Use of the services of HOME & AWAY are in accordance with the following terms & conditions:

1/ The client must inform their own buildings & contents insurer that while they are away, they are employing the services of an in house pet carer, house sitter or dog walker.

2/ It is recommended by Home & away that the client contacts their pet insurer to establish if cover is in place while their animals are in the care of Home & Away.

3/ The client must when accepting/agreeing to employ/use the services of Home & Away, read & sign the completed service agreement/s, instructional checklist/s, terms & conditions and veterinary authorisation forms.

4/ The client understands that no more than 2 x large dogs or 3 x smaller shall be walked at any one time and on leads provided by the client & at the agreed times/intervals as per the service agreement.
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5/ If additional animal feed has to be purchased by Home & Away it is agreed these costs will be reimbursed by the client on production of receipts.

6/ It understood that in the event of either the client being un-contactable or preferring not to be contacted, full authorisation & discretion in the event of an animal requiring medical attention, or any other issue, problem or emergency, has been granted by the client, (or not if they insist & accept they will be contactable at all times), to either Home & Away or to a person designated by the client, as per the service agreement/veterinary authorization forms. PLEASE NOTE that it is STRONGLY suggested/recommended by Home & Away that the preferred option, if possible, is that a third party who can be definitely/easily contacted is designated by the client to make any such decisions.

7/ It is understood that any necessary veterinary expenses, if sanctioned & not paid directly via a Pet Insurer, will be reimbursed/paid up to, the agreed sum as per the service agreement/veterinary authorization form in accordance with production of receipts by either by Home & Away or through direct dealing with the Veterinary practitioner on the client’s return.

8/ It is understood & agreed that any task of granting access for tradesmen with a client/tradesman predetermined appointment, shall only be granted too those who have been notified to Home & Away by the client in writing & no payment to, or decisions in any form shall be undertaken unless such specific instruction has been given to Home & Away in writing. Also Home & Away cannot accept responsibility /be held liable for, any for any actions, damage, loss or work undertaken by, these client appointed tradesmen.

9/ Unless cleaning services have been requested, the client’s home shall be maintained to normal standard and treated with consideration & respect at all times.

10/ Home & away will not use any of the client’s appliances, possessions or telephone other than those agreed & needed in direct connection with the agreed tasks & written consent has been given to use.

11/ Home & away shall not use any of the client’s food, drinks or any other consumables.

12/ If agreed, while on the client’s property Home & Away will answer telephones and record times & messages. 

13/ Home & Away shall not smoke in the client’s property.

14/ If the use of the client’s car is required then cover must be provided on the clients own vehicle insurance & proof of which must be shown to a representative of Home & Away, the client must also check the validity of the service providers driving licence.

15/ Home & Away cannot be held responsible for/carry any liability for ANY criminal act by a third party and are not responsible for any loss, damage or action (unless attributed to Home & Away) to a client’s property however caused (except as required by statute).

16/ If house sitting, unless in the case of an emergency Home & Away shall not leave the client’s property for more than 1 x 1 hour period during the hours of darkness. Also unless otherwise instructed/agreed, Home & Away shall, after attending to any agreed/instructed duties leave the clients property at an agreed & documented time in the morning & return at an agreed & documented time in the evening. Also there shall be no more than 1 x visitor connected with Home & away at any time and this visitor will leave the clients property by 11pm.

17/ All documentation that feature the client’s address and show dates & times when the client’s property is likely to be unattended, shall be kept stored in a locked safe, away from & un-connectable to, the client’s house keys.

18/ Actions Home & Away can take, if instructed, that may help deter burglars are defined/accepted as acts that may only possibly create an IMPRESSION that the client’s home is occupied, these actions could be for example: refuse put out, curtain opening/closing, milk brought in, letterboxes cleared, car movement & any other written instructions from the client. Home & Away MUST stress these actions are by no way & cannot be taken as any form of guarantee/defined security measure against deterring any criminal acts to your property by a third party & in accordance with term 16, Home & Away cannot be held responsible/liable for any damage or loss caused by such criminal acts.

19/ Home & Away cannot be held responsible for ANY damage caused to the client’s property or possessions by the client’s pets.

20/ Provided that they have been used appropriately & in accordance with their instructions , Home & Away cannot be held responsible for any damage caused to the client’s property, fittings or belongings, by cleaning equipment or products supplied or instructed to use by the client.

21/ A deposit of  one third of the agreed contract quote if over £50 or 25% for agreed contract quotes under £50 is payable at time of booking.

22/ All due care & attention will be taken when in, entering & leaving the client’s property that any Dogs, Cats or other Animals do not manage to leave the clients property in any way or at any time other than those instructed/agreed by the client. However by nature animals can be unpredictable and Home & Away, provided all measures practicable have been taken, cannot be held responsible/accept liability for, any consequences caused by/or loss of, a clients pet if it managed to get loose from their property.

23/ If cancellation of agreement is made with more than 28 x days to run from commencement of the booking date, a full refund will be given. Cancellations made with less than 28 x days notice from start of the booking period though more unfortunately result in forfeit of deposit. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours to commencement of service shall be liable to a fee of 50% of total fee up to a maximum of £100. 

24/ If the client’s return is delayed, providing that Home & Away are informed and requested, services can continue to be supported at the agreed daily rate.

25/ If a problem or emergency arises and we cannot provide our service we will endeavour to engage the support of an approved agency and any additional cost will be met by Home & Away.

26/ Home & Away have never cancelled a contract though are required by law to inform you that if this situation arises with less within 14 x days prior to the start of the booking period then you are entitled to the one third or 50% (whichever is applicable) deposit of the quoted fee already paid together with a further payment of equal amount as by way of full compensation.

27/ An invoice for the agreed total fee along with any agreed receipted ancillary costs will be supplied to the client on the completion of all agreed services. Full payment of balance less deposit by cash or cheque is respectfully expected within 14 x days of completion. 

28/ I, the client, also fully understand that any electrical, gas or oil fuelled appliances, examples such as:
      TV, Music system, DVD, Fish/Reptile tanks, Fridge/Freezer, Computer, Heater, Lights, Microwave, Cooker, Kettle, Toaster, Other Kitchen appliances, Radio’s, Printer, Video or Other, (client’s responsibility to List):

That I choose to leave/have left, switched on/powered up/on standby/plugged in or running in any way, are done so at my own risk & Home & Away cannot be held in any way responsible/liable for, any consequences of these actions.