General Terms and Conditions Hoeve – Lakerhof

These general terms and conditions apply to all reservations, quotations, and agreements concerning a stay in the holiday home(s) of Hoeve-Lakerhof, located in Kessenich (Kinrooi), Belgium, hereinafter referred to as “the landlord” or “Hoeve-Lakerhof”.

By making a reservation, paying a deposit, signing an agreement, or confirming a booking, the tenant declares to have read these terms and conditions and to accept them without reservation.

Deviations from these terms and conditions are only valid if they have been confirmed in writing by Hoeve-Lakerhof in advance.

Article 1 – Applicability and conclusion of the agreement

1. These general terms and conditions form an integral part of every reservation, quotation, and rental agreement concerning a stay at Hoeve-Lakerhof.
2. A reservation can be made via the website, email, telephone, or a recognized booking platform.
3. The agreement becomes definitively concluded at the moment Hoeve-Lakerhof confirms the reservation in writing or digitally and the agreed payment has been received.
4. The main tenant or main booker must be at least 18 years old and remains jointly and severally liable during the stay for all obligations arising from the agreement, both for themselves and for all co-guests and visitors.

Article 2 – Reservation and payment conditions

1. A reservation constitutes a definitive commitment to rent the holiday home for the agreed period.
2. A down payment of 30% of the total rental amount plus the security deposit must be paid upon booking.
3. The balance of the rental amount and any additional costs must be paid no later than 14 days before arrival.
4. For bookings made within 14 days before arrival, the full rental amount is due immediately.
5. In the event of late payment, Hoeve-Lakerhof reserves the right to dissolve the agreement by operation of law, cancel the reservation, or re-rent the property.
6. In that case, amounts already paid remain due as compensation.
7. The tourist does not have a right of withdrawal in accordance with Article VI.45, §1, 11° of the Code of Economic Law, as this concerns the rental of accommodation for a specific period.

Article 3 – Non-payment and re-renting

1. If the tenant fails to pay the outstanding balance on time and does not do so within a reasonable period after notice of default, Hoeve-Lakerhof has the right to re-rent the holiday home.
2. If re-renting proves possible, the tenant remains liable for any difference between the original and new rental price, plus an administrative fee of 25% of the original rental sum.
3. If re-renting proves impossible, the full rental sum remains due.

Article 4 – Security deposit

• The security deposit amounts to € 300, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• The security deposit must be paid at the time of reservation.
• The security deposit covers:
  • damage to the building, garden, or inventory;
  • loss or damage to goods;
  • additional cleaning costs;
  • violations of these general terms and conditions.
• The deposit will be refunded within 14 days after departure, following an inspection of the property and settlement of any outstanding amounts.
• If the assessed damage exceeds the amount of the deposit, the tenant remains liable for the full amount of the damage.

Article 5 – Cancellation by the tenant

Cancellations must always be communicated in writing or by email.

The following cancellation fees apply:

1. More than 60 days before arrival: Administrative fee of € 75
2. Up to 30 days before arrival: 50% of the rental sum
3. Up to 14 days before arrival: 75% of the rental sum
4. Less than 14 days before arrival, no-show, or early departure: 100% of the rental sum

We recommend that every tenant take out personal cancellation insurance.

Article 6 – Cancellation by Hoeve-Lakerhof

1. Hoeve-Lakerhof may cancel the agreement if the accommodation cannot be made available due to force majeure, fire, water damage, technical defects, natural disasters, epidemics, government measures, or other circumstances beyond its control.
2. In that case, amounts already paid will be fully refunded within 14 days, or a voucher may be offered by mutual agreement.
3. Hoeve-Lakerhof is not liable for any additional compensation.

Article 7 – Use of the holiday home

• The holiday home is rented out exclusively for temporary recreational stays.
• It is prohibited:
  • to use the property as a primary residence;
  • to establish one’s domicile at the address;
  • to carry out professional activities from the property;
  • to sublet the property or transfer the stay without written permission;
  • to allow more persons to stay than the agreed maximum;
  • to organize parties, events, or gatherings without prior written permission;
  • to use the property for illegal activities.
• Only children’s beds may be added above the maximum occupancy after prior permission.
• Unregistered visitors are not permitted to stay overnight without permission from Hoeve-Lakerhof.

Artikel 8 – Aankomst en vertrek

1. Check-in is possible from 16:00 on the day of arrival, unless otherwise agreed.
2. Check-out must take place no later than 11:00 on the day of departure.
3. An additional fee may be charged for late departure.
4. The tenant will receive instructions regarding key handover before arrival.
5. Duplicating keys is prohibited.
6. Loss of keys or access devices will be charged in full to the tenant.

Article 9 – House Rules, Peace and Safety

The tenant undertakes to behave as a careful and reasonable person.

More specifically, the following applies:

1. Respect for neighbors, nature, and the environment is mandatory.
2. Quiet hours apply between 22:00 and 08:00.
3. Noise disturbances must be avoided at all times.
4. In the event of serious or repeated nuisance, Hoeve-Lakerhof may terminate the stay immediately without refund.
5. Moving furniture or equipment without permission is prohibited.
6. Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and other safety devices must never be removed, covered, or disabled.
7. Open fires are permitted only if explicit permission has been given.

Article 10 – Pets

1. Pets are only permitted after prior written permission from Hoeve-Lakerhof.
2. Hoeve-Lakerhof may charge a surcharge for this.
3. The owner of the pet remains fully liable for all damage, soiling, or nuisance caused by the animal.
4. If pets are not permitted or have not been reported in advance, access to the property may be refused without the right to a refund.

Article 11 – Smoking

1. Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas of Hoeve-Lakerhof.
2. In the event of a violation, a minimum of €250 will be charged for extra cleaning and deodorization, without prejudice to higher actual damages or additional costs.

Article 12 – Final Cleaning

• The holiday home must be left tidy.
• At a minimum, it is expected that:
  • waste is correctly sorted and disposed of;
  • the dishes are washed and put away;
  • the refrigerator is emptied;
  • furniture is returned to its original place;
  • the barbecue and kitchen are left tidy;
  • the property is left broom-clean.
• If the property is not left in a normal condition, additional cleaning costs will be charged.
• Excessive soiling, smoke damage, or left-behind waste may result in additional costs that will be deducted from the deposit.

Article 13 – Damage, Liability, and Insurance

• The tenant is liable for all damage caused by themselves, fellow guests, visitors, or pets.
• Damage, defects, or irregularities must be reported immediately.
• Damaged, lost, or missing items will be charged at replacement value.
• The stay is entirely at your own risk.
• Hoeve-Lakerhof is not liable for:
  • loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings;
  • accidents in or around the accommodation;
  • temporary malfunctions of utilities, internet, television, or technical installations;
  • nuisance caused by work or circumstances beyond its control;
  • cases of force majeure.
• Forgotten items can be forwarded upon request at the tenant’s expense.

Article 14 – Inventory, Complaints, and Reporting Obligation

1. Any remarks regarding inventory, cleanliness, damage, or defects must be reported no later than 24 hours after arrival.
2. Hoeve-Lakerhof will always be given the opportunity to resolve a reported problem itself first.
3. Complaints reported only after departure can no longer be processed.

Article 15 – Utilities

1. Unless stated otherwise, normal costs for water, electricity, and heating are included in the rental price.
2. In the event of exceptional or excessive consumption, Hoeve-Lakerhof reserves the right to charge additional costs.
3. If consumption is billed separately, this is done on the basis of meter readings and the energy rates applicable at that time.

Article 16 – Force Majeure

1. Force majeure includes, but is not limited to: natural disasters, fire, floods, pandemics, epidemics, government measures, strikes, technical defects, and other circumstances beyond the control of Hoeve-Lakerhof.
2. In such cases, Hoeve-Lakerhof cannot be held liable for any damages or costs.
3. If a stay becomes impossible due to force majeure, Hoeve-Lakerhof may, at its own discretion, refund amounts already paid or offer a voucher worth the amount paid.
4. Any voucher remains valid for at least twelve months.

Artikel 17 – Privacy

Personal data is processed exclusively within the framework of the execution of the agreement, reservation management, administration, and legal obligations, in accordance with applicable privacy legislation (GDPR).

Article 18 – Applicable law and competent court

1. Belgian law applies exclusively to all agreements and these general terms and conditions.
2. Disputes fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the judicial district of Limburg, Tongeren division.

Article 19 – Acceptance

By making a reservation, paying a deposit, signing an agreement, or confirming a booking, the renter declares to have fully read, understood, and accepted these general terms and conditions without reservation.