Hoseasons and Cottages.com to issue Covid-19 refunds as watchdog threatens court action against accommodation providers

09 June 2020 by
Hoseasons and Cottages.com to issue Covid-19 refunds as watchdog threatens court action against accommodation providers

An investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the holiday accommodation sector has seen the owner of Hoseasons and Cottages.com agree to refund customers whose bookings were cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Vacation Rentals was one of a number of companies reported to the CMA's Covid-19 taskforce, which continues to investigate other accommodation providers, enquiries it has said may ultimately lead to court action.

The watchdog said 4,500 reports have been received about UK holiday rental companies, with common complaints including a refusal to provide full refunds or offering only vouchers instead of cash refunds.

Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA, said: "Our Covid-19 Taskforce is working hard to ensure that consumers get what they are entitled to, so it's good news that Vacation Rentals has agreed to offer people the refunds they are due. We welcome this step and other holiday lets firms must now follow suit.

"We know the pandemic is presenting businesses with challenges too, but it's not right that people are being left hundreds or even thousands of pounds out of pocket – on top of having to sacrifice their holidays. Consumer protection law exists for a reason; businesses must observe the law or face the possibility of enforcement action."

Picture: Shutterstock

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking