Frequently Asked Questions

For bookings made more than 10 weeks before arrival a deposit is payable and can be calculated using the following table

The final balance is due 10 weeks before arrival and this is when you will receive driving directions to your holiday property, the owner's contact details and any key collection information. You can pay your deposit with a debit/credit card or a cheque. Late bookings, which are those made within 10 weeks of arrival must be paid for in full at the time of booking. Holiday cottages booked within 2 weeks of your arrival must be paid for in full at the time of booking and can only be paid for by debit or credit card.

Many owners of UK properties allow short stay bookings of 2, 3 or 4 nights and can be booked online. 2 nights stays start on either a Friday or Saturday and are priced between 52% and 55% of the weekly accommodation only price. 3 night stays start on a Friday and 4 night stays on a Monday. They are priced between 70% and 75% of the weekly accommodation only cost, so you can enjoy 4 nights for the price of 3!

At certain properties during winter other start days are available for 3 and 4 night stays. These are:

Depending on the property short stays are available either throughout the year, in the summer or in the winter. See property descriptions for details.

For the following dates you can only book a short stay within 28 days of arrival:

Easter - Thurs 29th Mar - Friday 13th Apr 2012
May Day - Thurs 3rd May - Fri 11th May 2012
Spring Bank (half term) - Thurs 31st May - Fri 8th June 2012
School Summer holidays - Thurs 19th July - Fri 31st Aug 2012
Oct Half Term - Thurs 25th Oct - Fri 2nd Nov 2012
Christmas and New Year - Thurs 13th Dec - Mon 31st Dec 2012

Some larger properties (sleeping 10 or more) accept short stays without restriction (other than for Christmas) to help you plan ahead for a special family occasion or group booking.

Christmas and New Year: In addition to 3, 4 nights and longer stays, some properties offer 5 night stays for the festive period. In 2012 these commence on Sat 22nd December and Saturday 29th December 2012.

For help with selecting start dates or for flexible arrival options call our call centre on 0845 268 0760.

We recommend that you use our website to check availability because availability constantly changes. A property that we confirm as available in an email may no longer be available by the time the email is read. The website is the best place for photos, property descriptions, prices and live availability

There are 3 ways to search:

1. Quick Search (on the homepage) - this allows you to browse regions and countries based upon the size of property you require. It is an ideal way to search if your dates are flexible

2. Availability Search - You can stipulate the finer details of your holiday property with this search. Choose your holiday dates, preferred region, what features you require and you will see all relevant properties. We will also show you alternative property options if your search criteria cannot be matched perfectly.

3. Property Reference Search - Once you have a shortlist of properties, you can enter any reference number into the Property Reference search box (on the homepage) to view its details, photos and availability.

Alternatively you can call our call centre on 0845 268 0760.

We recommend that you use our website to check availability because availability constantly changes. A property that we confirm as available in an email may no longer be available by the time the email is read. The website is the best place for photos, property descriptions, prices and live availability

There are 3 ways to search:

1.Quick Search (on the homepage) - this allows you to browse regions and countries based upon the size of property you require. It is an ideal way to search if your dates are flexible

2. Availability Search - You can stipulate the finer details of your holiday property with this search. Choose your holiday dates, preferred region, what features you require and you will see all relevant properties. We will also show you alternative property options if your search criteria cannot be matched perfectly.

3. Property Reference Search - Once you have a shortlist of properties, you can enter any reference number into the Property Reference search box (on the homepage) to view its details, photos and availability.

Alternatively you can call our call centre on 0845 268 0760.

All properties on the website have defined start days. The website will guide you to choose the correct start date for each property. Friday and Saturday are the standard start days for most weekly bookings and where short stays are accepted the website will show the relevant start days for the duration you are seeking. 2 nights stays start on either a Friday or Saturday, 3 night stays start on a Friday and 4 night stays begin on a Monday.

At certain properties during winter other start days are available for 3 and 4 night stays. These are:

If you require a flexible arrival date please call our call centre on 0845 268 0760.

If you wish to book a holiday cottage for dates which fall outside the website calendar, please call us on 0845 268 0760. Alternatively you can click here to contact our advanced bookings department.

You can make this payment online, click here to proceed. We accept most major debit or credit cards. Please note that we pass on the charge (of up to 2.5%) made by the credit card company. There is no charge for debit cards. Use of a credit card is subject to a minimum £2 transaction fee.

Alternatively, we can hold your booking for 4 days until we receive a cheque from you. Please make cheques payable to cottages4you. Please write your booking reference number on the back of the cheque and post it to: Spring Mill, Earby, Barnoldswick, Lancashire BB94 0AA.

Your balance can also be paid by calling our call centre on 0845 268 0760.

Please let the call centre know of any special requirements you may have.

You should ensure you take your Confirmation of Booking with driving and key collection details and any insurance details. For overseas bookings please remember to take all necessary travel documents with you, including your passport. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have everything you need to travel.

If you are planning on driving whilst abroad please click here for government guidance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are familiar with the laws of the county you are visiting.

For information and advice on travelling abroad please click here to visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website.

As long as the property is available and we have received all the relevant payments, we will give you written confirmation as soon as reasonably possible. This confirmation will show your booking details and any amount you still owe for the booking. Your contract with the owner will begin when we issue the written or email confirmation to you or your travel agent. For bookings made within 14 days of arrival, your contract with the owner begins when we give verbal confirmation of your booking to you or your travel agent and you have made the appropriate payments to us or your travel agent.

We will send you written confirmation either by post or by email. If you book with us online, we will acknowledge that we have received your booking and then send your confirmation by email. If you book by phone, we will send your confirmation to you by post unless you tell us at the time of booking that you would prefer it to be provided by email. Please check your emails regularly and to let us know about any change to your email address.

You can arrange your travel insurance through us. Click here for more information.

You can arrange your ferry crossing through us. Click here for more information.

UK property bookings (excluding Channel Islands)
The good news is that when you book a property in the UK through us, you can take advantage of a free cancellation and protection scheme, which means that if you have to cancel your booking for certain reasons, like redundancy or illness, property owners may authorise a refund, less any booking fee or travel insurance premium and any credit card and administration charges. This is something few other holiday cottage letting agencies can match. Please see the booking conditions, especially the Cancellation section for full details and qualifying reasons.

If you have paid a special low deposit, please pay particular attention to the Low Deposit section of the booking conditions.

If the reason you are cancelling your booking is not covered by the cancellation and protection scheme, your deposit will not be returned to you. If you have to cancel after you have paid the final balance, the Cancellation Charges table in the booking conditions allows you to calculate what will be returned to you, less any booking fee or travel insurance premium and any credit card charges and administration charges.

Overseas bookings:
If you cancel an overseas booking, your deposit will not be returned to you. If you have to cancel after you have paid the final balance, the Cancellation Charges table in the Cancellation Section of the booking conditions allows you to calculate what will be returned to you, less any booking fee or travel insurance premium and any credit card charges and administration charges.

Some owners of properties sleeping 4 or more give parties of 2 (or 2 adults plus 1 child under 5) a 20% discount in off peak periods. See our website or brochure for details.

If you need to make any alterations to your booking, please let us know as soon as possible. See our booking conditions for more information under the section 'If you change or cancel your booking'.

If you are a UK citizen travelling overseas, including Ireland, you will require a valid passport. It is your responsibility to make sure that you familiarise yourself with the relevant passport and any visa requirements for your destination. It is your responsibility to make sure that all members of your party, including any children, have a valid passport and visa (where appropriate). UK residents should also obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and carry this with them. For more details, please see Booking Conditions and for information and advice on travelling abroad, click here to visit the Foreign and Commonweath Office (FCO) website.

- For information and advice on health requirements and vaccinations when travelling abroad, Click here to visit the NHS travel health website

Citizens of other countries should also familiarise themselves with the relevant passport and visa requirements for your destination. You are responsible for making sure that you and all members of the booking party have a valid passport and visa (where appropriate).

All properties on the site have a full description of services and facilities available. These can be found in the 'Property Description' and 'Features of property' sections of the property page on the website

All properties have fridges and cooking facilities as standard. All properties on the site have a description of services and facilities available. These can be found in the 'Property Description' and 'Features of property' sections of the property page on the website.

Many properties featured on our website or in our brochure accept pets from as little as £25 per pet, per week or short break.

The property description shows when pets are accepted by the property owner. Some properties allow more than one pet and this will also be noted in the property description. Please note that certain dog breeds are subject to the owner's approval. Please also see our booking conditions.

If you are taking your pet with you, you must:

• Keep your pets off the furniture.
• Exercise your pets outside the garden.
• Remove pet hairs from carpets before you leave.
• Do not leave your pets unattended in the property or garden.
• Do not allow pets upstairs or in the bedrooms.

It is stated in the property details when pets are not permitted at a property. However, registered assistance dogs are allowed in all properties featured on our website or in our brochure, even where the property description states that pets are not allowed.

Customers with allergies should be aware that we cannot guarantee that an assistance dog has not stayed in a chosen property recently or that the property owner has a dog that sometimes occupies the property. We cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present.

For all UK bookings driving directions are sent when you have paid the remaining balance of your booking cost or paid in full if booking within 10 weeks of arrival. For overseas bookings they are posted to you two weeks prior to departure.

We normally acknowledge availability and booking within 48 hours.

We will send your booking confirmation and any insurance documents to you by email on receipt of your deposit payment. If you have not provided an e-mail address when booking, confirmation will be sent by post which usually takes 7-10 working days.

The information will include the name and phone number of your holiday property contact. This will also provide information on when you must pay the remaining cost of your booking. Upon receipt of the balance of your payment we will send you all necessary travel directions.

For all UK bookings the property's address is confirmed when you have paid the remaining balance of your booking cost or paid in full if booking within 10 weeks of arrival. For overseas bookings they are posted to you two weeks prior to departure.

We will normally acknowledge availability and booking within 48 hours.

We will send your booking confirmation and any insurance documents to you by email on receipt of your deposit payment. If you have not provided an e-mail address when booking, confirmation will be sent by post which usually takes 7-10 working days.

The booking confirmation information will include the name and phone number of your holiday property contact. It will also provide the date information on when you must pay the remaining cost of your booking.

The normal earliest arrival time for a property in Great Britain is 3pm. It is normally 4pm for overseas properties. When you have paid for your booking in full, you will be sent details of how to find your property, contact details for the owner or caretaker and where to collect the keys on arrival. You will be advised if the arrival time is any different at the time of booking. Please let the owner or caretaker know your estimated arrival time.

On your departure day, you are required to leave your property by 10am. This is to allow the owner or caretaker sufficient time to prepare the property for the next arrivals.

All property descriptions on the website will include information regarding parking facilities if it is available.

All property descriptions on the website will include information that should guide you. If you are in any doubt please call us on 0845 268 0760.. We feature many properties that are all on one level or have bedrooms and a bathroom on the ground floor. Some properties may have wider doors for wheelchair access and downstairs wet rooms and we will be happy to help you locate these properties if you tell us about your exact requirements. Please also see our booking conditions.

The maximum occupancy of a property is always noted in the property description on our website. It is a condition of booking that you must not allow more people than the property description states to stay in the property. See section 14 of the booking conditions for more details.

All the cottages, houses and apartments in our collection are inspected by our expert Regional Managers. Properties in the UK are quality graded to the high standards of VisitEngland. Properties in England are awarded VisitEngland stars. Properties in Scotland, Wales and Ireland are graded to the same exacting standards.

The more stars the higher the quality and the greater the range of facilities and service provided. To achieve higher star ratings, an increasing level of facilities and services are offered. A quality score is awarded for every aspect of the layout and design of the property, the ease of use of all the appliances, the comfort of the beds, the range and quality of kitchen equipment and, most importantly, the cleanliness.

All properties are cleaned between arrivals so all you have to do when you get there is unpack and put the kettle on. There is no extra charge for cleaning, unless extra, heavy cleaning is required after you leave, or you do not leave the property and its contents as you found them. Please see our booking conditions for full details, especially the 'Your property' section.

Many properties have gardens where you can enjoy peace and privacy. Most properties also offer space for off-road parking; details are stated in the individual property description. If a property has on-road parking, please note that no guarantee can be provided about the availability of such parking. If you require an enclosed garden suitable for children and pets, please check with your Sales Adviser when you book, or use the search facility on our website. You must not leave children or pets unsupervised in the garden. Please note that enclosed does not mean impenetrable.

Most property owners provide linen and towels at no extra charge, and if this is the case, it is stated in the property description. If linen is supplied, this does not include cot linen which you should bring for cots (including pillows and blankets or duvets). Some property owners prefer to hire their bed linen and/or towels. If this is offered, you must remember to request this at the time of booking. The website description or your call centre Sales Adviser will let you know the additional cost prior to booking.

All properties have a standard TV with free to view channels unless otherwise stated. Any advertised TVs do not feature subscription services, like Sky and Virgin, unless specifically stated. For overseas TV services the national language will be used unless otherwise stated.

In most cases, there is no additional charge for electricity, gas or other fuels to heat the property, including water. Where charges are made, this is detailed in the property description or you will be made aware when booking the property. Sometimes electricity/gas is supplied using a slot or card meter, so please check and if necessary have a supply of coins with you. Water heating may form part of a general charge for heating, so a small charge for water heating may be levied even in the summer months.

Some property owners may require a payment of a security deposit in cash (local currency) on arrival at your accommodation. The amount will be advised to you before you book and will be shown on your confirmation. The security deposit will be refunded by the owner at the end of your stay (less any costs for breakages, damages etc. if applicable). Please see our booking conditions for full details.

Many property owners provide cots and high chairs free of charge, but please note that where they do so, they may not necessarily offer other infant equipment. Please check when booking and look out for properties that are especially suitable for babies and toddlers, where much more equipment is provided. Your sales adviser can assist or click here. Cots and highchairs must conform to British or European standards. If they are damaged or deficient in anyway then tell the owner.

Many of the properties we feature are all on one level with no internal stairs or have at least one bedroom and a bathroom downstairs. Where a property is described as having easy walking access, a visitor using a walking aid should have no difficulty in gaining access to the principal rooms (sitting room, dining room, the kitchen, one of the bedrooms, a toilet and a bathroom or shower room) and the garden. Please ensure at the time of booking that the property matches your individual needs, particularly relating to access to the property and garden. Simply call us and we'll be happy to give you further details.

We work very hard with all property owners to ensure that you will have an enjoyable stay. However, in the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with your accommodation, then it is very important that you inform the owner or caretaker straight away and do not wait until you return home, when the chance of actively helping you has passed. Even if you think nothing could be done to make your situation better, you must say something during your stay. If you are dissatisfied with the response of an owner or caretaker, please contact us while you are still at the property. Do not wait until you return home. Please see our Booking Conditions for further information on the complaints procedure.

Yes, we are proud to be a member of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents). We have voluntarily signed up to their Code of Practice and are committed to providing you with a high standard of service. Our membership number is Y0662 / L4801. If you book an overseas package holiday through us, your money is protected by our bond with ABTA. Please see our booking conditions for full details.

ABTA number: Y0662/L4801

Company name: The Hoseasons Group Limited Address: Stoney Bank, Earby, Barnoldswick, BB94 0AA

- Why should you book your holiday with an ABTA registered company? Click here to visit the ABTA website for information on benefits and financial Protection

- For information and advice on travelling abroad click here to visit the Foreign and Commonweath Office (FCO) website.

- For information and advice on health requirements and vaccinations when travelling abroad Click here to visit the NHS travel health website

We are committed to featuring quality holiday cottages and that's why we will ask you to kindly complete a Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire on your return. Customer comments and suggestions provide valuable information on how their owners can further improve the holiday cottages and we can improve our service. Please take the time to fill in your questionnaire- your opinion is valued. If your booking has been made on our website, or you have registered an e-mail address with us, then you will receive the questionnaire via email.

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We can also assist you with your booking on the telephone 7 days a week.

If you are experiencing problems viewing a virtual tour, the following information may be useful to assist in resolving the problem.

Java Virtual Machine is a piece of software required to play the virtual tours featured on our website. Some versions of Windows, particularly early editions of Windows XP, do not include support for Java Virtual Machine.

Now Microsoft have resolved the issue and users can obtain the Java Virtual Machine software with Service Pack 1, part of the 'Windows Update' available to all Windows users to keep their computers up to date with the latest fixes and improvements. Simply connect to the Internet and click on 'Windows Update' in your start menu.

Some users may also experience problems if they have disabled Java in their Internet Browser settings. The default setting is to have Java enabled, but some users choose to disable this. To check, click 'Tools' and then 'Internet Options'. If you are not using Windows or would like to find out more about Java, visit www.java.com