TERMS & CONDITIONS
PREAMBLE
NAME AND OBJECT OF THE CLUB
1. i) The name of the
Club is Home House (‘the Club’)
ii) The address of
the Club is Home House, 20 Portman Square, London W1H 6LW
iii) The object of the Club
is to establish, maintain and conduct a club for the enjoyment and
accommodation of its invited members and guests, and to provide for them such
facilities as the Directors are able to provide at No. 19, 20 and 21 Portman
Square and other such associated buildings as may be and become available.
CONSTITUTION
2. i) The Club is a
proprietary club, the proprietor of which is Berkeley Adam Limited. Berkeley
Adam Limited (“the Company”) is a private Company owned by its shareholders.
PART II: MEMBERSHIP OF THE
CLUB
USE OF MEMBERSHIP3. i) Membership of
the Club will be by invitation only.
ii) The Club shall
consist of Life members, Honorary members, Ordinary members, Intermediate
members, Overseas members, Out of Town members, Corporate members, Young
members, Social members and Temporary members.
iii) Other categories may be
added as and when the membership committee decide. Similarly, certain
categories of membership may be withdrawn at any given time without prior
notice by the Membership Committee
PATRONS
4. i) The Company may
appoint a Patron and Vice Patrons of the Club who may not be members of the
Club.
ii) A President and Vice
Presidents of the Club may be appointed by the Company. They should be members
of the Club and shall hold office until such time as the Company shall decide
otherwise.
LIFE MEMBERS
5. i) The Membership
Committee may invite to become an honorary member for life any such person who
has rendered exemplary service or benefit to the Club. Such membership to be
ratified by the Board of Directors of the Company.
HONORARY MEMBERS
6. i) The Membership
Committee may invite to become an honorary member any person who in the opinion
of the Committee :-
a) has rendered especially
noteworthy service or benefit to the Club
b) will render special
benefit or service to the Club
c) is a distinguished senior
member of the Club
d) is a representative of an
associated or affiliated club
ii) Honorary Membership is
granted at the discretion of the Membership Committee. Such membership to be
granted on an annual basis and reviewed by the Membership Committee each year.
However, should the Membership Committee consider so, the membership may be
withdrawn at anytime without prior notice.
iii) An Honorary Member shall
not pay a joining fee or annual subscription; and in the event of a dissolution
of the Club they shall not have any right to, or claim upon, any property of
the Club, or be required to share in the discharge of its obligations.
ORDINARY FULL MEMBERS
7. i) A person shall
not be eligible for election as an ordinary member unless they have attained
the age of 21 years.
ii) A person
becomes an ordinary member on being elected as such by the Membership Committee
and on payment to the Club of all amounts due from them on account of their
joining fee (if any) and their annual subscription for the year in which they
are elected. If any such amount is not paid within the period prescribed by
these Rules their election shall lapse.
iii) An ordinary member may
introduce an additional ordinary member – spouse, partner, sons and daughters
only – living at the same address without joining fee. iv) In the event of a
dissolution of the Club ordinary members shall not have any right to, or claim
upon, any property of the Club, or be required to share in the discharge of its
obligations.
INTERMEDIATE MEMBERS
(WITHDRAWN)
8. i) A person may be
eligible for election as an Intermediate member if they have attained the age
of 30 years and are under 35 years of age.
ii) An
Intermediate member must notify the Membership Committee in writing immediately
they cease to qualify as a young member, and the balance of their full
subscription (if any) as a member shall become due and be paid to the Club
within one calendar month of their ceasing to be a young member.
iii) In the event of a
dissolution of the Club Intermediate members shall not have any right to, or
claim upon, any property of the Club, or be required to share in the discharge
of its obligations.
OVERSEAS MEMBERS
9. i) A person may be
eligible for election as an overseas member if their principal private
residence is outside the UK and they have attained the age of 21 years.
ii) An overseas
member must notify the Membership Committee in writing immediately they cease
to qualify as an overseas member, and the balance of their full subscription
(if any) as a member shall become due and be paid to the Club within one
calendar month of their ceasing to be an overseas member.
iii) In the event of a
dissolution of the Club overseas members shall not have any right to, or claim
upon, any property of the Club, or be required to share in the discharge of its
obligations.
OUT OF TOWN MEMBERS
(WITHDRAWN)
10. i) A person may be
eligible for election as an Out of Town
member if their principal private
residence is more than 25 miles from Portman Square and they have attained the
age of 21 years.
ii) An out of town
member must notify the Membership Committee in writing immediately they cease
to qualify as an out of town member, and the balance of their full subscription
(if any) as a member shall become due and be paid to the Club within one
calendar month of their ceasing to be an out of town member.
iii) In the event of a
dissolution of the Club, Out of Town members shall not have any right to, or
claim upon, any property of the Club, or be required to share in the discharge
of its obligations.
YOUNG MEMBERS (WITHDRAWN)
11. i) A person may be
eligible for election as a young if they have attained the age of 21 years and
are under 30 years of age.
ii) A young member
must notify the Membership Committee in writing immediately they cease to
qualify as a young member and the balance of their full subscription (if any)
as a member shall become due and be paid to the Club within one calendar month
of their ceasing to be a young member.
iii) In the event of a
dissolution of the Club Young members shall not have any right to, or claim
upon, any property of the Club, or be required to share in the discharge of its
obligations.
CORPORATE MEMBERS
12. i) A person shall
not be eligible for election as a corporate members unless they have attained
the age of 21 years.
ii) A person
becomes a corporate member on being elected as such by the Membership Committee
and recommended by their company and on payment to the Club of all amounts due
from them on account of their joining fee (if any) and their annual
subscription for the year in which they are elected. If any such amount is not
paid within the period prescribed by these Rules their election shall lapse.
iii) Should an
individual corporate member leave their place of employ, their membership to
the Club will automatically expire. Under such circumstances a person may
re-apply for membership of the Club using the usual application process.
iv) Corporate Membership
does not allow all members of a company to use the facilities of the club only
the nominated employees elected by the Membership Committee will be allowed
access to the Club.
v) In the event of a
dissolution of the Club corporate members shall not have any right to, or claim
upon, any property of the Club, or be required to share in the discharge of its
obligations.
TEMPORARY MEMBERS
13. i) The Membership
Committee may, on the recommendation in writing of any member, invite a person
who is a temporary visitor in England to become a temporary member for such
period as the Committee may allow; but no one may be a temporary member;
a) with less than 24 hours
written notice to the Membership Committee or
b) for longer than one
calendar month or
c) more than three times in
any period of 12 months.
ii) A temporary member may be
required, at the Committee’s discretion, to pay a one off fee instead of a
subscription.
iii) The Membership Committee
may at any time withdraw a persons temporary membership.
SOCIAL MEMBERSHIPS
14. i) A person may be
eligible for election as a Social member if they have attained the age of 21
years and above
ii) Social members
are granted access to the Club’s facilities after 6pm Monday to Friday as well
as all day on Saturdays and Sundays and Bank Holidays. Gym usage is excluded at
all times for this category of membership
iii) A social
member must notify the Membership Committee in writing immediately they cease
to qualify as a social member, and the balance of their full subscription (if
any) as a member shall become due and be paid to the Club within one calendar
month of their ceasing to be a young member.
iv) In the event of a
dissolution of the Club Social members shall not have any right to, or claim
upon, any property of the Club, or be required to share in the discharge of its
obligations.
ELECTION OF CANDIDATES
15. i) Every candidate
will be proposed by a member.
ii) A member who proposes a
candidate is personally responsible for satisfying themselves and shall give
assurances to the Membership Committee that the candidate is a fit and proper
person to be a member of the Club. The candidate must be known by the proposer.
ELECTION PROCEDURE
16. i) Election shall
be by secret ballot of the Membership committee, a ballot being taken
separately for each candidate.
ii) A candidate
shall be declared not elected if, on the ballot box being opened, it appears
that two or more members of the membership committee have voted no.
iii) No
declaration shall be made either of the number of votes cast or the number who
have voted for or against the candidate.
iv) No reason
shall be given to any candidate in the event of their non election.
v) A successful candidate
shall be invited by the Membership Committee to become a member of the Club.
RESIGNATION
17. i) No resignations
will be accepted in the first year of membership (12 months from start date)
ii) A member may resign at
any time by giving one month’s notice in writing to The Chairman of the
Membership Committee but shall not be entitled to any refund of annual
subscription or joining fee.
SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION
18. i) If, in the
opinion of the Company or the Membership Committee, a member has persistently
infringed the rules or by laws of the Club or has been guilty (inside or
outside the Club) of conduct prejudicial to the Club’s interests, the Company
or the Membership Committee may suspend the member with immediate effect for a period deemed suitable.
If the member fails to give a satisfactory explanation of their conduct (either
in person at a meeting of the Membership Committee or in writing sent to the
Chairman of the Membership Committee) the Company or the Membership Committee may expel the Member and they
shall cease to be a member of the Club.
ii) Except with
the written consent of the Company no member shall introduce as a guest at the
Club a person who has been suspended, required to resign or expelled, or whose
name has been stuck off the register of members either for non payment of
subscription or for any other reason, or has not been re-elected.
iii) In the case of serious
breaches of the rules or serious misconduct the Company may at its absolute
discretion expel any member with immediate effect. iv) The Company may refuse
admission to the Club any person in its absolute discretion and without giving
any reason.
CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP
19. i) If a Member
a) is sentenced to
imprisonment, whether or not suspended, they shall forthwith cease to be a
member of the Club unless the Company or the Membership Committee deem that
special circumstances exist and membership should be permitted to continue.
b) has a trustee in
bankruptcy appointed of their estate or enters into a voluntary arrangement
with their creditors shall forthwith cease to be a member of the Club unless
the Company or the Membership Committee deem that special circumstances exist
and membership should be permitted to continue. The Company or the Membership
Committee may re-admit a person to membership, without payment of a joining fee
or procedure of re-election, if in all the circumstances and after due enquiry
it thinks fit to do so.
PART III: FINANCIAL
OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
JOINING FEE
20. i) A person
elected as a member shall pay a joining fee of the amount then in force within
30 days after notice of their election has been sent to them by the Club.
ii) The amount of the joining
fee shall be fixed from time to time by the Company; and any amount so fixed
shall continue in force until the Company decides on a variation.
LIABILITY FOR ANNUAL
SUBSCRIPTION
21. i) Except as
provided by these Rules every member shall pay a subscription for each year at
the rate applicable for them that year.
ii) The rates of
subscription for each year shall be fixed from time to time by the Company and
any rate so fixed shall continue in force for each subsequent year until varied
by the Company.
iii) The category of membership for each member shall be
determined upon your renewal
iv) Individual memberships of all categories are not transferable
PAYMENT OF ANNUAL
SUBSCRIPTION
22. i) A member may (at their
option) pay the current annual subscription
a) in a single lump sum equal
to the current annual subscription
b) by monthly direct debit
mandate
LIABILITY ON CESSATION OF
MEMBERSHIP
23. i) If a member
dies the whole of his subscription remaining unpaid for the year shall be
deemed as fully paid.
ii) A member who
resigns voluntarily shall be liable to pay the balance of their annual
subscription.
iii) In exceptional
circumstances the Membership Committee may waive payment (in whole or part) of
any amount due to the Club in respect of a member’s subscription.
ARREARS
24. i) If a member
fails to pay any amount due from him to the Club (whether under these rules or
otherwise) within 30 days from the due date for payment then the Company or the
Membership Committee may terminate or suspend their membership.
ii) The Company reserves the
right to charge interest at the rate of 2½% above the Bank of England base rate
per month on any overdue amounts.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP
25. i) A member may,
with the approval of the Company, become a Life Member on such terms as the
Company may decide. A Life Member shall not pay a subscription, but otherwise
shall retain the same rights, privileges and obligations as other members.
PART IV: MANAGEMENT OF THE
CLUB
MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB
26. i) The affairs of
the Club shall be managed by the Company, its Board of Directors and employees
THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
27. i) The Membership
committee shall be nominated by the Board of Directors of the Company.
ii) The Membership Committee
has full authority, as prescribed by the Board of Directors of the Company from
time to time, over all matters relating to membership and its decision shall be
final vis a vis the members.
PART V: MISCELLANEOUS AND
GENERAL
28. i) The Company may
make bye-laws for the regulation and management of the Club and may amend or
revoke any by laws so made; but no bye-law shall be inconsistent with these
Rules.
BINDING EFFECT OF RULES AND
BYLAWS
29. i) Every member
shall be bound by these Rules and by any bylaws made under rule
ii) The Membership Committee
shall notify every newly elected member of the existence of these Rules and of
any bylaws then in force; and copies of the Rules and bye-laws in force for the
time being shall be available at all times on the website.
CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
30. i) Every member of
the Club shall, subject to these Rules and bye-laws for the time being in
force, be entitled to use and enjoy (in common with the other members of the
Club) the Club premises and the facilities therein provided for the use of the
member but shall not by reason of their membership be under any financial
liability other than for the payment of their joining fee and annual
subscription, and for the consumption of goods and services.
ii) A member shall
not a) use the Club for the purposes of any trade, profession or business or in
a manner prejudicial to the Clubs interest; or b) conduct themselves in a
manner likely to cause discomfort, inconvenience or annoyance to other members,
or behave in such a manner as to bring the Club into disrepute
iii) A member shall at all
times be responsible for the conduct of their guests in the Club and must take
due care to ensure both they and their guests leave the premises quietly
without disturbance to close neighbours.
TRANSACTIONS IN WHICH MEMBERS
INTERESTED
31. i) A member shall
not directly or indirectly, enter into any transaction involving or relating to
the supply to the Club of goods or services, without the previous approval of
the Company.
MEMBERS ADDRESSES AND NOTICES
32. i) Every member
shall promptly inform the
Membership department of any change of home address or of their bank
details directly in writing by email
ii) Any notice documents or
communication to be sent to a member under these Rules shall be deemed to be
properly given if sent by
post or email to their address last notified to the Membership Committee,
and if sent by post it shall be deemed to be issued when posted.
MEMBERS PROPERTY
33. i) Property
entrusted by a member or their guest/guests to a member of Club staff for safe
custody or for any other purpose, or left on the Club’s premises, shall be at
the members own risk; and the Club shall not be liable for any loss of, or
damage to, such property or for any consequential loss or damage of any
description.
CLUB STAFF
34. i) A member shall
not at any time employ a member of Club staff outside the Club, except with the
written permission of the Membership Committee or a Director of the Company.
COMPLAINTS
35. i) All complaints
shall be made in writing to the Chairman of the Committee.
ii) A member shall not
personally reprimand a member of staff.
RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS
36. i) The Company may
enter into reciprocal arrangements with other Clubs or bodies on such terms as
it shall decide from time to time and any such arrangements may be terminated
or modified by the Company at any time. Such arrangements (if any) will be
communicated to members.
PART VI: BYLAWS
HOURS
37. i) The Club is
open seven days a week.
ii) The Company may direct
that the Club be closed for a specified period for public holidays, staff
holidays, cleaning or restoration, or any other reason appearing to the Company
to justify temporary closure.
MEALS AND REFRESHMENTS
38. i) Meals and
refreshments may be ordered within the times specified by the company and can
be varied from time to time.
ii) No table shall be kept
for a member unless it is a formalised booking.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
39. i) Intoxicating beverages
will be supplied only to bona fide members and their guests. Alcoholic
beverages may be supplied to persons attending a private or previously arranged
event if a bona fide member is present. The consumption of alcohol will be
permitted during the general licensing hours in force subject to such
extensions as may be available to the Club.
BEDROOMS
40. i) The bedrooms
and suites are available for the use of members and their guests.
ii) When reserving a bedroom,
a member and guest is bound by the booking policy as outlined at the time of
the reservation.
CHILDREN
41. i) Children will
be permitted when accompanied by their parents during the weekends and on
public holidays until 6pm (but not allowed in the bars).
ii) By proper arrangement
with the Club Management, accompanied children may be permitted to attend
previously arranged private parties or reside in bedrooms and suites.
CORKAGE
42. i) There will be a
charge on each bottle of wine and each bottle of spirit brought into the Club
by a member for consumption on the premises. No member may bring food or
beverage on to the premises without the prior written permission of the Company
or its representative.
DEPOSITED LUGGAGE AND
BELONGINGS
43. i) A member may
not deposit luggage or personal belongings for storage at the Club unless
specifically agreed in writing by the Club Management.
DRESS CODE
44. i) Nudity is discouraged. Whilst there
is no specific standard or code and we encourage individuality, the Company
reserves the right to refuse admission to the Club if the standard of dress is
considered to be inappropriate.
DRUGS & ILLEGAL
SUBSTANCES
45. i)
Non-prescription drugs are not permitted on the premises at any time. The
consumption of illegal substances by whatever means is strictly prohibited and
any member or guest of member found in possession of such substances will be
ejected and reported to the police.
ii) Any member found guilty
of consuming or bringing illegal substances onto the premises, or whose guest
is found guilty of such acts, will have their membership terminated with
immediate effect.
GAMING
46. i) No betting,
wagering, game with dice (except Backgammon) or gaming shall take place on the
Club premises, nor shall any game of hazard or chance be played other than for
nominal stakes.
GADGETS
47. i) The use of mobile
phones is permitted throughout the Club with the following restrictions:
a) In the restaurant, members
are requested to use the silent, meeting or vibrate mode to avoid nuisance to
other diners.
ii) Members who use mobile
phones, causing nuisance to other members and their guests, will be asked to
cease doing so or may be asked to leave the Club.
iii) The use of laptop
computers is not permitted in the restaurant or health spa.
iv) Personal audio equipment
may be used provided they are not audible to other members.
v) Members should not use
such equipment in the bedrooms in such a way as to annoy or inconvenience other
members.
NEIGHBOURS
48. i) In
consideration of our neighbours, members are required to leave the premises
quietly at all times and to ensure the quiet departure of their guests.
PAYMENTS
49. i) Members may pay
for services and goods supplied by using cash, credit or charge card.
PETS
50. i) A member may
bring a well-behaved dog into the Club. Dogs must be accompanied by the member
and be kept on a lead at all times and not allowed on furniture and laps. We
reserve the right to refuse entry to badly behaving dogs.
ii) No other pets are
allowed.
PHOTOGRAPHY
51. i) General photography is permitted but
only without capturing other Members and their guests
ii) Photoshoots are not
permitted without the permission in writing of the Sales and Marketing
Director.
POST
52. i) Members may not
collect mail at the Club. Letters, parcels, etc. will not be forwarded to a
members private address. Verbal instructions will not be accepted for the
re-direction of mail. Home House will not take responsibility for post received
or delivered.
PRIVATE PARTIES
53. i) Members may, by
prior arrangement with the Club Management, hold private parties in the
designated areas.
ii) The Company
may close the Club or any part thereof, for a private party, for any period
they deem fit. No member shall be entitled to a refund of any part of their
joining fee or subscription in the event of such closing.
iii) From time to time the
Club Management may hold a private party for the members and guests at which
time limited numbers may attend and for which an additional entrance fee may be
levied.
SMOKING
54. i) Smoking is not
permitted anywhere within the Club accept in the designated outside areas.
USE OF THE CLUB ADDRESS
55. i) The name and
address of the Club shall not be given by a member as their address for deliveries or for the
purpose of identification in connection with legal proceedings or in any
advertisement, prospectus, business circular or other commercial document, or
give the Club as a business reference.
VISITORS
56. i) Members may
entertain a maximum of three guests on any visit unless a private party or
restaurant reservation has been confirmed or a greater number of guests has
been previously agreed with the Duty Manager of the Club.
ii) Each guest
must be signed in by the host member
iii) The Club may
charge a daily entrance fee for guests of members.
iv) Guests who
arrive at the Club in advance of their host member will be asked to wait in the
Front Hall until the member arrives to sign them in.
v) When accompanied by a
member guests may use the full facilities of the Club with the exception of the
Health Spa (allowable with a fee).
INTERPRETATION
57. i) The Company
shall be the sole authority as to the interpretation of the rules, regulations
and bye-laws of the Club.
Adopted on 17th February 1998
and reviewed February 2023