Terms and conditions (Language courses in Heidelberg)

     1. Contractual agreement / jurisdiction
 The following general terms and conditions of contract apply for language courses and additional services provided by F+U Rhein-Neckar gGmbH (hereafter “F+U”).  Any arrangements which differ from these contract  terms and conditions  require written confirmation by F+U in order for them to become valid.  These conditions may be waived only through written notification.
2. Validity of contract
 The contract is concluded as soon as enrolment in a course is confirmed by F+U.  In the case of legal disputes German law will be applied.
3. Contractual obligations
 The contractual obligations covered by this contract and defined in the F+U language course brochure and price lists are binding.  All language courses offered by F+U Heidelberg may, in addition, be taken as preparation for a recognised language diploma.
4. Terms of payment
a) After receipt of the invoice, fees for the contractually agreed services are payable no later than one week prior to the course commencement date.  The participant bears the cost of all bank charges.  In the case of registration less than one week prior to the commencement date, fees are payable in full upon receipt of the invoice.
b) For courses of more than three months’ duration, payment in instalments can be arranged.  In accordance with law concerning foreign visitors, payment by instalment is not offered to visa applicants requiring a letter of invitation from F+U (see point 6).  
4.1. Cancellation of contract, notice given by the participant and cancellation charges.
a) Cancellation on the part of the participant may be accepted upon submission of a suitable statement to F+U.   The date at which the notice is received by F+U will be considered as the date of cancellation.   For proof of cancellation F+U recommends the submission of notice in writing.
b) Participant cancellation of services to be provided by F+U is possible, without incurring any cancellation fee, up to one week prior to the commencement date of the course (by 12:00 p.m.)
c) Cancellation by the participant after the point specified in 4.1(b), but prior to the course commencement date will incur a cancellation fee of 30 Euros  for the language course.  Any advance payments will be reimbursed.   This does not influence the participant’s possibility to prove that F+U was not adversely affected, or only to a minimum degree.
d) After commencement of the course, cancellation is only possible in legally specified cases.  This does not affect the right of cancellation due to extenuating circumstances.
e) In the case of extenuating circumstances on the part of the participant, fees will be refunded, subject to a  50 Euro administration fee for the language course, and taking into account F+U services, both already provided and  outstanding, according to the terms and conditions of the contract.   This does not influence the participant’spossibility to prove that F+U was not adversely affected, or only to a minimum degree.   A statement of extenuating circumstances is to be supported by suitable documentary evidence.
f) As proof of notice F+U recommends the submission of written notice.
4.2 Cancellation of contract, notice on the part of F+U and cancellation charges.
a) F+U reserves the right to cancel a contract if expired appropriate notice, accompanied by warnings of rejection,  proves unsuccessful and  payment for fees covering all booked F+U services is not made.
b) In the case of cancellation or notice on the part of F+U, services already provided will be payable, according to the contract.  The ruling concerning  fees incurred as a result of the cancellation or notice of extenuating circumstances on the part of the participant is valid accordingly, to the extent that the reason for the cancellation or withdrawal is due to a breach of duty by the participant.  
4.3 Liability on the part of F+U
a) The right of the participant to claim damages against F+U, independent of legal reason ( in particular claims due to breach of contractual additional obligations, delay, unfeasibility and inappropriate action) is ruled out.  F+U accepts no liability for circumstances beyond its control or the actions of other course participants.
b) F+U has taken out an accident insurance policy which covers possible accidents that may take place on the premises.  F+U accepts no liability whatsoever for the loss or theft of personal property and therefore recommends participants organise individual insurance.
c) Liability on the part of F+U is not ruled out in so far as the cause of damage is intentional or due to gross negligence on the part of F+U, its official representatives or assistants.  This also applies in the case of culpable harm  to life, body or health on the part of F+U, its official representatives or assistants.  Similarly not ruled out is liability in the case of a guarantee which has been granted by F+U, in so far as the obligations of the guarantee have been breached by F+U.
d)  In so far as a contractual duty or cardinal obligation is intentionally breached, the liability is not ruled out but restricted to that which is predictable and characteristic of the contract.   A guarantee or assurance in sense of intensifying liability or the assumption of a particular obligation to meet claims is only valid if the terms “guarantee” or “assurance” are explicitly mentioned.
5. Terms and conditions of rent and accommodation cancellation charges
a) If accommodation is booked as a part of contractually agreed services, the house rules applicable for the particular accommodation become part of the contract.  In this case, the participant will be additionally supplied with the relevant house rules prior to concluding the contract.
b) Cancellation on the part of the participant after the time specified in point 4.1b) but prior to the commencement of the course will incur a cancellation fee of an additional 100 Euros for accommodation booked through F+U.
c) In the case of cancellation by the participant due to extenuating circumstances, payments for rented accommodation will be refunded, subject to an administration fee of 60 Euros for accommodation booked,  taking into account services both already provided and services outstanding on the part of F+U according to the terms and conditions of the contract.  
d) The rules concerning cancellation charges does not influence the participant’s possibility to prove that F+U was not adversely affected, or only to a minimum degree.
6. Terms and conditions for visa applicants
a) After receipt of participant’s enrolment, a confirmation of student’s admission and an invoice for the language course and accommodation will be issued. After receipt of payment in full of language course fees as well as   accommodation rent, an invitation will be submitted to the Embassy. The applicant is to bear the costs of any express delivery as well as all bank charges.
b) In the event of delay in the issue of the visa, no additional costs will be  incurred at F+U (with the exception of charges for DHL or similar forwarding agency in the case of a possible express delivery of the invitation).
c) In the event of refusal to grant the visa to the applicant, advance payment is guaranteed to be refunded subject to deduction of costs for express delivery, bank charges, notary fees that may have been incurred,  and an administration fee of  50 Euros.  The refusal must be documented by official notification.