Hire Terms & Conditions

Liability

The person hiring the trailer is liable for all damage to and loss of the trailer whilst on hire. The person hiring the trailer agrees:

• To pay the hire fee on the due date.
• To pay an agreed Security/Damage Waiver deposit, which will be refunded on return of the trailer.
• Late hire fees will incur a charge of £20 for each late payment which will be deducted from your deposit.
• Where hire fees are not paid within 5 calendar days of the due date, the trailer will be reported as stolen to the police.
• If the trailer is not available for immediate collection, the hirer will also be liable for any loss incurred, including recovery costs.
• If the trailer has to be recovered by PTL, any deposit paid will be forfeited.
• If a hirer wishes to return a trailer before the agreed hire period has ended then the remaining pro-rata fee for any outstanding period shall be forfeited.
• Where the trailer is stored away from the hirer's own property the hirer agrees to inform the landowner that we may attend to inspect or recover the trailer without warning which may necessitate peaceful entry onto the land. PTL will assume that this grants us a right of entry to enable us to do so.
• To return the trailer in a clean condition, as when it was hired.
• To pay the full cost of any damage or loss. Lost keys will automatically incur a charge of £50 which will be deducted from your deposit.
• To pay the replacement value as stated if the trailer is 'written off' or stolen.
• In the event of theft of the trailer the hirer agrees to continue paying the agreed hire fees until the trailer is recovered and returned to PTL, or the agreed value of the trailer is paid in full.
• Any repair costs or loss valued at less than £100, such as minor damage, damage to tyres, broken lights, breakaway cables, jockey wheels etc., will be deducted immediately from the deposit.
• Loss or damage in excess of £100 (up to the market value of the trailer stated on the hire contract) will be due on the date of return. PTL reserves the right to charge a full day hire fee for each day until the date full payment is received.
• During the hire period the person hiring the trailer will be liable for any injuries caused to themselves, their agents, any third parties or to any animals transported, arising out of the use of the trailer.
• The person hiring the trailer shall completely indemnify PTL in respect of all claims by any person for injury to person or property caused by or in connection with, or arising out of the use of the trailer.
• PTL cannot be held liable for any consequential losses arising out of the use of the trailer during the hire period.
• Peak Trailers Ltd accepts no liability for the loss, damage, injury or death to any person arising in connection with the use by the hirer of the trailer/equipment including without limitation the failure of the trailer/equipment.

Cancellations & changes

• Cancellations and changes can be made up to 48 hours before the hire date.
• Cancellations made within 48 hours of the hire date will not be refunded.

Payment terms

• A 20% deposit secures your confirmed hire dates.
• A cash security/damage deposit is required on collection/drop off of the trailer.
• An invoice will be sent prior to the hire commencing, payable on or before the date of hire.
• For long term hires, payment must be made on the 1st of each month.
• Late payment charges will apply to overdue payments.

Insurance

We highly recommend that the hirer informs their motor insurance provider that they will be towing the trailer and insures themselves for any damages to, or loss of the trailer. The trailer must be fully insured for the full hire period. PTL recommends the Insurance Emporium for affordable trailer insurance (theinsuranceemporium.co.uk). The hirer agrees to indemnify PTL against theft of the trailer. Thefts must be reported to the police in the first instance using the serial numbers on your hire contract to identify the trailer and an incident report number obtained before contacting us. Proof of insurance must be provided when collecting the trailer.

Conditions of use

The person hiring the trailer agrees:

• To ensure that they hold the correct driving licence entitlements to allow them to tow any trailer as required in law.
• To drive the towing vehicle in accordance with all legal requirements and towing vehicle limitations.
• To operate and maintain the trailer in accordance with all current legal requirements.
• To ensure loads are securely restrained, the trailer is correctly attached to the tow vehicle, and that the trailer is in a roadworthy and safe condition prior to each journey.
• Not to leave the UK mainland without the prior agreement of PTL and a trailer recovery service.
• Not to allow horses with studs to travel in the trailer. All studs must be removed from horses' shoes before travel.
• The trailer is for personal use only. Use for any business purposes and any use that requires DEFRA and/or APHA licencing is strictly prohibited.

Care and custody of the trailer

The trailer remains the property of PTL at all times and must be returned on request. The person hiring the trailer agrees:

• At all times to keep the trailer at the hirer's home address or storage address supplied by the hirer as detailed on the hire agreement.
• To notify PTL immediately of any change of the hirer's address or the trailer storage address.
• Not to sub-let, hire out, loan or sell the trailer to any other party.
• To ensure the trailer is always left locked onto the towing vehicle using the integral coupling lock when in use and the wheel clamp and/or hitch lock provided is used overnight or during periods when the trailer is left unattended. The coupling lock must be locked in addition to any security device used and must be locked prior to attaching a hitch lock.
• To take all reasonable steps to prevent loss, damage or accidents and maintain the trailer in a sound and roadworthy condition.
• To remove all contents and the remains of any loads from the trailer prior to return.
• To ensure that the trailer is cleaned out internally after every use and prior to the trailer being returned to PTL.
• To ensure that all trailer doors, windows and roof vents are closed when the trailer is not being used.
• Not to remove Peak Trailers Ltd stickers or any other insignia attached to the trailer. Removal of any stickers or insignia will be charged at £25 each.
• Hay nets must not be attached to the trailer as this can cause damage to the trailer.
• During a period of hire, normal levels of road dirt are expected. However if the trailer is subject to unusual levels of dirt or where animals have been transported, the person hiring the trailer agrees to clean (and disinfect as required) the trailer prior to return. Cleaning charges will be at the discretion of PTL and will be deducted from the deposit when necessary.
• Sale of the trailer is expressly forbidden. Failure to disclose the trailer's whereabouts at any time is a breach of contract and will be considered as theft. These constitute criminal acts of theft by misappropriation which will be reported to the police immediately. Failure to advise PTL of any changes of home or storage address will be in breach of this contract and the contract may be terminated by PTL without warning. If PTL is unable to locate the trailer or make contact with the hirer it will then be reported as stolen to the police.

Reporting of defects, accidents or losses

• The person hiring the trailer agrees to report any defects found with the trailer to PTL as soon as is reasonably practical. PTL will then arrange for the trailer to be inspected and repaired if necessary.
• PTL cannot be held liable for any trailer defects which are not reported during the hire period, nor for any repairs to the trailer made without referring to PTL in the first instance.
• Any repairs must be agreed and authorised by PTL before they are undertaken.
• The person hiring the trailer agrees to report any accidents or thefts to the police and to PTL within 2 hours of any incident, unless exceptional circumstances preclude this. In such circumstances you must report any incident to PTL within 24 hours.

Extension of hire period

• The person hiring the trailer agrees to promptly inform PTL if the trailer cannot be returned by the agreed date and time.
• Any extension to the hire period must be agreed with PTL, subject to other bookings, and paid for in advance. Such authorised extensions will be charged at the agreed rate for the hire term.
• If the trailer is returned late without prior arrangement, additional days or part days will be charged at the full single day rate, unless otherwise agreed with PTL.
• PTL will deduct from the deposit any charges for late return of the trailer or any late payments. Should the deposit not fully cover any charges incurred, PTL will request a further deposit from the hirer which becomes payable immediately.
• Hire trailers can be collected / returned at a time pre-agreed with PTL. Trailers cannot be left when we are closed. For long term hires, a minimum notice period of one calendar month is required for the return of any trailer. If it is not possible to give one month's notice then you will forfeit your deposit.
• It is the hirer's responsibility to collect and return trailers to PTL's premises. Failure to return a trailer to the premises will incur a collection charge which will forfeit any deposit paid.

Log splitter use, safety & hirer responsibilities

• The hirer is responsible for the safe use, care and security of the log splitter for the entire period of hire. The machine must only be operated by the hirer or another competent adult who has received appropriate instruction and understands its controls and safe operating procedures. The hirer must follow all manufacturer's instructions and safety requirements and must wear suitable PPE, including appropriate safety footwear, gloves, eye protection and hearing protection where required.
• Where the log splitter is towed on the public highway, the hirer is responsible for ensuring that the towing vehicle is suitable and legally permitted to tow the machine, that the correct towing equipment is used, and that all applicable legal requirements are complied with. The hirer must ensure the machine is securely coupled and that the breakaway cable, lighting, tyres and other towing equipment are correctly connected and in safe working condition before each journey. The log splitter must be driven and towed responsibly and within the applicable speed limits and towing restrictions.
• The log splitter must only be used for its intended purpose and with suitable timber. It must not be overloaded, modified, dismantled or used in a manner contrary to the manufacturer's instructions. The hirer must stop using the machine immediately if they become aware of any hydraulic leak, hydraulic fault, unusual noise, damage, safety issue or other mechanical problem and must contact Peak Trailers before attempting any repair or further use. The hirer must not carry out repairs or modifications without prior authorisation.
• The hirer is responsible for the log splitter and its accessories throughout the hire period and will be liable for any loss or damage arising from misuse, negligence, unauthorised repairs or modifications, failure to follow the operating instructions, or failure to take reasonable care of the equipment. Normal wear and tear and mechanical or hydraulic faults not caused by the hirer will remain the responsibility of Peak Trailers. Any damage or fault must be reported to Peak Trailers as soon as reasonably practicable.

Log splitter liability, injury & loss

• The hirer acknowledges that the use and towing of the log splitter involves inherent risks, including the risk of personal injury, damage to property and loss of or damage to timber, vehicles or other belongings. The hirer is responsible for operating and towing the equipment safely and in accordance with these terms and the manufacturer's instructions.
• To the extent permitted by law, Peak Trailers shall not be liable for any loss, damage, expense, interruption or injury arising from the hirer's use, operation or towing of the log splitter, including loss resulting from misuse, negligence, failure to follow instructions or failure to take reasonable care of the equipment. The hirer remains responsible for the safety of themselves, any other person present and their property while the equipment is being used.

Nothing in these terms shall exclude or limit any liability which cannot legally be excluded or limited under applicable UK law.