Hire contracts

Lisa Lane-Collins

Lisa Lane-Collins

Sophomore
Dec 9, 2012
270
0
16
Adelaide, Australia
The thought occurs (especially after the stolen PA debacle) that it is about time I started requiring people to sign them when they hire my gear. I have enough receipt/contractey things lying around from my own dry hiring adventures to get a feel for what needs to go on those. I find myself wondering what people tend to include in their long term hire contracts though. (Like specifying that the client is required to go on hiring the item on a weekly basis until it is returned ... which will mean continuing to pay the hire fee if it gets stolen until it is replaced/returned).

What other kinds of things usually go in there? (Aside from the obvious clarification that client pays me x for items a, b and c and y for d, etc).
 
Re: Hire contracts

I don't know what the laws are like in Oz, but in the US one useful thing for long term hires, especially to dodgy businesses like bars and clubs, is to file documents (UCC?) to prove that the gear really is yours. Should the bar/club go bankrupt you don't want your gear seized by the landlord to make good on your customer's debts.

JR
 
Re: Hire contracts

Lisa Lane-Collins said:
(Like specifying that the client is required to go on hiring the item on a weekly basis until it is returned ... which will mean continuing to pay the hire fee if it gets stolen until it is replaced/returned).

What other kinds of things usually go in there? (Aside from the obvious clarification that client pays me x for items a, b and c and y for d, etc).
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The contract should have a clause specifying what damages the client is responsible for and how those damages are going to be settled. Are the client responsible for damages caused by his/her clients? A non return clause is a good idea, both for dry hire and permanent/long term hires. You probably need a clause about the client's responsibility for keeping the equipment safe from damage and theft by any reasonable means.
Sometimes, requiring the client to be responsible for equipment when not in use, might prompt the client to opt for a by-event hire instead of long term, just make sure your rates then cover the extra work involved.
Of course, any contract is only as good as the lawyer you use after the fact ;)~;-)~:wink:
 
Re: Hire contracts

Per Søvik said:
Of course, any contract is only as good as the lawyer you use after the fact ;)~;-)~:wink:
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I realize you are being humorous, but contracts are most powerful for forcing both parties to actually discuss what they are supposedly agreeing to do.

Enforcing contracts when one party doesn't want to play along is always complex, but avoidable if both parties signed what they consider a fair agreement and understand their responsibilities up front.

I have found lawyers to be both cheaper and more effective when they are hired before any problem emerges.

JR
 
Re: Hire contracts

My long term hire contracts contains a equipment list with serial numbers and the client is responsible for all damage beyond normal tear and wear.
It also specifies that if the equipment is stolen or destroyed, the client still has to pay me the contracted amount until the contract runs out. All replacement gear I have to provide is billed separately, as specified in the agreement.
 
Helge Dr. Bentsen said:
My long term hire contracts contains a equipment list with serial numbers and the client is responsible for all damage beyond normal tear and wear.
It also specifies that if the equipment is stolen or destroyed, the client still has to pay me the contracted amount until the contract runs out. All replacement gear I have to provide is billed separately, as specified in the agreement.
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What is normal wear and tear? In a bar install, beer in the wedges is pretty normal. :)
 
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