Terms and Conditions
Riggs Winemaking Pty Ltd trading as Mistress Block Vineyard
Definitions :
Guest(s) or Hirer(s) is the persons(s) occupying the property for the purposes of Short Term Rental.
Agent is the persons(s) authorised to manage all dealings with Guests on behalf of the Owner. The Agent can be the Owners of Mistress Block Vineyard.
IMPORTANT: To protect all parties involved in the letting of your holiday property we ask that you carefully read the following Terms and Conditions.
By making a booking and receiving a confirmation you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Indemnity: The Hirer agrees that the Hirer and any of the Hirer’s party will not hold Mistress Block Vineyard or any of its associated partners liable for any personal injury or property loss while on the Mistress Block Vineyard property located at 712 De Beyers Road, Pokolbin, NSW. All activity engaged in while on Mistress Block Vineyard property, is at the Hirer and their party’s own risk.
Guest Numbers: No more than the number of guests agreed and paid for in writing, may be on the property at any point in time without prior written permission. This means actually ON THE PROPERTY AT ANY POINT IN TIME. This includes visitors and day trippers. This is a requirement of the NSW Government Code of Conduct which has financial penalties for both you and the Owner. Mistress Block Vineyard does have video surveillance at the front of the Homestead and front gate so that we are able to monitor numbers. If extra guests /visitors are detected then we may either:
ask the extra guests to leave OR
evict the entire group at our discretion.
CODE OF CONDUCT :
New laws have come into effect from 18th December 2020 which we are required to inform you of. Please find this link to the code for your convenience to read at https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/925788/Code-of-Conduct-for-the-Short-term-Rental-Accommodation-Industry.pdf
Basically, the Code requires Guests to not at any time:
make noise that is unreasonably disruptive or interferes with the peace and comfort of neighbours and other occupants
act in a violent or threatening manner
act in a manner that could reasonably cause alarm or distress to neighbours and other occupants
use or enjoy the premises in a manner that unreasonably interferes with the use or enjoyment of common or association property in a strata or community land scheme by neighbours or other occupants
intentionally, recklessly or negligently damage the personal property of the owners, neighbours or other occupants.
A guest must not copy, or knowingly retain, any keys or security passes at the end of the occupancy.
Guests must maintain a safe distance from all animals at all times.
The Penalties are now in place and are quite harsh.
Guests who breach the above Code will be put on an Exclusion Register for 5 years and it will make them liable to be banned from being able to book any Short Term Rental in NSW.
We are required to enforce the Code of Conduct.
Your holiday property is available from 2pm on your day of arrival with a vacate time of 10am on the date of your departure, as shown on your booking confirmation. If not vacated by 10am an extra day will be charged for any late check outs unless agreed in writing otherwise. Any late departures will incur a fee if a cleaner charges for waiting time.
A guest registration form is required to be completed for all bookings. The registration form requests details of your name, address, drivers licence number as well as credit card details. Failure to comply and abide by these Terms and Conditions can result in immediate revocation of the Licence to Occupy without any refund of monies paid. Any bond issues attract a min $100 administration fee + costs. By accepting these Terms and Conditions you authorise us to charge the Guest for any breaches of this clause.
The premises are let to the person (21 or older) making the booking, and that person will be held responsible for the conduct of all guests who all must be 21 of over unless expressly agreed to in writing. The premises are let for holiday purposes, only for the period stated on the Confirmation and for the Maximum persons as agreed with the agent on the Booking Confirmation & Guest Registration form.
The premises must be left in a clean and tidy condition.
Mistress Block Vineyard is strictly NON-SMOKING and heavy bond breach penalties apply for evidence of smoking. If guests smoke outside the accommodation all cigarette butts must be picked up and placed in rubbish bins provided. We request that cigarette butts are not flicked into the bush or gardens as we have an abundance of wildlife and cigarette butts are not healthy for their environment.
Full payment is required at the time of making your booking.
a) If a cancellation is made within 30 days of your booked arrival date, you are not able to cancel without penalty and any monies paid up the time of cancellation will be forfeited upon cancellation. Please refer to the Cancellation & Refund Policy page on the website for full details.
b) Should you have booked through a third party, then their Cancellation terms will be honoured/enforced.
c) Cancellation requests must be made in writing.
d) If a guest shortens their stay or reduces guest numbers the unused portion of your rental is not refundable.
e) We recommend domestic travel insurance for anyone who may feel that the booking dates could be at risk.Each accommodation option at Mistress Block Vineyard is equipped for a specific number of guests. It is against Health Department regulations for more persons to occupy a property than there are beds to accommodate them. No extra mattresses, bedding, tents or caravans, or more cars than the property accommodates are allowed. If this property is reported to be overloaded, the guests will be asked to vacate with no refund made. If required, we may be able to arrange cots in some cases for your children at an additional charge. You authorise us to charge an immediate penalty for any detected overcrowding.
Linen, towelling and basic toiletries are provided. If you are unsure what else is provided then contact us to clarify. Please note linen must be used on all beds.
Under NO circumstances are Pets allowed on Mistress Block Vineyard unless previously stated and agreed in writing.
Guests are responsible for safekeeping of accommodation keys and/or remotes and other property. If keys and/or remotes or other property are lost you will be responsible for the changing of the locks and remotes (if applicable). Should a guest require extra keys after hours a service fee at cost is applicable. If no keys are available, guests may be liable for any costs involved in gaining entry to premises. Duplicates are NOT always available. Guest must not break in or attempt to break into premises when locked out.
All guests are responsible for any loss or damage arising from breakages or other damage to the property and/or common property during their stay, including but not limited to any additional cleaning, removal of excess garbage, repairs or replacement items in the property. Please respect the owner’s property and under no circumstance should furniture be moved including dragging across floors. A fee may be charged should this occur. Do not move items from property to property. All damage, breakages or losses to the property and/or furniture and furnishings are to be reported to the Agent/Owner within 24 hours, and paid for by the guest immediately. Should you discover a fault or breakage when you arrive, please advise us or we will consider those the responsibility of the current guest and charge accordingly. Funds will be deducted from the security deposit or the Hirers credit card if we need to make a claim which may include, but is not limited to, the following: excess cleaning fees, damage or breakages, excess garbage removal, excess guests, excess noise, disruption to neighbours/neighbour amenity, un-authorised late checkout. When the total amount claimed for damages exceeds $150.00 a minimum $100 agent’s fee may also apply. Under no circumstances should furniture be moved.
Guests are responsible for keeping the property secure during their stay and guests will be responsible for any theft or damage during their stay.
No liability is accepted for any injury, debt, damage, loss, delay, expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by events beyond the agent or owners control. No responsibility is taken for guests personal property left on or near the premises. It is recommended that guests take out personal property insurance or adequate travel insurance should any unexpected situations arise before or during your travel period.
No responsibility is taken for guests personal property left on the premises. If requested we will endeavour to recover and return items of value inadvertently left in your holiday property, but take absolutely no responsibility for the recovery or return. Postage, packaging and the delivery to the Post Office will need to be paid in advance; a minimum cost of $50 applies. Items of low value will be disposed of within 14 days.
All laws must be observed, you are in a residential area and regard must be paid to the quiet enjoyment of other occupants in the building and neighbouring properties, noise pollution is a punishable offence by law and as such we reserve the right to immediately terminate the license to occupy the property and/or lose not less than 100% of bond for any breach of this condition.
When a booking is made, the deposit is accepted for the owner at that time. If the property is sold and the ownership changes before your holiday, we cannot guarantee that the property will remain available. We cannot accept responsibility for decisions made by a new owner including cancelling your booking.
The booking is made in good faith by us but may be subject to change, alteration or cancellation at any time and at our sole discretion. We cannot accept responsibility for events out of our control.
If your holiday property is listed for sale while you are in residence, the occupier agrees to allow the owner or agent to conduct inspections with prospective purchasers at mutually convenient times, by appointment.
In the case of refurbishment, owner instructions or special event announcements, rental rates may be subject to increase without notice. Should this occur you will be notified and given the opportunity to pay the difference in tariff or receive a full refund of your deposit.
The Mistress Block Vineyard is privately owned and rented. In the event of faults and/or malfunctions of appliances or inclusions there is no obligation from the owner or The Agent to compensate or discount.
At times situations arise of which we have no control. The Agent reserves the right to move Guests to alternate accommodation (subject to availability) at their discretion or the direct instruction of the property owner. If this is the case, we will notify you as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements.
The Guest agrees to allow the Owner or nominee to enter the accommodation to arrange necessary repairs.
Should a Tradesperson/Agent be sent out upon your request to carry out a repair that was deemed by us to be unnecessary, the cost of the callout will be charged to the Hirer/Guest.
In the event of a call out after hours to the agent/owner a min $100 call out fee applies.
Web bookings description of the premises are made in good faith. Mistress Block Vineyard describe the premises, position and furnishings to the best of our ability and in good faith. No responsibility or refunds for alleged misrepresentation can be accepted. Please choose your property carefully using the information provided on our comprehensive website. There is no provision to change properties on your arrival if you are unhappy with your choice. (Other than on the basis that the full rental due be forfeited and full rental on new premises is paid prior to occupancy).
Mistress Block Vineyard is a working vineyard surrounded by other working vineyards. In the event of renovation/building/tractor/vineyard work being carried out in or near the holiday premises, such work is beyond our control and we cannot accept responsibility for any disturbance, noise or inconvenience you may suffer as a result. No discount will be negotiated for any of the above.
Tariffs are subject to change without notice.
We cannot be held responsible for bookings without prior inspection if the accommodation is deemed unsatisfactory.
Garbage Bins are provided with all properties. Please ensure that all garbage is placed in bins provided in the accommodation.
The Agent/Owner reserves the right to withhold funds from the Holding Security Deposit (including via the agreed Credit Card pre Authorisation) as a security deposit in the event of any loss or expenses arising from a breach of this agreement, not limited to extra costs incurred for repairs, cleaning and excessive rubbish removal. These credit card details will be deleted at the end of the month in which the booking occurred.
Failure to comply with any of the above conditions may result in immediate termination of your License to Occupy under the Innkeepers Act or subsequent prevailing Law at the time of booking.
We reserve the right to change the wording, add to, delete or modify these terms and conditions and this could happen at any time for any reason.