Character Stays (EVL Stays Ltd) – Booking Terms & Conditions
 

Last updated: 01/01/2026 Please read carefully before booking. By making a booking request (online, by email or by phone), the lead guest agrees to these Booking Terms.
 

1. Welcome (definitions and how these terms work)
 

1.1 Who’s who

 

 

“We”, “us”, “our”: EVL Stays Ltd, trading as Character Stays.

 

“You”, “your”: the lead guest making the booking.

 

“Guests”: everyone staying at the property under your booking.

 

“Property”: the accommodation you book.

 

“Booking”: your reservation of a Property for the dates confirmed.

 

“Booking Confirmation”: our written confirmation (usually by email) that your Booking is accepted.

 

“Booking Details”: the details shown during booking and in your Booking Confirmation (Property, dates, guest numbers, pet permission, price, rules, any special conditions).

 

“Total Charges”: the total amount payable for your Booking, including any agreed extras.

 

“Deposit”: 50% of the Total Charges, payable at the time of booking.

 

“Balance”: the remaining 50% of the Total Charges.

 

“Balance Due Date”: 5 days before check-in.
 

1.2 Your booking contract

Your booking contract is directly with EVL Stays Ltd (trading as Character Stays).
 

1.3 Other policies

Additional policies may apply (for example: privacy/cookies, house rules, check-in information). Where provided, they form part of your Booking.
 

1.4 Changes to these Booking Terms

We may update these Booking Terms from time to time by publishing an updated version. Updates will not apply to Bookings already confirmed unless required by law.
 

2. Making your booking
 

2.1 Eligibility
 

To make a Booking you must:

 

be 18 years or over;

 

have the legal capacity to enter a binding contract;

 

provide accurate contact information and payment details.
 

2.2 What you confirm
 

By making a Booking you confirm that:

 

all information you provide is true, accurate, current and complete;

 

you accept these Booking Terms on behalf of yourself and all Guests;

 

you will comply with the Booking Details and house rules.
 

2.3 When your booking is confirmed
 

A Booking is only confirmed when we send you a Booking Confirmation.
 

2.4 Your responsibility to check the Booking Confirmation
 

Please check your Booking Confirmation promptly and tell us as soon as possible if anything looks wrong.
 

2.5 Our right to refuse or cancel
 

We may refuse a Booking request or cancel a Booking (including after confirmation) where we reasonably believe:

 

the Booking is not legitimate;

 

information provided is false, misleading, or insufficient;

 

the lead guest fails ID checks (see section 9);

 

you have breached these Booking Terms previously;

 

there is a safety, security, or operational reason that makes the Booking unsuitable.
 

If we cancel for these reasons, you may not be entitled to a refund (see section 5 and 12).
 

3. Nature of stay (holiday + contractor stays; no tenancy)
 

3.1 Holiday bookings
 

Where the Booking is for holiday purposes, it is intended to be an excluded holiday let agreement under Section 3A of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977. It does not create a tenancy and does not give security of tenure.
 

3.2 Contractor / work stays
 

Where the Booking is for work/contractor purposes, it is a short-term licence to occupy and is not intended to create a tenancy.
 

4. Prices and payment
 

4.1 What you’ll pay

 

The Total Charges will be shown to you before you confirm.

 

Payment is taken in two parts:

 

Deposit: 50% at the time of booking; and

 

Balance: the remaining 50% due 5 days before check-in.
 

4.2 If the Balance isn’t paid
 

If the Balance is not paid by the Balance Due Date, we may treat this as a cancellation by you and apply the cancellation terms in section 5.
 

4.3 Pricing errors
 

If an obvious pricing error occurs, we may cancel the Booking and refund any sums paid.
 

4.4 No damage deposit
 

We do not take a damage deposit.
 

5. Cancellations (24-hour policy)
 

5.1 Direct bookings with Character Stays

 

Cancel up to 24 hours before check-in: full refund.

 

Cancel within 24 hours of check-in, or no-show: non-refundable.
 

5.2 Third-party platform bookings

If you book via a third-party platform (e.g., Airbnb/Booking.com), the cancellation policy shown on that platform applies.
 

6. Check-in, check-out, and access

 

Standard check-in: 3:00pm

 

Standard check-out: 10:00am

 

Early check-in / late check-out may be available by arrangement and may be chargeable.
 

Access details (keys/lockbox codes) will be provided before arrival. You must keep access details confidential.
 

7. Maximum occupancy, visitors, and use
 

7.1 Maximum occupancy
 

The maximum occupancy is as stated in the listing/Booking Confirmation. You must not exceed it.
 

7.2 Visitors
 

Visitors are only permitted if allowed by the Booking Details/house rules. Parties and events are not permitted.
 

7.3 Use of the Property
 

The Property must be used as private accommodation (holiday or work stay). You must not use it for illegal purposes or any activity that risks nuisance, damage, or safety.
 

8. House rules (minimum rules)
 

You and your Guests must comply with the house rules for the Property, including:

 

No parties or events.

 

No smoking or vaping inside the Property.

 

No illegal activity.

 

Quiet hours: 11:00pm to 7:00am.
 

9. Lead guest ID requirement

 

We may require the lead guest to provide valid, in-date ID.

 

The ID must be accurate and match the booking details.

 

If acceptable ID is not provided when requested, we may refuse check-in and/or cancel/terminate the Booking.
 

10. Pets

 

Pets are only allowed where the listing/Booking Confirmation states pets are permitted.

 

Where pets are permitted, you must follow any pet rules provided for that Property.

 

If pets are brought to a non-pet Property, we may refuse entry and/or terminate the Booking.
 

11. Looking after the Property (damage, cleaning, call-outs)
 

You agree to:

 

keep the Property and contents in a reasonable condition;

 

report damage or issues promptly;

 

leave the Property in a tidy condition at check-out.
 

11.1 Charges for damage / extra cleaning
 

Although we do not take a damage deposit, you remain responsible for:

 

damage beyond fair wear and tear;

 

missing items;

 

excessive cleaning;

 

misuse-related call-outs (e.g., lockouts due to lost keys).
 

We may charge the payment method used for the Booking (or request payment) and will provide reasonable evidence of costs.
 

12. Our right to refuse entry or terminate a stay
 

We reserve the right to refuse entry and/or terminate the Booking immediately (and require you and your Guests to leave) if we reasonably believe that:

 

these Booking Terms or house rules have been broken (or are likely to be broken);

 

a party/event is taking place or planned;

 

maximum occupancy is exceeded;

 

smoking/vaping inside has occurred;

 

illegal activity is occurring;

 

the lead guest ID is invalid, out of date, or does not match the booking.
 

Where we terminate for breach, the Booking is treated as cancelled by you and no refund is due.
 

13. Access during your stay (maintenance and emergencies)
 

We (and/or our contractors) may need access for maintenance, safety checks, or repairs:

 

we will aim to give reasonable notice where practical;

 

we may enter without notice in an emergency or where urgent access is required to protect people or property.
 

14. Wi‑Fi and mobile reception
 

Where Wi‑Fi is advertised as included, we will take reasonable steps to ensure it is available, but we cannot guarantee speed, reliability, or uninterrupted service. Mobile reception can be limited in rural areas.
 

15. Complaints and issues
 

If something isn’t right, please contact us as soon as possible during your stay so we can try to resolve it.
 

16. Limitation of liability
 

Nothing in these Booking Terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any liability that cannot be excluded by law.
 

Subject to that:

 

we are not liable for losses that are not foreseeable;

 

we are not liable for indirect or consequential losses;

 

we are not liable for events outside our reasonable control (e.g., utility outages, severe weather, travel disruption).
 

17. Personal belongings
 

Guests’ belongings and vehicles are brought to the Property at your own risk. We are not responsible for loss or damage unless caused by our negligence.
 

18. Notices
 

We may contact you by email, phone, or message using the details you provided.
 

19. Entire agreement
 

These Booking Terms, the Booking Details/Booking Confirmation, and the house rules form the entire agreement between you and us.
 

20. Governing law
 

These Booking Terms are governed by English law, and disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales (unless mandatory local consumer law says otherwise).
 

21. Contact
 

EVL Stays Ltd (trading as Character Stays)Address: Archways Cottage, Crockwell Street, Long Compton, CV36 5JN email: hello@characterstays.co.uk