Development of Tourism Act 1969

Development of Tourism Act 1969

Requires that hotels must display the price of accommodation.

Tourism (Sleeping Accommodation) Price Display Order 1977

Who Does the Order Apply To?

It applies to hotels, motels, inns, guest houses, self-catering establishments who offer sleeping accommodation and have at least 4 bedrooms or at least 8 beds available for letting.

It does not apply to Bona Fide members' clubs and establishments providing services not merely related to the accommodation, eg holiday camps. Also, bedrooms and beds normally occupied by the same person for more than 21 nights, eg nursing homes, etc are exempt.

What Does the Order Require Me To Do?

You must display an easily read price notice, in a prominent position, in your establishment's reception area or entrance area.

This notice must contain the current price, payable per night of:

A bedroom for occupation by one person;
A bedroom for occupation by two persons; and
A bed in any other type of room.

What About Service Charges, Meals and VAT?

If a service charge is made, the notice must say this and it must be included in the price quoted.

If meals have to be paid for as part of the charge for accommodation, the notice must say this, specify the meals included, and include the price of the meals in the price quoted.

If VAT is payable then either;

- include it in the price quoted and say that this is so; or
- state that the price quoted is exclusive of VAT and state the
amount of VAT, in money terms, as prominently as the VAT
exclusive price.

Examples

£30 per night including service charge
£40 per night including breakfast and lunch
£40 per night, bed and breakfast including VAT
£34.04 per night, bed and breakfast + £5.96 VAT

What Do I Do If I Have A Range of Prices For Each Type of Accommodation?

It's sufficient to quote the highest and lowest prices for each type of accommodation. For example:

Single bedroom £25-£30 per night

Other Points To Note

If you wish to give additional information on your price notice, ensure it does not detract from the prominence of the statutory information.

You must always keep your price notice up to date.
It is a criminal offence to give a misleading price indication such as indicating a price which is less than you actually charge.

These notes have been prepared by Aberdeenshire Council Environmental Health & Consumer Protection. They are provided for the guidance of traders and are not intended to be a definitive statement of the law. Only the courts can give an authoritative interpretation of legislation.

Contact

Further advice is available from:

Aberdeenshire Council
Consumer Protection and Support Services
Gordon House
Blackhall Road
Inverurie
AB51 3WA
Tel: 01467 628323
Fax: 01467 628117

Aberdeenshire Council
Consumer Protection and Support Services
10 Commerce Street
Fraserburgh
AB43 9AQ
Tel: 01346 510505
Fax: 01346 510484