Cancelling a holiday home: which costs and conditions apply?
Cancellation costs depend on the timing and the agreed rental conditions. Always cancel in writing and check the signed agreement for the exact financial consequence.
Plans can change, even after you have booked a lovely villa. If you need to cancel, it helps to know what to do first and which charges may apply. This guide keeps the steps clear.
Holiday plans can change, but cancelling a booked villa can have a substantial financial consequence. Quality Renting’s currently published conditions require cancellation to be made in writing. They describe a cancellation charge of 25% of the rent when cancellation occurs up to eight weeks before the rental period and 100% for cancellations within the stated eight-to-four-week period.
The current public wording does not set out every possible timing bracket with equal clarity. For a cancellation closer to arrival, do not infer a percentage from this summary: check the signed rental agreement and ask Quality Renting to confirm the applicable amount in writing.
What to do if you need to cancel
Cancellation steps
- Find your booking confirmation and signed rental agreement.
- Check the cancellation clause that formed part of your reservation.
- Send the cancellation in writing rather than only calling.
- Ask for written confirmation of the cancellation date and amount due.
- Check whether you have travel or cancellation insurance.
- Keep payment records and correspondence together.
Cancellation by the guest and a property problem are different
A voluntary cancellation by the tenant is not the same situation as the booked accommodation becoming unavailable or a party failing to perform the contract. If the property cannot be provided as agreed, the relevant contractual and consumer-law position should be assessed separately rather than automatically applying a guest cancellation fee.
Travel insurance can matter
Cancellation insurance does not change the rental contract, but it may reimburse covered losses when the reason falls within the policy. Read the policy conditions before assuming that illness, travel disruption or a family emergency is covered. Insurers commonly require evidence of both the reason for cancellation and the non-refundable amount charged by the accommodation provider.
| Document | Why keep it? |
|---|---|
| Signed rental agreement | Shows the cancellation terms agreed for the booking. |
| Written cancellation | Establishes when notice was given. |
| Provider confirmation | Shows the amount charged or refunded. |
| Insurance policy | Determines whether the reason and cost may be covered. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel by telephone?
You can call to discuss the situation, but the published conditions require written cancellation. Follow up in writing.
Does cancelling early always mean a full refund?
No. The current conditions already provide for a cancellation fee even in the earlier period.
What if the website and my signed contract differ?
For an existing booking, obtain clarification about the agreement that actually forms part of your reservation rather than relying on a later website version.
Check your own booking first
Look up your signed agreement, then read the Quality Renting cancellation and rental conditions. If anything is unclear, ask about your particular reservation before taking further steps.
Updated 17 September 2026. For the final price, dates and conditions, always check your own property listing and booking confirmation.
This article is informational; always check current official rules and your agreement.