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Everything you need to know about using Gites.co.uk

For Holidaymakers

How do I book a property?

Unlike big booking platforms, we connect you directly with property owners. Here's how it works:

  1. Find a property you like and send an enquiry through the form on the property page
  2. The owner receives your enquiry and will reply directly to your email
  3. You and the owner work out the details together - dates, price, payment, etc.
  4. You book directly with the owner

It's more personal, and there's no middleman taking a cut of your booking.

Are there any booking fees or service charges?

No fees whatsoever. Using Gites.co.uk is completely free for holidaymakers. There are no booking fees, no service charges, no "guest fees" - nothing.

The price the owner quotes you is the price you pay. Simple as that.

This is one of the big differences between us and sites like Airbnb or Booking.com, which typically add 10-15% in fees on top of the rental price.

Is it safe to book through Gites.co.uk?

We've been operating since 2013 and take the integrity of our listings seriously. All property owners are verified, and we monitor for suspicious activity.

That said, we're an advertising platform - we connect you with owners, but we're not involved in the actual booking or payment. We always recommend:

  • Communicating with the owner before sending any money
  • Asking questions if anything seems unclear
  • Using secure payment methods that offer protection
  • Getting confirmation in writing of your booking details

The vast majority of bookings go smoothly - owners want happy guests who leave good reviews!

How do I contact a property owner?

Every property page has an enquiry form. Fill in your dates, number of guests, and your message, and we'll send it straight to the owner (or their property manager - see below). They'll reply directly to your email address.

Some owners also display their phone number if they're happy to take calls.

Once you've made initial contact, you can continue the conversation directly by email - no need to keep going through the website.

Am I always dealing with the actual property owner?

Usually yes, but not always. Some property owners use professional property managers or rental agencies to handle enquiries and bookings on their behalf.

This doesn't change anything for you as a guest - the service and the property are the same. Property managers often look after multiple properties in an area and can be very knowledgeable about the local region.

Important: Any fees property managers charge are paid by the property owner, not by you. As a guest, you still pay no fees to use Gites.co.uk - whether you're dealing with an owner or their manager.

What if the owner doesn't reply?

Most owners reply within 24-48 hours. If you haven't heard back after a few days:

  • Check your spam folder - sometimes replies end up there
  • Try sending another enquiry in case the first one got lost
  • Look for other properties that match your needs

If you consistently can't reach an owner, let us know and we'll look into it.

How do I pay for my booking?

Payment is arranged directly with the property owner. Different owners accept different payment methods - bank transfer, PayPal, card payment, etc. The owner will let you know their preferred method when you book.

Most owners ask for a deposit to secure the booking, with the balance due before arrival.

Widzę "GITES.CO.UK" na moim wyciągu bankowym — co to jest?
To płatność dla właściciela nieruchomości za pośrednictwem Gîtes.co.uk. Każde obciążenie ma referencję taką jak "Gites.co.uk #4587" — odwiedź naszą stronę wyszukiwania płatności z referencją i adresem e-mail z rezerwacji, a wyślemy Ci szczegóły.
What if something goes wrong with my booking?

Your first port of call should always be the property owner - most issues can be resolved with a quick conversation.

Because bookings are made directly with owners, we can't intervene in disputes about the property itself. However, if you believe a listing is fraudulent or an owner is behaving unacceptably, please contact us immediately and we'll investigate.

We recommend keeping written records of all communications and payment receipts, just as you would with any significant purchase.

Can I save properties to look at later?

Yes! Click the heart icon on any property to save it to your shortlist. You can access your saved properties anytime from the "Saved" link in the menu.

Your shortlist is saved in your browser, so you don't need to create an account. You can also email your shortlist to yourself to access it on another device.

For Property Owners

How much does it cost to list my property?

We charge a simple annual subscription fee - no commission, no booking fees, no hidden charges. You pay once a year and that's it.

We have different packages depending on how many properties you want to list. Check out our pricing page for current rates.

Unlike commission-based sites that take 15-20% of every booking, our flat fee means the more bookings you get, the better value we become.

Do you take commission on bookings?

Brak prowizji od rezerwacji. Każda złotówka z Twoich rezerwacji pozostaje u Ciebie. Zarabiamy na rocznych abonamentach, a nie na zabieraniu części Twoich ciężko zarobionych dochodów z rezerwacji.

Opcjonalne płatności przez Stripe: jeśli zdecydujesz się przyjmować płatności kartą przez nasz zintegrowany system Stripe, obecnie pobieramy 0% oprócz standardowej opłaty transakcyjnej Stripe wynoszącej ~1,5% — to stawka wprowadzająca obowiązująca przez ograniczony czas, podczas którego obserwujemy rzeczywiste użytkowanie. Korzystanie ze Stripe jest całkowicie opcjonalne: zawsze możesz przyjmować płatności przelewem bankowym bezpośrednio od gościa, bez żadnych opłat platformy.

Can I list on other sites at the same time?

Of course! We don't believe in exclusivity clauses or trying to lock you in. Many of our owners list on multiple platforms.

Just make sure you keep your availability calendar up to date to avoid double bookings. You can sync calendars using iCal links if that helps.

How do I get more enquiries?

A few things that help your property stand out:

  • Great photos - Bright, clear images make a huge difference. Show off your best features.
  • Detailed description - Tell guests what makes your property special. Be honest about what's included.
  • Accurate amenities - Tick all the features you offer so you appear in filtered searches.
  • Competitive pricing - Check what similar properties charge and price accordingly.
  • Keep availability updated - Properties with current calendars rank better in search results.
  • Respond quickly - Fast responses lead to more bookings and better visibility.
How do payments and subscriptions work?

We use Stripe for secure payment processing. You can pay by credit or debit card.

Your subscription gives you access for one year from the date of purchase. We'll send you a reminder before it expires so you can renew if you'd like to continue.

We don't do automatic renewals that catch you off guard - you're always in control.

What happens when my subscription expires?

Your property listing will be hidden from search results, but we don't delete anything. All your photos, descriptions, and settings are saved.

When you renew, everything comes back exactly as it was. No need to set up from scratch.

Do I need to handle my own bookings?

Yes - that's the whole point! You communicate directly with guests, negotiate terms, take payments, and manage your bookings your way.

We provide the platform to get you in front of holidaymakers. You provide the property and the hospitality.

For many owners, this direct relationship is exactly what they want - no interference from a faceless corporation telling you how to run your rental.

What support do you offer owners?

We're a small team, but we're here to help. If you have questions about your listing, technical issues with the site, or need advice on getting the most from your subscription, just get in touch.

Your owner dashboard also includes an AI assistant that can help answer questions and guide you through common tasks.

We can't manage your bookings for you or deal with guest complaints about your property - that's between you and your guests - but we're always happy to help with anything site-related.

Can I import my listing from another site?

Yes! If you have an existing listing on another platform, our import tool can pull in your property details and photos automatically. Just paste the URL and we'll do the rest.

You can review and edit everything before your listing goes live, so you're always in control of what appears on the site.

I'm a property manager - can I list properties I manage?

Absolutely! We welcome professional property managers and rental agencies. Many of our listings are managed by professionals who look after multiple properties on behalf of owners.

You can create one account and list all the properties you manage. Our multi-property packages are designed with managers in mind.

The key thing for guests is that they still get direct, personal service - whether from an owner or a professional manager. That's what matters.

General Questions

What is Gites.co.uk?

We're a UK-based website specialising in French holiday rentals. We've been connecting British holidaymakers with property owners in France since 2013.

Think of us as a specialist directory rather than a booking platform. We help you find properties and contact owners - then you deal directly with them, without us taking a cut.

Why should I use Gites.co.uk instead of Airbnb or Booking.com?

A few reasons people prefer us:

  • No fees for guests - The big sites add 10-15% on top. We don't.
  • Direct contact with owners - Talk to the person who owns the property, not a middleman.
  • France specialists - We focus exclusively on French holiday rentals, so we know our stuff.
  • Personal service - We're a small team who actually care, not a faceless corporation.
  • No hidden rules - Owners set their own policies. No corporate interference.

The big platforms have their place, but if you want a more personal experience without the fees, we're here for you.

What does "gite" mean?

"Gite" (pronounced "jeet") is the French word for a self-catering holiday rental. It typically refers to a converted farmhouse, cottage, or rural property, though the term is used loosely for all sorts of holiday rentals in France.

Despite our name, we list all types of French holiday properties - villas, apartments, chateaux, you name it. If it's a holiday rental in France, it belongs here.

Do you only list properties in France?

Yes, France only. It's our specialty and we're sticking to it.

We'd rather be really good at one thing than mediocre at everything. France has enough regions, property types, and charm to keep us busy for a lifetime!

What's the AI assistant?

We've integrated AI features throughout the site to make things easier. You might notice a chat widget that can answer questions about properties or regions, help with searches, or guide you through common tasks.

For owners, the AI can help write property descriptions, answer questions about managing your listing, and more.

It's there to help, not to replace human contact. If you need to speak to a real person, we're always available by email.

How do I contact you?

The best way to reach us is by email at [email protected], or use our contact form.

We're a small team and can respond more effectively to emails than phone calls. We aim to reply within one working day.

Still have questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? Drop us a message and we'll get back to you.

Contact Us