In these Conditions:

‘MUSHROOM COTTAGE’ means Jo and Adrian Gardiner trading as ‘Mushroom Cottage House and Pet Sitting Services’ at 11 Woolner Close, Barham, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 0DL;
‘SITTER’ means Jo or Adrian Gardiner who provide the Services in accordance with the Booking Form and these Conditions;
‘CLIENT’ means the person(s) named in the Booking Form for whom Mushroom Cottage has agreed to provide the Services in accordance with these Conditions;
‘CLIENT’S PROPERTY’ means the Client’s home at which the Services will be provided;
‘SERVICES’ means all services provided for the Client by the Mushroom Cottage Sitter which include long-stay house sitting, long-stay pet sitting, dog walking, dog sitting, cat sitting, small-animal/domestic farm animal minding, cat feeding, small-animal visits, and which are referred to in the Booking Form;
‘BOOKING FORM’ means the form detailing the Services to be provided by the Sitter and which constitutes the firm booking from the Client to Mushroom Cottage for those Services. The Booking Form acts as a Contract between the Sitter and the Client and must be signed by both parties before commencement of the Services as agreement to all the Conditions therein;
‘HOME/CONTACT INFORMATION FORM’ means the form detailing the Client’s Property, locations of items needed to carry out the tasks in providing home services to the Client, and holiday and emergency contact names and contact details.
‘PET INFORMATION FORM’ means the form, or forms if there is more than one pet type being cared for, that includes all details relating to the Client’s pet(s) and their usual routines, locations of items needed to carry out the tasks in providing pet services to the Client, and normal vet and emergency vet contact names and contact details.
‘SITTER’S FEE’ means the fee shown in the Booking Form as being the amount payable to the Sitter in respect of the Services;
‘EXPENSES’ means any costs and expenses incurred by the Sitter in connection with the Services, including the travelling expenses incurred by the Sitter in travelling to and from the Client’s home (in the case of visiting services where the Client’s home is further afield than Claydon or Barham villages), or to and from the Vet’s surgery in an emergency.  Travel expenses will be charged at the rate shown on the Payment Terms page of this website and the Mushroom Cottage Booking Form.

1. GENERAL

1.1 These Terms and Conditions apply to all pets owned by the Client and all locations the Client designates for service.

1.2 No Mushroom Cottage Sitter can service a home with ‘visiting’ pets or animals that do not belong to the Client without special arrangements being agreed in writing by both parties and these arrangements must be signed by each rightful owner of the pets or animals in question.

1.3 Either party may at any time terminate the Contract by giving written notice to the other. If no attempt to remedy any breach of these Conditions (when it has been proven that a breach has occurred) has been made by either party within 7 days of written notice to do so, then the Contract will be automatically terminated and further action can be taken if deemed necessary.

1.4 These Conditions are set out in their entirety and form part of the Booking Form which constitutes the entire Contract between the Client and the Mushroom Cottage Sitter and supersede any previous Contract between them.

1.5 The Client agrees to sign a new Booking Form that incorporates changes to these Conditions before service begins if the Mushroom Cottage Sitter deems that this is necessary.

2. CLIENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES/LIABILITY

2.1 The Client is responsible for:

2.1.1 pet-proofing their property and garden or outside space, and the security of fences, gates and latches;

2.1.2 supplying all necessary and safe equipment and supplies needed for the care of their pet(s), including but not limited to a good, comfortable fitting collar and/or harness, leads for walks, appropriate poop scooping devices, litter trays and fresh litter, fresh bedding, any pet medication, pet food, pet toys and any cleaning supplies;

2.1.3 providing all necessary information about their pet(s) including any dietary, nutritional or exercise requirements, and any instructions or conditions relating to the Client’s Property in relation to the Services to be provided;

2.1.4 (in the case of hiring a live-in Sitter) supplying reasonable cooking, eating and washing/bathing facilities and somewhere comfortable to sleep at the Client’s Property;

2.1.5 all medical expenses and damages resulting from any injury to the Sitter by their pet(s) during the term of service, unless it is proven that the Sitter was negligent.

2.2 By signing the Booking Form the Client authorises any purchases deemed necessary by the Sitter for the satisfactory performance of duties during service. The Client agrees to be responsible for the payment of such items as well as service fees for obtaining the items, and will reimburse the Sitter within 14 days of completion of the Services for all purchases made.

2.3 Mushroom Cottage reserves the right to terminate the Contract at any time if the Sitter, in his/her sole discretion, determines that the Client’s pet(s) pose(s) a danger to the health or safety of itself, other pets, other people, or the Sitter. If concerns about the pet(s) affect the Sitter’s ability to care for the pet(s), the Client authorises the pet(s) to be placed in a kennel/cattery or emergency care facility until the Client’s return, with all charges to be the responsibility of the Client.

2.4 The Client agrees to notify the Sitter of any new pets that they obtain after the date that the Booking Form is signed.

2.5 The Client agrees to notify the Sitter of any concerns in respect of Services provided within 14 days of their return.

3. MUSHROOM COTTAGE’S RESPONSIBILITIES/LIABILITY

3.1 Mushroom Cottage Sitters will not be responsible for the safety of any pets and will not be liable for the injury, disappearance, death, or fitness of any pets that are allowed unsupervised access to the outdoors whilst the Sitter is away from the Client’s Property.

3.2 Mushroom Cottage Sitters are responsible for the safety and well-being of any pet whilst in their own home except for circumstances that are beyond the control of the Sitter.

3.3 Mushroom Cottage accepts no responsibility for security of the Client’s Property if other individuals have access to the Client’s Property or if the property is not adequately secured. All individuals other than the Sitter that visit the home will leave a log of their visit including their signature. Mushroom Cottage is not liable for any loss or damage in the event of a burglary or other crime that should occur while providing service under contract. The Sitter will secure the Client’s Property to the best of his/her ability and to the Client’s instructions. While keys are in the possession of the Sitter they will be either on the Sitter’s physical person, or be properly stored in an undisclosed location. Client’s keys will be unidentifiable to any individual and will be attached to a tag which contains a unique 7-digit number. Mushroom Cottage has insurance to cover for lost keys and lock replacements to the value of £10,000.

3.4 Mushroom Cottage is not responsible for damage to the Client’s Property beyond the control of the Sitter. This includes but is not limited to leaks, electrical problems, and acts of nature. In these situations Mushroom Cottage will attempt to contact the Client, or the emergency contact on the Home/Contact Information Form, before making a decision on dealing with the problem. All repairs and related fees in respect of damage to the Client’s Property will be paid by the Client unless it is proven that the damage was caused by the negligence of the Sitter. Claims of negligence that involve an independent contractor hired by the Sitter in accordance with the Client’s instructions on the Home/Contact Information Form will be the responsibility of the independent contractor and/or the company they work for. All hired independent contractors are required to carry and provide proof of liability insurance which must be for a minimum of £1m.

3.5 Mushroom Cottage Sitters are authorised to seek any emergency veterinarian assistance needed during service or visits at the cost of the Client. The Client’s regular vet is as specified on the Mushroom Cottage Pet Information Form. Mushroom Cottage is not responsible for the health or wellbeing of the Client’s pet(s)/animal(s) whilst in the care of the vet.

3.6 Mushroom Cottage will not be held responsible for any loss, damage, costs, expenses or other claims for compensation arising from anything done by the Sitter during service as a result of instructions supplied by the Client which are found to be incomplete, incorrect or inaccurate.

3.7 Mushroom Cottage Sitters will not be liable to the Client in respect of any delay in performing or failing to complete the Services, if the delay or failure was due to any cause beyond the reasonable control of the Sitter. If the Sitter is unable to complete the term of service as requested in the Booking Form because of circumstances beyond their control, Mushroom Cottage will offer to supply a Stand-In Sitter, which may involve extra charges to the Client, or enlist the help of the emergency contact as supplied on the Home/Contact Information Form.

4. FORM COMPLETION

4.1 The Client will be asked to complete a copy of the Home / Contact Information Form before a new booking is made, and must sign this as acceptance that they have provided adequate, accurate and complete instructions for the provision of the Services requested and for the security of the Client’s Property.

4.2 The Client will be asked to complete a copy of the Pet Information Form, if applicable, before a new booking is made, and must sign this as acceptance that they have provided adequate, accurate and complete instructions for the care of their pet/s.

4.3 The Client will be given a copy of the Booking Form, as completed by Mushroom Cottage, each and every time a new booking is made and this acts as a firm contract between the two parties, and both parties must sign this at the beginning of service as approval of these Terms and Conditions.

5. SUPPLY OF SERVICES

5.1 Mushroom Cottage agrees to provide the contracted Services to the Client in a reliable, caring, trustworthy and professional manner to as high a standard as is possible and in accordance with the Booking Form and the Client’s instructions on the Home/Contact Information and/or Pet Information Forms. Any changes to the Services after confirmation of the booking must be agreed in writing by Mushroom Cottage and the Client.

5.2 Mushroom Cottage may at any time during the service period and without notifying the Client make any changes to the Services which are necessary in the interest of safety of the Sitter, the Client’s Property or the Client’s pet/s, but which do not affect the nature or quality of the Services being provided.

5.3 Services will be provided by the Sitter in accordance with instructions from the Client. These instructions will include whether the Sitter is entitled to leave the Client’s Property unoccupied each day and if so for how long (in the case of live-in services), any specific time(s) when the Client’s Property must be occupied, whether the Sitter’s spouse and/or children are allowed to visit during service, and specific times when the Client’s pet(s) must be attended to.

5.4 The Sitter is allowed to administer first aid and medication to the Client’s pet(s) only if authorised to do so by the Client on the Mushroom Cottage Pet Information Form.

6. CANCELLATIONS, FEES, CHARGES AND REFUNDS

6.1 All amounts payable by the Client to the Mushroom Cottage Sitter will be as stated in the Booking Form. A 50% deposit is due at the time of booking to secure the booking. If the deposit is not paid, no booking can be accepted. Bookings are only held firm when the deposit payment is cleared (in respect of payment by cheque or PayPal e-cheque or postal orders) and only then can service be provided. The balance of the Sitter’s Fee must be paid and given to the Sitter on completion of the Services. The Client must reimburse the Sitter for any Expenses and any other sums incurred during service, a receipt for which will be provided, within 14 days of completion of service.

6.2 The Client will pay additional Expenses and any other sums to the Sitter if Mushroom Cottage deems that the Client’s instructions, conditions or requirements in respect of the Services were incomplete, incorrect or inaccurate.

6.3 Mushroom Cottage requires cancellation of service to be submitted in writing by the Client at least 48 hours prior to commencement of service. There is no cancellation charge in respect of service being cancelled before commencement of service and the deposit paid by the Client will be refunded by Mushroom Cottage in full or used as credit against any future provision of the Services. Mushroom Cottage reserve the right to refuse to refund the deposit payment to any client who regularly cancels bookings without due respect and consideration for the Sitter and the potential loss of earnings as a result of cancelled bookings.

6.4 Clients returning home early will pay only for the Services provided by the Mushroom Cottage Sitter up until the time the Client returns providing the Client informs the Sitter that they are returning early.

6.5 If the Client terminates service during the service period for reasons other than returning home early, Mushroom Cottage will use its discretion as to whether or not the Client will also be entitled to any refund of the deposit.

6.6 The Client must decide whether their pet’s vet will bill the Client directly or use the Client’s credit/debit card details (if agreed in advance and as specified on the Mushroom Cottage Pet Information Form) in respect of any routine visits to the vet or any veterinary emergencies during service.

6.7 The Client will pay for all charges in respect of transferring keys using the postal service if this is the option specified and requested on the Mushroom Cottage Home/Contact Information Form.

6.8 If payment is not made within 4 weeks of completion of service, Mushroom Cottage will be entitled, without limiting any other rights they may have, to take legal action to recover the full outstanding amount due. Full consideration will be given to clients who are unable to pay due to exceptional circumstances, an account of which must be submitted in writing to Mushroom Cottage for their consideration and to help in reaching a final decision as to the appropriate course of action to be taken.