TERMS & CONDITIONS

To ensure you enjoy your stay with us, we ask that you respect the holiday property and neighbours by abiding by The NSW Code of Conduct for Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA Code) and the George Brand Real Estate (GBRE) Terms & Conditions below.

A breach of the STRA Code or the Terms & Conditions may result in early termination and/or loss of bond.

A copy of the STRA Code can be found by clicking here or visiting our Office.

Guests obligations under the Code include but are not limited to the following:

  • You must not make noise that unreasonably disrupts your neighbours,
  • You must not cause damage to the property, including any common property in a strata scheme, and
  • You are responsible for the actions of your visitors and must ensure they comply with the behaviour standards set out in the Code.

By making a booking you confirm you have read and understood the STRA Code and the GBRE Terms and Conditions and they are deemed to have been accepted by all guests that stay at the property.

The STRA Code has an Exclusion Register and any person listed on the Register (for having breached the Code twice) must not make a booking.

Your booking is with GBRE acting on behalf of the owner of the booked property. Guests are granted permission to occupy the property for the term of the booking; this is not a Residential Tenancy Agreement.

PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE A VERY STRICT NO PARTY POLICY WHICH ALSO INCLUDES VISITORS OF GUESTS.

Our Local Residents and Landlords are very sensitive to disturbances of any kind, therefore disturbance will not be accepted – this includes conversing late into the night on balconies. Guests must respect the peaceful nature of the location.

We accept normal wear and tear on the accommodation, if however, there are damages due to but not limited to, (or excess cleaning required), cigarette burns and marks, damage and stains to soft furnishings, broken crockery and glass or any other damage by Guests. we reserve the right to deduct the cost of these from the credit card account holder of the Guest should this be necessary.

The property shall not be used by more than the number of guests listed on your booking, either to visit or to stay, without written approval. Pets are not permitted unless specifically noted in your booking and paid for where applicable. Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside or outside the property. No commercial activity is to take place at the property. Tents, caravans and other structures are not to be erected or occupied at the property.

The responsible/registered renter must be at least 21 years of age, guests under 21 are of course welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The price of the booking is subject to change, if there is a change in price you will be notified and offered the opportunity to pay the increased tariff or get a full refund.

If you encounter an issue, please contact us immediately so that we can attempt to fix it. We will not offer any compensation unless we have been afforded the opportunity to solve a problem.

BOOKINGS AND PAYMENTS

To proceed with a booking with GBRE, the following applies:

  • 50% of the tariff plus a booking fee is required as a deposit to confirm the booking and is payable at the time of the booking (with the exception of Christmas re-bookings)
  • Balance of the tariff is due within 14 days prior to arrival
  • Booking Fee $50
  • Weekend Bookings – 100% of tariff payable immediately
  • Other payment conditions apply to certain properties (you will be advised if this applies to your booking)
  • If changes are made to bookings once the booking is made, we reserve the right to charge an additional fee of $75 for any changes made, including but not limited to change of property, change of name of registered guest or number of people.

RE-BOOKINGS

GBRE will only confirm a re-booking where the payments have made in accordance with the following:

  • Christmas Holiday Booking - $250.00 to hold booking payable immediately (non-refundable).  50% of tariff due 15th July.  Balance of tariff due 1st December
  • Easter Holiday Booking - $250.00 to hold booking payable immediately (non-refundable).  50% of tariff due 30th October.  Balance of tariff due 1st March
  • October School Holiday Booking - $250.00 to hold booking payable immediately (non-refundable).  50% of tariff due 1st July.  Balance of tariff due 1st September

CANCELLATIONS

If you cancel your booking the following applies:

  • A refund will only be available when the property is fully re-let for the same period at the same rent.
  • All cancellations must be in writing/email and are subject to a $200 cancellation/handling fee.
  • No refund of any unused portion of a confirmed holiday booking will be made.
  • Booking fees and credit card fees are not refundable
  • Travel insurance is recommended particularly for high-cost bookings.
  • GBRE does not offer refunds or reschedule bookings due to weather events or natural disasters.
  • No refunds will be given for late arrivals, early departures or unused days.

BOND / SECURITY DEPOSIT

As a condition of rental, guests are required to pay a bond and/or provide credit card details to enable a bond/pre-authorisation to be completed. The bond amount will vary depending on the property but at a minimum will be $1,000 (more for prestigious properties). Unless otherwise agreed prior to arrival, GBRE requires the organization of all bonds to be by credit card.

If a guest, or any person present in the premises with a guest’s permission breaches any of these Terms and Conditions, GBRE is authorized, to claim the full amount of the bond. Where the value of the loss or damage caused by the breach of these Terms and Conditions exceeds the value of the bond, GBRE has the right to recover from the guest any costs incurred as a result of the breach. An additional fee of $22 will be charged if a bond claim is required to be processed. GBRE will arrange for the refund of bonds after the property has been vacated as soon as possibly unless a problem is encountered.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF HOLIDAY LETTING
The premises are let for holiday accommodation purposes only. All bookings are made for the dates as shown on the response email/letter/receipt and are taken in good faith by George Brand Real Estate (‘GBRE’) however; bookings may be subject to change prior to the commencement of the booking. All advance deposits are accepted on behalf of the current owner of the premises and GBRE will not accept responsibility for any decision, action or arrangement of the current or a new owner of the premises, including but not limited to, the sale of the property, withdrawal from rental, the property being rendered uninhabitable, a change in the accommodation fee or the alteration of the property in any way prior to your occupation. GBRE reserves the right to cancel any booking should anything arise, which in GBREs’ opinion renders the booking impractical, including misrepresentation of the booking by the guest. GBRE will attempt to notify you as soon as possible and to use their reasonable endeavours to arrange alternative accommodation or dates suitable to you, failing which all deposit monies paid will be refunded, but no other claim, right, action or demand shall exist in or be made by either party.

KEYS
The premises should be available after 2.00pm on the day of your arrival and are to be vacated by 10.00am on the day of your departure, unless prior arrangements have been made and a late checkout fee paid. During December/January check-in is 3.00pm. Keys are to be collected from GBRE’s Avoca Beach Office. On arrival guests will be required to sign the Guest Registration Form and in some cases may be required to provide ID. If you intend to arrive after hours, please notify the office so alternate arrangements can be made (after hours check–ins incur a fee from $25.00 a representative of GBRE will meet you with the keys).

CLEANING
If on arrival by a guest the premises are unclean, or it comes to the attention of the guest that the premises have been damaged, the guest must promptly notify GBRE and allow GBRE, or its agents, contractors or employees access to the premises for the purposes of inspection or repair.

LOSS AND DAMAGE
GBRE and the owner of the premises are not responsible for, and guests hereby release them from any liability in respect of, any injury, debt, damage, loss, cost, delay, expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by events beyond GBRE or the owner’s control.
No responsibility is taken for guests’ personal property left in, on or near the premises. Doors and windows at the premises should be secured at ALL times. It is recommended that guests take out personal property insurance. A fee of $20.00 plus postage costs will be payable if GBRE staff are required to collect/return items left by guests. Lost property is only held for 7 days.

DAMAGES, LOSSES AND BREAKAGES
The guest will be responsible for damage to the property or premises or loss of or damage to any items at the property, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, floors and floor coverings, furniture and fittings, kitchen utensils, crockery, glassware, cutlery and the guest will pay to the agent, GBRE, the full cost of replacement or repair of any such items damaged or lost. All damage, breakages and losses are to be reported to GBRE immediately. All furniture and equipment must be left in the premises as originally found ie: furniture should not be moved. Umbrellas should not be left up, when not in use during occupancy please lower them as strong winds can cause damage.  You will be responsible for any such damage. 

Guests will be responsible for costs incurred for retuning TV/DVD’s which have been detuned by guests or by the attachment of electronic devices, play stations etc.

Guests are responsible for the safekeeping and replacement of accommodation keys/remote controls. Guests requiring a key from a GBRE representative after office hours will be charged a minimum service fee of $50.

NOISE AND PARTIES
All accommodation is for residential purposes only. Functions, parties and extra guests are strictly not allowed and PENALTIES APPLY. Any type of function, party or get-together will incur a MINIMUM non-negotiable function fee of $500 and immediate eviction will occur without refund for any unused stay. In addition GBRE will be entitled to claim the bond where any cleaning is required or damage results to the premises.

If it is brought to the attention of GBRE that the booking is one of a “Schoolies” or “Buck’s party” nature GBRE has the right to cancel the booking immediately and the full amount of the accommodation will not be refunded. GBRE will also evict all persons from the property immediately. In addition GBRE will be entitled to claim the bond where any cleaning is required or damage results to the premises.

GOOD NEIGHBOUR POLICY
Occupation of premises which, GBRE deems has caused nuisance or annoyance to neighbouring or adjoining occupiers will be terminated immediately and the full bond forfeited and any costs incurred following misuse of the premises will be payable by the guest or charged against the credit card tendered.

Premises are furnished to the individual property owner’s taste and style and GBRE takes no responsibility for any unmet expectations of guests, or any changes made by the owner to the décor, furnishings and equipment in the premises.

INSPECTIONS AND REPAIRS
Any repairs, maintenance or service reported and requested by guests to be effected to the premises or any equipment provided at the premises, and/or deemed necessary by GBRE, will be effected as soon as practicable, however no recompense will be negotiated due to the failure of any services, equipment or other contents provided at the premises. Guests are required to allow repair and or service personnel to enter the premises during reasonable hours by arrangement (and at any time in an emergency) for the purpose of conducting any repairs, maintenance or service. Guests requesting a service call which is subsequently found not to be required will be charged the applicable service call-out fee.

In the event of the premises being offered for sale, you may be required to allow prospective purchasers to view the premises at reasonable times by appointment.

PARKING
In the case of apartments, units and villas - car parking or carports are usually numbered. Extra vehicles, boats, etc., are to be parked outside the grounds, or other satisfactory arrangements made with GBRE.

CLEANING
If guests do not leave the premises neat and tidy GBRE will charge the guest an additional minimum cleaning fee of $50. All food and beverage items must be removed from the refrigerator.  Any spillages, fridge and kitchen benches must be wiped, dishes washed, dried and put away clean, BBQ cleaned, lights, fans and air conditioning turned off and all garbage placed in the appropriate garbage bin.  All items including furniture, outdoor furniture, umbrellas, cutlery, crockery, kitchen utensils must be returned to their original positions. 

PETS AND SMOKING
In accordance with health authority regulations, dogs and pets are not allowed under any circumstances, unless specified and approved by GBRE in writing. Smoking is not permitted in any of our properties (both inside and outside on balconies). Smoking in any property is cause for an immediate non-release of the bond taken for each booking.  

LINEN
All premises are fully equipped with the exception of linen, which is not provided unless specified (e.g. sheets, pillow cases, towels, bath mats, tea towels, tablecloths etc). Linen is available for hire from Avoca Beach Launderette on 4382 3882.

NUMBER OF GUESTS
The maximum number of persons (including children) permitted to occupy the premises shall not exceed the number of beds at the property. Overcrowding and extra guests are not allowed.

VACATING
The property must be vacated on time (penalty fees apply for late check-out without arrangement) and secured with windows & doors locked. All keys and remotes must be returned to GBRE’s office immediately after vacation of the premises. The guest acknowledges and agrees GBRE is not required to undertake an inspection of the property in the presence of the guest on vacation of the property.

GARBAGE
The garbage and recycle bins will be collected Thursday night in Avoca Beach, North Avoca, Terrigal, Wamberal and Forresters Beach and Sunday night in Copacabana and Macmasters Beach. Occupying guests must put the bins on the kerbside with handle facing the property. Excess garbage, bottles and boxes or incorrectly filled bins will not be collected by Council and must be removed and disposed of by guests, or arrangements made with GBRE and a minimum fee of $80 paid.

BUILDING WORKS
In the event of any renovation/building work being carried out near the holiday premises, such work is beyond the control of GBRE and the owner and GBRE cannot accept responsibility for any disturbance, noise or inconvenience guests may suffer as a result. No discount will be negotiated in these circumstances.

DISCLAIMER
Any printed, written or verbal description of the premises or position by GBRE or an employee of GBRE is made in good faith and to the best of our knowledge; however no responsibility for mis-description, errors or omissions will be accepted. All courtesy will be given on genuine dissatisfaction. Any information or terms and conditions contained in holiday brochures or related websites are subject to alteration without notice, and to the extent of any inconsistency, these terms and conditions prevail.

PLEASE READ THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF YOUR HOLIDAY LETTING CONTRACT CAREFULLY AS ANY DEPARTURE FROM THESE COULD PERMIT THE OWNER OR AGENT TO REFUSE THE KEY, AMEND THE RENT OR IMMEDIATELY TERMINATE THE OCCUPANCY.