TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF HIRE

Applicable to Seashore Accessible Chalets (Single or Dual Chalet Hire)  

1. The Accessible Beach Chalet and its amenity is the property of East Suffolk Council. The definition of beach chalet for this purpose includes chalet-style Chalets of brick/concrete/timber construction. 

2. The person responsible for the chalet during the hire (“the Hirer”) is the person named on the booking (single name) and they should ensure they are familiar with operating and hire information and that they, and any guests they invite to the chalet, follow all current terms and conditions of use and conduct themselves in a polite manner, considerate to others. 

3. The chalets are considered to comfortably accommodate 8 people, subject to individual use and accessibility needs. No more than 10 people should occupy a chalet at any one time. 

4. The paved terrace outside the chalets is a shared space for those hiring the chalets. It is intended for sitting and lounging only. All hirers shall be considerate to others in their use of this space. 

5. The period of hire starts at 10:00 on the first day of hire. Hire ends on 22:00 on last day of hire. 

6. The permitted hours of use will be 08:00 to 22:00 hours on any day excluding the hire start day (10:00 on first hire day) and hire end day (22:00 last day). 

7. No overnight stays permitted. 

8. No cooking or heating of food in the chalets or the chalet terrace area is permitted. No gas stoves. No BBQs. Take-away food, picnic food, snacks etc. can be consumed in the chalets. All food and packaging waste should be disposed of responsibly in the public waste bins located nearby on the promenade. Waste should not be left in chalets. 

9. Hot water dispenser (kettle) is provided but used at own risk. Children should not use. Please take care. 

10. The accessible w.c. is for exclusive use of hirer (chalet 3). It includes a visible and audible alarm pull cord (please note the alarm activates within chalet 3 only). The hirer is responsible for attendance if activated and for re-setting the alarm using the re-set button on the wall. 

11. For hire duration exceeding one week, there will be no cleaning of the chalet by the Council until your hire the period ends. 

12. Access to chalets by the Council (including access to store within Chalet 3) for purpose of maintenance, repair or operational need is permitted at any time. Where possible, access will be limited to unoccupied times but this may not always be possible. 

13. Purpose of hire is recreational beach-related uses including changing and relaxation. Window and door blinds are provided for use during changing. The use of the Chalet is entirely at the risk of the user. No valuables should not be left in the chalets during the hire. The Council accepts no responsibility for loss of theft of the personal possession of the hirer. 

14. Hirer is responsible for securing chalet windows and doors during hire period. Digital access code should not be disclosed to other persons. Note digital code to be entered each time you enter – the door will lock digitally every time door is closed shut. 

15. Hirer shall pay the appropriate Hire Charge including VAT at time of booking/no later than 14 days prior to hire date. The Hirer shall present details of their confirmed booking if requested. 

16. Hirer shall satisfy the requirements of this or any revised hiring agreement. 

17. Cancellation policy – You may cancel your booking until 4 weeks in advance of the hire start date. Cancellations must be in writing and a refund may be requested. A cancellation charge of 20% may apply (or a minimum £50 set cancellation charge). If cancellation is made with less than 4 weeks’ notice of hire start date, no refund will apply. Any refund will be credited to the payment card used to make the order following Council process. 

18. Inventory of items supplied with hire is kept and checked after each hire. Details are provided in the Chalet Information Pack located in each kitchenette. Any items absent at start of hire should be notified. Any breakages, damage (in part or full), missing or non-functioning items should be reported as soon as apparent. We will attend to breakage/issue report as soon as practicable. If items are missing at the end of hire, the Hirer will be contacted and recharge to hirer may be raised. 

19. The Hirer and their guests shall reasonably co-operate with Council requests in relation to the management and use of the seafront, including respect for beach rules and byelaws. 

20. Hirer shall not make any temporary or permanent alterations, shall not deface or damage fixtures or finishes or components of any type. 

21. Hirer shall keep the Beach Chalet clean and tidy at all times, including its immediate vicinity. The User will not store rubbish in the Beach Chalets but make use of public waste bins. Hirer is provided with cleaning wipes and sweeping brush for this purpose. In the event that hire is terminated, the hirer shall leave the chalet immediately, leaving it clean and tidy. 

22. Hirer must empty the chalet waste bin at the end of each day into nearby public waste bins located on the promenade adjacent Seashore, and at the end of the hire period. Waste should not be left in the chalet overnight. 

23. Hirer must adhere to the times of permitted use in accordance with hire start/end, unless other specific arrangements have been made with the Council in advance to different effect. 

24. The hirer shall not encroach beyond the hired space and shall not obstruct any passageways, access to the Councils Land generally, any walkways, steps, the lower promenade, or the surrounding area in any way. 

25. The hirer shall display courtesy to other chalet hirers and beach users. 

26. The user shall not cause any nuisance, disturbance, or annoyance to other Beach Chalet Users or those making use of adjacent Council Land. The right is reserved to terminate hire in this event, at Council’s discretion. 

27. The Council does not warrant that the Beach Chalet is or will remain suitable for the Permitted Use. The Beach Chalet is within an environment that the Council cannot control and may be subject to change by storm, wind, waves, tide, or other uncontrollable elements. 

28. The beach chalets are located beyond the Sea Wall. Flood gates will be closed when a flood alert has been issued by the Environment Agency, therefore access will be restricted by flood gates and flood boards in this event. In addition, Seashore site flood boards, sand bags and other such preventative measures may be placed when deemed necessary and may affect access routes to the chalet. Offer of refund (full/part) or alternative hire period will be given only at discretion of council dependent on circumstances. 

29. The Council reserves the right for health and safety reasons to prohibit access to the Beach Chalet if deemed absolutely necessary and reserves the right to vary the terms of any hire agreement at any time. Offer of refund (full/part) or alternative hire period will be given only at discretion of council dependent on circumstances. 

30. The Council reserve the right to access the Beach Chalet during the hire period on the grounds of purpose of inspection, checks, safety or security, or the like, as determined as necessary by the Council. 

31. Terms and conditions may change from time to time. 

32. If the Council terminates the hire agreement this shall be without prejudice to any claim the Council may have against the user. 

33. The local public wi-fi service may have limited signal strength within the chalets/in some areas. 

34. The user shall not do any act, matter, or thing in breach of any statute, law, government guidance or byelaw affecting the Beach Chalet, lower promenade and beach use and in particular it should be noted that:
    • Dogs are not permitted on the areas of Beach as designated and signed from 1st May to 30th September inclusive.
    • Dogs must always be kept on a short lead and under close control.
    • Under no circumstances are barbecues, fires or fireworks allowed on any part of the promenade or beach including within the Beach Chalet or Seashore Village.