Terms and Conditions

Contents

1. Scope and order of terms
2. Booking eligibility
3. Reservation requirements
4. Rates, taxes, and payment
5. Cancellation and refunds
6. Reservation changes
7. Check-in and checkout
8. Occupancy and visitors
9. House rules
10. Pets and service animals
11. Security deposit and damage
12. Property access and maintenance
13. Safety and guest responsibility
14. Property condition and amenities
15. Violations and removal
16. Liability
17. Events beyond control
18. Privacy and communications
19. Law and disputes
20. General terms

1. Scope and order of terms

“Horizon Haven,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to the operator of the Horizon Haven short-term rental in Alton, Illinois and altonbnb.com. “Guest” and “you” include the person making the reservation and, where applicable, all occupants and visitors.

For a direct booking, these Terms apply together with the confirmed quote, payment schedule, rental agreement, property-specific disclosures, and written house rules. If those documents conflict, the more specific, later-issued reservation document controls to the extent of the conflict.

If you book through Airbnb, Vrbo, or another marketplace, that channel's mandatory terms, payment rules, cancellation policy, protections, and dispute procedures control where they conflict with these Terms. Nothing here is intended to reduce a right that cannot legally be waived.

2. Booking eligibility and authority

• The booking guest must be legally able to enter a binding contract and must satisfy any minimum-age or identity requirements disclosed during booking.
• The name and contact information on the reservation must be accurate. We may request reasonable identity and booking verification.
• The booking guest must be an overnight occupant unless we approve otherwise in writing.
• Reservations may not be transferred, resold, or used for an undisclosed commercial purpose.
• Fraudulent, misleading, or unauthorized reservations may be declined or cancelled, subject to applicable law and channel rules.

3. Reservation requirements and 48-hour deadline

A direct reservation may require payment, a signed rental agreement, verified contact information, guest and pet details, and a security-deposit authorization or incidental hold. The specific requirements and amounts will be shown in the booking flow, quote, rental agreement, or reservation messages.

Unless we confirm another deadline in writing, required post-booking items must be completed within 48 hours after the reservation is made. If they are not completed on time, we may cancel the reservation and release the dates. A shorter deadline may apply to a booking made less than 48 hours before arrival. Any payment return will follow the applicable cancellation policy, payment-provider rules, booking-channel rules, and law.

A quote or availability display is not a guaranteed reservation. A booking is confirmed only when the booking system or Horizon Haven issues confirmation and all required initial payments are accepted.

4. Rates, taxes, fees, and payment

• The total shown before confirmation may include nightly charges, cleaning charges, pet or extra-guest charges, taxes, payment-processing charges, and other clearly disclosed items.
• Prices may vary by date, length of stay, occupancy, demand, booking channel, promotions, and taxes. A later price change does not modify an already confirmed reservation.
• You authorize charges according to the confirmed payment schedule and authorize us and our payment processor to correct an obvious billing error.
• Failed or reversed payments must be cured by the stated deadline. We may cancel an unpaid reservation after notice where reasonably practicable.
• Chargebacks do not replace the applicable cancellation or dispute process. Please contact us promptly at stay@altonbnb.com to resolve a billing concern.

5. Cancellation and refunds

Standard direct-booking policy

• Within 48 hours of booking: 100% refund.
• More than 14 days before arrival: 100% refund, less the credit card processing fee incurred.
• More than 7 days before arrival: 50% refund, less the credit card processing fee incurred.
• Within 7 days of arrival: no refund.

The time a written cancellation request is received through the applicable booking system, booking-channel message thread, or stay@altonbnb.com determines the cancellation date. “Arrival” means the scheduled local check-in date and time. Where a reservation qualifies under more than one tier, the most favorable applicable tier governs.

Credit card processing fees are deducted only to the extent actually incurred, nonrecoverable, disclosed, and permitted by law. Refunds are returned to the original payment method when possible and may take additional time to appear. Marketplace bookings follow the cancellation policy displayed and accepted on that marketplace.

No refund is due for late arrival, early departure, unused nights, weather that does not make the property legally or physically unavailable, or dissatisfaction with matters accurately disclosed before booking. We strongly recommend optional travel or trip-cancellation insurance, especially for illness, transportation disruption, weather, or other events outside the refund window.

Cancellation by Horizon Haven

If we must cancel for a reason not caused by the guest, our primary obligation is to refund amounts paid directly to us for the affected stay. We may offer alternate dates or assistance locating another stay, but acceptance is optional. This paragraph does not limit any non-waivable legal or booking-channel right.

6. Reservation changes

Date, occupancy, pet, and other changes are not effective until approved in writing and reflected in the reservation. Changes may alter the rate, taxes, fees, deposit, minimum stay, and cancellation treatment. A request to shorten or move a stay may be treated as a partial cancellation. Additional occupants, visitors, or pets may be declined if they exceed property or policy limits.

7. Check-in, access, and checkout

• Check-in: from 4:00 PM local time.
• Checkout: by 11:00 AM local time.
• Early arrival or late departure requires advance written approval and may carry a fee.
• Horizon Haven uses self check-in. Access instructions and door-code details are sent through the booking channel before arrival after required booking steps are complete.
• Access codes are confidential and may be shared only with registered occupants.
• At checkout, guests must secure the property, return any physical keys or devices, and follow reasonable checkout instructions.

Unauthorized late checkout may result in documented additional charges, including extra cleaning, staffing, or costs caused to an incoming reservation.

8. Occupancy, visitors, and use

The property sleeps no more than 10 guests unless a lower limit is shown in the confirmed reservation. Only registered occupants may stay overnight. Visitors require prior approval and must not cause the property to exceed any occupancy, parking, safety, or legal limit.

The property is for temporary residential lodging only. Parties, events, receptions, ticketed gatherings, unlawful activity, nuisance activity, and undisclosed commercial filming or photography are prohibited. The property may not be sublet or offered to others.

9. House rules

• Quiet hours: 10:00 PM–8:00 AM, including the porch and yard.
• No parties or events.
• No indoor smoking or vaping. Smoking is permitted only on the porch using the provided ash receptacle. Guests must safely extinguish and dispose of smoking materials.
• Do not tamper with smoke detectors, carbon-monoxide detectors, locks, cameras, Wi-Fi equipment, safety equipment, or utilities.
• Observe parking instructions, neighborhood rules, posted signs, fire restrictions, and applicable laws.
• Do not create excessive noise, odors, trash, hazards, or disturbances.
• Furniture, linens, appliances, and supplies must be used reasonably and left at the property.

10. Pets and service animals

Pets are allowed only when approved and included in the reservation. Availability, fees, number or type limits, and pet rules depend on the current house policy and booking channel. Guests are responsible for supervision, waste removal, nuisance prevention, and pet-related damage or extraordinary cleaning.

Service animals are handled in accordance with applicable law and are not treated as pets. Guests may be asked only questions and may be held responsible only to the extent permitted by law. Emotional-support animals or other assistance animals will be handled according to the law and booking-channel policy applicable to the stay.

11. Security deposit, authorization hold, damage, and extra cleaning

Direct bookings may require a refundable Stripe authorization hold or security deposit for incidentals before arrival. The amount, timing, expiration, and claim process will be disclosed in the booking flow, rental agreement, or reservation messages. Marketplace reservations remain subject to that marketplace's protections, deposit, payment, support, and resolution procedures.

The booking guest is responsible, to the extent permitted by law, for damage, missing items, rule violations, unauthorized occupancy or pets, smoking remediation, excessive cleaning, lost access devices, and other documented costs caused by the guest's party beyond ordinary wear and tear.

Guests must report damage or unsafe conditions promptly. We will provide reasonable documentation for a claim and may charge the payment method, claim against an authorization or deposit, invoice the guest, or use the booking channel's resolution process as authorized by the rental agreement and law. An authorization hold is not necessarily a completed charge and release timing is controlled partly by the card issuer.

12. Owner access, maintenance, and emergencies

We and our authorized service providers may enter the property without advance notice in an emergency or when reasonably necessary to protect people or property. Otherwise, we may enter with reasonable notice for repairs, inspections, legal compliance, or to address a reported or suspected rule violation, consistent with applicable law.

Guests must promptly report leaks, loss of utilities, safety concerns, pests, damage, or malfunctioning equipment and provide reasonable access for correction. Guests may not arrange repairs or incur costs on our behalf without written approval except when immediately necessary to prevent serious harm.

13. Safety and guest responsibility

Guests are responsible for ordinary personal safety, supervising children and vulnerable persons, securing doors and windows, and using stairs, porches, kitchens, appliances, fireplaces or heat sources, outdoor areas, and other features with reasonable care. Guests must follow posted instructions and immediately contact emergency services for an urgent threat to life or property.

Weapons, hazardous materials, illegal drugs, fireworks, open flames, and dangerous or unlawful conduct are prohibited except where possession cannot lawfully be restricted. Medication, valuables, vehicles, and personal property remain the guest's responsibility.

14. Property condition, amenities, and interruptions

Horizon Haven is a restored 1921 home. Photographs, floor plans, amenity descriptions, views, neighborhood information, and measurements are provided in good faith but may change or be approximate. Minor wear, decor changes, seasonal conditions, neighborhood activity, insects, or temporary interruption of an amenity do not automatically make the property uninhabitable.

Report a material problem promptly so we have a reasonable opportunity to address it. Remedies, if any, will depend on severity, duration, notice, our ability to cure, the booking channel's rules, and applicable law. Internet, utilities, third-party services, and weather-dependent amenities cannot be guaranteed without interruption.

15. Violations, termination, and removal

A material violation of these Terms, the rental agreement, house rules, law, occupancy limits, or safety requirements may result in denial of entry or termination of the stay. Where appropriate and safe, we will provide notice and a reasonable opportunity to correct a curable violation. Immediate action may be taken for unlawful conduct, threats, parties, dangerous behavior, unauthorized occupancy, severe disturbance, fraud, or substantial risk to people or property.

Refund eligibility following termination depends on the cause, applicable cancellation policy, documented losses, booking-channel rules, and law. Guests remain responsible for lawful, documented costs caused by a violation.

16. Liability and indemnity

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Horizon Haven is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal property; interruption caused by utilities, internet providers, booking platforms, transportation, or other third parties; or injury or loss caused by a guest's negligence, unlawful conduct, failure to follow instructions, or misuse of the property.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the booking guest agrees to reimburse and protect Horizon Haven from third-party claims, damages, penalties, and reasonable costs arising from the acts or omissions of the guest's party, except to the extent caused by Horizon Haven's negligence, willful misconduct, or another responsibility that cannot legally be excluded.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where doing so is prohibited by law.

17. Events beyond reasonable control

Neither party is responsible for delay or failure caused by events beyond reasonable control, such as severe weather, natural disaster, wildfire, epidemic, government order, utility failure, labor disruption, or transportation interruption. The parties will act reasonably to reduce avoidable loss. Cancellation and refund rights remain governed by the confirmed policy, booking-channel rules, and any mandatory law. Trip insurance is recommended for risks that are not otherwise refundable.

18. Privacy, electronic communications, and website use

Our Privacy Policy explains how booking and guest information is handled. By providing contact details, you consent to transactional communications reasonably necessary for quotes, payments, rental agreements, security, check-in, the stay, checkout, and support. Marketing communications may be declined as described in the Privacy Policy.

Website content is provided for personal booking and travel-planning use. You may not interfere with the website or booking systems, introduce malicious code, scrape them abusively, impersonate another person, or copy site content for unauthorized commercial use.

19. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by Illinois law, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Before filing a claim, the parties should make a good-faith effort to resolve the issue through written notice and supporting documentation. Send notices to stay@altonbnb.com.

Unless a mandatory law or controlling booking-channel process requires otherwise, court proceedings relating to a direct booking or stay must be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction serving the county in Illinois where the property is located. Either party may seek urgent relief when necessary to protect people, property, confidential information, or legal rights.

20. General terms

• Entire agreement: These Terms and the reservation documents identified above form the agreement for the stay and replace prior statements on the same subject.
• Changes: Terms accepted for a confirmed reservation will not be materially changed retroactively without agreement, except where required by law or necessary for immediate safety. Updated website terms apply prospectively.
• Severability: If a provision is unenforceable, it will be limited to the minimum extent necessary and the remaining provisions will continue.
• No waiver: A delay or failure to enforce a provision once does not waive future enforcement.
• Assignment: Guests may not assign a reservation without written approval. We may assign operational rights and obligations in connection with lawful management or transfer of the property, subject to guest rights.
• Electronic acceptance: Electronic signatures, clicks, payments, and confirmations may be used to evidence acceptance and have the effect permitted by law.
• Headings: Headings are for convenience and do not alter meaning.