Unable to contact future guest and payment bounced

[SelfcaterOwner]

We have 1 holiday cottage, usual set up - deposit when booking, and balance 6 weeks in advance of stay. The guest paid the deposit but the cheque received for the balance has bounced. I have emailed and tried both the numbers supplied by the hirer but no response. I'm intending to send a special delivery letter to them, stating that the booking will be assumed to be cancelled if they do not pay the balance. Any other advice on what I should do? Thank you

[barbersdrove]

I think that's as much as you can do. Be prepared for them to turn up though. Quite what you do then I'm not sure! Thankfully i've not had this happen yet but I expect it's only a matter of time.

[joyful]

We have 1 holiday cottage, usual set up - deposit when booking, and balance 6 weeks in advance of stay. The guest paid the deposit but the cheque received for the balance has bounced. I have emailed and tried both the numbers supplied by the hirer but no response. I'm intending to send a special delivery letter to them, stating that the booking will be assumed to be cancelled if they do not pay the balance. Any other advice on what I should do? Thank you

Dear Self Cater Owner,

They have to pay the balance by 6 weeks, they haven't, you've tried to contact them so you have done your bit (note when you did contact them just in case - contemporaneous notes are must). If I were in your position I would try to relet it and if you do and you hear from them you can send the deposit back or what ever arrangement you have on these matters and if you don't hear from them then you dealt with them according to your terms and conditions which no doubt you have clearly set out. If their cheque bounced for balance they may well be in financial difficulties especially as you have tried to contact them as well so protect yourself and follow your own Terms and Conditions to the letter.