Terms & Conditions For Campervan Hire

Please contact us for the terms and conditions for White Van Hire as these differ slightly

VW Retro Rentals hire you a vehicle subject to these terms and conditions. You will be required to sign a Rental Agreement in respect of these terms on collection of your campervan. When you sign the Rental Agreement it is understood that you have read through and accept the terms and will strictly comply with them. It is on this understanding that you are permitted to use one of our vehicles.

 

Liability
VW Retro Rentals (known also as "the Company"), its employees and anyone acting on behalf of the Company, will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by you or any member of your party or to your or their property, except where such loss or damage is due to the negligence of the Company. If the Company is negligent, the liability to you will be limited to the loss or damage which was a foreseeable result of such negligence. Except in the case of death or personal injury resulting from the negligence, the total liability to you in respect of any breach of these Terms and Conditions or tort or other act or omission by VW Retro Rentals in connection with this contract shall be limited in aggregate to the price agreed to be paid by you for the right to use the van for the period agreed.

Where you are a customer acting in the course of a business, this paragraph condition shall apply instead of the one above. VW Retro Rentals (known also as "the Company"), its employees and anyone acting on behalf of the Company do not accept liability to customers acting in the course of a business for losses of profits, business, contracts, goodwill, anticipated savings, expenses, consequential losses or other similar losses, for any reason whatsoever. To the extent permitted by law and except in the case of personal injury or death resulting from negligence of the Company, the maximum limit of liability to business customers, whether in contract, tort, negligence, breach of statutory duty or otherwise shall be the price agreed to be paid by you for the right to use the van for the period agreed.

 

Whole Agreement
These Terms and Conditions override and supersede all previous versions and any previous course of dealing between the parties and incorporate the whole agreement together with any insurance conditions notified to you at the time of hire or collection.

In the event of any inconsistency between these Terms and Conditions and any other VW Retro Rentals literature (brochure, website or otherwise), the provisions of these Terms and Conditions will prevail. If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is prohibited by law or judged by a court to be unlawful, void or unenforceable, the provision shall, to the extent required, be severed from this agreement and rendered ineffective as far as possible without modifying the remaining provisions of this agreement, and shall not in any way affect any other circumstances of or the validity or enforcement of these Terms and Conditions.

The Rental Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and there are no other oral undertakings, warranties or agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter of the agreement. VW Retro Rentals reserves the right to add or amend any rental charges without prior notice.

 

Termination of The Rental Agreement
VW Retro Rentals have the right to terminate the Rental Agreement and repossess the Vehicle at any time, without notification to the hirer and with immediate vacation, and the hirer will pay the reasonable costs of repossessing the Vehicle, including towing charges if the repossession is a result of any of the following;

1. A breach of any term of the Rental Agreement;
2. Obtaining the Vehicle through fraud or misrepresentation;
3. The Vehicle appears to be abandoned;
4. The Vehicle is not returned on the agreed return date or VW Retro Rentals reasonably believes that the Vehicle will not be returned on the agreed return date;
5. VW Retro Rentals considers on reasonable grounds, that the safety of passengers or the condition of the Vehicle is endangered. In the event of such termination or repossession, the hirer or payment card holder has no right to a refund of any part of the rental charges or the Security Deposit;
6. Failure to comply with instructions (about how to use the van) or health and safety advice;
7. Unacceptable behaviour of any member of the hire party, guests or pets, where such carryings on are likely to have a significant adverse effect upon the van or people or property in the vicinity.

 

Definitions of Terms and Conditions
Except were otherwise stated the words used carry their usual meaning. In particular:

"VW Retro Rentals" - This means the Company owned by Carl Gunstensen and Pippa Gunstensen of Unit 6 Fairfield Court, Stourbridge Road, Fairfield, Bromsgrove, Worcs, B61 9NJ

"The Vehicle" - This means the VW campervan hired under the Rental Agreement and as specified by VW Retro Rentals and includes tyres, tools, accessories, the interior equipment and any other extra equipment. It also relates to any replacement or substitute vehicle which may be provided at the discretion of the Company.

"Rental Agreement" - A form that sets out these terms & conditions and must be signed by the hirer(s) prior to departure

"Hirer" - The person or persons signing the Rental Agreement

"IER" - Insurance Excess Reduction

 

Insurance & Drivers
The hire price includes standard insurance for one driver who is between the ages of 25 and 70, has a maximum of 3 points on their driving licence and has held a UK or EU driving licence for at least 2 years. It may be possible to cover other drivers who do not qualify for standard insurance (e.g. have more points on their licence, are under 25 etc) subject to additional terms which must be approved with the insurers prior to hire. We can also arrange insurance for European travel on request.

Additional drivers (up to 2 maximum) who are over 25 years and have a maximum of 3 points on their licence can be added for an extra £5 per day per driver. Again, it may be possible to cover other drivers who do not qualify for standard insurance (e.g. have more points on their licence, are under 25 etc) subject to additional terms which must be approved with the insurers prior to hire.

It is not possible to provide insurance for a driver who has had a previous proposal or insurance refused, declined or cancelled; has not disclosed a compulsory medical condition to the DVLA or has a provisional licence only.

The Hirer must provide two forms of identification - driving license (both parts) plus proof of permanent address (i.e. P60, Utility bill or bank statement) prior to hire. If no car is being left at the premises of VW Retro Rentals, they must also provide a photocopy of their passport.

The Driver(s) must:

1. Be between 25 and 70 years of age with a maximum of 3 points on their licence or if outside this bracket, have agreed insurance with VW Retro Rentals prior to the start of the rental period
2. Have held a full driving license valid in the United Kingdom for at least 24 months
3. Have not been convicted of an offence in connection with the driving of a motor vehicle or motorcycle and/or have had my driving license endorsed or suspended or penalty points imposed
4. Not have any mental or physical defect or infirmity or suffer from fits, diabetes or any heart complaint.
5. Have never had their insurance declined and/or renewal refused and/or special insurance terms imposed as a result of claims experience and/or have had their insurance or cover cancelled by any Motor Insurer.
6. Have notified VW Retro Rentals if they are wholly or partly involved in professional entertainment or they are a professional sports person so that they can inform the insurance underwriters who in turn will confirm whether insurance is available
7. Have notified VW Retro Rentals if they are a Jockey or person connected with racing of any sort so that they can inform the insuranse underwriters who in turn will confirm whether insurance is available
8. Have notified VW Retro Rentals if they are an Undergraduates and/or student under 25 years of age so that they can inform the insuranse underwriters who in turn will confirm whether insurance is available
9. Have never been involved in more than one accident whilst driving during the past 3 years.
10. Not be a Foreign Service Personnel other than a person born in the United Kingdom.

Drivers are responsible for the cost of any parking or speeding fines or other penalties incurred during the hire. Should such penalties incur, the charges will be passed on to the driver and an additional administration fee of £25 will be charged.

 

Security Deposit & Insurance Excess Reduction
On collection, the hirer agrees to pay a Security Deposit of £500 by either debit or credit card and irrevocably authorises VW Retro Rentals to deduct from this Security Deposit any amounts due by the hirer arising out of the Rental Agreement. This amount will be refunded in full within 7 working days of the end of the hire period providing that none of the terms of the agreement are broken. Specifically:

•  The vehicle is returned to the agreed location at the agreed time, with a clean interior and the same level of fuel. If there is a fuel shortage on return, an administration charge of £10 plus the cost of the missing fuel will also be deducted from the security deposit.

•  There is no damage or loss to the vehicle (exterior or interior), its contents or equipment included in the rental

•  There is no additional mileage cost

•  There are no sundry expenses (e.g. left luggage to be returned etc)

If the vehicle is involved in a collision or an insurance claim is made, the hirer agrees to pay all insurance charges that may be involved up to the first £500 (the excess).

The excess applies in respect of each claim, not rental and does not apply to windscreens, windows, wheels, tyres, the underside, the roof and the interior of the van, towing charges, or where the vehicle is driven off road or on unsurfaced roads or without due care and attention, negligently or where the driver is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Liability to pay the cost of the damage will therefore not be waived in these cases and the Hirer may be liable for the full cost.

In the event that there is a claim VW Retro Rentals reserve the right to retain the £500 Security Deposit for as long as is necessary to quantify the charges incurred which are to be deducted from the Deposit.

 

Collection and Return of the Vehicle
The Hirer will sign on the Rental Agreement that they have received the Vehicle with a recorded registration number in a clean condition, with a full fuel tank and inventory as listed on the departure checklist. The vehicle must be returned in a clean condition with a full fuel tank, on the agreed return date and time and late return may invalidate insurance and incur a penalty of £30 per hour part thereof. The vehicle must be returned with the same documents, parts and accessories that were present at the start of the rental period.

If a collision, bad weather, theft or any other circumstance result in the hire period being cut short, no refund will be made and VW Retro Rentals are under no obligation to provide a replacement vehicle. It is the responsibility of the Hirer to make sure that they have their own holiday insurance in place to cover such an eventuality.

If at any time it has been agreed that the vehicle may be returned to a place other than B61 9NJ or out of office hours or if the van is being collected, the Hirer will remain fully responsible for the vehicle until the VW Retro Rentals office re-opens for business or the campervan is collected by a VW Retro Rentals representative.

No refund is given for early return of a vehicle.

 

One Way Rentals
One way rentals are not permitted and if the camper is not returned to the collection point FOR ANY REASON a collection charge of £1 per mile will apply from the collection point to the vehicle and back to the collection point.

 

Rental and Other Charges
The Hirer must pay:

1. All rental charges
2. The security deposit of £500
3. A cleaning fee of £30 if the vehicle is not returned with the interior in a clean condition and requires more than our standard cleaning
4. The cost of any damage to the camper or the property of any third party, subject to the insurance or IER cover
5. The IER fee, if selected
6. 35p per additional mile over allowance
7. All Government fees and duties etc
8. All parking fines, other fines or penalties, and/or accidents including third party property damage not reported on return of the camper, and associated administration costs incurred in relation to the vehicle during the rental period. Any charges or fines subsequently notified to us, will be immediately invoiced to the Hirer and payment will be required within 14 days.  The charge will be deducted from the security deposit if still held at the time of notification
9. Any other fees or charges payable by the Hirer pursuant to the Rental Agreement. This includes any costs incurred by VW Retro Rentals as a result of any breach of the terms of the Rental Agreement

 

Payment of Charges Joint and Several Liability
All charges and expenses payable by the Hirer under the Rental Agreement are due on demand by VW Retro Rentals. If the charges are not paid in full when due, a late charge of 1.5% per month will be added to the outstanding balance along with any debt collection costs incurred by VW Retro Rentals, including reasonable legal fees.

When the Hirer comprises of more than one person, each person is liable jointly and severally for all obligations of the Hirer pursuant to the Rental Agreement.

 

Credit Card Payments
VW Retro Rentals will accept payment by credit cards approved by VW Retro Rentals.

When payment is paid by credit card, it is agreed that:

1. VW Retro Rentals is irrevocably authorised to complete any documentation and to take any other action to recover from the credit card issuer all amounts due pursuant to the Rental Agreement, including but not limited to, any amounts due in respect to damage to the vehicle or to property of a third party and all other additional charges as they are incurred (including all parking and traffic infringement penalties, road toll fines, London congestion charges, and associated administration costs).
2. The Hirer will not dispute their liability to VW Retro Rentals for any amount due under the Rental Agreement and the hirer shall indemnify and keep indemnified VW Retro Rentals against any loss incurred (including legal costs) by reason of notifying the credit card issuer of such dispute.
3. VW Retro Rentals may process the credit card voucher; in the event that VW Retro Rentals elects to accept payment of the Security Deposit by holding an open security payment which will be cancelled at the completion of the Rental Period, the hirer agrees that VW Retro Rentals is entitled to recover payment from the credit card issuer pursuant to paragraph ( a ) in respect of any amounts due which were not known at the time of cancelling the open security payment.
4. All transactions under the Rental Agreement are conducted in Pounds Sterling. Due to exchange rate fluctuations, there could be some variance between the amount initially debited against a credit card and the amount refunded within 7 days after the end of the rental period. VW Retro Rentals accepts no liability for such variation.
5. Credit and debit cards are accepted through the PayPal system.

 

Vehicle Damage , Theft & Accidents

Damage
The Hirer will pay for the cost of repair/replacement for any damage or breakdown that they cause including even a replacement engine. For example, this may be the result of pushing the engine too hard (driving over 60mph over too long a period of time), ignoring any warning lights, putting in the incorrect fuel or failing to check the oil, water and other gauges if travelling more than 500 miles / 805km. The starting mileage will be noted on the departure checklist form.

In addition to the above, the Hirer will be responsible for the cost of making good any damage caused to the vehicle by improper use. Any damage to the interior of the vehicle living or cooking equipment will be charged to the Hirer in all cases. In the event that keys are lost or damaged, the hirer will be liable for the reasonable costs of obtaining a replacement and further costs if directly related to the theft of the van.

The Hirer is liable for any damage above cab height as a result of failure to assess the height of the vehicle and striking overhead or overhanging objects.

 

Theft
The Hirer is liable for all losses and costs incurred by VW Retro Rentals in the event that the campervan, its parts or accessories are damaged or stolen while on rental, if this occurs as a result of deception of the hirer or another party, or as a result of the keys being left in the vehicle whilst it is unoccupied. Liability to the Hirer may include the cost of repairs, loss in value of the vehicle, loss of rental income, towing and storage charges and an administration charge which recovers costs for handling any claim. This is unless responsibility for the damage lies with VW Retro Rentals or has been determined by a third party or their insurers to lie with the third party. The Hirer will not be liable for any loss or damage if it is directly due to negligence or breach of the Rental Agreement by VW Retro Rentals.

 

Accidents / Collisions
In the event of any accident, loss or damage arising out of the use of the vehicle, the Hirer must notify VW Retro Rentals within 48hrs of the happening of the event. The Hirer must obtain the names and addresses of third parties and any witnesses and report the event to the nearest police station. The Hirer must not make any admission of liability to other parties, settlement offer or other like offer and assist VW Retro Rentals in handling any claim arising from any event, including providing all relevant information and attending Court to give evidence.

The insurance excess or other amount due as a result of any damage that arises from an accident or incident is payable at the time of reporting the event and not at the completion of the rental period. Regardless of which party is at fault, any costs for providing and delivering a replacement campervan (subject to availability) are payable by the hirer. No refund will be made for any hire days that are lost due to an accident, theft or vandalism and no liability is accepted for any costs arising from an accident, theft or vandalism such as travel, accommodation or phone calls.

In the event than any third party suffers death, personal injury or damage to property caused by use of the vehicle which involves a breach of the hirer or any authorised driver of any of the terms and conditions of the Rental Agreement and that of the insurance policy of VW Retro Rentals, the Hirer agrees to reimburse VW Retro Rentals if they are obliged to compensate (a) the insurers for any payment they make to a third party on the hirer's behalf and/or (b) any third party.

In the event of an accident, the Hirer will need to return to B61 9NJ at their own cost, but preferably with the AA Relay service, returning the original campervan. Depending on the time of year, a replacement vehicle may or may not be available.

An accident or theft report form must always be completed and submitted on return of the vehicle.  In the event of theft, the keys must be returned.

 

Balance Payment
The balance payment (full hire cost less deposit) is due no later than 6 weeks before the start of the hire period. If booking within the 6 week period, payment needs to be made in full around the time of booking.

 

Refunds & Cancellations
In the event of a cancellation more than 6 weeks before the start of the hire period, the booking deposit of £150 will be refunded. Hirers that cancel between 6 and 4 weeks of the start of the hire period will forfeit the booking deposit of £150, but will be offered a refund of 75% of the amount showing on the Balance Invoice (Total Hire Cost less Deposit Paid).

If reservations are cancelled within 4 weeks, then no refund will be given. However, if we manage to get another booking for the same hire period we will still refund 75% of the Balance Invoice regardless of when the cancellation was made.

 

Use of the Vehicle
VW Retro Rentals reserves the right at any time, at its sole discretion, to restrict vehicle movements in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions or any other reasonable cause. The hirer agrees not to allow the vehicle to be:

1. driven other than in a cautious, prudent and normal manner
2. used in a manner which could cause damage
3. driven in a prohibited area
4. driven by a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs or with a blood alcohol level in excess of that permitted by law
5. left with the ignition key in the vehicle while it is unoccupied
6. driven by anyone other than the approved and insured named drivers
7. damaged by submersion in water or contact with salt water
8. used for any illegal purpose for any race, rally or contest
9. used to tow any vehicle or trailer or be towed
10. used to carry passengers or property for hire or reward
11. used to carry more persons than is permitted by any relevant authority
12. used to carry volatile liquids, gases, explosives or other corrosive or inflammable material
13. otherwise used in breach of the obligations under the Rental Agreement

 

Alterations to the Vehicle
No alterations or additions to the Vehicle are permitted without prior agreement with VW Retro Rentals.

 

Mileage
The standard hire rate includes 75 miles per day. Journeys that exceed this will be subject to a cost of 35p per additional mile travelled and the total amount due will be calculated and deducted from the security deposit on return of the van.

For European travel it is possible to pre-purchase additional miles in blocks of 250 miles at 25p per mile. Any pre-purchased unused miles will be refunded upon return.

Tip: Google maps is a handy tool for estimating your mileage before you go.

Note: kilometres will be converted into miles on return of the vehicle where necessary.

 

Breakdown, Maintenance & Repairs
In the unlikely event of a mechanical breakdown, the Hirer must contact VW Retro Rentals as soon as possible. AA Breakdown Cover is provided for each campervan. However should a mechanical breakdown result in a holiday ending prematurely, VW Retro Rentals will refund each complete day of non use. VW Retro Rentals are not liable for any losses incurred such as missed ferry crossings, booked activities or other consequential loss claims arising from campervan breakdown or accident.

VW Retro Rentals will reimburse the hirer for expenditure up to UK£ 40.00 that is reasonably incurred in rectifying any mechanical failure to the drive train and engine of the Vehicle ( not including the water system, refrigerator, heating, audio and DVD equipment ) provided that relevant receipts are produced and the damage has not been caused by the hirer or through breach of the Rental Agreement. Whenever possible, the Hirer is requested to seek prior consent by phone from VW Retro Rentals before any expenditure is made.

Subject to the terms of the Rental Agreement, the hirer must pay for the cost of repairing or replacing tyres damaged during the rental period and VW Retro Rentals will reimburse the Hirer for expenditure reasonably incurred if valid and relevant receipts are produced and the tyre is defective and returned by the Hirer to a VW Retro Rentals representative for inspection.

Gas is provided for the cooker and fridge.  VW Retro Rentals will meet the cost of one additional cyclinder of gas on production of a valid vat receipt if neccessary.

 

Change of Vehicle & Indemnity
VW Retro Rentals reserves the right, at its absolute discretion, to substitute a comparable or superior vehicle for the vehicle that is chosen for hire, without notice, upon collection. In that event, the Hirer will not be liable for any increased rental or other charges save for any additional running costs pertaining to the substitute vehicle. Such substitution shall not entitle the Hirer to any refund and does not constitute a breach of the Rental Agreement. Should a substitute not be available, the liability of VW Retro Rentals is limited to a full refund of the balance and deposit payment that has been received.

VW Retro Rentals, its employees and agents will not have any other liability regardless of who is at fault.  All rights are reserved to refuse any hire under any circumstance.  No refunds are payable on accommodation, or vans not being available where a hirer changes, cancels or seeks to vary agreement after departure. 

VW Retro Rentals takes no responsibility for any detention, delay, loss, damage or injury that a Hirer might experience no matter how it is caused or by whom.

 

Title to Vehicle
The Hirer shall not agree, attempt, offer or purport to sell, assign, sublet, lend, pledge, mortgage, let on hire, or otherwise part with or attempt to part with the personal possession of or otherwise deal with the vehicle.

 

Health & Safety
The hirer agrees to follow any health and safety guidelines that are either given to them verbally or found in any campervan literature, when operating the campervan or its appliances and using any equipment in the campervan or tent.

The hirer agrees to carry only as many passengers as there are seat belts in the van. The Hirer acknowledges that they are responsible for obtaining and using a child or baby seat.

For each child under 135 cms (4'5" inches approx) or under 12 years of age they must use a booster seat.

It is illegal to smoke inside the vans, awnings or tents. The hirer will be liable for any damage caused to the van, the tent or their contents through smoking.

Where no instructions or advice or guidelines are given the hirer must assume that 'normal' and 'common sense' rules apply.

The Rental Agreement shall be governed by the law of Great Britain in which the Rental Agreement is signed.