Last updated December 2023

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, and are expected to fill out a weekly journal.

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.

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. See also our Privacy Notice.

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.

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

Guests undertake to maintain their own rooms, while public spaces are maintained by the staff.

LIGHTS

Please turn off lights in bedroom and en suite when not in them.

NO LIVE TV/iPlayer

We do not have a TV License, subject to the following declaration signed by the management:

“I declare that I do not need a TV Licence and (please tick to confirm you agree with all statements below):

I don’t watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, on any channel, using any device. This includes TVs, desktop computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, games consoles, digital boxes or DVD/VHS recorders.

I don’t watch or record programmes from abroad as they’re being shown on TV or live on an online TV service.I don’t download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer. This applies to any device and provider you use, including Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, Freeview, Freesat, YouView, Apple, Roku or Amazon.”

Please abide by this. If you have a TV License registered elsewhere, you are free to use this to log into TV services online on your personal devices.

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 on our Discord or to a manager.

FOOD HYGIENE

Please label all personal food items with date opened and name of owner. 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.