Hire terms and conditions

General

These terms and conditions shall be incorporated in and govern this agreement made between the Owner and the Renter whose names and addresses are set out in the rental agreement, to the exclusion of any other terms and conditions. Words and expressions defined in the rental agreement shall, where applicable, have the same meanings when used herein. In addition, the term "vehicle" when used herein shall (if applicable) be deemed to include any replacement vehicle and all tyres, tools, accessories, parts and equipment relating to the vehicle. Where the person signing this agreement on behalf of the Renter is not the Renter, he or she represents and warrants to the Owner that he or she is authorised to sign and to enter into this agreement for and on behalf of the Renter, and all agreements and obligations on the part of the Renter hereunder shall be deemed to be made by such person jointly and severally with the Renter.

Hire of vehicle

The Owner agrees to let, and the Renter agrees to take on hire, the vehicle upon and subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement. The period of hire shall commence on the time and date out specified and shall continue (subject to earlier termination by either party or any extension in accordance with this agreement) until the time and date due back specified. The period of hire may not be extended without the Owner's prior written consent, and in any event the period of hire shall not exceed 30 consecutive days.

Prohibited uses

The Renter will not use the vehicle, or allow the vehicle to be used, for any purpose for which it is neither designed, suitable nor hired, including (without limitation):

• the carriage of passengers and/or property for hire or reward;
• any unlawful, hazardous or unusual purpose;
• propelling or towing any other vehicle or trailer, or any similar purpose, without the Owner's prior written consent;
• racing, rallying, pace-making, reliability or speed testing, or other trials or competitions of any sort, or driving tuition;
• carrying a number of passengers and/or property which would cause the vehicle to be overloaded or would cause any applicable restriction to be exceeded;
• the use of the vehicle on any surface other than roads with tarmac or concrete surfaces over which there is a right of way (public or private) for motor vehicles.

The Renter will not allow any other person who has not been approved in writing by the Owner to drive the vehicle. The Renter will not take or allow the vehicle to be taken out of the United Kingdom without the Owner's prior written consent. As a pre-condition of any consent, the Renter must produce to the Owner evidence satisfactory to the Owner of adequate insurance arrangements for taking the vehicle abroad, including (without limitation) international motor insurance.

Payments

The Renter will pay the Owner on demand:

• the total deposit as specified, together with any further deposits requested by the Owner on or before the commencement of any extension of the period of hire;
• the rental and mileage charges computed at the Owner's current tariff. Each hire includes 250 miles free; additional miles are charged per mile at the Owner's current tariff;
• the amounts (if any) specified for time charges, collision damage waiver, theft protection, personal accident and personal effects insurance;
• all fines, penalties, costs, charges and liabilities relating to parking, road traffic or other offences;
• the Owner's costs of repairing or replacing the vehicle in the event of loss, theft or damage. The Renter's liability in respect of damage to or theft of the vehicle will be limited to a non-waivable excess charge;
• the cost of refuelling the vehicle if returned with less fuel than at commencement;
• the Owner's costs incurred in recovering the vehicle in the event the Renter fails to return it;
• any value added tax or local or other taxes payable.

Renter's obligations

During the term of this agreement the Renter shall always:

• take proper care of the vehicle and ensure the vehicle is used in a lawful and reasonable manner;
• return the vehicle to the Owner in the same condition as when received;
• immediately report any accident, loss or damage involving the vehicle;
• immediately report any breakdown, fault or defect reasonably requiring repair;
• obtain the Owner's prior written consent before incurring repair costs in excess of £25;
• not remove or interfere with any vehicle parts or spares;
• assist the Owner in enforcing any rights or remedies against third parties.

Limitation of liability

The Owner warrants that from the commencement of the period of hire it will:

• take all reasonable steps to provide the Renter with a well-maintained vehicle;
• when informed of a breakdown by the Renter, see that the necessary repairs are carried out promptly, if possible;
• if repairs cannot be carried out promptly, provide a suitable vehicle or allow the Renter to terminate the hire.

All other warranties, conditions or terms relating to contracts of hire, whether implied by statute or common law or otherwise, are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Insurance

Except where the Renter has elected personally to insure the vehicle, the Renter participates as an insured under the Owner's vehicle insurance policy and agrees to observe all the terms and conditions thereof.

Where the Renter has elected personally to insure the vehicle, the Renter undertakes to insure and keep insured the vehicle during the term of this agreement under a fully comprehensive motor insurance policy.

Braintree Van Hire & Sales Ltd does not accept liability for damage to the hirer's personal vehicles or property while on hire.

Indemnity

The Renter will indemnify and hold harmless the Owner, and keep the Owner indemnified and held harmless, against all costs, losses, claims, damages, expenses and liabilities arising from the Renter's use of the vehicle, provided that this indemnity shall not apply to any liability of the Owner for death or personal injury caused by the Owner's negligence, or any other liability which cannot be excluded as a matter of law.

Termination

If the Renter commits any breach of this agreement, or if any statement, representation or warranty made by the Renter is untrue, the Owner may terminate this agreement forthwith, but without prejudice to any of the Owner's accrued rights and remedies against the Renter.

On the expiry or termination of this agreement, the Renter shall forthwith return the vehicle in the same condition as when received. Early termination of any pre-paid hire agreement will not be refunded.

Entire agreement

This agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties, and no variation to this agreement shall be binding unless agreed in writing by the Owner.

Braintree Van Hire & Sales Ltd, company no. 16313580, 263 Rayne Road, Braintree CM7 2QF. Last updated: October 2026.