1. The contract
Your holiday contract is with Siculus, Jochen Beyer, Contrada Fiumara SNC, 96017 Noto (SR), Italy, VAT IT01985890894, acting as a legal agent for the respective house owner. By placing a definite booking the client offers Siculus a contract with legally binding effect. A booking can be placed by telephone, by fax or by email. Thereafter you will receive a written booking confirmation. The receipt of a signed booking form and a deposit is deemed to be a firm booking and it is assumed that the renter has the authority to accept, and does accept on behalf of all his party, the terms of these booking conditions.

2. Payment
When you confirm your booking we require  a 30% deposit. The full balance of your booking is due as stated in your booking confirmation. If the deposit or full balance is not received within the specified time stated in the booking confirmation there is no obligation for Siculus to fulfill the booking contract.

3. Refundable damages deposit
A deposit indicated in the confirmation is required on handing over of the property, to be refunded on return of the property and keys, after an examination of the property’s condition and completed inventory check.

4. Price
The prices you see on your day of booking on the website is the price you will be charged, as confirmed on the booking form.

5. Services
Concerning the services offered by Siculus, Siculus is acting as an agent between the client and the owner. The contract is done in the name of the owner. All claim for damages from the client have to be made to the owner.

6. Property descriptions
The descriptions and information on the website are personally written by a member of staff and are made in good faith. It is possible that changes in facilities may occur without our knowledge. In this event we will endeavor to inform you of any changes, once known, but cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies which are beyond our control. Water and electricity supplies are often not as reliable as in other European countries, interruptions of supply do occur. We cannot be held responsible for these supplies or any other lack of facility beyond our reasonable control.

7. Force Majuere
If we have to cancel or change your travel arrangements in any way because of war, terrorism, riot, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, adverse weather conditions or any other unforeseen circumstances that may amount to Force Majuere. We will refund all rental charges which have been paid until then and no further claim can be made.

8. Building works
Building works and the resulting noise from the site can take place at any time during the year on an adjoining or nearby property and land. If this work is affecting your holiday please report this to our representative immediately. Obviously this is beyond the control of our agents, or ourselves, but we will make an effort to have the work stopped if possible. Unfortunately we do not receive advance notice of when building works will begin as they are carried out by third parties over which we have no control. Whilst we can assure you we will do our best to minimise any inconvenience or interruption to your holiday, we regret that this is a ‘Force Majeure’ and we do not accept any liability or will pay any compensation.

9. Liability
The use of all facilities in your villa or apartment is at your own risk, no compensation can be claimed. For the avoidance of doubt Siculus is not responsible for any loss (also in case of a burglary), damage, illness, adverse weather conditions or other matters beyond his control and advises the hirer to take out adequate holiday insurance.
You are responsible for any damage caused by you, your cohabitants, your pets, and guests, to your holiday accommodation, except by persons not known to you or us and unconnected with the contract between us, during your stay and any charges levied by the owner in this respect must be met by you and paid locally. We can end your holiday if your behaviour or that of any member of your party is likely in our opinion to cause distress, damage, danger to or to annoy other customers, employees, accommodation or anyone else.

10. Swimming Pools
Swimming pools by their very nature carry their own inherent risks.  You must ensure that you and all members of your party take great care when using or being near any swimming pool(s) at the property where you are staying. You should for example make sure you and all members of your party are aware of the depth(s) and layout of the pool prior to use and that all persons walk rather than run around or near the pool. Children must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult. Parents are responsible for their children.

11. If you have a complaint
If you have a complaint during your holiday please inform us as soon as possible and we will of course endeavor to correct matters promptly. IF YOU DO NOT CONTACT OUR REPRESENTATIVE WHILST IN THE PREMISES, THIS MAY EFFECT YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THIS CONTRACT.

12. Your holiday villa
The holiday villa can only be used by the number of persons mentioned within the booking confirmation. If more than the number of mentioned persons uses the holiday villa, Siculus is entitled to immediately cancel the contract without further obligation to Siculus. The client is not entitled to a refund of the rental price. The renter is responsible for the correct behaviour of the whole party throughout the period of the rental.  Anti social behaviour may result in eviction from the property without notice or refund.

No parties or celebrations may take place unannounced in the holiday home, and no relatives or friends may stay in the house without prior arrangement.

The renter is responsible for the condition of the property and all its contents during the rental period (fair wear and tear excepted). The renter will make good all damage or loss and leave the property and contents in a clean and tidy condition. No pets are allowed without prior permission.

13. Arrival and departure
All guests are required to vacate their property by 10.00 hours on day of departure to facilitate cleaning and servicing prior to incoming guests arrival. You may occupy your property from 15.00 hours and personal handover can be arranged up to 20.00 hours.

14. Owner access
The owners reserve the right to visit their property at any time to undertake essential repairs, maintenance, pool cleaning and gardening.

15. If you cancel your holiday
– For cancellations up to 90 days before the start of the stay, we refund 100%.
We only charge an administration fee of 50 €.

– For cancellations up to 60 days before the start of the stay, 50% of the total amount is due.

– Cancellations made less than 60 days before the start of the stay are due the full amount.

In agreement, it is possible to provide a substitute partner under the same rental conditions. The handling fee for a rebooking or cancellation is EUR 50,- incl. VAT.

If you cancel or change your booking a administration fee of 50,- € incl. VAT will be charged in addition to above cancellation fees. The above changes are suggested so they relate to the payment of deposit and final balance of payment, and to ensure all charges quoted in Euro.
If you cancel your holiday on the day of departure due to circumstances beyond your control, compensation or refunds will not be payable by ourselves and any such claims should be forwarded to your insurers.  If you curtail your booking (i.e. late arrival or early departure) for whatever reason, no refunds will be payable for any unused nights accommodation.

Covid regulation:
– In the event of a closure of the Italian national borders or a regional lockdown, you will of course be refunded any payments you have already made. We can also convert the amount into a credit for a stay at a later date.
– In all other cases, the above cancellation conditions apply.
– For better protection, we recommend that you take out insurance in your country of origin or country of residence.
– If you fall ill with Covid-19 before your trip or during your holiday, this is not a reason for reimbursement. Various insurance companies offer corona travel cover here.

16. If we cancel your holiday
In the unlikely event that we have to cancel your booking due to circumstances beyond our control, we will offer you a accommodation of a similar or higher standard, subject to availability. If the available alternatives are not acceptable to you we will refund in full the cost of the accommodation.
We reserve the right to cancel your booking under the following circumstances:
1. If the client or one of the persons within the group or family consciously damage the house or the facilities of the house. In this case the remaining rental price will not be refunded.
2. If the deposit or full balance is not paid by the required date and no answer is received after sending a reminder with a fixed deadline.