La Chateau, Graissessac, The issue is safety…

It's a safety issue. The only access to the flats in this multi-storey building is via a wooden spiral staircase in the dilapidated tower. There is no fire escape or any safety equipment such as extinguishers. In the event of a fire there is no other means of evacuation – you are trapped. A quick inspection revealed exposed electric wiring at a large junction box.

I raised these safety issues with Dirk Van Meyden and asked him if there was any other way out of the flat. At first he said yes, but when we asked him to show us, he changed his mind and said there was no other way out. I asked him if the building had passed any tourist or local authority safety inspection. He said no. At this stage Mr Van Meyden, obviously concerned at my line of enquiry, offered us a full refund. I accepted.

Mr Van Meyden began to write a cheque for 795 euros (545 plus my deposit of 250 euros). I asked him for a cash refund but he declined saying he did not have any euros. I said that accepting the cheque in the circumstances required me to trust his word. Dirk Van Meyden promised that it would be honoured.

In fact, Mr Van Meyden then called his bank and stopped the cheque keeping my advanced payment and the deposit.

The first issue was safety…. How worried would you have to be to make that decision? It was a Saturday evening during the peak holiday period and I had no alternative accommodation arranged. With two children in the party this was not a decision taken lightly.

The second is trust… Dirk Van Meyden gave me his word that the cheque would be honoured and sealed this by shaking hands.

Are you prepared to take the risk?