General Terms and Conditions

Obligations, Payment, Cancellation, and Security Deposit

Tenant’s Obligations

a. The tenant undertakes to use the property exclusively as a private residential dwelling for tourism purposes.

b. The tenant may not sublet or grant the use of the property to any third party, even temporarily, without prior authorization, under penalty of immediate contract termination ipso iure. It is strictly prohibited to host individuals who are not listed on the check-in documentation, even briefly. Hosting more guests than agreed upon, without prior authorization from the landlord, will lead to the contract’s termination pursuant to Art. 1456 of the Italian Civil Code, along with the obligation to pay an amount equal to the entire agreed rent as a penalty in accordance with Art. 1382 of the Civil Code. The tenant is also prohibited from holding events on the property or in its surrounding areas without prior permission from the landlord; violation will result in contract termination.

c. The tenant is obliged to maintain and safeguard the property with due care, ensuring ordinary maintenance and refraining from modifying or transforming the property. It must be returned at the end of this contract in the same condition in which it was received. The landlord reserves the right to assess any damage caused by the tenant and to request appropriate compensation.

d. The tenant agrees to report any defects in the property to the landlord at the time the keys are handed over.

e. The tenant agrees to respect the check-in and check-out dates stated in the General Terms of Use for the property, acknowledging that any delay or advance in arrival or departure will not result in any refund by the landlord.

f. The tenant agrees to abide by the General Terms of Use for the property, with the understanding that violation of these rules allows the landlord to take appropriate measures, ranging from a verbal warning to termination of the contract.

Duration.

g. Upon expiry of the tourist rental contract, it shall terminate without requiring any notice, which is deemed given now for then, and the tenant is required to return the property to the landlord.

Payment Conditions

Direct Bookings

For bookings made directly, without intermediaries, the payment terms may be arranged case by case with the client. Generally, the total amount for the stay is payable in a single installment at the time of booking. Any exceptions will be communicated and formalized by mutual agreement.

Bookings Through Third-Party Intermediaries

For bookings made through intermediary platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, or similar, the payment policies set by the intermediary apply. Contractual conditions and rules for these bookings may vary depending on the platform used and are fully accepted by the client upon confirmation. Any disputes or requests for changes must be addressed directly to the intermediary, unless otherwise agreed with the landlord.

Security Deposit

Unless specific agreements are made between the parties, if the booking was not made through intermediaries (e.g., Airbnb) that offer damage coverage and insurance, the tenant is required to pay an agreed-upon amount (equal to or greater than €500) by or before check-in as a security deposit for any damages. This amount will be refunded at the end of the stay or in the days thereafter, once the condition of the property and its furnishings has been inspected.

Cancellation Policy

Direct Bookings

Bookings made directly (by phone or email) are subject to terms individually agreed upon between landlord and tenant. As a general rule—unless explicitly agreed otherwise in writing—bookings not made through third-party intermediaries are non-refundable for any reason.

Bookings Through Third-Party Intermediary Platforms

For bookings through platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, etc., the intermediary’s own policies on payment, cancellation, and refunds apply. These conditions, which may vary depending on the platform, are accepted by the tenant upon booking confirmation. For any dispute or modification regarding such bookings, the tenant must refer directly to the intermediary, unless explicitly agreed otherwise with the landlord.

General Conditions for Use of the Property

General Information

Villa Raffaelli is a historic residence dating back to the mid-16th century. Accordingly, we request tenant cooperation and adherence to the following rules to preserve the property’s current state. This agreement aims to protect the historical value of the rented property. The conditions listed are necessary to prevent improper use that could damage Villa Raffaelli’s current state of conservation. The tenant agrees to respect the condition of the premises, their historical value, and to promptly inform the owners of any damage that might occur during their stay.

The tenant acknowledges that violation of these behavioral rules—largely based on common diligence and decorum—may result in the termination of the rental agreement, as stated herein.

Conditions

Prohibition on moving indoor or outdoor furniture.
The tenant shall not alter the property in any way by moving items or furnishings inside or outside the residence.

Areas with restricted access.
The tenant is prohibited from entering any areas marked with “no entry” signs.

Music rules at night and regarding parties.
The tenant must respect local noise and civil behavior regulations. External music may be played until 11:00 pm (local time), after which it must be kept at a volume consistent with local laws. No additional guests—other than those present at check-in—are permitted to enter, and only those who completed the check-in process may remain on-site.

Use of the outdoor fire pit, fireplace, and barbecue.
The tenant may only light controlled fires in designated areas: the outdoor fire pit, the fireplace, and the barbecue. It is strictly forbidden to light fires anywhere else on the property, indoors or outdoors. Such activities must adhere to common safety standards.

Pool areas.
Because the property’s pools are part of a private context and are intended purely to preserve the residence’s aesthetic standards, access to these areas is regulated at the landlord’s sole discretion. The pools constitute an integral part of the landlord’s private property, thus falling within the landlord’s exclusive purview. To preserve the environment and comply with the guidelines for maintaining and enhancing the residence, any use of or interaction with the pools must follow the landlord’s directives on usage, timing, and conditions. The landlord retains full decision-making authority over these spaces. In line with preserving property integrity and privacy, guests are asked to refrain from any conduct or initiative that conflicts with these goals, including but not limited to swimming, entering the annexed areas, or placing objects of any kind in the pools.

Policy on damages and extraordinary cleaning.
The tenant has the right to report any damage or defect within the time frame specified in the rental agreement and to request termination should such damage or defect prevent the peaceful use of the property. Otherwise, if at key handover the landlord discovers new damage or defects to the property, furnishings, or adjoining areas, the landlord may request due compensation after assessing the value of said damage or defect. The tenant must cover damages according to Art. 1223 of the Italian Civil Code. Should the rental property require extraordinary cleaning due to neglect or improper use by the tenant, the landlord may charge the tenant for the costs incurred.

Use of balconies and perimeter wall of the terrace.
All balconies and the external terrace perimeter are to be used responsibly, given their historic nature. The landlord disclaims any civil or criminal liability for accidents that may occur in these areas or during any activities performed there.

Prohibition of pets.
Introducing pets into the property is subject to the landlord’s prior approval.

Use of the internet connection.
The tenant is free to use the Wi-Fi, in compliance with local civil and criminal laws. The landlord disclaims any liability for the websites visited, downloaded content, or any other use of the network provided to guests.

Video surveillance.
The tenant is informed that the entrance and some outdoor areas of the property are under video surveillance; recorded footage may be used for security and property protection purposes.

No smoking.
Guests must comply with all posted non-smoking signs, under penalty of contract termination.

Prohibition of camping and setting up external structures.

It is forbidden to pitch tents, park camper vans, install caravans, gazebos, temporary structures, or any other external setup on the villa grounds without prior written authorization from the owner. Guests shall not use outdoor spaces for camping or overnight stays outside of the areas and accommodations provided by the villa. Violations of this provision may result in the immediate removal of such structures at the guest’s expense, along with potential penalties and early termination of the rental contract without reimbursement.

Clause for dispute resolution and reference.
All disputes relating to the execution of this contract fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Lucca.

For any matters not expressly covered in this contract, the parties acknowledge that this contract is governed solely by the provisions of the Italian Civil Code and applicable regional law, as this is a lease stipulated to meet housing needs for tourist purposes.