£500 Security Pre-Authorisation

1. What Is a Pre-Authorisation?

A pre-authorisation is a temporary hold placed on your payment card, not a completed payment. The £500 amount is reserved by your card issuer but is not taken from your account. Depending on your bank or card provider, it may appear as pending or temporarily reduce your available balance.

2. When Is the Pre-Authorisation Placed?

The pre-authorisation is placed shortly before your arrival date, typically 1–2 days before check-in. This ensures the authorisation remains valid throughout your stay without exceeding standard card-network authorisation periods.

3. When Is It Released?

The pre-authorisation is released in full following checkout, provided that:

• The bedroom, en-suite and communal areas have not been damaged.
• No Anchor Ridge property or supplied items are missing.
• Towels and bed linen have not been removed or damaged.
• No exceptional cleaning is required.
• The accommodation has been used in accordance with the booking terms.

Release is typically processed within 24 hours of checkout. The time taken for funds to become available again depends on the card issuer, and may take 5–10 working days.

4. What Happens If a Deduction Is Necessary?

If damage, missing items or exceptional cleaning costs are identified, only the reasonable and evidenced amount required to cover the loss will be captured from the pre-authorisation. The guest will be informed of:

• The nature of the issue.
• The amount being claimed.
• Evidence supporting the claim (photographs, receipts, or cleaning invoices).

5. What the Pre-Authorisation Is Not

The £500 pre-authorisation:

• Is not a payment, deposit or tenancy deposit.
• Is not taken from your account unless a deduction is required.
• Is not an automatic charge — no money is captured without review and notification.
• Does not create an invoice or income for Anchor Ridge unless a deduction is processed.

6. Disputes

If you disagree with a deduction, please contact us within 14 days. We will review the evidence and respond within 7 working days. If the matter cannot be resolved, you retain the right to raise a dispute through your card issuer.

7. Employer-Booked Stays

Where accommodation is booked and paid for by an employer, the pre-authorisation may be taken from the employer's corporate card or the individual guest's card, as agreed with the employer. The same pre-authorisation terms apply in either case.