FAQs

Recipient FAQ

Who is eligible for a TimeOut stay?

TimeOut Stays are available to individuals who have been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer or an incurable illness. As part of the application process, we require verification of diagnosis and our team is happy to guide you through this step.

TimeOut define an incurable illness as a condition that is progressive, cannot be cured, and is expected to limit life expectancy to five years or less.

Please note that if the recipient’s health declines and they are no longer able to go on the TimeOut Stay, the booking will be postponed or cancelled. We encourage applicants to keep this in mind when making additional arrangements, such as travel.

How many holiday homes are there?

We are a small charity with a limited number of properties, so unfortunately we can not guarantee we will always be able to find something suitable. We currently have approx 160 holiday homes on our database and these are spread all around NZ with approximately 80% in the North Island and 20% in the South Island. They are privately owned homes, and the generous owners donate 1-2 stays in their property each year through TimeOut Charity.

Are there any costs that I will incur?

TimeOut is a charity, so all accommodation is provided free of charge for our recipients. There are no registration fees, cancellation fees, or cleaning costs.

Because each stay is generously donated, we ask guests to treat the property with care and to leave it clean and tidy upon departure. Guests are responsible for arranging and covering their own transport, food, and other personal expenses.

We always encourage recipients to share a message of thanks or appreciation with the homeowner, and we’re happy to help facilitate this if needed.

Do I need to clean and tidy the property when we leave?

All properties must be treated with care and left tidy upon departure.

Some properties may require you to complete a full clean before you leave, while others may include a professional cleaning service. We’ll let you know upfront what’s expected, so you can prepare accordingly.

To ensure all of our donors have a positive experience supporting our charity and can continue to donate to other families, we ask that you assist by following these simple guidelines before your departure at all of our properties:

Dishes: Please wash and put away all used dishes. If you have used the BBQ or oven, kindly clean them as well.

Rubbish and Recycling: Collect all rubbish and place it into the designated bins. Please ensure all bottles and recyclables are placed into the appropriate recycling bins.

Tidiness:Please leave the house in a tidy condition and put things back where you found them.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Do I need to bring my own linen?

This depends on the specific property. Some donors provide sheets and towels and others require the recipients to bring their own.

We’ll always let you know what’s expected, so you can prepare accordingly.

How far in advance can I book a TimeOut stay?

We can only request dates from our donors that fall within the following 6-week period.

How long can I book a TimeOut Stay for?

Donations vary in length from 2 – 6 nights, depending on the preference of each holiday homeowner.

Can I request a stay for any time of the year?

Because all accommodation is generously gifted, availability is limited. This means we may not always be able to meet requests for specific locations, group sizes or dates. Properties are unavailable during peak holiday times such as Christmas, January, and public holidays as our wonderful owners are using or renting out their homes.

As a small charity with a limited number of properties, we are not always able to guarentee a match - but we will always do our best.

Who can come with me on my TimeOut stay?

Family and friends are welcome to join you on your TimeOut Stay.

As part of the application process, you’ll need to provide details for each person in your group and keep us updated if anything changes. Most of our holiday accommodation sleeps between 2 to 8 guests, so while we’ll always do our best, it can be more challenging to find suitable properties for larger groups of 8 or more.

Unfortunately, we’re unable to guarantee that we will be able to find you a suitable match, but we will always try our best.

How often can I apply for a TimeOut stay?

Eligible recipients may apply for one TimeOut Stay every 12 months.

However, due to growing demand and limited availability, priority will be given to first-time applicants who have not previously received a TimeOut Stay.

What are the Terms & Conditions of a TimeOut Stay?

By completing the TimeOut Stay online application form, our recipients are agreeing to our Recipient T&C’s.

Do I need to sign a contract with the Holiday Home Owner?

TimeOut provides the Home Donor a template agreement that TimeOut Charitable Trust (TimeOut, we, us) has provided for use by providers and recipients of holiday accommodation who are matched through our website. We do not guarantee it will be suitable in all circumstances and you may wish to customise it (so long as it is compliant with any terms agreed between you and us). We are not responsible for your use of this agreement. Any use will be at your sole risk. We recommend you consider seeking legal advice before using this agreement

Recipient FAQ

Home Donor FAQ

Who is eligble for a TimeOut Stay?

TimeOut Stays are available to individuals who have been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer or an incurable illness.

As part of the application process, we will verify medical eligibility.

TimeOut define an incurable illness as a condition that is progressive, cannot be cured, and is expected to limit life expectancy to five years or less.

Can I just donate during the off season?

Yes, you can donate your bach at any time of the year that suits you. We let our recipients know that availability for all properties is limited during busy holiday periods, public holidays and school holidays.

How far in advance will my property be booked?

We generally request dates that fall within the following 6 week period.

Can I change my property availability or put it on hold if I need to?

Yes, this is no problem at all. TimeOut is designed to be as flexible as possible for the accommodation provider.

Do I need to provide linen?

No, this is up to each individual donor to decide. Recipients can be advised to bring their own linen if required.

Who cleans the property after a stay?

Recipients and their families are asked to leave the property tidy upon departure.

If you prefer, we can request that the recipient also carries out a full clean before leaving. However, many of our homeowners prefer to arrange a professional clean themselves to ensure it is up to standard. If you opt for this, please note that any associated cost is the responsibility of the homeowner as part of the donation.

We’re happy to work with you to set expectations that best suit your preferences.

Does my property need to be wheelchair accessible or single story only?

No, many of our recipients do not need these specific requirements.

How about my health and safety liability?

We ask that all guests are safe to travel and take care of their health and safety depending on the stage of their health condition and other relevant factors.

What about insurance?

If you don’t usually rent out your holiday home, then your insurance for a residential home may exclude cover for damage by guests. We recommend that you check your policy and get advice from your insurer or insurance broker about your coverage.

We recommend you get advice before signing up with Timeout as clause 4.1(d) of our terms and conditions for providers says you acknowledge that the property is adequately insured for use by the recipient.

What are the costs that I will incur?

You might have management costs or cleaning costs that will not be covered by TimeOut or the Recipient family.

Recipients and their families are asked to leave the property tidy upon departure.

If you prefer, we can request that the recipient also carries out a full clean before leaving. However, many of our homeowners prefer to arrange a professional clean themselves to ensure it is up to standard. If you opt for this, please note that any associated cost is the responsibility of the homeowner as part of the donation.

How does this affect my Tax?

Donated time is currently considered personal time by IRD in relation to the mixed-use asset formula.

What are the Terms & Conditions of a TimeOut Stay?

By registering your holiday home online, our holiday home owners are agreeing to our Home Donor T&C’s.

Do I need to sign a contract with the Recipient?

TimeOut provides the Home Donor a template agreement that TimeOut Charitable Trust (TimeOut, we, us) has provided for use by providers and recipients of holiday accommodation who are matched through our website. We do not guarantee it will be suitable in all circumstances and you may wish to customise it (so long as it is compliant with any terms agreed between you and us). We are not responsible for your use of this agreement. Any use will be at your sole risk. We recommend you consider seeking legal advice before using this agreement.

Home Donor FAQ