Terms & Conditions
1. Introduction
Please read these terms and conditions carefully as these conditions incorporate the basis on which bookings for Locala are accepted.
Failure to abide by these Terms and Conditions permits Locala to refuse entry, amend the rental or apply additional charges and/or terminate the occupancy.
2. Definitions
• Guest: The person making the booking and all invitees staying at or visiting the Property.
• Property: The accommodation premises booked through Locala.
• Common Property: Any shared facilities associated with the Property.
• Owner: The registered owner of the Property.
• Manager: Locala, its agents, employees, or contractors engaged in the operation of the Property.
• Credit Card: The credit or debit card provided by the Guest for payment, bond, and charge purposes.
3. How to Book / Quotes and Reservations
Bookings can be made via our website or via email or mobile (per the contact details listed on the website).
• Verbal quotes are valid for 24 hours and are estimates only.
• Written confirmation from Locala is required to secure the reservation.
• A booking deposit of 50% of the total accommodation fare is payable immediately to confirm your booking.The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to check-in.
• For bookings made within 30 days of check-in, full payment is required at the time of booking.
• If full payment is not received by the relevant due date, Locala reserves the right to cancel the booking in accordance with the Cancellation Policy in Section 7.
4. Accommodation Use
• The Property is leased to you for short-term holiday purposes only.
• The maximum occupancy is provided on the listing and must be adhered to by guests at all times (noting occupancy includes guests staying in the home as well as any additional visitors). Locala reserves the right to terminate the agreement (and evict guests without a refund) where the maximum occupancy is breached without Locala's consent.
• Features and facilities are subject to change without notice; no liability is accepted for unavailability or errors. Locala is not liable for temporary or permanent omissions or errors.
5. Booking Responsibility
The person making the booking accepts these terms on behalf of all guests and is responsible for all payments and conduct during the stay.
6. Check-In / Check-Out
Check-in / check-out times are as follows unless otherwise agreed:
• Check-in: From 3:00 PM
If a guest would like to request an early check-in or late check-out, please enquire before (or immediately after) booking the home to check if there is availability and to ensure the booking calendar can be blocked accordingly. There are no guarantees regarding availability for an early check-in or late check-out unless confirmed in writing by Locala. Please note that there may be various offers at various times throughout the year which are advertised on the property listing page (all subject to availability at the time of enquiry or booking).
Lost keys will result in a charge of $100.
If guests lock themselves out of the Property not due to the fault of Locala or entry issues with the Property, Locala on-site attendance will incur a fee of $100 between 9am–5pm and $200 between 5pm–9am.
A late check-out fee will be automatically debited from the guest's credit card if a guest leaves the Property past the check-out time without Locala's consent. This will be calculated based on a rate of $70 per hour + GST.
7. Cancellations
We operate under the following seasonal Cancellation Policy:
• For check-ins 1 May – 31 August: Full refund for cancellations made up to 10 days prior to the check-in date. For cancellations made 10 days or less prior to the check-in date, there will be no refund.
• For check-ins 1 September – 30 April: Full refund for cancellations made up to 21 days prior to the check-in date. For cancellations made 21 days or less prior to the check-in date, there will be no refund.
• All refunds are subject to a 3% Stripe processing fee charge.
No refund is provided for early departure or no-show, regardless of the reason for early departure.
You are strongly advised to arrange personal travel insurance to cover any unexpected cancellations.
Bookings made through third-party platforms are subject to the cancellation policies of those platforms.
8. Booking Amendments
Guests may request to amend a confirmed booking instead of cancelling it. All amendment requests are subject to Locala's discretion and are not confirmed until provided in writing.
Bring-forward requests — moving the check-in date to an earlier date, at the same rate and subject to availability at the time of the request — are generally accommodated.
Other amendment requests, including changes to a later date, extended stays, or changes of property, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Where such a request cannot be accommodated as an amendment, the original booking remains subject to the Cancellation Policy in Section 7.
9. Cleaning and Linen
Linen and bath towels are provided for all properties.
You must leave the Property clean and tidy, including:
• Dishes washed and stored
• BBQ cleaned
• Furniture returned to original position
• Rubbish removed to bins provided
Excessive cleaning / rearranging may incur additional charges at a rate of $70 per hour plus GST, debited from your bond.
10. Damages, Breakages, and Losses
Guests should report all damages or maintenance issues immediately. If unreported, you risk being held responsible for pre-existing damage.
Charges to guests may be made for:
• Damage to property or furnishings (beyond usual wear and tear), noting guests should take reasonable care when dealing with materials or appliances they are not familiar with (e.g. marble benches to be protected from heat and stains during use)
• Excessive cleaning
• Lost keys or remotes
• Unauthorised events or parties
• Any other breach of these Terms in the Agreement
Before making any deduction, Locala will provide the Guest with a description of the issue, supporting evidence (e.g. photos or invoices), and a cost breakdown. Guests authorise Locala to then deduct the relevant amount from the bond.
Where the cost of any damage, breakage, loss, or other charge under this section exceeds the bond amount, Locala reserves the right to charge the difference to the Credit Card provided at the time of booking, in addition to retaining the bond.
If Locala is unable to recover these costs from the bond or provided Credit Card, see Section 21 (Non-Payment / Debt Recovery).
11. Bond
A bond will be held from 2–3 days before check-in. The bond amount is specific to each property and will be communicated to you in the property summary at the time of booking.
Bonds are generally released 3–5 business days after check-out, subject to any damages, breakages, and losses (as defined in Section 10 above). If for some reason a bond is automatically released prior to 3–5 business days after check-out, Locala reserves the right to re-hold a bond until 3–5 business days after check-out.
If you disagree with any bond deduction, please contact Locala directly. We will review the matter and aim to resolve it fairly.
If your card cannot be pre-authorised prior to the booking after reasonable attempts, your booking may be cancelled subject to the Cancellation Policy that applies.
12. Rules and Restrictions
Breaches of the below rules may result in loss of bond, additional charges or immediate eviction without refund:
• Outdoor areas, including decks, spas, and pools, are off-limits after 10PM on weekdays, and 11PM on weekends.
• No yelling or loud music is allowed at any time that can disturb neighbours, day or night.
• Valid photo ID may be required at check-in.
• No parties or unapproved gatherings are permitted.
• Hens & Bucks parties are strictly prohibited (will result in immediate eviction and loss of bond).
• Bringing pets to the Property if that is against the Property rules.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited indoors and outdoors.
• Only the number of guests and visitors specified in the booking are permitted on the Property without prior approval.
• Parking should only be in regulatory or council approved areas and not disturbing neighbours.
13. Minors and Family Bookings
Minors are welcome at Locala properties when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is also a registered Guest on the booking. Valid photo identification may be requested at check-in to confirm guardianship and compliance with Section 12 (Rules and Restrictions).
14. Functions
Properties are for residential accommodation only. Unauthorised events will incur a penalty fee of $5,000 and potential termination of the stay.
15. Noise and Entry Monitoring
Some of our homes are equipped with:
• Noise monitoring devices that measure decibel levels only (no audio recording)
• External cameras which record entry and exit onto the Property (without visibility over any of the living / common areas)
To Locala's knowledge, there are no active cameras viewing internal living areas or any pool area.
It is the responsibility of the Guest to determine prior to booking (by reaching out to Locala if necessary), whether the presence of noise monitoring devices or external cameras would make them uncomfortable.
16. Right of entry
Locala, its staff, contractors, and the Owner's representatives may enter the Property during the Guest's stay:
• to perform routine servicing, such as bin collection, garden maintenance, or pool/spa servicing;
• to conduct routine pool or spa safety and chemical checks, where applicable;
• to carry out repairs or maintenance, including in response to a fault reported by the Guest;
• to inspect the Property where Locala reasonably suspects damage, a breach of these Terms, or a safety issue; or
• at any time, without notice, in the case of an emergency or where Locala reasonably believes there is an immediate risk to the Property, its occupants, or others.
Except in the case of an emergency or suspected breach, Locala will use reasonable efforts to provide the Guest with advance notice before entering the Property.
If you would prefer not to be disturbed during your stay, please let us know with reasonable notice and we will do our best to accommodate this for routine entry. This does not apply to entry required for safety or compliance reasons, emergencies, or where Locala reasonably suspects damage or a breach of these Terms.
16. Loss, Damage, or Theft of Guest Property
To the extent permitted by law, Locala accepts no responsibility for:
• Loss, damage, theft of personal property (including vehicles).
You are strongly advised to arrange personal travel insurance to cover loss or injury.
17. Weather, Renovations and Other Disturbances
Locala is not responsible for disturbances caused by weather, renovations in neighbouring properties or other events outside of its control.
18. Responsibility and Liability
Locala makes every effort to ensure property information is accurate but accepts no liability for errors or changes beyond our control.
Guests acknowledge that they occupy the Property at their own risk.
To the extent permitted by law, Locala disclaims all liability for any loss, damage, injuries or deaths occurring during the stay, provided the Property complies with all safety and legal regulations. If the Property is found to be non-compliant with regulations, liability falls solely on the Owner.
Guests are responsible for their own safety and are encouraged to exercise caution, especially around pools, spas, water bodies, slippery surfaces, and other potentially hazardous areas.
There are no guarantees that the property has a secure perimeter or is free from unintended or unexpected hazards. Guests should take appropriate care at the property and children and pets should be supervised at all times.
19. Right to Decline or Cancel a Booking
Locala reserves the right to decline or cancel a booking, whether before or after confirmation, where the booking details, intended use, or guest profile present a risk to the Property, neighbouring residents, or other guests. Where Locala cancels a booking under this clause, the Guest will be notified as soon as practicable and will receive a full refund of all amounts paid.
20. Rates and Payment
All rates are in Australian Dollars and include GST (where applicable).
Rates are subject to change prior to payment of the deposit.
Written confirmation secures your quoted rate.
21. Non-Payment / Debt Recovery
By confirming a booking, the Guest agrees to be responsible for payment of all amounts owed to Locala under this Agreement, including the total booking amount and any charges arising under Section 10 (Damages, Breakages, and Losses) or elsewhere in these Terms. If any amount is not received, Locala reserves the right to charge the Credit Card provided at the time of booking and to pursue the outstanding balance, including by legal action, for up to six ( 6 ) years from the date payment was due, in accordance with the laws of Victoria, Australia. The Guest may also be liable for reasonable legal costs and interest incurred in recovering the debt.
22. Subject to Change
Bookings are accepted in good faith but may be subject to change due to:
• Sale of the Property
• Owner withdrawal from rental market
• Major renovations or maintenance
• Other bona fide reasons
In such cases, guests will receive a full refund or alternate accommodation where available.
24. Minimum Stays
Minimum night stay requirements apply and vary between properties.
25. Privacy
Information collected from Guests, including photo identification and payment details, is handled in accordance with Locala's Privacy Policy, available on our website.
26. Australian Consumer Law
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantee, right, or remedy that the Guest has under the Australian Consumer Law, or any other applicable law, which cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted, or modified.
27. Severability
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be void, unenforceable, or illegal, that provision will be severed and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
28. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.
All parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Victoria.
