in the pool area.
Food and drink substances will start bacteria growth.
It is very important that all guests shower before and after using the pool for their own and others safety.
Hair products, deodorant, perfume, make-up and dirt etc. will result in clouding of the water and possible closure of the pool.
After using the pool you must replace the cover and switch off all lights.
If you leave the pool cover off for prolonged periods it will result in major heat loss, condensation will set off alarms, cleansing chemicals will evaporate, this also may result in closure of the swimming pool.
Hot-Tub
Children under 16 are not permitted in the hot-tub.
The same as the pool, please make sure all guests shower before and after using the hot tub.
VERY IMPORTANT- Inside the hot-tub there is a black filter inlet, the water must be 1inch below the top of this. The water must not go below this point, as the pump will take in air and break. Please use the hose provided and re-fill the hot-tub after use to the correct level 4 inches above the filter, please do not over fill.
Please do not stand or sit on hot-tub cover as it is only polystyrene.
Strictly no food or drinks allowed in the hot-tub.
Towels and Cot Linen
We regret that cot linen, pool towels are not supplied.
lnfra-Red Sauna
The infra-red sauna is run by electricity.
Before using, it is very important to dry yourself off if you have used the hot-tub or pool.
Please remember to switch off the Sauna after use.
Further instruction will be given on your welcome.
Indoor Fire/ Wood Burner
A spark guard is supplied - please use it when you are not in the room.
A fire will be laid in for your arrival.
We provide 1 large basket of logs.
Coal can be pre-ordered at £15 per large bag.
Extra logs can be provided by arrangement.
Barbecue
The outdoor barbecue is charcoal, this is not provided, guests are required to bring their own.
Outdoor Fire Pit
A fire will be laid in for your arrival (sticks and logs only).
Extra logs can be pre-ordered.
Please contact us before your stay.
Further fires will be guest full responsibility.
All children MUST be accompanied by an adult at ALL TIMES around the fire pit.
Do not leave a lit or glowing fire pit unattended.
Never light the fire in windy weather.
The most important tip is to keep your fire small. There's no need for a blazing bonfire, a big fire is much harder to control and so there is far greater potential for disaster.
Have a bucket or container of water close by or a garden hose on standby in case things do get out of control.
DO NOT start the fire with petrol or other flammable liquid - it is HIGHLY DANGEROUS.
Light a crumpled piece of newspaper or a shop-bought fire lighter covered with a few small sticks to get a fire started, as it begins to burn, larger sticks can be added until able to add a log or two.
Never extinguish the roaring fire rapidly with water, allow the fire to die down naturally and then extinguish with water slowly
Sky Lanterns or Fireworks
Strictly no paper sky lanterns or fireworks. There are many thatched cottages and farm animals in this area.
Electricity and Fuel
We ask our guests to please respect our rising fuel costs and turn off lights when not in use.
Excessive usage of electricity and/or fuel may be charged for.
Please consider the environment, remember to switch all lights off after use.
Rubbish and Waste Recycling
Please recycle your rubbish and place in appropriate bins provided.
1. Glass bottles and jars are to be placed in a separate glass only Green recycle bin or box.
2. Tin cans, plastic bottles, plastic packaging, paper and card to be placed in the separate Green recycle bin.
3. Food and General waste e.g. plastic bags, nappies etc. to be placed in the separate Black bin.
If you do not recycle your waste, a charge for sorting out waste will be made to you.
Departure
On departure guests are required to leave the property as found, neat and tidy.
On the day of your departure please be ready to vacate the property no later than 10am.
Please turn off all lights, close all windows and lock all doors.
Please notify us by call or text when you are leaving 07787774628 or 07759274048
Virus or Pandemic Terms and Conditions
We DO NOT refund for any pandemic or virus related cancelations.
It is the Guests responsibility to obtain insurance cover against any pandemic or virus restrictions.
No Guest or any of The Guest Party should enter The Property if they are experiencing symptoms or are infected with a Virus. If The Guest or any of The Guest Party named on the Booking Form fall ill, show symptoms or become infected with a Virus whilst at The Property they must seek medical advice immediately, notify The Owner immediately, leave The Property immediately. In the case of a Government Lockdown the Guests must leave The Property immediately and return home.
In the event of a full Government Lockdown or restrictions we DO NOT Refund for Guests becoming infected with a Virus or any other illness before arrival, after arrival or during your say.
We DO NOT refund in the incident of accidents, operations or any such unforeseen circumstances whatsoever including pandemic or viruses.
We do not refund for unforeseen circumstances, personal or otherwise.
The House is hired by the Guest as a whole. Not by the number of guests staying at any one time. We cannot refund guests for reduction of numbers under any circumstance.
In the event of a booking being cancelled by the Guest, we will endeavour to re-let the property. If this cannot be done then the guest will lose their deposit.
We are happy to move stays. Charges up to £50 will occur. Except for full lock-down bookings.
For higher season bookings under all circumstances or moving to the next calendar year appropriate increases will also be charged for.
We unfortunately can not provide refunds in the case of full government lock-down.
We strongly recommend all guests take out appropriate holiday insurance, as usual when booking a holiday. (we recommend you check the terms of the policy cover thoroughly before booking).
Cancellations
We are unable to refund for any cancellations of The Shala Day Hire. However we will do our best to rebook the space and offer you alternative dates for your booking.
RENTAL AGREEMENT - TERMS & CONDITIONS
TERMS
1. "The Property" is Downview Farm and Houghton Lodge. "The Rentals" are as noted on the Booking Form. "The Owner" is Mrs C Donovan. "The Guest" is the lessee. "Commencement Date" is the first day of intended occupation.
CONDITIONS
2. The Owner agrees to let the property at the Rentals and for the period of time as noted on the Booking Form. The Owner reserves the right to refuse a booking without giving any reason.
3. The Rentals are payable by the Guest on the following dates:
(a) If the Booking is made more than 3 months before the Commencement Date: The 1st Instalment of 25% of The Rentals must accompany the Booking Form this is non refundable except in section (b). The Final Instalment is payable 2 months prior to the Commencement Date.
(b) If the Booking is made less than 2 months before the Commencement Date:
The Final Instalment of the full amount of The Rentals must accompany the Booking Form.
Please note - if payment is not received by the due date, we are unable to guarantee your booking.
4. (a) To avoid misunderstandings with our Guests, in the event of a cancellation or if the Agreement is terminated because The Guest has failed to pay amounts due on the due dates. The deposit is non refundable. Cancellation fees are: 25% of Rentals payable, if the date of termination is greater than 2 months before the Commencement Date. 100% of Rentals payable, if the date of termination is shorter than 2 months before the Commencement Date.
(b) We strongly advise that you take out comprehensive travel insurance. If you choose not to then you accept responsibility for any loss that you may incur due to your cancellation. Such cancellation insurance is entirely optional but highly recommended as it provides a safeguard against loss of monies should unforeseen circumstances necessitate termination of The Agreement by The Guest. The Owner may offset any amounts already received from The Guest against the cancellation fee.
5. The Owner reserves the right to cancel the reservation if payments are not received in accordance with Item 3 and Item of this Agreement. The cancellation will be deemed to be the liability of The Guest.
6. The Guest undertakes to take good care of the property and its' contents and to leave the property and contents in a clean and orderly condition. Any extra cleaning caused to The Owner will be charged at £40 per hour.
7. The Guest agrees to behave in a considerate way to the neighbours of The Property and to respect the privacy and peace of the neighbours at all times.
8. The Guest will report any loss or damage to the property or contents to The Owner. The Guest will allow access to the property by The Owner at any reasonable time to perform an inspection. The Guest undertakes to inform The Owner of the expected departure day and time, if it is different from the Reservation Form.
9. The Owner will not be responsible to the Guest for any loss, inconvenience, damage etc beyond the control of The Owner.
10. Any claims whatsoever by The Guest against The Owner will be limited to the amount of rental paid.
11. The signing of the Booking Form by The Guest (or any other verbal or written acceptance) is deemed to be the acceptance of these Terms & Conditions.
12. This agreement is governed by English Law.
13. Arrival & Departure. Friday - Friday, Friday to Monday or Monday to Friday.
14. For insurance reasons The Owner must at all times have the names of all people staying in or visiting the house or grounds of The Rentals. Breaking this condition may result in termination of your holiday.
15. The Owner does not accept responsibility (or liability) for breakdown of water supply, gas or electricity, for infestation, or of breakdown of swimming pool/spa systems, or for contamination due to the Guest's negligence; though The Owner will through local tradesmen use best endeavours to arrange for any such problems to be resolved. Neither can The Owner be responsible for any loss or damage or accident sustained by any member of a hiring party, or to their property, vehicles or personal effects however caused. Should building works be taking place in the vicinity of The Property, The Owner cannot accept liability for any inconvenience caused. The Owner aims to ensure that information/descriptions provided in advertisements of The Property are accurately conveyed. However, there may be small differences as The Owner is constantly seeking to improve the facilities provided, and therefore The Owner cannot accept responsibility/liability for any such small differences in description and actual. The Caretaker reserves the right of access over the drive to the fields, barn and barnyard, at Downview Farm, which is for their own private use.
16. Smoking anywhere inside the premises will result in immediate termination of occupancy and forfeiture of all payments. This must be strictly adhered to and any damage or extra cleaning caused by smoking will be at the expense of you.
17. Please note that in the event that any keys issued are not returned at the end of your stay, then the cost of replacement keys or locks will be charged to The Guest.
18. We reserve the right to terminate a holiday without compensation where the unreasonable behaviour of the person named on the booking form or their guests may impair the enjoyment, comfort or health and safety of others including neighbours or local residents or any other persons.
19. We reserve the right to make reasonable amendments or additions to these terms and conditions without notice.
A contract between The Guest and the owners will come into existence when we receive payment and accept your booking by issuing a confirmation of booking for the dates shown in the rental agreement. The contract binds you & all the members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that all members of your party accept the terms of the contract set out in these terms & conditions of booking.
Failure to disclose all relevant information or comply with these terms may lead to termination of the contract & loss of the booking.
AGREEMENT
On payment of deposit I agree to accept the Terms & Conditions of the Rental Agreement as set out.