Accommodation Cancellation Policy

[Notshortnottall]

This may mean we're up a creek without a paddle but would appreciate views from those more learned than me. Brief summary is:

1. Partner booked a short break in the UK for us in late October '23, costing nearly £400, for a Friday to Sunday stay
2. One of our children became quite unwell 5 days before we were due to go. This was flagged with accommodation as it likely meant we would be unable to go.
3. Discussion followed and break was rearranged for late January - although accommodation would only let us book a Monday-Weds stay as it was a rearrangement.
4. In early January, our only childcare cover evaporated (hospitalised) for the foreseeable future and as we can't take the kids out of school, again contacted accommodation to assess options.
5. We've worked with accommodation to suggest other potential dates (e.g. to suit others than might be able to go Wed-Fri) but this was refused, offered to pay extra to go at a weekend (so we can take kids) but this was refused, tried to sell (but no one really wants a Mon-Weds stay) and ultimately reached an amicable impasse.

Questions

• Accommodation has stated that we either go on the dates agreed, or forfeit what's been paid.
• Given the notice provided, I can understand that there will be penalties applicable - but to have to forfeit the whole sum seems unreasonable (although this is my subjective view!) - but is it enforceable?
• The T&Cs state:

Website says said:

A full refund is provided for cancellations up to 30 days before check-in. If booked fewer than 30 days before check-in, a full refund is available for cancellations made within 48 hours of booking and at least 14 days before check-in. After that, 50% refund is available up to 7 days before check-in. But unfortunately there are no refunds after that.

• Re: the 7 days stipulation in the above - is that legal / enforceable?
• From a big of Googling, I can't find a great deal about what T&Cs are reasonable (i.e. surely you can't just write anything and expect it to be binding?) but I can find that the "provision of accommodation" is subject to a different set of consumer rights - although not entirely clear what they are?
• As things stand, we're due to lose the entire amount as we simply cannot go and cannot find anyone else to take it. As above, I can understand some charges being applicable but do they need to demonstrate loss equivalent to the value in order to justify keeping the full sum?

As I say, subjectively aggrieved that this could be a £400 lesson but wanting to understand my position before further responding.

As an aside, anyone want a lovely break in a North Wales cottage (with hot tub!) for cheap?

[5lab]

for accomodation its reasonable and pretty easy to demonstrate - if no-one else stayed then they've lost the money.

[rlg43p]

I have a holiday let and can understand their position. They would potentially have lost two periods of income due to your rearrangements - if they hve not been able to rebook.

We let our property through Sykes cottages. If you book through them you would not even have been given the option of postponing the first booking - having a travel insurance policy might cover you for that fee.

If I take a booking directly I say that we will only refund if we manage to rebook the same days/week. At this late notice there's really no chanceof that happening - particularly in January.

[E-bmw]

Unfortunately the Ts & Cs sound reasonable to me (IANAL) and as you completed the booking you effectively agreed to be bound by them.

I know this will be too late & apologise for being unhelpful, but as we regularly do weekends/mid-week stays away we always take out annual multi-trip holiday insurance which rarely works out more than 20% more than a single trip insurance policy for a single holiday away.

Another avenue to consider, is did you pay by credit card as that may give you other help.

Also does your bank account give you limited holiday cover as many "paid for" current accounts do.

Good luck.