General Terms and Conditions

GENERAL RENTAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR HOLIDAY APARTMENTS AT HEINSHOF (GTC)

1. Scope of the GTC

These General Terms and Conditions apply to contracts for the rental provision of holiday apartments for accommodation, as well as all other services and deliveries provided to the guest by Heinshof GbR, represented by Linda Naeve and Patrick Haht, Im Sahrendorf 13, 21272 Egestorf. Heinshof GbR’s services are provided exclusively on the basis of these General Terms and Conditions. An exception applies to services of the riding school, which are governed by the General Terms and Conditions for the Riding School of Heinshof GbR.

Subletting or re-letting the provided holiday apartment, as well as using it for purposes other than residential use, requires the prior written consent of Heinshof GbR.

The guest’s terms and conditions shall apply only if they have been agreed in writing in advance. Deviations from these terms are effective only if Heinshof GbR has expressly confirmed them in writing.

2. Conclusion of contract

The rental agreement for the holiday apartment requested by the guest is concluded when Heinshof GbR confirms the guest’s booking request in writing by post, email, PDF attachment and/or fax and thereby accepts the booking.

The contracting parties are Heinshof GbR and the guest. If a third party places the order on behalf of the guest, that third party shall be jointly and severally liable to Heinshof GbR together with the guest for all obligations arising from the accommodation contract concluded.

The guest is obliged to check the booking confirmation for accuracy. If the content of the booking confirmation differs from the booking request and the guest does not raise objections without delay, the content of the booking confirmation shall be deemed contractually agreed.

The holiday apartment is rented to the guest exclusively for residential purposes for the specified contract period and may only be occupied by the standard number of persons stated in the respective offer or in the booking confirmation. Additional persons are subject to a fee, must be registered, and must be reconfirmed by Heinshof.

By confirming, the customer does not acquire a legal entitlement to participate in leisure activities. These may be services provided by Heinshof GbR, e.g. the riding school, or by third parties, e.g. wildlife parks. Such services may be cancelled for important reasons, for example, without affecting the rental agreement. In the event of cancellation, there is no right to a reduction or compensation.

3. Rent and ancillary costs

The guest is obliged to pay Heinshof GbR the applicable or agreed prices for the provision of the holiday apartment and any additional services used by the guest (heinshof.de/kontakt/#preise).

The agreed rent includes all ancillary costs charged as a flat rate (e.g. electricity, heating, water). If the contracting parties have expressly agreed consumption-based billing or additional services (e.g. bread rolls, drinks, snacks, sauna use), which the guest may use at their discretion, these ancillary costs will be invoiced separately. Electricity for cars or e-bikes will be invoiced separately.

If a deposit on the total price has been agreed, it is due upon conclusion of the contract. The remaining balance must be paid to Heinshof GbR no later than four weeks before the agreed arrival date.

All prices include statutory VAT.

The guest may only offset claims against a claim of Heinshof GbR if the claim is undisputed or has been finally adjudicated.

4. Security deposit

If the contracting parties have agreed a security deposit, the guest shall pay Heinshof GbR a deposit of €150.00 as security for each holiday apartment provided. The deposit is payable at the start of the rental period and does not bear interest. It will be refunded to the guest no later than within 14 days after the end of the rental period.

5. Rental period / inventory list

Heinshof GbR will make the booked holiday apartment available to the guest in a contractually compliant condition on the day of arrival from 3:30 PM. If arrival is after 6:00 PM, the guest will inform Heinshof GbR.

The guest is advised to check the inventory list in the holiday apartment immediately after arrival and to notify Heinshof GbR of any missing items no later than the day after arrival.

For the duration of the provision of the holiday apartment, the guest is obliged, when leaving the apartment, to keep windows (except when tilted) and doors closed, set all radiators to a low level, and switch off lights and technical devices.

Heinshof GbR has the right to enter the holiday apartment at any time, in particular in the event of imminent danger. When exercising this right of entry, due consideration must be given to the guest’s legitimate interests. Heinshof GbR will inform the guest in advance about exercising the right of entry unless this is unreasonable or impossible under the circumstances of the individual case.

On the day of departure, the guest shall hand over the holiday apartment to Heinshof GbR no later than 10:30 AM. By arrangement with Heinshof GbR, the handover time may also be at a later time subject to a fee (“late check-out”).

6. Cancellation by the guest

The guest may withdraw from the rental agreement before the start of the rental period by written declaration to Heinshof GbR. The decisive factor is the time the cancellation declaration is received by Heinshof GbR.

If the guest withdraws from the rental agreement, they must pay a flat-rate compensation for expenses already incurred by Heinshof GbR and lost profit in the following amount:

Up to 30 days before arrival: 20% of the agreed rental price,

29 to 15 days before arrival: 35% of the agreed rental price,

14 to 7 days before arrival: 50% of the agreed rental price,

Thereafter and in case of no-show: 80%.

The guest reserves the right to prove that Heinshof GbR has suffered no damage or substantially less damage.

If the guest withdraws from the contract, the guest may name a replacement guest who is willing to enter into the existing contractual relationship in their place. Heinshof GbR may object to the third party’s entry if the third party appears economically or personally unreliable and/or unsuitable.

If a third party enters into the rental agreement, both the third party and the previous guest shall be jointly and severally liable to Heinshof GbR for the rent and any additional costs arising from the third party’s entry.

In accordance with good faith, Heinshof GbR shall re-let accommodation that is not used and must credit the savings achieved thereby against the cancellation fees it claims.

7. Termination by Heinshof GbR

Heinshof GbR may terminate the contractual relationship before or after the start of the rental period without notice if the guest, despite prior reminder, fails to make the agreed payments (deposit, remaining balance and security deposit) on time, or otherwise breaches the contract to such an extent that continuation of the contractual relationship is unreasonable for Heinshof GbR, taking into account all circumstances of the individual case, in particular any fault, and weighing the interests of both parties. In this case, Heinshof GbR may demand compensation from the guest for expenses incurred up to termination and for lost profit. Further claims for damages remain reserved to Heinshof GbR.

8. Extraordinary circumstances

The rental agreement may be terminated by either party if performance of the contract is significantly impeded, endangered or impaired as a result of unforeseeable force majeure at the time the contract was concluded. If the above requirements are met, both contracting parties shall be released from their contractual obligations. However, they must reimburse each other for services already rendered.

9. Guest obligations

The guest undertakes to treat the holiday apartment and its inventory with due care. The guest is liable for culpable damage to furnishings, rooms or the building, as well as facilities etc. belonging to the holiday apartment or the building, in accordance with statutory provisions.

The guest must report any damage occurring in the rented rooms to Heinshof GbR without delay, insofar as the guest is not obliged to remedy it themselves.

In the event of any malfunctions of systems and facilities in the holiday apartment, the guest should do everything reasonably possible to help remedy the malfunction or keep any potential damage to a minimum.

The guest is obliged to inform Heinshof GbR of defects in the holiday apartment without delay. If the guest fails to make such a report, they shall have no claims due to non-performance or defective performance of the contractually agreed services.

Smoking is not permitted in the holiday apartments or anywhere on the entire property.

Guests are asked to be considerate of one another. In particular, disruptive noise, especially loud door slamming and activities that disturb other residents through noise and impair domestic peace and quiet, must be avoided.

Playing music is prohibited between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM and between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. Radio, television and audio devices may only be used at room volume.

10. Liability

Claims by the guest for damages are excluded. Excluded from this are claims for damages by the guest arising from injury to life, body or health and from breach of essential contractual obligations (cardinal obligations), as well as liability for other damages based on an intentional or grossly negligent breach of duty by Heinshof GbR, its legal representatives or vicarious agents. Essential contractual obligations are those whose fulfilment is necessary to achieve the purpose of the contract.

In the event of a breach of essential contractual obligations, Heinshof GbR shall be liable only for the foreseeable damage typical for the contract if caused by simple negligence, unless the claim for damages arises from injury to life, body or health.

The limitations in paragraphs 1 and 2 also apply in favour of Heinshof GbR’s legal representatives and vicarious agents if claims are asserted directly against them.

Heinshof GbR is not liable for items brought in by the guest. Liability of Heinshof GbR pursuant to Sections 701 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB) is expressly excluded. This expressly also applies to valuables that the guest keeps in the holiday apartment or leaves behind.

The provisions of the Product Liability Act remain unaffected.

11. Keeping animals

Animals, in particular dogs, cats and the like, may only be kept or temporarily housed in the holiday apartment with the express permission of Heinshof GbR and for an additional fee. Permission applies only to the individual case. It may be revoked if inconveniences arise. The guest is liable for all damage caused by keeping animals. On the property, animals must be kept on a leash. Animals may not be left alone on the premises.

12. Data protection

Heinshof GbR collects, processes and uses personal and company-related data of the guest (“personal data”) via the internet in the course of processing contracts. Heinshof GbR complies with the provisions of German data protection laws and the Telemedia Act. Without the guest’s consent, Heinshof GbR will only collect, process or use personal and company-related data insofar as this is necessary for the processing of the contractual relationship. Without the guest’s consent, Heinshof GbR will not use personal data for advertising, market research or opinion polling purposes.

13. Place of jurisdiction, applicable law, severability clause

German law shall apply to these GTC and all contracts between Heinshof GbR and the guest, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). Statutory provisions restricting the choice of law and the applicability of mandatory provisions, in particular of the state in which the guest as a consumer has their habitual residence, remain unaffected.

If the guest is a merchant, a legal entity under public law, or a special fund under public law, the place of jurisdiction for all disputes arising from contractual relationships between the customer and Heinshof GbR is Lüneburg.

Should individual provisions of the contract with the guest, including these GTC, be or become wholly or partially invalid, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. The same applies in the event of a contractual gap.

GTC for holiday apartments as of 2023-03-23

General Terms and Conditions for the Riding School at Heinshof

Scope of the GTC

These General Terms and Conditions apply to contracts for the rental provision of horses for riding lessons and services such as riding lessons and guided rides by Heinshof GbR, represented by Linda Naeve and Patrick Haht, Im Sahrendorf 13, 21272 Egestorf, within the framework of the riding school. Heinshof GbR’s services are provided exclusively on the basis of these General Terms and Conditions.

Conclusion of contract

The contract for the riding lesson requested by the guest and, if applicable, the rental agreement for a horse is concluded when Heinshof GbR confirms the guest’s booking request in person, by phone or in writing by post, email and/or messenger, SMS etc., thereby accepts the booking, and does not cancel it again the day before the appointment for an important reason (e.g. the horse being unavailable for health reasons).

The guest is obliged to check any booking confirmation for accuracy. If the content of the booking confirmation differs from the booking request and the guest does not raise objections without delay, the content of the booking confirmation shall be deemed contractually agreed.

A horse is rented to the guest exclusively for training purposes for the specified contract period, including preparation and follow-up, in the presence of Heinshof GbR staff, and may only be ridden or trained under the conditions stated below.

Rental price and ancillary costs as well as prohibition of set-off

The guest is obliged to pay Heinshof GbR the applicable or agreed prices for the provision of the horse and the training sessions used by the guest (heinshof.de/kontakt/#preise).

If the contracting parties have agreed time-based billing or additional services (e.g. for rides, see price list), the length of which is at the guest’s discretion, these costs will be invoiced separately.

If a deposit on the total price has been agreed, it is due upon conclusion of the contract. The remaining balance must be paid to Heinshof GbR no later than departure.

All prices include statutory VAT.

The guest may only offset claims against a claim of Heinshof GbR if the claim is undisputed or has been finally adjudicated.

Security deposit

If the contracting parties have agreed a security deposit, the guest shall pay Heinshof GbR a deposit in the agreed amount as security for horses and/or equipment provided to them. The deposit is payable before the start of the contract and does not bear interest. It will be refunded to the guest no later than within 14 days after the end of the contractual relationship.

Rental period / inventory list

Heinshof GbR will make the horse available to the guest approx. 30 minutes before the start of the riding lesson.

The guest is responsible for preparing the horse for training (bringing it from the stall or pasture, picking out hooves, grooming, saddling, bridling) and for follow-up after training (unsaddling, grooming, rinsing if necessary, checking and picking out hooves, blanketing if necessary, returning to stall or pasture). If the guest wants Heinshof GbR to handle preparation and follow-up, or if this assistance is necessary due to the guest’s lack of experience, this must be booked in advance and will be charged according to the price list.

For the duration of the provision of a horse, the guest is obliged to stay with it and ensure appropriate treatment.

Cancellation by the guest

The guest may withdraw from the contract before the start of the riding lesson by written declaration to Heinshof GbR. The decisive factor is the time the cancellation declaration is received by Heinshof GbR.

If the guest withdraws from the contract, they must pay a flat-rate compensation for expenses already incurred by Heinshof GbR and lost profit in the following amount:

From booking until one week before the appointment: cancellation free of charge

From one week before the appointment: 25% of the agreed total price

From two days before the appointment: 50% of the agreed total price

From one day before the appointment: 75% of the agreed total price

From two hours before the appointment and in case of no-show: 100% of the agreed total price

The guest reserves the right to prove that Heinshof GbR has suffered no damage or substantially less damage.

If a third party enters into the contract, both the third party and the previous guest shall be jointly and severally liable to Heinshof GbR for the rental price and any additional costs arising from the third party’s entry.

Heinshof reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to change the horse or the riding instructor for the lesson. There is no guarantee of a specific instructor or a specific horse, even if the guest explicitly requests or makes this a condition. Accordingly, the agreement does not stand or fall if Heinshof uses resources other than those requested.

Guests are asked to be considerate of one another. In particular, third parties must not be captured when taking photos or filming. Smoking or open flames are not permitted anywhere on the entire property.

During the riding sessions, the trainer will give various instructions. If the guest declines certain instructions, they will clearly communicate this so the trainer can accommodate the request.

Guest equipment and fitness

The guest must be athletic and must not weigh more than 80 kg. There must be no health restrictions. Heinshof assumes that in the case of minor restrictions, the customer has obtained their doctor’s approval. Otherwise, riding is not permitted and the booking would have to be cancelled subject to a fee. The guest must bring and use the following functional and riding equipment:

Riding helmet in accordance with the current European standard, currently EN1384
These safety requirements correspond to the applicable performance testing regulations of the German Equestrian Federation (FN) for competition sport and therefore serve your safety (rental from Heinshof GbR possible).
Gloves (purchase from Heinshof GbR possible)
Riding breeches (purchase from Heinshof GbR possible)
Boots or ankle boots with a clearly defined heel
Headset (rental from Heinshof GbR possible)
Airbag vest (mandatory; rental from Heinshof GbR possible)

Liability

Claims by the guest for damages are excluded. Excluded from this are claims for damages by the guest arising from injury to life, body or health or from breach of essential contractual obligations (cardinal obligations), as well as liability for other damages based on an intentional or grossly negligent breach of duty by Heinshof GbR, its legal representatives or vicarious agents. Essential contractual obligations are those whose fulfilment is necessary to achieve the purpose of the contract.

Riding is a dangerous sport. Horses are flight animals and can spook without warning. This also applies to trained and/or calm horses. These or other reasons, including those not caused by any fault of the guest, can lead to painful falls and, as a result, to serious health damage and even permanent injury. The guest expressly acknowledges this.

The limitations in paragraphs 1 and 2 also apply in favour of Heinshof GbR’s legal representatives and vicarious agents if claims are asserted directly against them.

Keeping animals by the guest

Animals, in particular dogs, cats and the like, may only be brought along with the express permission of Heinshof GbR and must be kept on a leash by an accompanying person. Permission applies only to the individual case. It may be revoked if inconveniences arise. The guest is liable for all damage caused by keeping animals.

Data protection

Place of jurisdiction, applicable law, severability clause

Should individual provisions of the contract with the guest, including these GTC, be or become wholly or partially invalid, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions.

GTC for riding as of 2024-06-24

HOUSE RULES

Riding School
1. Riding lessons must be booked under Riding Request.
2. The time window will be confirmed by email and in the backend mentioned above.
3. New customers book the service add-on “Saddle assistance” with the first riding lesson.
4. Beginners also book a basic course before the first riding lesson.
5. For maximum protection against injury, an airbag safety vest is mandatory and must be brought along or rented.
6. For trail rides, an airbag is mandatory and must be brought along or rented.
7. Mounting and dismounting is only permitted at the mounting blocks, not, for example, on furniture such as benches. A second person must hold the horse from the ground.
8. Mounting and dismounting without an airbag is not permitted.
9. Conventional back-stiffening vests are not permitted.
10. Participation in the fall and safety training is expressly recommended in order to become aware of risks, understand how to use safety equipment, and avoid serious accidents.
11. If you have any health restrictions, you must consult your doctor and have your riding plans approved.
12. Recommended maximum number of riding or training sessions:
  1. On arrival or departure days: 1x riding and/or 1x training.
  2. On fully available days: 2x riding and/or 1x training
13. Scheduling follows the evening before, including the location for receiving the horse and names, coach, etc. Arrival: 1 hour before the start.
14. Watching other students is expressly encouraged.
15. The customer is responsible for bringing the horse out, preparing it, follow-up, and returning it. These services can be added for a fee.
16. Equipment to bring: riding cap and boots/ankle boots with heel, riding gloves, standard headset (“3.5 mm jack”), airbag if applicable.
17. Tie-up points for horses only on the side with a paved surface
18. Horses are not allowed on the lawn in the courtyard area.
Farm Shop / Café
1. Bread roll orders under Bread Roll Service are delivered to the self-service farm café “Chick-Inn” at your requested time.
2. Initial stocking from the gourmet store Gourmet is placed in the holiday apartment. Follow-up orders are delivered to the “Chick-Inn” refrigerator.
3. The key card opens the farm shop outside opening hours. After self-service, switch off the lights again and lock up.
4. Required consumption note on the order form: name, date, holiday apartment, quantity, product (see category heading on the shelf), e.g. “bar” (muesli bar, chocolate bar, wafer) or “hot drink” (tea, coffee, hot chocolate).
5. After leaving, put the slip in the mailbox.
6. Coffee machine service takes place approx. between 7 and 8 AM.
7. The grounds container and drip tray may be emptied; coffee and water may be refilled.
8. Picnicking with brought-in food and drinks in/at the farm café/shop is not permitted and will result in a corkage fee per person at the table in accordance with the price list.
9. After each use, return seat cushions to the shelves.

Holiday Apartment
1. Arrival from 3:30 PM (*early check-in from 12 PM)
2. Arrival notice per navigation system to office@heinshof.com
3. The courtyard is car-free except for loading and unloading.
4. Parking (we accept no liability for your vehicles or contents)
  1. Parking “green”, cars and trailers: by the riding arenas/village entrance.
  2. Parking “blue” Im Sahrendorf 11, behind “Chick-Inn”

Unloading excess luggage at the gate on Bollberg residents street.

Day visitors: the above parking areas and Bollberg uphill from the farm gate.
Electric car:
1. One space in front of the barn below the gate.
2. One space in the blue parking area (coming soon!)
In the municipality of Egestorf, parking is not permitted on unpaved surfaces such as grass verges.

No smoking and no open flames in the holiday apartment, all buildings, and throughout the entire farm premises, including grills.
A smoking area is located at the gate. In dry conditions, check for restrictions with the German Weather Service.

Departure by 10:30 AM (late check-out 2 PM)
Holiday apartment checklist before departure (services can be booked in accordance with the price list):
1. Strip the beds and place the bed linen and towels in the bathroom.
2. Dispose of rubbish in the containers behind the manure slab according to the sorting system.

Turn “off” the heating and refrigerator.

Open windows fitted with insect screens to the tilt position.
Close pleated blinds (insulation).
Return deposit bottles (Chick-Inn, delivery service) to Chick-Inn.

Payment for booked services according to invoice, also by email
1. Online payment without prior notice
2. In-person payment by card or cash at “Chick-Inn” with notice 30 minutes before departure.
Deposits are pass-through items and will be settled against chicken-house consumption and the hotel services listed above within a few days.

Inventory and laundry
1. Free use of towels and bed linen in the holiday apartment.
2. All holiday apartments are non-smoking apartments.
3. Depending on the booking, all apartments are intended for up to 2, 4 or 5 persons. Additional persons are subject to a fee.
4. Additional persons, if possible, must be reconfirmed in advance for a fee, even without a sleeping place.
5. Each confirmed person receives one towel, one bath towel, one made-up pillow and one made-up duvet for use. In addition, there is a bath mat.
6. The beds are made up on arrival.
7. After departure, the guest must strip the beds (except for the protective covers) and place the linen in the bathroom.
8. Switch on the instantaneous water heater (Cossma, La Jolie, Max, Moritz) upon arrival.
9. The apartment may only be aired with the radiators switched off.
10. Air out thoroughly once a day, preferably after showering.
11. There is no functional guarantee for special TV features, e.g. USB ports, streaming internet TV.
12. Audio devices must be set to room volume.
13. As the guesthouse is a former stable building, it is not soundproof. From 8 PM onwards, please be especially considerate of neighbours.
14. One vacuum cleaner per staircase (Cossma/La Jolie) is available free of charge for a standard cleaning period, as well as in the staff and day-guest bathroom.
15. A voluntary initial supply of consumables must be replenished by the guest after use, including kitchen roll, toilet paper, tissues, cleaning products, coffee filter bags, vacuum cleaner bags, dishwasher powder, salt and rinse aid.
16. The inventory is listed on the inventory list in the holiday apartment.
17. Upon arrival, the guest checks completeness for each booked apartment.
18. Inventory must be returned to the apartment from which it was taken.

Pet owners
1. Dogs brought along
  1. Dogs must be booked in advance for a fee in accordance with the price list.
  2. Dogs may only lie on blankets brought along or in a dog bed, not on furniture such as sofas, armchairs, beds.

No dogs on/at the riding arenas.

Neither small nor large business may be done on the farm premises, lawns, or on horse feed and/or bedding.
Within the village limits, dog waste must be picked up using poop bags and disposed of in residual waste (behind the manure slab).
Leash requirement on the farm premises, the pastures, and the entire property.

No digging holes on lawns, pastures, paddocks, riding arenas.
Do not leave your dog unattended in the holiday apartment, on the property, or in vehicles.

Own horses
1. Horses brought along must not have any contagious diseases.
2. In the months of March to April, or in the event of warnings from veterinary authorities, the customer must be able to present a negative PCR test for herpes type 1 that is no more than 48 hours old if immunisation by vaccination cannot be proven.

The box is available on the day of arrival from 3:30 PM.

Liability for third-party damages in connection with the care of horses is excluded.
The monetary value of guest horses must not exceed €20,000.00.
Self-service, turnout times, unauthorised use of the riding arena, etc. must be booked for a fee under Horse Boarding.

The farm gate is opened for farm work and for holding during loading, not for parking. Arrival notice 30 minutes in advance.
Pawing on the farm premises must be stopped immediately.

Horses only at the front of the tie-up points.
Horses are not allowed on the ornamental lawn.
Pick up horse droppings: paths, paddock, farm premises, residents’ street.

Use hand sanitiser before and after touching horses.

House rules as of 2025-03-06

General Terms and Conditions

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