TERMS & CONDITIONS

Last updated December 2020

We want to do everything we can to ensure guests feel supported, happy, and productive, while abiding by UK charitable law. If the following Terms & Conditions sound a bit harsh, they’re just our effort to optimise for these goals.

STAYING FOR FREE OR AT A SUBSIDISED RATE

People working on projects relating to Effective Altruism (EA) – studying, research, charitable projects, etc – are entitled to a grant of free or subsidised room and board provided that their work is in line with our Charitable Objects and the Charity Commission’s Charitable Purposes, and that they pass through our vetting process (see Grant Making Policy). By accepting these terms they pledge to work towards doing the most good that they can while being supported by their grant. They agree to maintain a reasonable level of productivity in their work, to attend regular check-ins with our Community & Projects Manager to discuss their progress, and are expected to fill out a monthly survey. For stays longer than 3 months, they also agree to provide one page quarterly reports on what they have achieved (considering also the counterfactual of what they would’ve done had they not received a grant), how this matched their expectations from 3 months prior, and what their plans are going forward. They agree to keep their Progress Updates (see the People page for examples), and public Outputs for the Outputs page up to date by filling out the documents allocated to them (based on these templates) at least quarterly, and preferably monthly. If starting new projects, they should be aware of downside risks and take appropriate steps to mitigate them. Conditional upon this, and adherence to these terms and conditions and the Code of Conduct, management will honour the initial agreed upon stay.

Such guests also agree to provide a 2-4 sentence bio and profile picture to appear on the website here. It should include information on the work they intend to do whilst supported by their grant. They also agree to provide a short summary of their stay, focusing on counterfactual impact, to appear in public facing reporting.

PAYING AFTER FIRST 6 WEEKS IF EARNING OR WITH SUFFICIENT RUNWAY

The first 6 weeks of stay is free (voluntary payment only) for all successful grant applicants: we have a pay-what-you-feel-it’s-worth approach for this period, emphasising that you should pay zero if you’re uncertain of the value of the stay to you, or if you are unwaged or without savings.

After 6 weeks, we request anyone either earning a salary or with the means to support themselves for over 24 months (following 80,000 Hours’ advice) to pay a mandatory cost price of £84/week. We count on residents to be honest about their situation, and we won’t do individual screenings unless we have good reasons to doubt someone’s word.

PAYMENT AND INVOICING

For guests who aren’t grantees, stays of 30 days or longer are charged at £18/day. If the total cost of your booking is over £360, you are welcome to pay a deposit of £360 via bank transfer, and then pay in instalments of £360 (or less if applicable as a final payment for the remainder of your stay) in advance for the duration of your stay. Please set up a Standing Order (or other recurring payment) using the bank details provided on your booking confirmation for this. Invoices will be sent for outstanding payments. If you fail to make payment in full in respect of any invoice by the due date for payment: we will ask you to vacate the premises if you are still resident; outstanding amounts may be referred to debt collection and legal action may be taken to recover such outstanding amount; we may charge you a fee for such non-payment and we shall be entitled to recover any costs associated with such recovery action from you together with interest on late payment.

USE OF DATA

You agree for the data you submit via the booking form to be shared with our Management, Trustees, Advisors, and potential funders. Likewise for quarterly progress reports; although these, as well as public facing Progress Updates and Outputs, may be anonymised if so desired. Bios for the People page, and public facing Progress Updates and Outputs, may be lightly edited for clarity. See also our Privacy Notice.

CANCELLATION BY YOU

If you cancel your booking with us more than 48 hours before arrival you will receive a refund for any money paid. If you cancel less than 48 hours before your arrival, or fail to turn up (a “no show”) you will be charged for the first night of your booking (if a fee-paying guest). In agreeing with our terms and conditions, you authorise us to charge this amount to the credit/debit card/account used to secure the booking.

CANCELLATION BY US

If in the unlikely event that we are forced to cancel your booking, due to circumstances beyond our control, we will attempt to offer you alternative accommodation. If suitable accommodation is not available then we will refund everything already paid in advance by you and confirm that you will not be liable for any further payments to us.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

You will be able to check into rooms between 1500 and 2200 unless an early or late check-in has been arranged (and paid for if a fee-paying guest). You are welcome to arrive earlier and leave luggage/sit in the common rooms until your room is ready.

Check-out is at 1100 on the day of departure unless a prior arrangement has been made with us. You are welcome to sit in the common rooms after you have vacated your room, for the remainder of the day, if awaiting a travel connection. Please return your room key to the key board in the dining room, bring down any power outlet adapters, and check the lost and found box for anything you might’ve left, before you leave.

DAMAGES AND BREAKAGE

We are sure that you will take care whilst you stay with us, and we acknowledge that accidents sometimes happen. We do however reserve the right to charge for any damage or breakages which we consider to be deliberately or recklessly caused, for any items discovered missing after you depart or for the cost of the room for any time period for which it is considered unusable due to damage. In agreeing to our terms and conditions, you authorise us to charge this amount to the credit/debit card/account used to secure the booking (if a fee-paying guest). If the damages are discovered after you depart, an invoice will be sent to you informing you of the amount we will debit from the card/account supplied.

SMOKING POLICY

We are a no smoking establishment. If we find that guests have been smoking in their room or anywhere indoors on the premises, then we reserve the right to ask you to leave immediately. Whether or not you are asked to leave, we also reserve the right to charge a sum equivalent to one nights stay if we are unable to re-let the room for 24 hours whilst it is fully aired. In agreeing to our terms and conditions, you authorise us to charge this amount to the credit/debit card/account used to secure the booking (if a fee-paying guest). If evidence of smoking is discovered after you depart, you will be sent an invoice for the cost and notified that this will be debited from the card/account you supplied.

PETS

Some pets are allowed but only by prior arrangement.

CLEANING

CROOKED BUILDING

The building is old, and has suffered some historical subsidence. Consequently the stairs and some of the floors are crooked. By staying, you accept any slight awkwardness of this, and any risk it poses.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE

If you notice any issues in your room, or elsewhere, that need dealing with, please report them to the Operations Manager.

FOOD HYGIENE

Please label all personal food items with date opened. Staff reserve the right to throw out food that is out of date or perished, without warning. Please refrain from entering the kitchen for 48 hours after suffering illness involving vomiting and/or diarrhea.

WELFARE & SAFEGUARDING

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting our beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, guests and all those connected with our activities, from abuse or mistreatment of any kind; and promoting their well-being and welfare. See our Welfare and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for more.

OUR LIABILITY

We do not accept any liability to your property or injury to you or any other members of your party whilst on the premises unless caused by the negligence of us.

We reserve the right to pre-authorise the debit/credit card used to secure the booking.

These terms and conditions are subject to change at any time.

Your statutory rights are not affected by these terms and conditions.