Is the holiday home I choose available for the dates I require?

You can check availability on the individual property calendar or put in your desired dates on the home page then search for all available properties. You must complete the booking to reserve your chosen holiday home for those dates – you can do this online, by phone or email.  Business hours are from 9 am to 8 pm weekdays, including public holidays.

Do you accept school leaver bookings?

Unfortunately, due to a number of bad experiences, we are unable to book accommodation for Leavers.

How soon should we make a booking?

Now if you want to secure the property of your choice for the dates you require.

How do I make a booking?

Our calendars show real time availability. If the property of your choice is available, you can complete an online booking, and this is the fastest way to confirm a reservation. Alternatively, you can call us on 044 852 0099 or 08 6388 2000 or email us at info@housedownsouth.com.au. The booking is not confirmed until a deposit is received, until which time it is possible for someone else to secure the dates you were wanting.

How do I pay for my accommodation?

Our preferred method is direct debit. Our payment gateway also accepts credit card (Visa card / MasterCard / American Express), cheque or money order. Direct debit, cheque or money order must be made at least 10 days in advance of due date.

Full payment is required if the commencement date of your booking is 30 days or less away. If making your booking more than 30 days in advance, a 50% deposit is required to confirm, with the full balance due and payable 30 days prior to your holiday.

What is included?

All properties except one include the cleaning fee and linen.  Linen includes bed sheets, pillow slips, bath towels, face towels, bath mats, tea towels. All houses are provided with doonas/blankets and pillows.  For all holiday homes you will need to bring your own beach towels and personal toiletries. A modest supply of toilet paper will be supplied for your arrival, and you will need to supply your requirements for the rest of the stay. Basic pantry condiments fluctuate from booking to booking and we are unable to confirm contents.

Are babies and toddlers included in the tariff rate?

Babies generally of a non-mobile age are not charged for. Linen will not be provided for them if they have not been included as a paying guest. Once a child is sleeping in its own bed we assume that they will require equal use of the house facilities, including a bed and other amenities. Usually marks left behind on windows, walls and furniture by a child are more apparent than those left by an adult. It is standard practice in most reputable accommodation stays to include minors as people and therefore paying guests.

When is check in and check out?

Check in is from 3 pm on your arrival date. Check out is strictly 10 am on your departure date or charges may apply. An earlier arrival or later departure time may be possible subject to availability, however this must be organised in advance – we will do our best to accommodate these requests. Property access details including key pickup and address of house will be sent to you by email or SMS on the day before your arrival, providing that we have been able to process your credit card details for the bond.

Is cleaning included?

Professional cleaning of the property is included in your tariff and will be done on your departure, however you must leave the house in a clean and tidy condition with dishes washed and put away in the appropriate places (including dishwasher), all furniture returned to original positions, sand swept up from floors, tables and kitchen benches wiped down, BBQ cleaned (if used), and the house of general neat appearance. An additional charge will apply if excess cleaning is required over and above the normal allotted time. It is the guest’s responsibility to remove and correctly allocate excess rubbish to the 3 bin types, and clean the BBQ.

What is the minimum stay?

A 2-night minimum stay is required throughout the year, not including periods listed below:

• Long Weekends and Special Events 3 nights
• Australia Day and Easter Holidays 4 nights
• Christmas School Holidays 3 5 nights variable

We do not accept check-ins on public holidays as the cleaning surcharges that are applied make it inviable.

Will I  be charged extra for additional guests?

It depends how many guests you have. All advertised prices have a base occupancy.  That is, the advertised price is based on a certain minimum number of people and any more guests beyond the base occupancy pay a ‘guest surcharge’ which covers the cost of linen and utilities. For example, Sidney Laine accommodates 6 people, its base occupancy is 2 people so a guest surcharge of $25/head/night is paid for the third, fourth, fifth and sixth guests. If you only have 2 people then there is no guest surcharge.

The guest surcharge will not be added on after you have pressed the ‘book’ button – it will be calculated by the channel (AirBnB etc) or by our website and will be made clear to you before you book.

Is a bond required?

Yes. A bond is required for all bookings and you cannot access the property without it. When you provide credit card details for bond payment, the amount will be pre-authorised and then released after your stay, within 7-10 working days, subject to the property being left in a clean condition with no damage. The Guest is responsible for all damages, excluding wear and tear, and including those which exceed the deposit amount.

What if I wish to cancel my booking?

Deposits are non-refundable but management would prefer not to apply this policy if it can be avoided. In most instances, management will choose to refund all of the money deposited minus a small cancellation fee, if your cancelled dates can be rebooked. If we cant rebook your dates you will likely forfeit all the booking value.  Changing booking dates may be possible without penalty if the request if made more than thirty days prior to your booked arrival date.  If we arent able to rebook your cancelled dates, you are still welcome to stay pending confirmation you want to reverse the cancellation. By cancelling it at least gives us the opportunity to resell your cancelled dates and a chance for you to receive a refund and if it doesnt work out, you still have the option of staying.

What is your best price can I get a discount?

The best price is displayed on the website. Tariff rates are fixed. Specials are sometimes advertised on the website. The tariff rate has carefully been determined by comparisons with other holiday homes of similar location and quality features, and competitively priced in order that a level uniform standard of accommodation can be maintained for each guest booking. Special weekly rates will apply if you enquire with us. If you are a repeat guest then we will give you a discount outside of peak dates.

We are planning to have a party at the property, is this OK?

No. All houses listed on the website are purely for holiday accommodation. It is OK for occasional visitors to drop by for a few hours during the course of your stay but it is not acceptable to use the house as a function venue or for the purposes of holding a party of any description. The rights of neighbouring houses to enjoy their peace and privacy is to be respected at all times, and all music is to be turned off or down by 10pm. No more people than the number confirmed on your Booking Form should be accommodated at any one time, and if complaints are lodged by outside parties regarding excessive noise or unruly behaviour, your booking may be immediately cancelled and further occupation of the property refused. No portion of unused accommodation stay will be refunded.

Can we set up a tent or park a friend's campervan?

No. Sufficient bedding is provided for the number of people booked to stay in the house. Absolutely no camping arrangements will be agreed upon, as there are caravan parks specifically set up nearby who cater exclusively for this purpose. The maximum number of people must not exceed the amount specified on the Booking Form, nor the number of beds provided for in the house. This is a rule enforced by the local Shire.

Are pets allowed?

There is a selection of holiday homes listed on the website that are Pet Friendly. Search under Accommodation or enquire and we will advise if these homes are available for the time you wish to stay. Otherwise, you will need to make alternative arrangements for your beloved pet during your absence.

Where do I pick up the key?

Provided the full tariff and refundable bond has been received, the day before your arrival we will email you with a code and location for the keysafe.  If you need this information texted to your phone you need to let us know before you travel outside of email range.  With this access information you can arrive anytime after the check-in time. It is guests responsibility to ensure they have received details prior to their stay, as no responsibility is accepted if they have not been received for any reason whatsoever.

I have leftover food, should I leave it or bin it?

If you have any food with unbroken seals and you do not want it, please leave it in the fridge or freezer. Our cleaners appreciate these gifts and it will not be wasted.