The following are the conditions of hire between the hirer and Loch Ness Motorhome Hire (the owner).  The motorhome and its equipment remains the property of Loch Ness Motorhome Hire at all times.

• Undertakes to keep the vehicle securely locked at all times when unattended and to refrain from any action or omission which may prejudice the owner’s rights to the vehicle.

• Shall not allow the vehicle to be driven by anyone other than those authorised by the owner.

• Shall not lend or hire the vehicle to a third party.

• Shall not tow any trailer or vehicle with the vehicle.

• Shall not carry more passengers than the permitted capacity of the vehicle or allow the vehicle to exceed the permitted goods vehicle weight.

• Shall not use the vehicle for carriage of goods for hire or reward.

• Shall not move the vehicle out of the United Kingdom.

• Shall not use the vehicle for or in conjunction with any race, competition, trial or for hire or reward.

• Shall not permit smoking in the vehicle.

The Driver

• No person other than the driver(s) named in the motor rental agreement may drive the hired vehicle.  All named drivers must be aged between 25 and 70 years and have held a valid UK licence or an international driving licence for at least 2 years.  All licences must be free of endorsements other than for minor offences and must be produced for inspection upon commencement of hire.  We reserve the right to cancel a hire booking if, upon inspection, the drivers record is considered to be unsuitable or is unacceptable by our insurers.

• Personal photo identification such as a valid passport and confirmation of address in the form of a recent utility bill or a bank/building society statement must be produced by the hirer and designated driver for inspection upon commencement of hire.

Insurance

• The motor rental agreement is subject to and is deemed to include the terms, conditions and limitations of the owner’s insurance policy, a copy of which may be inspected at the commencement of hire.

• The vehicle hired under this agreement may only be driven by the designated driver who has been accepted by the owner and our insurance company.

• Even though it may be covered by the owner’s insurance the hirer shall be liable to pay the cost of repair of any damage which the vehicle may suffer as a result of the wilful or negligent action of the hirer.

• The hirer will compensate the owner for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any act or omission on the part of the hirer or his servant or agent.

• Windscreen and windows.
• Loss/damage/theft or radio, stereo equipment and aerials.
• Interior damage including burns to seats, carpets and other damage.
• Vandalism damage of any kind to the vehicle.
• Personal effects within or from the vehicle.

• There is a £500 refundable damage deposit payable in advance for any damage or loss sustained whilst the vehicle is in the care of the hirer.  If the vehicle is returned in good condition with a clean interior and there are no other charges the deposit (subject to inspection) will be refunded within 7 working days.  Should the condition of the vehicle be otherwise, then repairs, replacements or cleaning costs will be charged against the damage deposit.  The hirer is responsible for any damage to the vehicle even if no other vehicle is involved. Typical components prone to damage include front and rear bumpers, overcab mouldings, rooflights, windows, wing mirrors and external doors.

• The hirer is totally responsible for the security of the vehicle.  The hirer must ensure that if the vehicle is left unattended at any time that it is securely locked and parked in a safe, well lit location.  The hirer must take every precaution to prevent loss from or theft of the vehicle.  The vehicle must not be left in a vulnerable location or unlocked at any time.  Failure to adhere to this instruction will result in total liability being with the hirer.

• In the unlikely event of a breakdown or an accident the hirer must contact the owner who will organise and co-ordinate assistance.  The hirer is authorised to spend up to £50 on minor components replacement (eg. bulbs, fuses, hoses and belts) but is not authorised to carry out work on major faults or repairs.  Any cost incurred will be refunded on submission of a valid receipt.

• The owner is not responsible for any consequential expenses or additional costs incurred in hiring alternative vehicles, late arrival, missed ferries, accommodation, travel expenses or any third party claims in connection with a breakdown or accident.

• Calling out breakdown services can be very expensive.  Please be aware that the hirer will be charged in circumstances where the incident is the result of negligence (eg. running out of fuel, wrong fuel, locking keys inside the vehicle or loss of keys).

Reservations

• Telephone and online bookings can be made but will only be held for a period of five days until the owner has a completed booking form and a deposit of £200 per week of hire paid by cheque or cash.  The booking deposit is not refundable and shall be deducted from the hire charge.  Confirmation of the booking will be posted together with the booking agreement.  Full payment of the balance must be made 28 days prior to commencement of hire.

• Cancellations must be made in writing and will be charged as follows:

  The booking deposit is not refundable.  All payments up to six weeks prior to the hire are not refundable except the £500 damage deposit which will be refunded in full provided no other sums are unpaid by way of deposit or otherwise.

• The owner reserves the right to cancel the hire if at the commencement of hire the driver’s licence(s) are invalid or not in accordance with the conditions set out above.  In these circumstances the total hire charge will be forfeited.

• The owner reserves the right to refuse hire to any person without explanation or prior warning.  Hirers are advised to insure against unavoidable cancellation.

Collection and Return

• Our normal day of collection and return is Saturday (unless otherwise agreed).  The vehicle is available for collection between 3pm and 6pm and must be returned between 8am and 11am unless arranged otherwise and confirmed in writing.  Failure to comply with these times may result in the hirer being surcharged at the rate of £50 per hour or any part thereof together with any other additional costs incurred by the owner (eg. compensation to the next hirer).  No refund will be given for an early return of the vehicle.

• The hirer acknowledges delivery of the vehicle and the contents free from any defect or damage other than as specified by the owner at the commencement of hire.  The hirer is advised to check the vehicle thoroughly before leaving the owner’s premises.  The breakdown or malfunction of equipment after the vehicle has left the premises will not be accepted as reason to abort or cancel the Motorhome rental agreement, any such fault will be rectified as soon as possible.

• Upon return the owner will check the vehicle for damage, cleanliness, fuel, condition of tyres, windscreen, bumpers, rooflights, mirrors, doors and internal equipment.

• The owner will make a charge of £10 for cleaning of unemptied toilets and £50 for cleaning of stained upholstery.  A £25 charge will be made for a very dirty interior or exterior.  Smoking and pets (excluding guide dogs) are not permitted and a £50 cleaning charge will be payable if this has been ignored.  You will collect a thoroughly clean Motorhome and we need to be able to prepare it to the same standard for the next hirer.

Fuel, Oil and Gas

• A full tank of fuel will be supplied with the vehicle at the commencement of hire and the hirer should return the vehicle with a full tank.  Any fuel shortage will be charged to the hirer.  The hirer will be liable if the incorrect fuel type is used.

• The hirer is responsible for the regular checking of oil and water levels and the use of the correct type of fluids.

• Two gas cylinders will be provided at the time of hire with at least one being completely full.  The cost of any refills thereafter shall be the responsibility of the hirer who shall ensure that two cylinders of the same size and make are returned with the vehicle (at least one should be completely full).  A charge of £25 is made for each empty cylinder returned.

• Every effort is made to ensure that the reserved vehicle is available at the time of hire.  In the unlikely event, due to circumstances beyond the owner’s control, that the vehicle is not available we reserve the right to cancel the hire agreement and make a full refund of all monies paid.  The hirer is strongly advised to take out personal holiday insurance to avoid disappointment.

Liabilities

• The hirer shall be responsible for all costs and offences incurred against the Road Traffic Acts and/or regulations thereunder.

• The hirer shall ensure that the driver and all passengers required by law to do so shall wear the seat belts provided.  The hirer will be responsible for any uninsured losses regarding an insurance claim. The owners accept no liabilities for replacement vehicle costs, travel or accommodation costs or any other consequential loss claims arising from motorhome breakdown or accident.

• The motorhome is under the care of the hirer who is responsible for the security and condition of the motorhome throughout the hire period.

Animals

• The general rule is that no pets, other than guide dogs, are permitted in the vehicle.  Exceptions may be possible but must be discussed with the owner at the time of booking.

Loch Ness Motorhome Hire reserve the right to vary rates and conditions at any time.