The Lodge at Merricks

A deposit of 50% of the total price is required to secure the booking. This is non-refundable. Payment of the rental deposit constitutes the clients acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

The balance of the rental amount must be received in full 30 days prior to the scheduled commencement of the tenancy. If not the owner has the right to cancel the booking and attempt to re-let the property for those dates.

If the client cancels the booking or causes the booking to be cancelled, money paid is not refundable unless the house is re-let for the entire period. However, even in that case a $100 cancellation and administration fee will apply.

A security bond of $500 to cover, losses, damages and other costs is payable 7 days prior to arrival. This bond will be taken from the credit card supplied by the client and will be refunded within 14 days of completion of the tenancy provided that the provisions of these Terms and Conditions have not been breached.

The owners will use all reasonable endeavours to ensure the property is available as booked. However the owners reserve the right to make alterations to bookings due to unforeseen circumstances.

To maintain a good standard for clients certain conditions must to be complied with. We appreciate most clients will respect the owner’s property but the occasional abuse requires that we state the following conditions.

Number of guests should not exceed the number stated on the Confirmation Notice at any time during the stay. No other guests are allowed to be invited on to the premises at any time during the stay.

Fees and loss of bond will apply for excess guests not agreed with the owners in advance.

Parties and Functions are strictly prohibited. The price charged is for domestic use only and not commercial or business use. Accordingly the price does not include any extra costs associated with such use in terms of cleaning, garbage removal, wear and tear, repairs etc. Any use other than domestic use, unless otherwise agreed in advance in writing with the owners WILL result in loss of the bond and/or additional payments.

Damage, Breakages, Theft and Loss are the client’s responsibility during the stay. The client shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred as a result of such damage, breakages theft or loss howsoever caused or occurring.

Without prejudice to any other remedies available, Owner shall be entitled to revoke the security bond to cover such costs and expenses and/or debit any credit card used to make the principal payment.

It is mandatory that rubbish and recycling materials are left kerbside in the bins provided ready for collection on the night advised to the client . If the bins are not put out then the client will be charged excess for their removal.

Any excess rubbish or recycling material which does not fit into the council bins provided is the responsibility of the client and must be removed by the client accordingly. If this is not done then rubbish and recycling material removal and tip fees will be charged for any excess at a charge of $50 per bin.

Departure – the property should be left in a similar state to its condition on arrival. If it is not then any costs and expenses associated with reinstating the property will be for the account of the client.

Prior to departure rubbish and recycling materials should be removed from the house and placed in the bins. If the BBQ has been used it must be left clean and if not a $75 cleaning surcharge will apply. The owners arrange for a standard clean of the property as part of the price. However any non-standard or additional cleaning costs will be charged back to the client at a rate of $40 per hour.

Check-out time is 11am by the latest to allow time to prepare the property for the next guests, unless a late checkout time has been agreed to with the Owner. Check-in time is after 3pm.

Any disturbance whatsoever to our neighbours, including excessive noise (which includes loud music, raised voices, car engines and foul language), is prohibited and can result in immediate termination of rental, forfeiture of all payments and loss of entire bond. If you are sitting outside we ask that you come inside by 10pm to minimise neighbourhood disturbance.

Linen (i.e. top and bottom sheets, pillow cases, bath mats and towels) is to be supplied by the client. If there is evidence of clients not using their own linen e.g. sleeping on uncovered mattress protectors, the property linen will be laundered and the cost deducted from the security bond at a rate of $40 per bed. Linen can be provided as part of the tenancy for an additional cost of $20 per single bed and $40 per queen or double bed.

Pets are allowed in some properties but must not be locked up  in the house when the guests are not there.  Constant barking and/or howling is not acceptable and will be deemed to be excessive noise as referred to above. Pets must not be allowed on the furniture or on the beds and there will be additional cleaning charges for any  cleaning necessitated by the presence of pets.  The client must also inspect the garden for any pet mess and clean this up prior to departure. The client is required to bring bedding and bowls for pets.

To the full extent permitted by law neither the owners nor its agents shall be liable for any loss injury or damage (including loss of personal property) sustained by the client or his/her invitees or guests in the course of the tenancy and the client and his/her invitees or guests hereby release, discharge and/or indemnify the owner or its agents in respect of any such loss, injury or damage. It is recommended that the client take out travel insurance to provide protection against loss due to illness, injury, death, damage, loss or cancellation of tenancy.

Variations to these Terms and Conditions may only be made by prior arrangements with the owner in writing.

Other than with regard to the specifics of the tenancy in respect of matters such as price and dates, these Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede all previous agreements and understanding, whether oral or written, between the parties with respect to the tenancy. They may only be varied by written agreement between the parties.

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Victoria, Australia. Any dispute not settled by negotiation shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts or tribunals of Victoria. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of law, such invalidity or unenforceability will not affect the remaining provisions, which will continue in full force and effect.