Booking Terms — Vacation Rentals — Sicily Vacation Rentals

§ 1 Definitions

Platform

"Platform" means the portal network operated by Terra Mia Immobiliare (terra-mia.immo and its associated domains, including ferienhaussizilien.de, sicily.vacations, casevacanzasicilia.it).

Mediator

"Mediator" means Terra Mia Immobiliare, Oskar Golde, Regattastraße 9h, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany, which operates the platform as a vacation rental mediator.

Landlord

"Landlord" means the individual or company offering a vacation property for rent through the platform.

Guest

"Guest" means any person who uses the platform to submit an inquiry or book a vacation property.

§ 2 Scope of Services

Platform

The platform presents vacation rental properties (vacation homes, villas, apartments) located in Sicily. The Mediator provides descriptions, photos and pricing as supplied by the landlords.

Mediation

Terra Mia Immobiliare acts solely as an intermediary between the Guest and the Landlord. The Mediator facilitates inquiries, communicates availability and assists in arranging the rental agreement.

Rental Contract

The vacation rental contract is concluded directly between the Guest and the Landlord. Terra Mia Immobiliare is not a party to this rental contract and does not assume the obligations of either party.

§ 3 Booking Process

Inquiry

Submitting an inquiry via the platform does not constitute a binding booking. The inquiry is a non-binding request for availability.

Availability Confirmation

The Mediator will contact the Landlord to confirm availability and relay the result to the Guest within 24 hours on working days.

Booking Confirmation and Conclusion of the Contract

With the booking confirmation, the Mediator sends the Guest the Landlord's offer to conclude the rental contract. The Landlord keeps this offer open until the deposit deadline of 7 days under Section 4.3 expires and keeps the property free until then. The Guest accepts the offer by paying the deposit (or the full amount); the rental contract is concluded as soon as this amount has reached the Landlord's account within the deadline. If it does not arrive in time, the offer lapses and the Guest owes nothing. A late payment takes effect only if the Landlord informs the Guest within two working days of its arrival that the Landlord accepts it; otherwise, the Landlord refunds the amount within 14 days.

Confirmation Document

The Mediator will send the Guest a booking confirmation by email detailing the property, travel dates, total price, payment schedule and contact details for the Landlord.

§ 4 Prices and Payment

Rental Prices

All prices shown on the platform are per night and include the applicable VAT. Prices may vary by season (peak, shoulder and low season). The total price for the selected period is displayed before the inquiry is submitted.

Additional Costs

The following additional costs may apply and are specified on the individual property listing: final cleaning fee, linen and towel service, tourist tax (imposta di soggiorno), electricity surcharge (for properties with pools or air conditioning in summer).

Payment

Payment is made directly to the Landlord; the Mediator does not collect any rental payments on the Landlord's behalf. The applicable payment schedule (deposit and balance) is stated in your booking confirmation. Unless stated otherwise there, the deposit is 25 % of the total price. In every case, it must be paid within 7 days of the booking confirmation (acceptance period under Section 3.3); the balance is due no later than 21 days before arrival. The Landlord may set an earlier due date for the balance (e.g. 30 days before arrival); the date applicable to your booking is communicated with the booking confirmation. If your arrival is less than 21 days away, the full amount is due immediately with the booking confirmation.

Cash Payment on Arrival

Some Landlords allow the balance to be paid in cash on arrival. Whether this option is available for your accommodation is stated in the listing or booking confirmation. If you want to pay in cash, let the Landlord know by the date the balance is due under Section 4.3. Otherwise, payment is made by bank transfer to the Landlord. The deposit must always be paid by bank transfer.

§ 5 Cancellation and Refund

Guest Cancellation

The Guest may cancel the booking at any time by written notice to the Mediator. The Landlord's individual cancellation policy — as communicated in the booking confirmation — applies. The Mediator will relay the cancellation to the Landlord without undue delay.

Cancellation Fees

Unless the booking confirmation states different cancellation terms of the Landlord, the following cancellation fees apply, each calculated on the total price excluding the tourist tax and consumption-based costs: for a cancellation 60 days or more before arrival, 25 %, which equals the deposit; 59 to 30 days before arrival, 50 %; 29 to 7 days, 80 %; fewer than 7 days before arrival or in the event of a no-show, 100 %. The day on which the Mediator receives the cancellation is decisive. The Guest remains entitled to prove that the Landlord suffered no loss or a substantially lower loss. If the Landlord re-lets the accommodation for the booked period, the proceeds are credited.

Force Majeure

Neither the Guest, the Landlord nor the Mediator shall be liable for cancellations caused by events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, official travel warnings, pandemics or other extraordinary circumstances. In such cases the parties will seek a fair solution, which may include vouchers, alternative dates or a partial refund.

Travel Cancellation Insurance

Terra Mia Immobiliare recommends taking out travel cancellation insurance. It can cover cancellation fees if the trip is not taken for an insured reason.

§ 6 Arrival, Key Handover and Check-In

Check-In and Check-Out Times

Standard check-in is from 16:00 on the day of arrival; check-out is by 10:00 on the day of departure. Deviations may be agreed individually with the Landlord.

Key Handover

The Landlord is responsible for arranging key handover. Details will be communicated to the Guest before arrival. The Mediator will provide the Landlord's contact details in the booking confirmation.

Reporting Defects

The Guest must report any defects or damage found upon arrival immediately to both the Landlord and the Mediator. Defects reported after departure cannot generally be attributed to prior guests.

§ 7 Guest Obligations

Care of Property

The Guest undertakes to treat the vacation property and its contents with care and to return it in the same condition as found at check-in, normal wear and tear excepted.

Occupancy

The maximum number of occupants stated in the booking may not be exceeded. Subletting or further assignment of the property to third parties is prohibited.

House Rules

The Guest must comply with the Landlord's house rules, including quiet hours (typically 22:00 – 08:00). Failure to comply may result in early termination of the rental without refund.

§ 8 Liability

Mediator Liability

Terra Mia Immobiliare acts solely as an intermediary and is not liable for the condition, safety, equipment or suitability of the vacation property, nor for any damage, loss or injury suffered by the Guest during the stay. Liability is limited to cases of intentional misconduct or gross negligence by the Mediator. This limitation does not apply to liability for injury to life, body or health resulting from an intentional or negligent breach of duty by the Mediator, its legal representatives or its agents.

Landlord Liability

The Landlord is solely responsible for the condition and fitness of the property for rental. Any claims arising from defects in the property must be asserted directly against the Landlord.

Guest Liability

The Guest is fully liable for any damage to the property or its contents caused by the Guest or accompanying persons during the stay. Costs for repairs or replacement shall be borne by the Guest.

§ 9 Security Deposit

Many landlords require a security deposit (cauzione) payable in cash on arrival. The amount is stated in the offer. The deposit is refunded in full by the Landlord after the property has been inspected at check-out, provided no damage has occurred.

§ 10 Data Protection

The personal data collected in connection with a booking (name, email address, travel dates) is processed exclusively for the purpose of processing the booking and communicating with the Guest and Landlord. For full details please refer to the Terra Mia Immobiliare Privacy Policy.

§ 11 Amendments to these Terms

Terra Mia Immobiliare reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions at any time. Amendments will be published on this page with the date of entry into force. The version valid at the time of booking applies to existing bookings.

§ 12 Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

These terms and the rental contract are governed by Italian law, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). If the Guest is a consumer, the mandatory consumer protection rules of the country in which the Guest is habitually resident remain unaffected where they give the Guest greater protection. Disputes are subject to the statutory places of jurisdiction.

§ 13 Final Provisions

Severability

Should any provision of these terms be or become invalid or unenforceable, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected. The invalid provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that comes as close as possible to the economic intent of the original.

Written Form

Amendments and supplements to individual bookings require written form (email is sufficient). Verbal agreements are only binding if confirmed in writing by the Mediator.

Consumer dispute resolution

Terra Mia Immobiliare is not obliged to participate in dispute resolution proceedings before a consumer arbitration board but is in principle willing to do so.

Questions about these Terms?

If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, please contact us at info@terra-mia.immo.