General conditions

The hiring contract shall be between the hirer and the owner of the property - for whom we act as agents - and shall be deemed to be made subject to these Booking Conditions. The hiring contract is not effective until the hirer has paid a 25% deposit and has received formal confirmation of booking. In these conditions you and the hirer means the first named person on the booking form. "We", "our" and "us" means Distinctive Portugal Lda.

1. BOOKING FORM 
A booking form will be given to the hirer as soon as a provisional rental is made. This document must be filled by the party leader (first named person on the booking form). The party leader must be at least 18 years of age and authorized to make the booking on the basis of these booking conditions by all persons named on the booking form, including those substituted or added by an agreed amendment of the rental.

2. PAYMENT 
A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total rental cost of the property is required within 48 hours of signing the booking form in order to secure the rental. When the deposit is received by us, a confirmation that the requested period has been reserved will be sent to the hirer. The balance of the rental is payable not less than eight weeks prior to arrival. For bookings made less than eight weeks prior to arrival, full payment is required together with the booking form. If all payments due are not paid in full and on time, Distinctive Portugal Lda. reserves the right to cancel the rental and have the owner to retain any deposits received.

3. PRICES 
The weekly rental prices are quoted in Euros. All rentals must be paid directly to our bank account. The price of a confirmed rental will be guaranteed against any increase.

4. OCCUPANCY 
Rentals are per property, per week and for the maximum number of occupants indicated on the webpage. In no circumstances may more than the number of persons shown on the property description page or stated by the hirer on the booking form occupy a property except by written agreement with us. The owner reserves the right to refuse admittance to the property or ask the hirer to vacate if this condition is not strictly observed at all times during the rental period.

5. SERVICES INCLUDED 
In general, rentals include normal use of water, gas, electricity, pool cleaning, linen (including bed sheets), towels (except beach/pool towels), crockery and maid service at least once a week. The maid's duties consist of general cleaning but not washing-up. Extra duties may be arranged, such as washing and ironing, but these must be negotiated locally. Linen is changed weekly. Gas or other fuel for space heating is a supplement payable at the time of booking or locally.

6. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE 
The accommodation is available to the hirer from 4pm on day of arrival and up to 10am on the day of departure. The time between 10am and 4pm is required to clean the villa thoroughly. Any alterations to these times can only be made by prior arrangement with us.

7. DAMAGES OR LOSSES 
The hirer undertakes to keep the premises and all furniture, fixtures and fittings in or on the premises in the same state of repair and condition as they were at the commencement of the rental (reasonable wear and tear expected) and shall pay to the owner the value of any part of the premises, furniture, fixtures and fittings destroyed or damaged as to be incapable of being restored to its former condition. In the unfortunate event of breakage or damage having occurred during the occupancy, these should be notified immediately to us or the owner and arrangements made to reimburse the owner should be made directly. 

8. DUTIES OF THE HIRER 
The hirer is responsible for the property during the rental period and expected to take all reasonable care of it and leave the property in the condition they found it with the exception of making the beds which is the responsibility of the owner. The hirer is expected to keep noise to reasonable levels. Any time involved with liaising with neighbours or local police concerning unreasonable noise will be charged to the hirer. 

9. BREAKAGE DEPOSIT 
A breakage deposit of 450 Euros is payable to the owner/key holder in cash on arrival as a deposit against any breakage and damages to the property, furniture, crockery, etc. or additional costs such as extra cleaning. THE KEYHOLDER CAN REFUSE ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY IF THE SECURITY DEPOSIT IS NOT HANDED OVER. Should the client decide to leave the property prematurely the owner or his representative is authorised to refund the deposit to the client by post (less any deductions for damages or any additional expenses) and only after having checked the inventory and the property in question. The deposit will normally be returned to the hirer on departure unless the villa has been left in an unsatisfactory condition.

10. VOUCHERS 
After full payment of the contract price, and approximately 30 days prior to the travel departure date, Distinctive Portugal Lda. will supply you with an arrival voucher and additional information required to occupy the property.

11. CANCELLATION CHARGES 
If the hirer wishes to cancel the rental, this must be done in writing by recorded delivery or fax to us. Cancellations will become effective from the date this document is received in our office. If the cancellation notice is received 57 days or more prior to arrival only the 25% deposit will be kept by the owner. Within that period the following percentages of the rental price will be payable as cancellation fee by the hirer taking into account the deposit held by us:

56-42 days: 50% 
41-29 days: 75% 
28 days or less: 100%

Nevertheless, any monies in excess being held by us must be returned to the hirer within 30 days of  the notice of cancellation notwithstanding the fact that the hirer's insurance policy may cover it. Cancellation due to most reasons genuinely beyond your control (except disinclination to travel or financial reasons) is usually covered by a travel insurance policy. For your information, it is a condition of booking that all clients take out travel insurance.

12. CANCELLATION BY US OR THE OWNER 
Both the owner and ourselves will endeavour our best to provide the accommodation specified by the hirer however we reserve the right to cancel, modify or alter the accommodation in exceptional circumstances. Such events may include, but are not limited to, natural disaster, fire, accident, revolution, threat of war, quarantine, epidemies, terrorist activities or any other occurrence renders the property uninhabitable or  
incapable of providing the facilities or services which were offered. In such an event a comparable substitute property will be offered or a full and immediate refund of all monies paid will be given to the hirer. 

13. OUR LIABILITY 
Distinctive Portugal Lda, do not own any rental accommodations. As agents for the owners of the properties, we cannot accept liability for the breakdown of any mechanical or electric equipment or for blockage of any part of a properties drainage system. We in conjunction with the owner will however endeavour to arrange a prompt repair, when possible, by reputable local contractors at the owner's expense. Neither we nor the owner can accept liability for any damage, loss or expense if the hirer or any member of his party suffers illness, personal injury or death during the period of their holiday as a result of an activity which does not form part of the holiday arrangements. Nevertheless, we will provide you with all reasonable assistance. The use of the accommodation and its amenities such as swimming pools, etc, is entirely at the hirer's risk. No responsibility can be accepted for death or injury to the hirer or damage of the belongings of the hirer, or to any member of the hirer's party or their belongings. Very young children should be supervised as there are always risks.

14. COMPLAINTS 
In the unlikely event that you have a complaint whilst on holiday, the hirer should immediately contact us in order to resolve the problem. Please be aware that notifying a complaint only after completion of rental may compromise our ability to consider it. Disputes arising out of or in connection with these booking conditions which cannot be amicably resolved are subject to the Portuguese law.

15. TRAVEL INSURANCE 
It is a condition of the rental that all persons have comprehensive travel insurance. This should cover the costs incurred through the inability to travel through illness or death of yourself or close relative, repatriation in the event of illness and also other benefits. It is a requirement that the costs arising from these conditions and the costs of repatriation are covered by the insurance - please read your policy carefully as it is the hirer's responsibility to ensure that the insurance is adequate for your particular needs. In the event of cancellation by the hirer, the deposit and any balance paid may be forfeited.

16. PASSPORTS AND VISAS 
For citizens not travelling on a passport issued by a member of the European Union it is possible that a visa is required. It is the responsibility of the party leader to confirm that all members of the party have valid passports and, where necessary, valid entry visa.

OTHER MATTERS

POOLS, GARDEN AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE 
All the properties represented by Distinctive Portugal Lda. are maintained by staff who have access to the accommodation. We ask you for your co-operation when the staff visit the property, as it is imperative to keep the accommodation well maintained for you and our future client enjoyment. Swimming pools are usually available from 1 April to 15 October. Outside these dates it may be possible to use the pool however this must be requested at the time of booking. Pools will not be heated unless this is stated in the property information and paid as a supplement. As some pools are irregular in shape, the measurements have been taken at the longest and widest points.

PARTIES AND EVENTS
Parties and events are not allowed in any of the villas represented by us. We strongly suggest hotel type accommodation for these types of parties.

NOTES 
All information on our web site or other promotional media form part of these booking conditions, including any minimum age of people who can be accommodated and any other conditions stipulated in the property descriptions. Facilities are as agreed with property owners and are offered in good faith. No responsibility can be accepted for the climate, the natural or built environment, local conditions, traditions or practices, interruption to or breakdown of any public service and any consequential effect thereof. All distances and measurements are approximate.