Travel Wise with The HPB Tenancy programme
We strongly recommend that you take a few minutes to read the following information which is designed to help in your choice of holiday and avoid some of the most common pitfalls and misunderstandings. We try to be as informative and honest as possible in all our literature but please do not hesitate to ask our booking staff if you require any further information or have any specific requirements or concerns as we maintain a comprehensive database.
The HPB Tenancy programme was originally launched in 1993 in order to provide extra holiday opportunities for investors in the Holiday Property Bond. Today the programme is also available to investors' friends and family and to others who have shown an interest in the Holiday Property Bond.
Properties in The HPB Tenancy programme are all privately owned villas, cottages and apartments designed and furnished to their owners' tastes and let by us as agent for the owner. They are managed to high standards but, overall, it should be recognised that these properties are not always furnished to the exacting standards found in properties owned by the Holiday Property Bond which you may also have visited. However, they are all equipped to a good minimum standard and many have been upgraded in line with our requirements. You should be aware that standards vary from country to country and there are enormous variations in the character, inventory, style and local management structure within the Programme. It is therefore essential to read the property details carefully in order to ensure that you have chosen the best property/location to meet your particular expectations.
AIR-CONDITIONING
A slowly increasing number of properties have air-conditioning and, if it is available, attention should be paid to the correct use of air-conditioning systems. In particular, all windows and doors must be closed when the system is operational as air-conditioning uses an enormous amount of electricity and is therefore expensive to run. It is in your interests to use the system economically, to avoid the possible imposition of extra charges. Some properties offer optional air-conditioning and a charge is levied locally which should always be paid prior to your departure.
ARRIVAL TIMES
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO LET US KNOW YOUR ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL.
Local staff try their utmost to comply with requests for early and late arrivals and it is therefore essential to advise them of ALL arrival times. In some resorts, staff are waiting for you to arrive in order to give you the keys for your property and you can run the risk of not gaining access on the night of your arrival. Please advise us of your arrival time as soon as possible and at least one month before your departure, and comply with specific requests for some UK properties.
COTS, HIGHCHAIRS & STAIR GATES
Cots, suitable for infants under 2 years old, can usually be provided on request but the type varies between countries. Most tend to be 'fabric-type' travel cots and whilst they should conform to British Safety Standards, this cannot be guaranteed. An extra charge is sometimes made and cot linen is not always provided - see the relevant Site Guide.
Highchairs are often available on request, sometimes at an extra charge. See the relevant Site Guide issued with confirmation of your booking.
Stair gates are not available.
DISABLED HOLIDAY MAKERS
We are always conscious of the need to locate properties which are appropriate for the disabled. However, the choice is extremely limited and many sites do not lend themselves to wheelchair access. Sadly, we cannot enforce owners to carry out expensive adaptations and regrettably only two properties in the current portfolio (The Forge at Decoy in Ireland and Casa Bonita in Lanzarote) have been adapted. If you or any member of your party are disabled or suffers from any medical condition which may affect your choice of accommodation, you should always discuss your requirements with our booking staff and let us have a note of your problem in writing.
N.B. Please be aware that whilst we tend to highlight properties which are obviously unsuitable for anyone with walking difficulties, there are many others which may be unsuitable for a number of reasons. You should be particularly alert if a property is built on a hillside.
DISTANCES
Please note that all distances referred to on our website are approximate although every endeavour has been made to ensure their accuracy.
EARLY/LATE SEASON HOLIDAYS
Please be aware that some facilities such as restaurants & shops may be closed or limited in certain resorts during the early or late season (March, April and October) and during the winter. In the UK many National Trust properties are closed in the winter. It may therefore be necessary to have a car.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
Please bear in mind that any electrical appliance, particularly dishwashers, washing machines, air-conditioning units, video and DVD/CD players can sometimes break down. Local management will do their utmost to effect a speedy repair but it could take up to several weeks to rectify if a special technician and/or parts are required. This is particularly relevant on islands such as Gozo, Crete, Corfu and Menorca. Many overseas properties suffer from power cuts if too many appliances are used at the same time, so please be careful not to overload the system.
HOLIDAY DOCUMENTATION
Fact Sheets consisting of a Site Guide and an Arrivals Sheet are available for each property and are regularly updated. They contain additional information to that found in the brochure and may prove helpful prior to your holiday.
It is essential to take your Fact Sheets on holiday as they contain directions to your property and local contact details. They will be available for download from the links on your confirmation and/or rental charge invoice. For Bondholders, fact sheets are also available at any time on the HPB website in the 'My Bookings' area.
INVENTORIES
Property owners are anxious to comply with our requirements with regard to inventories. All comply with specified minimum standards and many supply additional equipment. Please note that all properties, except where stated otherwise, should be supplied with a hairdryer, iron and ironing board. Most owners do not supply a written inventory in the property.
LOCAL MANAGEMENT AND REPRESENTATION
The style of management differs from area to area and if you have any particular concerns please ask at the time of booking:
Overseas villas with private pools - with few exceptions each villa is individually owned and management is carried out by a local agent or owner. We are satisfied that all the agents whom we use strive hard to offer the best possible service but nevertheless there will inevitably, on occasions, be delays in rectifying small niggles and problems as these managers do not live on site and are often responsible for a number of properties, many of which may be rented by other operators.
Overseas apartments - management is usually carried out by the owner or his/her appointed representative. There is normally a reception on site with specified opening hours, in which case it is referred to in the information under site facilities as 'on-site management'. However, this is not always the case; for example in areas such as Corfu and some of the UK sites, alternative arrangements have been made. It is unlikely that anyone will be available on site overnight even when on-site management is available.
UK properties - management is usually carried out by the owners themselves or by staff in their offices. There are usually no reception facilities but points of contact are detailed in the information factsheet provided with your booking confirmation.
HPB representatives - in some areas (very few) we have our own part-time representative in addition to the local management structure.
MAID SERVICE
The frequency of maid service is detailed for each property. If maid service is offered once per week this means that it is provided on changeover day only (or the day before/afterwards in the case of a two week holiday). Twice per week indicates that the maid will carry out a 'mini clean' once during the course of your weekly stay and then again on the day of your departure. The property should be vacated on time and left in a clean and tidy condition with all washing-up completed, rubbish removed and any breakages paid for. Please ensure that BBQs are left in a clean condition as maid service does not cover the upkeep of this facility.
NEIGHBOURS
There are occasions when guests other than our clients will be staying in all the properties featured in the HPB Tenancy programme.
NOISE FROM LOCAL CONSTRUCTION
We take every precaution when choosing locations to select sites where there is no building activity in the immediate vicinity. However, many resorts are still developing and unfortunately there are occasions when construction work commences without any prior warning to the property owner/agent which may adversely affect the holidays of those staying in a given property. Obviously, these circumstances are completely beyond our control but we endeavour to advise clients as soon as we become aware of any problem. Please bear in mind that new construction, on occasions, may only come to light shortly before the beginning of the season or even during it. See Booking Conditions for further information.
PETS
Pets are not permitted in any properties other than some in the UK & Ireland as noted in the property information. You should always confirm with our booking staff your intention to take a dog and obtain express agreement. No pets other than dogs are permitted and an additional fee is normally levied.
PLUMBING
In many European countries the sewage systems do not match those found in the UK. This is particularly so in the Greek islands and Cyprus (and some properties in Portugal and Spain) where lavatory paper and sanitary items must not be disposed of in the w.c. but in the waste bins provided. Otherwise, there may be a blockage which is not only unpleasant but may take some time to rectify.
PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS
Kitchen Equipment: in many properties this is limited and if you are planning to do a lot of cooking it is important to read the information supplied carefully to avoid disappointment. All major kitchen items such as cookers, microwaves, fridges, washing machines and dishwashers are mentioned if available. In most studios or units with one bedroom there is only a kitchen alcove or corner making them suitable for the preparation of light meals or snacks only. This will also be the case in larger properties if the major kitchen items are not listed.
Studios: these are small apartments where beds are in the living area unless otherwise stated. They are usually only suitable for one couple.
N.B. Please note that a cupboard, bedroom, room or section in a given property may be closed and unavailable for use. In this instance it is not usually referred to in our literature.
ROADS
Some properties are accessed by unmade tracks, some of which are well maintained - others can be very rough with potholes and occasionally steep. Please check our literature. You may wish to consider upgrading your hire car as larger vehicles may offer more comfort and cope better with the road surface.
SAFETY STANDARDS
Different safety standards apply overseas and although all our properties comply with local regulations they may not be monitored or enforced to the same standards as in the UK. Please take all reasonable precautions and care during your holiday and remember to read any advice given in the property information folders in your accommodation. In particular, special attention should be paid to wet marble floors, low walls on roof terraces, steep stairs and steps which may not have handrails and wide balustrades. Children should be supervised at all times.
SECURITY OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Please read all the notes in your property about security and heed any local advice. In some cases there is a small safety deposit box which we urge you to use. However, some are not fitted in a concrete housing and therefore may not be sufficient to deter a determined burglar. All safes are used at your own risk and we strongly recommend that your insurance is adequate to cover any cash or items placed in the safe.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Many people enjoy the privacy and independence of staying in one of our properties with a private pool but it should be remembered that there are no organised 'get-togethers' and those who enjoy the 'club-like', social atmosphere found on many sites owned by HPB should be aware that this element will be missing. Apartment complexes sometimes offer social evenings which are exclusively for HPB's clients or, more often, anyone staying on site.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Any special request should be put in writing to us and whilst we will make every effort to adhere to your requests, we cannot guarantee that we will always be successful. At the time of booking please advise our reservations staff of any special requirements.
SWIMMING POOLS
Measurements: approximate pool dimensions (measurements can be distorted if the pool is an irregular shape) and depths are usually given in the literature but please note that some pools may not have a shallow area and the deep end can be over 2m.
Infinity pools: please take extra care, particularly with children, if a pool is described as 'infinity' or 'horizon' as this type of pool will have an open drop from the pool edge.
Safety: please read any swimming pool advice and regulations in the property information folder. Please note that inflatables are not allowed in any communal pool and that diving is not permitted - if you require any further information about a particular pool, our booking staff would be pleased to advise you.
Pool towels: not available unless otherwise stated in the property description or Site Guide.
Heating: all swimming pools are unheated unless otherwise stated and the water can sometimes feel chilly, particularly at the beginning and end of season. Please note that optional pool heating can only be supplied at a very limited number of properties as specified in the brochure and you should advise us at the time of booking if required - an extra charge will be applicable (see Rental charges). The pool can take 2-3 days to warm up.
IMPORTANT - if the pool heating mechanism breaks down, any refund will not exceed the daily rate payable for the heating and it is extremely unlikely that an alternative villa with pool heating would be available.
TELEPHONES
Telephones are not available in the majority of villas and some apartments. If you have chosen a relatively isolated or detached property with no telephone and are worried about being out of contact, we suggest that you take a mobile phone suitable for use in that area. Do please bear in mind, however, that in some areas mobile phone coverage may be poor or non-existent.
TELEVISIONS/DVD/VIDEO PLAYERS
Televisions are only available when referred to in the literature. Overseas, the majority of owners have installed satellite TVs but since Sky withdrew its analogue system some years ago the vast majority of villas now receive no English channels. Some owners have installed digital systems with a small selection of English channels but, often, it is only possible to receive German and/or local channels with the occasional CNN/CNBC news. It should also be remembered that TV reception can often be poor. Please refer to the relevant Site Guide for up-to-date information but it should be emphasised that you may only, at best, receive one English speaking channel and possibly none at all. Some televisions are purely for use with the DVD player and receive no channels.
DVD/Video players - many properties are now equipped with DVD players (most do not record) but please note that a DVD library is not normally available. Video players are gradually being withdrawn.
TRANSFERS
All transfer times given on the website are approximate and obviously depend on traffic conditions. In some areas such as Turkey, Crete and Gozo you can pre-book a transfer by completing a form attached to the Site Guide or on-line at www.hpbtravel.co.uk. Please be aware that some taxis may refuse to go to some isolated properties or those reached by unmade tracks.
WAITING LISTS
Many property contracts are signed on an annual basis and whilst we do our best to finalise contracts as early as possible in the year prior to the commencement date, some arrangements are only signed and sealed towards the end of the year. Please feel free to register your interest in any property featured on the website and do not hesitate to contact our bookings staff for up-to-date information. However, we can never guarantee that any contract will be available until it is actually signed.
WiFi
Several owners have installed WiFi facilities either in individual properties or in communal areas for those taking their own laptops or smart phones. You should be aware that within a property or on a site access may be limited to certain spots (ie only on an apartment balcony rather than inside). Please note that HPB does not accept any responsibility if this service is unavailable for any reason.
WILDLIFE
You are likely to encounter insects such as ants and mosquitoes in hot countries and midges in hilly wooded areas such as Scotland and Ireland; you should therefore use appropriate repellents. The common fly can sometimes be a nuisance especially in farming or country areas. Stray rodents are not uncommon in country areas and you should always ensure that all food is covered up and rubbish disposed of adequately to discourage visits! Local dogs may sometimes be heard barking and cats, cockerels and other animals may sometimes make their presence felt!
N.B. The information contained on our website has been compiled as accurately as possible. However, there may be occasions when an advertised facility is temporarily unavailable during your holiday. Bad weather or the maintenance/repairs of property, swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts etc. may mean certain facilities being withdrawn until the necessary work can be done. These are, regrettably, beyond our control and we are unable to accept liability, but every endeavour will be made to ensure that the local management rectifies any problems as soon as possible.