Last Updated February 27, 2024
An Equipment Rental Agreement is also known as an:
- Equipment hire agreement
- Equipment lease agreement
- Equipment loan agreement
What is an Equipment Rental Agreement?
An Equipment Rental Agreement is a document that individuals or businesses use to rent equipment (such as gym equipment, catering appliances, or heavy machinery) to another party.
This agreement defines each party's responsibilities and obligations and outlines important terms and information, such as the cost to rent the item, when payments are due, the item's approximate value, and more.
What type of equipment can I lease with an Equipment Rental Agreement?
Customise an Equipment Rental Agreement for a variety of items, including:
- Vehicles, such as cargo vans or moving trucks
- Heavy machinery, such as dozers, loaders, excavators, etc.
- Power tools for landscaping, tree clearing, home renovations, etc.
- Event equipment, such as catering supplies or DJ equipment
- Electronics, such as computers or monitors
- Appliances, such as concession equipment
- Furniture for home staging or photoshoots
Use LawDepot's Vehicle Leasing Agreement when hiring out a personal car. This contract typically suits vehicle rentals that don't involve people in the automobile industry (e.g., car dealerships).
How do I use a rental agreement to lease equipment?
Use an Equipment Rental Agreement to lease equipment by outlining the rights and obligations of both the owner and the hirer. A written contract helps the parties avoid disputes and provides evidence of the agreement if a dispute does occur. An agreement also helps limit your liability and preserve the value of the equipment.
What terms and conditions does an Equipment Rental Agreement include?
The information you’ll need to create an equipment hire agreement generally includes:
- A description of the equipment
- Restrictions of use
- Pick up, delivery, and return options
- Repair and reimbursement conditions
- The lease term (e.g., fixed, monthly, or yearly)
- Payment details (if needed, include interest on late payments and a damage deposit)
- The owner’s and hirer’s name and contact information
In addition to terms that describe the equipment, its use, and payment details, the hire agreement may also describe the following conditions:
- Option to purchase: The owner may allow the hirer to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease. However, including this clause may change the nature of the agreement from a lease to a conditional purchase contract, which may affect its deductibility as a business expense.
- Assignment: The owner or the hirer may reserve the right to transfer the lease to someone else. In this case, the terms of the agreement remain intact but a third party would contract to take on the rights and obligations of the assignor. Use an Assignment Agreement to transfer contract obligations properly.
- Insurance: Depending on the nature of your agreement, laws may require the hirer to obtain insurance. This is often the case when hiring industrial or commercial plant equipment. The owner may also require the hirer to obtain insurance for public liability, property damage, or loss.
- Taxes: The hirer may be responsible for paying taxes levied on the equipment.
- Additional fees: The owner may charge extra fees as needed (such as administration fees).
When should my Equipment Rental Agreement end?
Generally, you can rent equipment on a fixed term or indefinitely:
- A fixed end date means you agree to rent your item for a set time. After the end date passes, the borrower must return the item to the owner or sign a new equipment rental contract.
- An indefinite rental contract, sometimes called a periodic lease, is one that automatically renews (weekly, monthly, or yearly). There is no end date on the contract. In this case, one party notifies the other when they want the contract to end.
The type of lease term you choose for your equipment rental depends on your situation. For instance, if you’re providing a camera to a photographer for a single event, you’ll likely use an end date in your agreement.
Alternatively, if you’re leasing a mini excavator to a company for a long-term construction project, you may renew the contract monthly or yearly. This way, you won’t have to sign another Equipment Rental Agreement if the project takes longer than expected.