Terms & Conditions
1. Important Information About Your Rentals
On arrival, you will be required to sign a rental agreement with the operators of The Renter. Here is a summary of their terms and conditions:
This Agreement is made on the date specified on the Rental Agreement between The Renter and the Hirer. You are obliged to read this document thoroughly and ask for clarification of any points you do not understand. These Terms and Conditions do not restrict any rights or provisions applicable to you as a consumer as defined by New Zealand consumer laws. Further information is available from New Zealand Consumer Affairs and other consumer organisations
2. DEFINITIONS
In this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
‘The Renter’ means The Renter Rentals NZ Limited;
‘Agreement’ means any Confirmation and/or the Rental Agreement;
‘Terms and Conditions’ means the terms and conditions set out in this document.
‘Bond’ means the amount paid by the Hirer on pick-up of the Vehicle to cover any liability or other amounts owned by the Hirer under this Agreement;
‘Confirmation’ means the confirmation of the Hirer’s booking from The Renter confirming Vehicle type, Fee, Bond, Term of Hire, Start Date, Return Date, Collection Point and Return Location;
‘Collection Point’ means the collection point for the Vehicle specified in the Confirmation and/or Rental Agreement;
‘Excess Reduction Cover’ means the excess reduction cover described in clause 9 which only applies if it is specified in the Rental Agreement;
‘Fee’ daily rental costs and any additional fees as agreed.
‘Hirer’ means the person or persons nominated as the customer/hirer/ Authorised Driver and any person whose credit card is presented for payment of the Hirer’s charges;
‘Rental Agreement’ means the document entitled Rental Agreement which has been signed for and on behalf of the Hirer and the Terms and Conditions;
‘Return Location’ in respect of the Vehicle, means the return location specified in the Confirmation and/or Rental Agreement;
‘Vehicle’ means the Vehicle hired by the Hirer and includes tyres, tools, accessories, and all other equipment, documents or additional hire items related to the Vehicle and any replacement or substitute Vehicle that may be provided.
‘Credit Card’ means a credit card or debit card
3. RENTAL DURATION
a) The term of hire (‘Term of Hire’) in respect of the Vehicle shall commence at the time and date specified in the Rental Agreement (‘Start Date’) and cease at the time and date specified in the Rental Agreement (‘Return Date’). Car charges are calculated on a 24-hour basis. On the Return Date, the first hour late is free; after the first hour late a full day hire applies. Campervan charges are calculated on a calendar day basis. When calculating the number of days the Vehicle is rented, the Start Date is counted as day one of the rental, regardless of pick-up time. The Return Date is counted as the final day of the rental regardless of drop off time.
b) Minimum rental periods are subject to change, and any such change will be notified to the Hirer prior to Confirmation and once a Confirmation has been received by the Hirer, The Renter may not alter the minimum rental period for that booking.
c) PUBLIC HOLIDAYS - The Renter is open for business on public holidays on request and subject to a Public holiday collection / drop-off surcharge of $150.
4. RATES, AMENDMENTS AND CANCELLATION CONDITIONS
a) This Agreement and the rates and conditions quoted in our website, brochures and/or documentation are subject to change without notice. However (subject to changes in legislation or system generated errors) The Renter will not alter this Agreement or the rates or conditions applicable to the Hirer’s rental once the Hirer has received Confirmation, unless the booking is amended at the Hirer’s request.
b) All amendments to a booking are subject to availability and approval by The Renter. If a reservation, Return Location, category or Vehicle type, Collection Point, Start Date or Return Date is amended prior to collection by the Hirer, the applicable rate for the Vehicle may in the absolute discretion of The Renter be re-calculated to the new rate applicable at time of amendment, the Hirer will be advised of any change in rate at the time. Rate recalculations are based on the rate at the time of reservation or the new rate at the time of amendment.
c) Subject to clause 4(e), if the Hirer requests to voluntarily downgrade their Vehicle type from the reserved category of Vehicle, the Hirer will not be entitled to any refund from The Renter.
d) All changes to a booking, including extensions to the Return Date, are subject to availability and approval by The Renter and must be requested through The Renter reservations team at least 48 hours prior to the Return Date or any agreed extension thereof. In the event of any unauthorised extension to the Return Date, the Hirer shall pay the current daily rental rate for each day until the Vehicle is returned and an additional late return fee of such amount The Renter nominates as its reasonable costs in connection with such unauthorised extension being not more than $600. In the event of any unauthorised change to the Return Location, the Hirer shall pay a relocation fee as determined by The Renter acting reasonably but in any event not in excess of $600.
e) A 20% deposit is required at the time of booking and/or following any amendment in order to receive a Confirmation. The initial deposit paid is non-refundable.
f) If a booking is cancelled the following charges also apply in addition to forfeiting your deposit:
i) If cancelled within 31 - 15 days of pick-up: 50%
ii) If cancelled within 14 - 7 days of pick-up: 75% of the total rental cost
iii) If cancelled 6 days prior or on the day of pick up or non-appearance: No refund on total cost of rental
We reserve the right to relist your vehicle if uncollected 24 hours after the confirmed collection time, unless notified of any change in travel plans
NOTE: There is no refund for late pick-up or early return of Vehicle.
Note: The Renter strongly advises all customers to have full and comprehensive travel insurance.
5. PERSONS WHO MAY DRIVE THE VEHICLE
a) The Vehicle may only be hired and driven by the persons specified as an authorised driver in the Rental Agreement, and only if: they hold a current and full driver’s licence appropriate for the Vehicle in English, which must be presented to The Renter at time of collection of the Vehicle (‘Authorised Driver’). Only persons 18 years and over may be an Authorised Driver in respect of a Vehicle. If the licence of an Authorised Driver is not in English it must be accompanied by an accurate English translation of the whole licence including any conditions. The translation must be provided by an NZ Transport Agency approved translator, diplomatic representative at a high commission, embassy or consulate or authority that issued the licence. Such translation must be provided to The Renter prior to collecting the Vehicle. An international driving permit or licence issued in accordance with a UN Convention on Road Traffic may be acceptable as a translation. An International driver licence or permit must always be accompanied by an original and current driver licence.
b) Please note a NZ restricted licence and Australian Green P licence will be accepted. However if the Authorised Driver’s licence has any restrictions or conditions imposed on or in connection with that licence the Authorised Driver shall ensure that such conditions are complied with and the Authorised Driver is aware that any Excess Reduction Cover may be voided and this Agreement may be terminated if such restrictions or conditions are not adhered to. A Learners licence or comparable will not be accepted.
c) Once the Vehicle has been collected additional drivers are unable to to be added to the rental agreement unless they apply in person at a The Renter office.
6. HIRER’S OBLIGATIONS
a) The Hirer acknowledges having received the Vehicle in a clean condition, with a full fuel tank of petrol and will return the vehicle in a clean condition with a full fuel tank of petrol on the Return Date at the time and at the Return Point set out in the Rental Agreement.
b) The Hirer must ensure that all reasonable care is taken in handling and parking the Vehicle and that it is left securely locked when not in use.
c) It is the hirers responsibility to ensure that the recommended levels are maintained with respect to the water in the radiator and battery, the oil and the tyre pressures of the Vehicle.
d) Smoking and/or animals (excluding registered guide or assistance dogs) are not permitted in the Vehicle at any time. If this condition is breached, the Hirer must pay to The Renter a cleaning fee determined by The Renter in its reasonable opinion and being not more than $250.
e) The Hirer must ensure that all Authorised Drivers comply with and all Authorised Drivers are aware they are bound by this Agreement.
f) All Authorised Drivers must carry their driver’s licence with them when driving the Vehicle.
g) In the event of any damage to or accident involving the Vehicle during the Term of Hire, the Hirer must notify The Renter of the full circumstances of the damage as soon as practicable (being not more than 24 hours) from the time the Hirer has knowledge of the damage.
h) If there is an equipment defect or mechanical failure of the Vehicle during the Term of Hire, the Hirer must notify The Renter as soon as practicable, and in any event within 24 hours, from the time the Hirer has knowledge of the defect or failure so as to give The Renter the opportunity to rectify the problem during the Term of Hire and ensure the problem does not escalate. The Renter does not accept liability for any claims submitted after this period.
i) The Hirer must ensure that a copy of this Agreement is kept in the Vehicle throughout the Term of Hire and produced without delay for inspection on demand by an enforcement officer.
j) The Child Restraint Law stipulates that children under 7 must be properly restrained in an approved child restraint. It is the Hirer’s responsibility to ensure the child restraint is installed correctly not The Renter. The Renter campervans are not compliant to carry infants and toddlers.
k) It is the Hirer’s responsibility to be aware of and act in compliance with all the New Zealand Transport Agency rules and regulations.
l) The Hirer shall not use or permit the Vehicle to be used for the transport of passengers for hire or reward, unless the Vehicle is hired with the knowledge of The Renter for use in a passenger service licensed under Part 4A of the Transport Service Licensing Act.
m) The Hirer shall not:
(i) drive or use the Vehicle (or permit the Vehicle to be driven or used) otherwise than in a prudent and cautious manner. For the purposes of these terms and conditions, a single vehicle rollover shall be considered a breach of this clause 6(l)(i);
(ii) Sublet or hire the Vehicle to any other person;
(iii) Permit the Vehicle to be operated outside the Hirers authority;
(iv) Operate the Vehicle, or allow it to be operated, in circumstances that constitute an offence against section 56, 57, 57AA, 57A or 58 of the Land Transport Act 1998 (“Act”).
(v) Operate the Vehicle, or permit it to be operated in any race, speed test, rally or contest;
(vi) Operate the Vehicle or permit it to be operated in breach of the Act, Transport Act 1962, Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 or any other Act, regulations or bylaws including New Zealand Transport Agency rules relating to road traffic;
(vii) Operate the Vehicle or permit it to be operated for the transport of more than the number of passengers or more than the gross vehicle mass specified in the certificate of loading for the Vehicle;
(viii) Drive or permit the Vehicle to be driven by any other person that is not the holder of a current driver’s licence appropriate for the Vehicle; or
(ix) Use the Vehicle for the purpose of a courier or delivery service.
n) The Hirer must ensure that no persons interfere with the odometer or speedometer, or (except in an emergency) any part of the engine, transmission, and braking and/or suspension systems of the Vehicle. If any interference is detected following an assessment by The Renter then the hirer shall be responsible for any reparations and loss of earnings while work is conducted.
o) The Hirer confirms that all information supplied by them to The Renter in connection with this Agreement is true and accurate and the Hirer will immediately notify The Renter of any change to the information.
p) The primary concern of The Renter is the well-being of the Hirer and the occupants of the Vehicle and, for safety purposes, The Renter reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to restrict Vehicle movements in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions, and the distance to nominated destinations in relation to the length of hire period. The Renter will advise you on pick up of any travel restrictions known at that time.
q) The Hirer must ensure that snow chains are fitted correctly, so as not to cause damage to the Vehicle, person or property, when required due to the road conditions during the winter season (June-October) or on roads as advised by the relevant local authority, Transit New Zealand, NZ Police or the relevant ski resort. Vehicles driven around the Queenstown Lakes District Council area or taken on the Milford Road during the winter season should carry chains as the Hirer may be fined for not fitting them when required.
r) The Hirer shall not drive the vehicle on any beaches, off road, on Ball Hut road (Aoraki Mount Cook), through any closed roads, streams, rivers or flood waters.
7. PAYMENT BY HIRER
a) Prior to collection of the Vehicle, the Hirer must pay The Renter in full the fees (‘Fees’), excess amount/bond (‘Bond’) and any other amounts specified in the Rental Agreement and present a credit card in the Hirer’s name that is acceptable to The Renter for payment of such amounts. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Hirer agrees to pay on demand any additional fees and costs that are incurred by the Hirer or are payable by The Renter in connection with the hire of the Vehicle by the Hirer including parking charges and fines, toll road charges and fines, camping charges and fines, speeding and other traffic offence fines, late return fees, relocation fees, and cleaning fees. In addition, the Hirer authorises The Renter to debit the Hirer’s credit card for those additional costs which become apparent following the Term of Hire.
b) The Hirer must pay for all petrol or diesel used in the Vehicle during the Term of Hire.
c) The following credit cards will be accepted: Visa, MasterCard. A credit card administration fee of 2.2% applies for the use of Visa and MasterCard for payment and Bond purposes. The credit card administration fee will not be refunded if the Hirer cancels the booking.
d) Some banks and credit card providers may impose fees for certain transactions, including currency conversion fees. Any fees and other charges which may be changed to the Hirer or the Hirer’s bank or credit card provider will be the Hirer’s sole responsibility, and for the avoidance of doubt, are not included in any rate or sum provided by The Renter.
e) The Hirer accepts the risk of any currency exchange rate fluctuations (including in relation to refunds and return of Bonds) and accepts that The Renter has no control over any currency conversion rates or fees.
f) If a credit card is presented as payment, the credit card holder is jointly and severally liable as a Hirer. The Hirer agrees that:
(i) The Renter shall be entitled to retain the Hirer’s credit card details in accordance with the Payment Card Industry – Data Security Standard and to take any action to recover from the Hirer’s credit card all amounts due by the Hirer pursuant to this Agreement, including any amounts due in respect of damage to the Vehicle or property of a third party and all other additional charges as set out in this Agreement and as listed in clauses 3, 7,11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18; and
(ii) The Renter may process credit card charges relating to the Rental Agreement up to 6 months after the Term of Hire.
8. HIRER’S LIABILITY
a) If multiple persons are described as the Hirer in the Rental Agreement, each person is jointly and severally responsible for all fees, charges and other obligations pursuant to this Agreement. b) Subject to clause 8(e), the Hirer is liable to The Renter for and indemnifies The Renter against:
(i) any loss of, or damage to, the Vehicle (including any accessories);
(ii) any consequential damage, loss or costs incurred by The Renter, including salvage costs, loss of ability to re-hire and loss of revenue; and
(iii) any loss of, or damage to, Vehicles and property of third parties, arising from the use or misuse of the Vehicle by the Hirer, any Authorised Drivers, person whom the Hirer permits or allows to drive the Vehicle, invitee of the Hirer or passengers in the Vehicle during the Term of Hire, to the extent that such loss, damage or costs have been caused by or contributed to by the Hirer, any Authorised Driver, any person the Hirer permits or allows to drive the Vehicle, any invitee of the Hirer or any passenger in the Vehicle, provided that the Hirer’s liability may be reduced to the amount of the relevant Excess Reduction Cover in respect of an incident subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
c) Subject to clause 8(e), the Hirer agrees to release and indemnify The Renter from and against all actions, claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, expenses, harm or other misadventure which the Hirer may suffer or incur or become liable for as a result of any use of the Vehicle in breach of this Agreement, any reckless or negligent act, error or omission of the Hirer, any Authorised Driver, invitee of the Hirer or passenger in the Vehicle or any misuse of the Vehicle by the Hirer during the Term of Hire.
d) Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the Hirer is not liable to The Renter for any loss to the extent that it is caused by us (for example, through our negligence or breach of contract).
e) This clause 8 will survive termination of this Agreement.
9. EXCESS REDUCTION OPTIONS The Hirer may choose the Risk Taker, The Gambler and You’re Good options for excess reduction coverage of the Vehicle. The Bond payable in respect of the Vehicle or any incident shall be in accordance with the excess reduction package option selected by the Hirer at the time of Collection and specified in the Rental Agreement
10. EXCESS REDUCTION COVER All Excess Reduction Options are subject to the provisions and exclusions set out below:
a) The Hirer may purchase and pay the daily rental rate for one of the Excess Reduction Options to reduce the Standard Excess payable by the Hirer under The Renter cover (‘Excess Reduction Cover’).
b) Subject to clause 11, the Hirer’s liability is covered by the relevant Excess Reduction Cover selected up to a maximum of $2,000,000.
c) The Hirer’s liability for damage applies in respect of each separate accident, incident or new damage, not each rental.
d) This clause 10 does not apply if the Hirer rejects Excess Reduction Cover. If the Hirer elects not to use Excess Reduction Cover, the excess payable by the Hirer is the Standard (Risk Taker) Excess as per the Rental Agreement and is payable for each and every event involving the Vehicle.
11. EXCESS REDUCTION EXCLUSIONS Excess Reduction Cover does not apply in the following events or in respect of the following fees, damages, expenses and/or costs and the Hirer will be fully liable for all fees, damages, expenses and/or costs as specified and/or which are associated with the relevant event:
a) The driver of the Vehicle is under the influence of alcohol or any drug that affects their ability to drive the Vehicle.
b) The Vehicle is in an unsafe or un-roadworthy condition that arose during the Term of Hire and such condition has caused or contributed to the damage or loss, and the Hirer or driver of the Vehicle was aware or ought to have been aware of the unsafe or un-roadworthy condition of the Vehicle.
c) The Vehicle is driven by any person not identified as an Authorised Driver in the Rental Agreement.
d) The Vehicle is damaged as a result of submersion in water, including as a result of crossing creeks, rivers, flooded fords, salt water or on beaches, driving through low plain flooded areas or if there was a reasonably foreseeable risk of the Vehicle’s submersion in water (for example, while parked in a below ground parking garage).
e) The Vehicle is used in any off road conditions. Off road conditions include: fire trails, beaches, sand, tracks, fields or paddocks. The only exception to this is reasonable use of access roads to recognised commercial campgrounds.
f) The Vehicle is driven when a warning light appears or where the coolant temperature gauge enters a red zone (High).
g) The use of roof racks and snow chains on the Vehicle where such roof racks or snow chains have not been hired through The Renter.
h) The Vehicle including its accessories and spare parts is damaged as a result of incorrect fitting or use of snow chains or ski/snowboard racks, roof racks or bicycle racks
i) The Vehicle is driven on a road or ski resort access road without snow chains when snow chains are required to be fitted by the relevant local authority, Transit New Zealand, NZ Police or the relevant ski resort
j) The costs to replace keys which have been lost, broken or damaged, the cost of retrieval of keys which have been locked inside a Vehicle.
k) All costs as a result of breakages, loss, theft or defacement of the Vehicle’s interior and accessories caused by or contributed to by the Hirer, any Authorised Driver, any person the Hirer permits or allows to drive the Vehicle, any invitee of the Hirer or any passenger in the Vehicle.
l) RISK-TAKER or CHANCE-IT Excess Reduction Cover does not cover any theft or attempted theft of the Vehicle or its contents resulting in damage where reasonable precautions were not taken to protect against that theft or attempted theft.
m) The Renter recommends the Hirer does not leave valuables in the Vehicle and The Renter strongly recommends that the Hirer ensures they take out the highest level of travel insurance as there is no cover provided for loss of or damage to personal belongings.
n) All damage and costs caused by or in connection with reckless conduct or wilful misconduct of the Hirer or an Authorised Driver or any invitee of the Hirer or passenger in the Vehicle. For example, Excess Reduction Cover does not apply in connection with any incidents involving sitting or standing on the bonnet, boot or roof of the Vehicle or propelling an object from the Vehicle.
o) If the Vehicle is wilfully or recklessly damaged or is lost as the result of the wilful or reckless actions of the Hirer or an Authorised Driver or any invitee of the Hirer or passenger in the Vehicle (Note: wilful or reckless damage includes fire, any punctures or damage to tyres or rims caused by or contributed to by the Hirer, any Authorised Driver, any person the Hirer permits or allows to drive the Vehicle, any invitee of the Hirer or any passenger in the Vehicle, burning out a clutch and any damage arising from using the Vehicle to propel any other vehicle).
p) Except where The Renter is in breach of this Agreement, the costs relating to delivery of a replacement Vehicle required as a result of any of the exclusions listed in this clause 11.
q) Any costs associated with the incorrect use of fuel or the use of: (a) fuel (fuel being diesel or petrol); (b) the use of Bio-Diesel which should not be used; or (c) water; or (d) other contamination of fuel or water of the Vehicle.
r) The cost to retrieve or recover a Vehicle back to road level, which may include, but is not limited to a Vehicle that has become bogged, submerged, caught, trapped, stuck or restricted in anyway.
s) If the Vehicle is involved in a single vehicle rollover or the roof of the Vehicle is damaged as a result of any single vehicle incident or accident, regardless of any Excess Reduction Cover chosen by the Hirer, the Hirer must pay The Renter and is responsible to The Renter for all costs and damages arising in respect of such rollover, incident or accident. The Hirer’s liability under this clauses is limited to an amount of $5,000. For the purposes of these terms and conditions a sin