Terms of Hire

Terms of Hire
The terms and conditions of hiring one of our vehicles

1. Your Contract with us
When you sign the contract form you accept the conditions of the rental agreement listed in this document.
PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH, PLEASE ASK A MEMBER OF STAFF.

2. Rental Period
You will have the vehicle for the rental period shown in the agreement. We may agree to extend this rental period but the rental may never exceed 30 days.
If you do not return the vehicle on time you are breaching the conditions of this agreement. We will charge you the daily rate quoted for every day or part day you have the vehicle after the expiry date of your rental.

3. Your Responsibilities
(a) You must look after the vehicle and keys of the vehicle. You must always lock the vehicle when you are not using it and use any security device fitted in or supplied with the vehicle. You must always protect the vehicle against bad weather which can cause damage. You must make sure that you use the correct fuel.
(b) You are responsible for any damage to the roof or upper part of the vehicle caused by hitting low level objects, such as bridges or low branches.
(c) You must not sell, rent, loan or dispose of the vehicle or any of its parts. You must not give anyone any legal rights over the vehicle.
(d) You must not let anyone work on the vehicle without our permission. If we do not give you permission, we will only give you a refund if you produce a receipt for the work.
(e) You must let us know as soon as you become aware of any defects to the vehicle.
(f) You must bring the vehicle back to the place where we agreed during the opening hours displayed at the rental location. One of our staff must see the vehicle to check that it is in good condition. Where we have agreed that you may return the vehicle outside of business hours, you will remain responsible for the vehicle and its condition until it is re-inspected by a member of staff.
(g) You will have to pay for repairs if the vehicle requires more than our standard valeting (cleaning); or if you have damaged the inside of the vehicle; or you have damaged and/or lost any part of the vehicle.

4. Our Responsibilities
We maintain the vehicle to at least the manufacturer’s recommended standard. We undertake checks that the vehicle is roadworthy and suitable for renting at the start of the rental period. In addition to the above, if you are not renting the vehicle for business purposes, we are responsible if we break the conditions of the rental agreement in the following ways:

• the vehicle does not correspond to our description of it;

• the vehicle is not of the quality that you would be entitled to expect from a rental vehicle;

• the vehicle is not fit to drive;

• we do not have the right legally to rent out the vehicle.

5. Property
We are only responsible for property in the vehicle if the loss or damage is a result of our negligence.

6. Conditions for using the vehicle.
The vehicle must only be driven by the person named at hire or by anyone we authorise in writing. Anyone driving the vehicle must have a full, valid driving licence and not be prohibited by law from holding or obtaining such licence.
You or any other authorised driver must not do any of the following:

• Carry passengers for hire or reward

• Use the vehicle for any illegal purpose

• Use the vehicle for racing, pacemaking, testing the vehicle’s reliability and speed or teaching someone to drive

• Use the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Carry a number of passengers and/or baggage which would cause the vehicle to become overloaded, or in the case of a commercial vehicle, a payload which exceeds the maximum payload and individual axle plated weights or for a purpose which requires an Operator’s Licence where you do not have one

• Drive the vehicle outside England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, unless we have given you permission in writing and appropriate charges paid.

7. Charges
We work out charges using our current price list. You will pay the following charges:

• The rental and any other charges we work out according to the agreement;

• Any charge for loss or damage due to you not keeping to your responsibilities;

• A refuelling service charge if you have used and not replaced, the quantity of fuel that we supplied at the start of the original rental. The charge will be based on the rates printed on this rental agreement;

• All fines and court costs for parking, traffic, or other offences (including any costs which arise if the vehicle is clamped). You must pay the appropriate authority any fines and costs if and when the authority demands this payment. If you do not, you will be responsible to pay our reasonable administration charges, which arise when we deal with these matters on your behalf;

• A loss-of-income charge, when we demand it, if we cannot rent out the vehicle because it needs to be repaired or it is a write-off (can't be repaired);

• Any published rates for delivering and collecting the vehicle;

• Interest which we will add every day to any amount you do not pay us on time, at the rate of 4% a year above.

8. Our Insurance/Damage Protection Programme
We arrange separate insurance through a 3rd party, we will provide you with separate information on the insurance cover and any restrictions which may apply.

10. What to do if you have an accident
If you have an accident you must not admit responsibility. You should get the names and addresses of everyone involved, including witnesses. You should also make the vehicle secure, tell the Police straight away if anyone is injured or there is a disagreement over who is responsible and call our nearest office straight away. You must then fill in our accident report form and send it to the rental company.

MILEAGE ALLOWANCE ON VEHICLES

Any customers taking vehicles on a weekly basis must provide weekly updates on their mileage.