TERMS AND CONDITIONS
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Acceptance of Terms and Conditions
Pontem Housing Pty Ltd (“Pontem”) provides temporary residential solutions in appropriately furnished and equipped houses, with all utilities connected and for flexible length of stay. The term “House” also includes villas and townhouses. Any House is to be used solely for quiet residential purposes.
Any Responsible Organisation ("RO") can identify a need for a temporary residence. This RO may be Government Department, an Insurance Company, a corporation or an individual.
The RO must appoint a Responsible Person ("RP"), such as a Case Worker or Insurance Case Manager, to determine that any temporary residence offered by Pontem is suitable for purpose and this RP is the key decision maker and contracting party for any booking, the nightly rate and the duration of the stay. Pontem must be informed should the RP change during any stay.
By making a booking with Pontem, the RP either directly or through a representative or booking Agent (“Booker”) agrees to all terms and conditions listed below. These terms and conditions form the agreement between Pontem and the RO.
1. Pontem's Responsibility
Pontem agrees to provide a House as a safe, secure, private, well maintained, comfortable, appropriately equipped and fit for purpose residence, with all utilities connected for those persons authorised to use it by the RP, herein referred to collectively as Occupants.
Immediately prior to the commencement of the booking, Pontem will undertake a detailed condition report of the House, making sure that the property meets health and safety laws, including providing and maintaining locks or other security devices to ensure the property is reasonably secure.
2. Responsible Organisation's Responsibility
The RP authorises the use of the House for any Occupant or visitor and is responsible for supervising and controlling any activities undertaken therein. Pontem is not responsible or liable for the actions or inactions of any authorised Occupants or visitors at the House during the period of the booking.
The RO agrees that it is liable to pay for any breakage, damage (and/or loss) of any part of, or entirety of, the building structure (both internal and external), landscaping, furniture, fittings and/or equipment in the house and/or its contents absolutely. Pontem reserves the right to add 10% to the repair bill, to cover the work involved in the repair process.
3. Damage to property and contents
Depending on the severity of the damage and any safety concerns, Pontem agrees to manage the ‘make safe’ and repair process, and the replacement of any contents as and when necessary.
Damages notified during the stay, or identified after the Occupants’ departure, will be assessed and documented, compared against the ingoing Condition Report. Pontem will provide supporting evidence (such as photos) where possible, however confidentiality and access may restrict Pontem from providing a complete record and understanding of all events.
Pontem is not responsible for any damage to any vehicle while in the driveway or in the vicinity of the House.
3.1 Replacing contents due to damage
In the event that contents at a Pontem House are damaged and require replacing, a separate invoice will be provided to the RO, outlining the damaged items and the replacement cost.
In sourcing replacement contents Potem seeks to purchase these tems at the best available advertised rate.
Pontem reserves the right to invoice for contents in advance of the purchase. In these instances, evidence of the exact item that will be purchased will be submitted with the invoice.
Where contents are damaged but are still functional (e.g. a dented fridge), Pontem will assess the extent of damage and charge a proportionate cost of the damaged item.
3.2 Obtaining quotes for property damage
Pontem will source at least one written quote for repairing the damages (Pontem Quote) from a suitable qualified and certified tradesman. This quote will clearly state the damage, the full cost for completing the repairs, as well as the number of business days required to complete the repairs. The quote may or may not include rubbish removal and/or extensive cleaning (depending on the damage). One of the conditions of the Pontem Quote requires the repairer to commence the repair work within 48 hours of the quote being approved.
If the RO requires more than one Quote to be considered for the repairs (Alternative Quote/s), Pontem will provide access to the House for the purposes of providing the Alternative Quote. The scope of works (including the quality of materials and workmanship) of the Alternative Quote must be equal in that of the Pontem Quote. The RO is responsible for collating all quotes (if more than one quote is required) and advising Pontem when a repairer has been selected.
In the event that a Pontem House is damaged, the nightly accommodation charges apply from the departure date of the Occupant until the property has been completely and fully repaired; Pontem has undertaken a final inspection with the repairer; and Pontem is satisfied with the completed repairs. For avoidance of doubt, Pontem will continue to charge the nightly accommodation charges in event of any delay in the client’s consideration and/or approval of the repair quote/s.
Should the RO select the Alternative Quote to undertake the repairs, they guarantee that the repairs will fully restore the House to its original condition (original condition means the condition the property was in at the commencement of the booking). In the event that the Alternative Quote repairer does not repair the House to the complete satisfaction of Pontem, the RO agrees to indemnify Pontem for any additional charges Pontem incurs in returning the Property to its original condition.
Should Pontem not receive instructions from the RO within 60 days of the quote being submitted by Pontem, Pontem reserves the right to appoint their chosen tradespeople to undertake the repairs. In this instance, they will be advised that the repair work will be commencing as per the Pontem Quote submitted.
3.3 Urgent repairs and house alterations
Damage, caused by the occupant, that poses an immediate and present danger to the Occupant(s) staying at a Pontem House will be repaired immediately by Pontem.
The urgent nature of these repairs means that prior approval may not be possible.
Pontem will facilitate and arrange for urgent repairs and alterations to a House when instructed by the RO or the RP providing supervision within the House. Examples include (but are not limited to) replacing broken windows; changing door handles and locks; replacing doors if broken beyond use; and completing make-safe wall repairs and alike.
Pontem will use their preferred trades and providers who are available 24x7 and no quotes will be submitted in advance of the work being performed. Evidence of costs will be provided by Pontem when issuing an invoice for reimbursement.
3.4 External damage and disturbance
When neighbours are adversely impacted by the behaviour of an Occupant or visitor, the RO will be contacted to immediately vacate the House. All external damage and disturbance must be reported to Pontem within two hours of each event.
4. Payment
Payments must be made by the due date as per the invoice. Payment is due in advance of the stay period at all times. If a booking is accepted prior to payment being made, payment is required on the next business day. All subsequent invoices are due within seven days of issue.
We accept payment by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, direct debit, bank deposit and electronic funds transfer. Payment by card attracts a 1.55% surcharge (and 2.25% for American Express). If paying by card, you authorise Pontem to transact payments at monthly intervals following the initial payment.
5. Cancellations, postponements, delayed arrivals and early departures
72 hours' notice of cancellation, postponements, delayed arrivals and early departures is required for all lengths of stay in order to avoid nightly charges. Cancellations prior to the guest arriving attract an administration fee of $150 if cancellation is made within 72 hours of the expected arrival, as long as the keys have not been issued for the stay. Should a tenancy need to be reduced, three nights’ notice is required. In the absence of this notice, Pontem will charge three x the nightly accommodation rate minus the number of days' notice given.
6. Minimum stay
Pontem has a seven-night minimum stay for all bookings. If a stay of less than seven nights is required by the booker, they understand that they will be paying for a seven-night minimum stay.
7. Extension to departure date
We will endeavour to grant any request for an extension to the duration of stay in a particular house. The earlier the request is made, the more likely that an extension will be granted.
8. House selection
All information and photographic material presented on the website and in promotional files is indicative and provided in good faith. It provides an indication of the style and standard of accommodation and might not represent the exact layout and furnishings of the house you stay in. In case a house becomes unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, Pontem reserves the right to provide equivalent or upgraded accommodation for the same rate.
9. House usage
Pontem’s Houses are to be used for quiet residential purposes only. Parties, functions, excessive noise and loud music are not permitted. The number of people occupying a house must not exceed the number stated on the reservation document. If behaviour contravenes these conditions, the tenancy will be terminated and the Occupants will be asked to leave immediately and there will be no refund for early departure.
10. No smoking policy
All Pontem Houses are non-smoking. Smoking outside is permitted. Smoking inside the house is strictly prohibited. A charge of $200 for deodorising will be made to neutralise the effects of smoking indoors.
11. Fire Alarms
All Pontem Houses have fire and smoke detectors installed. These detectors should not be touched, altered or interfered with in any way including covering the smoke detector. Should any Occupant interfere with the smoke alarm as outlined above the RO will be liable for all damage caused by any fire or smoke in the property.
Should a smoke alarm start to beep and there is no presence of smoke or fire, or should the Occupant believe that the smoke alarm is defective, they must contact Pontem immediately on 0488 888 224.
12. Cleaning
Please treat the house with respect and leave it in a neat and tidy condition. Remove all excess food and grocery items before you depart, and ensure all personal belongings are removed. If houses require extraordinary additional cleaning on check-out, any costs incurred will be charged (including such services as steam cleaning carpets, removal of excessive rubbish, etc).
13. Indemnification
Without limiting the rights of Pontem, the RO indemnifies Pontem in respect of:
> All damages, breakage or destruction of property (in part or in whole) of the Pontem House; and
> All claims, losses, liabilities, costs and expenses of any kind, directly or indirectly, resulting from the Occupants’ activities during the period the Property has been booked.
14. Insurance
You are required to insure your own contents. If you decide that deliberate damage needs to be included in your policy, discuss this with your insurer. Pontem holds no insurance policy that covers deliberate damage. As such, all ROs understand that they are fully liable for all deliberate damage to the building and contents.
15. Lockouts and loss of garage remotes and keys
In the event that an Occupant locks themselves out of the house, the RO will be charged to be let back in. A lockbox is located on the side of each house which will be used in the first instance. However, if the key is not there, Pontem takes no responsibility for the extra cost and inconvenience in providing access/a spare key. The RP that provides supervision in the house must respect the importance of returning the emergency key to the lockbox to avoid additional charges. If garage remotes are lost or damaged, you will be charged to replace them.
16. Pets
Pets are strictly not allowed under any circumstances, unless approved by Pontem. In the rare instance that a pet is allowed (for example, a therapy dog or a guide dog), the breed and weight of the animal must be provided at the time of booking. Upon arrival, the animal must be the one described and approved. Any damage or mess left by an animal is the financial responsibility of the RO and will be charged accordingly. This includes (and is not limited to) scratched furniture, damaged fly screens and marks to walls and general paintwork. A non-negotiable cleaning fee is added to all pet bookings and is not intended to cover damage.
17. Check-in and checkout time
Check-in is from 2:00pm and checkout is prior to 10:00am. Early arrivals and late check-outs can be arranged subject to availability.