§ 1 Scope
1.1 These General Terms and Conditions for the Hotel Industry (hereinafter “AGBH 2006”) replace the previous ÖHVB in the version dated 23 September 1981.
1.2 The AGBH 2006 do not preclude special agreements. The AGBH 2006 are subsidiary to agreements made on a case-by-case basis.
§ 2 Definitions
2.1 Definitions:
“Accommodation provider
”: A natural or legal person who provides accommodation to guests in return for payment.
“Guest”:
Is a natural person who makes use of accommodation. The guest is, as a rule, also the contracting party. Persons travelling with the contracting party (e.g. family members, friends, etc.) are also considered guests.
“Contracting Party”:
A natural or legal person, whether domestic or foreign, who concludes an accommodation contract as a guest or on behalf of a guest.
“Consumer” and “business operator”:
These terms are to be understood within the meaning of the Consumer Protection Act 1979, as amended.
“Accommodation contract”:
This is the contract concluded between the accommodation provider and the contracting party, the terms of which are set out in more detail below.
§ 3 Conclusion of the Contract – Deposit
3.1 The accommodation contract is concluded upon the accommodation provider’s acceptance of the contracting party’s booking. Electronic communications are deemed to have been received if the party for whom they are intended can access them under normal circumstances, and receipt occurs during the accommodation provider’s published business hours.
3.2 The accommodation provider is entitled to conclude the accommodation contract on the condition that the contracting party makes a deposit. In this case, the accommodation provider is obliged to inform the contracting party of the required deposit before accepting the contracting party’s written or verbal booking. If the contracting party agrees to the deposit (in writing or verbally), the accommodation contract shall come into effect upon receipt by the accommodation provider of the contracting party’s declaration of consent regarding payment of the deposit.
3.3 The contracting party is obliged to pay the deposit no later than 7 days (receipt) prior to the accommodation. The costs of the financial transaction (e.g. bank transfer fees) shall be borne by the contracting party. For credit and debit cards, the respective terms and conditions of the card companies apply.
3.4 The deposit constitutes a partial payment towards the agreed fee.
§ 4 Start and end of the accommodation
4.1 Unless the accommodation provider offers a different check-in time, the contracting party is entitled to take possession of the rented rooms from 4.00 pm on the agreed day (‘day of arrival’).
4.2 If a room is first occupied before 6.00 am, the preceding night shall count as the first night’s stay.
4.3 The contracted accommodation must be vacated by the guest by 12 noon on the day of departure. The accommodation provider is entitled to charge for an additional day if the contracted accommodation is not vacated by the agreed time.
§ 5 Withdrawal from the Accommodation Contract – Cancellation Fee: Withdrawal by the Accommodation Provider
5.1 If the accommodation contract provides for a deposit and the contracting party has not paid the deposit within the stipulated time, the accommodation provider may withdraw from the accommodation contract without granting a grace period.
5.2 If the guest does not arrive by 6.00 pm on the agreed day of arrival, there is no obligation to provide accommodation, unless a later arrival time has been agreed.
5.3 If the contracting party has paid a deposit (see 3.3), the accommodation shall remain reserved until 12 noon at the latest on the day following the agreed arrival date. In the event of advance payment for more than four days, the obligation to provide accommodation ends at 6.00 pm on the fourth day, with the day of arrival counted as the first day, unless the guest specifies a later arrival date.
5.4 Up to and including 3 months before the agreed arrival date of the contracting party, the accommodation contract may be terminated by the accommodation provider, for objectively justified reasons, unless otherwise agreed, by unilateral declaration.
Withdrawal by the contracting party – cancellation fee
5.5 Up to 3 months before the agreed date of arrival of the guest, the accommodation contract may be terminated by the contracting party by unilateral declaration without payment of a cancellation fee.
5.6 Outside the period specified in § 5.5, withdrawal by unilateral declaration of the contracting party is only possible upon payment of the following cancellation fees:
up to 1 month before the arrival date: 30% of the total package price;
up to 2 weeks before the arrival date: 60% of the total package price;
in the last two weeks before the arrival date: 100% of the total package price, provided the room cannot be re-let.
Up to 2 months --> no cancellation fees
2 months to 1 month --> 30%
1 month to 2 weeks --> 60%
In the last 2 weeks --> 100%
Impediments to arrival
5.7 If the contracting party is unable to arrive at the accommodation on the day of arrival because unforeseeable exceptional circumstances (e.g. extreme snowfall, flooding, etc.) render all means of travel impossible, the contracting party is not obliged to pay the agreed fee for the days of arrival.
5.8 The obligation to pay the fee for the booked stay shall resume as soon as travel becomes possible again, provided that travel becomes possible within three days.
§ 6 Provision of alternative accommodation
6.1 The accommodation provider may provide the contracting party or the guests with suitable alternative accommodation (of the same quality) if this is reasonable for the contracting party, particularly if the deviation is minor and objectively justified.
6.2 Objective justification exists, for example, if the room(s) has (have) become unusable, guests already staying there extend their stay, there is overbooking, or other important operational measures necessitate this step.
6.3 Any additional costs for the alternative accommodation shall be borne by the accommodation provider.
§ 7 Rights of the contracting party
7.1 By concluding an accommodation contract, the contracting party acquires the right to the customary use of the rented rooms, the facilities of the accommodation establishment which are normally and without special conditions accessible to guests for use, and to the customary service. The contracting party must exercise their rights in accordance with any hotel and/or guest guidelines (house rules).
§ 8 Obligations of the Contractual Partner
8.1 The contracting party is obliged to pay the agreed fee, plus any additional amounts incurred as a result of separate services used by them and/or their accompanying guests, plus statutory VAT, no later than on the day of departure.
8.2 The accommodation provider is not obliged to accept foreign currencies. If the accommodation provider does accept foreign currencies, these shall be accepted as payment at the current exchange rate where practicable. Should the accommodation provider accept foreign currencies or non-cash means of payment, the contracting party shall bear all associated costs, such as enquiries with credit card companies, telegrams, etc.
8.3 The contracting party shall be liable to the accommodation provider for any damage caused by the contracting party, the guest or any other persons who, with the knowledge or consent of the contracting party, make use of the accommodation provider’s services.
§ 9 Rights of the Accommodation Provider
9.1 If the contracting party refuses to pay the agreed fee or is in arrears with payment, the accommodation provider shall be entitled to the statutory right of retention pursuant to Section 970c of the Austrian Civil Code (ABGB) and the statutory right of lien pursuant to Section 1101 of the Austrian Civil Code (ABGB) in respect of items brought in by the contracting party or the guest. This right of retention or lien shall also be available to the accommodation provider to secure its claim arising from the accommodation contract, in particular for meals, other expenses incurred on behalf of the contracting party and for any claims for compensation of any kind.
9.2 If the service is requested in the contracting party’s room or at unusual times of day (after 8.00 pm and before 6.00 am), the accommodation provider is entitled to charge a special fee for this. However, this special fee must be indicated on the room price list. The accommodation provider may also refuse to provide these services for operational reasons.
9.3 The accommodation provider is entitled to issue an invoice or interim invoice for their services at any time.
§ 10 Obligations of the Accommodation Provider
10.1 The accommodation provider is obliged to provide the agreed services to a standard commensurate with their usual level of service.
10.2 Special services provided by the accommodation provider that are subject to a separate charge and are not included in the accommodation fee include, for example:
a) special accommodation services that may be invoiced separately, such as the provision of lounges, a sauna, an indoor swimming pool, a swimming pool, a solarium, garage parking, etc.;
b) a reduced rate is charged for the provision of extra beds or cots.
§ 11 Liability of the accommodation provider for damage to guests’ personal belongings
11.1 The accommodation provider is liable in accordance with Sections 970 et seq. of the Austrian Civil Code (ABGB) for items brought in by the contracting party. The accommodation provider shall only be liable if the items have been handed over to the accommodation provider or to persons authorised by the accommodation provider, or have been taken to a place designated or specified by them. Unless the accommodation provider can prove otherwise, the accommodation provider shall be liable for its own negligence or that of its staff, as well as that of persons entering and leaving the premises. The accommodation provider shall be liable in accordance with Section 970(1) of the Austrian Civil Code (ABGB) up to a maximum of the amount specified in the Federal Act of 16 November 1921 on the Liability of Innkeepers and Other Entrepreneurs, as amended. If the contracting party or the guest fails to comply immediately with the accommodation provider’s request to deposit their belongings in a designated storage area, the accommodation provider shall be released from all liability. The extent of any liability on the part of the accommodation provider shall be limited to the maximum amount of the accommodation provider’s liability insurance cover. Any fault on the part of the contracting party or guest must be taken into account.
11.2 The accommodation provider’s liability is excluded in cases of slight negligence. If the contracting party is a business, liability is also excluded for gross negligence. In this case, the contracting party bears the burden of proof regarding the existence of fault. Consequential or indirect damages, as well as loss of profit, shall under no circumstances be compensated.
11.3 The accommodation provider is liable for valuables, money and securities only up to the current amount of €550. The accommodation provider is liable for any damage exceeding this amount only if they have accepted these items for safekeeping in full knowledge of their nature, or if the damage was caused by themselves or one of their staff. The limitation of liability under 12.1 and 12.2 applies mutatis mutandis.
11.4 The accommodation provider may refuse to accept valuables, money and securities for safekeeping if these items are significantly more valuable than those guests of the accommodation establishment in question usually entrust for safekeeping.
11.5 In all cases where items are accepted for safekeeping, liability is excluded if the contracting party and/or guest fails to notify the accommodation provider of the damage immediately upon becoming aware of it. Furthermore, such claims must be brought before the courts within three years of the contracting party or guest becoming aware of the damage or having had the opportunity to become aware of it; otherwise, the right to claim expires.
§ 12 Limitations of Liability
12.1 If the contracting party is a consumer, the accommodation provider’s liability for slight negligence, with the exception of personal injury, is excluded.
12.2 If the contracting party is a business, the accommodation provider’s liability for slight and gross negligence is excluded. In this case, the burden of proof regarding the existence of fault lies with the contracting party. Consequential damages, immaterial damages or indirect damages, as well as loss of profit, shall not be compensated. In any event, the damages to be compensated shall be limited to the amount of the legitimate expectation.
§ 13 Keeping of animals
13.1 Animals may only be brought onto the accommodation premises with the accommodation provider’s prior consent and, where applicable, subject to a special fee.
13.2 The contracting party bringing an animal with them is obliged to keep and supervise this animal properly during their stay, or to have it kept and supervised by suitable third parties at their own expense.
13.3 The contracting party or guest bringing an animal must hold appropriate animal liability insurance or personal liability insurance that also covers any damage caused by animals. Proof of such insurance must be provided upon request by the accommodation provider.
13.4 The contracting party or their insurer shall be jointly and severally liable to the accommodation provider for any damage caused by animals brought along. Such damage shall include, in particular, any compensation the accommodation provider is required to pay to third parties.
13.5 Animals are not permitted in the lounges, communal areas, restaurant areas or wellness facilities.
§ 14 Extension of the Accommodation
14.1 The contracting party has no entitlement to an extension of their stay. If the contracting party gives timely notice of their wish to extend their stay, the accommodation provider may agree to extend the accommodation contract. The accommodation provider is under no obligation to do so.
14.2 If the contracting party is unable to leave the accommodation establishment on the day of departure because all means of departure are blocked or unusable due to unforeseeable exceptional circumstances (e.g. extreme snowfall, flooding, etc.), the accommodation contract shall be automatically extended for the duration of the impossibility of departure. A reduction in the fee for this period is possible only if the contracting party is unable to make full use of the services offered by the accommodation provider as a result of the exceptional weather conditions. The accommodation provider is entitled to demand at least the fee corresponding to the price usually charged in the low season.
§ 15 Termination of the accommodation contract – Early termination
15.1 If the accommodation contract has been concluded for a fixed term, it shall end upon expiry of that term.
15.2 If the contracting party departs early, the accommodation provider is entitled to demand the full agreed fee. The accommodation provider shall deduct any savings made as a result of the non-utilisation of their services or any income received from letting the booked rooms to other guests. A saving shall only be deemed to exist if the accommodation establishment is fully booked at the time the guest’s reserved rooms are not used and the rooms can be let to other guests as a result of the contracting party’s cancellation. The burden of proof regarding the saving lies with the contracting party.
15.3 The contract with the accommodation provider shall terminate upon the death of a guest.
15.4 If the accommodation contract has been concluded for an indefinite period, the contracting parties may terminate the contract by 10.00 am on the third day prior to the intended end of the contract.
15.5 The accommodation provider is entitled to terminate the accommodation contract with immediate effect for good cause, in particular if the contracting party or the guest
a) makes significantly improper use of the premises or, through reckless, offensive or otherwise grossly inappropriate behaviour, makes coexistence intolerable for the other guests, the owner, the owner’s staff or third parties residing in the accommodation establishment, or commits a criminal offence against the property, public decency or physical safety of these persons;
b) contracts a contagious disease or an illness lasting beyond the period of accommodation, or otherwise requires nursing care;
c) fails to pay the invoices presented by the due date within a reasonable period (3 days).
15.6 If performance of the contract becomes impossible due to an event constituting force majeure (e.g. natural disasters, strikes, lockouts, official orders, etc.) becomes impossible, the accommodation provider may terminate the accommodation contract at any time without notice, provided that the contract is not already deemed terminated by law, or the accommodation provider is released from their obligation to provide accommodation. Any claims for damages, etc., by the contracting party are excluded.
§ 16 Illness or death of the guest
16.1 If a guest falls ill during their stay at the accommodation establishment, the accommodation provider shall arrange for medical care at the guest’s request. In the event of imminent danger, the accommodation provider shall arrange for medical care even without a specific request from the guest, particularly if this is necessary and the guest is unable to do so themselves.
16.2 As long as the guest is unable to make decisions or the guest’s relatives cannot be contacted, the accommodation provider shall arrange for medical treatment at the guest’s expense. However, the scope of these care measures shall cease at the point when the guest is able to make decisions or the relatives have been notified of the illness.
16.3 The accommodation provider shall be entitled to claim compensation from the contracting party and the guest, or in the event of death from their legal successors, in particular for the following costs:
a) outstanding medical costs, costs for patient transport, medication and medical aids
; b) room disinfection that has become necessary;
c) linen, bed linen and bedding that has become unusable, or otherwise for the disinfection or thorough cleaning of all these items;
d) restoration of walls, furnishings, carpets, etc., insofar as these have been soiled or damaged in connection with the illness or death,
e) room rent, insofar as the guest has occupied the premises, plus any days during which the rooms are unusable due to disinfection, clearance or similar,
f) any other damages incurred by the accommodation provider.
§ 17 Place of performance, jurisdiction and choice of law
17.1 The place of performance is the location of the accommodation establishment.
17.2 This contract is governed by Austrian substantive and procedural law, to the exclusion of the rules of private international law (in particular the IPRG and EVU?) and the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.
17.3 In bilateral business-to-business transactions, the exclusive place of jurisdiction is the registered office of the accommodation provider, whereby the accommodation provider is also entitled to assert its rights before any other court with local or subject-matter jurisdiction.
17.4 If the accommodation contract has been concluded with a contracting party who is a consumer and has their domicile or habitual residence in Austria, legal proceedings against the consumer may be brought exclusively at the consumer’s domicile, habitual residence or place of employment.
17.5 If the accommodation contract was concluded with a contracting party who is a consumer and has their domicile in a Member State of the European Union (with the exception of Austria), Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, the court having local and subject-matter jurisdiction for the consumer’s domicile shall have exclusive jurisdiction for actions against the consumer.
§ 18 Miscellaneous
18.1 Unless otherwise provided for in the above provisions, a period shall commence upon service of the document setting the period on the contracting party required to observe it. When calculating a period determined by days, the day on which the time or event from which the period is to commence falls shall not be included. Time limits specified in weeks or months refer to the day of the week or month which, by its name or number, corresponds to the day from which the time limit is to be counted. If that day does not exist in the month, the last day of that month shall apply.
18.2 Notices must be received by the other party by midnight on the last day of the period.
18.3 The accommodation provider is entitled to set off their own claims against claims made by the contracting party. The contracting party is not entitled to set off their own claims against claims made by the accommodation provider, unless the accommodation provider is insolvent or the contracting party’s claim has been established by a court or acknowledged by the accommodation provider.
18.4 In the event of any omissions in these terms and conditions, the relevant statutory provisions shall apply.
