Terms and Conditions

General

The following terms and conditions are applicable to any and all contracts entered into between the Southern Bells Ltd (the Company) and the customer/hirer.

Upon the acceptance of any quotation supplied by Southern Bells Ltd, the hirer is accepting the terms and conditions laid out below. The acceptance of a quote and the acknowledgment of our terms and conditions commences when the deposit is paid, and a booking form is submitted.

1. CONDITIONS

Quotations are only valid for two weeks from the date of issue. Booking forms submitted after the two-week deadline are accepted only subject to availability and prices may vary.

A non-refundable deposit of 20% of the total hire cost is payable on booking.

The balance plus a returnable security deposit of £50 per tent is payable no later than 14 days before the delivery date stipulated in the booking form.

The security deposit covers damage, breakages or extra cleaning that may be required. This will be returned within 14 days of departure, minus deductions if applicable, which will be fully itemised. Your bank details will need to be provided upon request in order for southern bells to return the security deposit. The security deposit is forfeit if not returned within 3 months

2. SITE

A contract between Southern Bells Ltd and the Hirer is entered into on the assumption that the site is a flat level firm ground with easy access for Large Vans or LGV’s, and that no drains, cables or other services are buried beneath the surface or otherwise concealed. Southern Bells Ltd are not liable for any damages caused to the site when entering or exiting as a result of poor access.

The Hirer is required to provide the Company with either a plan showing the position in which the tents or equipment are to be erected or should have a representative on site at the pre-arranged arrival time. In the absence of a plan or a representative at the time of set up, Southern Bells Ltd will erect the tents in a position deemed suitable by our operatives. Should the equipment position not be suitable to the Hirer or should they wish the equipment to be moved, an additional charge of up to the full hire value will be applicable.

The Hirer should never presume that any other equipment is included in the Hire other than what is stated in the Company’s quotes and related website, specific to their booking. All equipment being hired is listed on the provided quotation and order confirmation.

The Hirer is required to select a site that is not susceptible to bogginess or has poor drainage. Any flooding caused is the responsibility of the Hirer.

The Hirer must ensure that any obstructions to the site are removed before the Company arrives. This includes plants, shrubs, trees, vehicles, and other materials. The Company reserves the right to apply a discretionary surcharge if obstructions prevent work from commencing. Any damage caused to canvas as a result of equipment being set up under shrubs, trees and plants will be subject to a charge of up to the full replacement value of the equipment or full security deposit.

Appropriate provision of parking must be supplied and all parking costs (if any), must be paid for by the Hirer in advance of the Company arriving on site.

3. DELAY OR FAILURE BY THE COMPANY TO COMPLETE THE CONTRACT

The Company will use its best endeavours to supply the Hirer with the equipment ordered but where this is not possible the company will notify the Hirer as soon as possible with any alterations to the design and specifications of the equipment and where alteration is fundamental the Hirer may terminate this contract and any deposit paid will be refunded.

4. PAYMENT

Payments must be made in accordance with the terms stated in the Company’s quotation.

5. LOSS OR DAMAGE

The Hirer shall during the period of hire be responsible for the maintenance and safe custody of the Company’s equipment, from completion of erection until dismantling.

The Hirer must be satisfied with the equipment before use and should notify the Company of any miscounts, incorrect deliveries, or unacceptable equipment before use.

The Hirer shall leave the equipment in a clean and tidy state. A reasonable surcharge will be applied for cleaning if it is not and will be deducted from the damage deposit and / or charged directly to the Hirer.

6. THE HIRERS RESPONSIBILITY

The Hirer should not enter the equipment whilst the Company is erecting it.

The Hirer should keep any part of a tent completely closed and secure while not in use during the period of Hire.

The Hirer should not tamper with the structure or any part of the equipment

The Hirer should not use any lighting, heating, cooking or other gas or electrical appliances of any kind, other than what is provided for and appropriate to use, inside the Company’s tents without the previous consent in writing of the Company.  No cooking or use of gas appliances of any kind should be used inside the Company’s tents.

The Hirer is responsible for any damage and loss caused to the equipment regardless of culpability, and therefore should the security deposit be insufficient to cover costs incurred by the Company, the Hirer will be liable for all costs associated with this damage.

No animals are allowed inside the Company’s tents, without the previous consent in writing of the Company.

No smoking is allowed inside the Company’s tents. Any evidence to the contrary will result in the full security deposit being lost and/or a cleaning charge being issued at the end of the hire.

The Hirer agrees that the Company, its Agents, Officers or Employees, accept no liability for any personal injury or damage to any persons or property suffered during the period of your usage.  Your statutory rights are not affected.

Barbecue equipment or open fires outside are to be placed a minimum of eight feet from the tent and not left unattended whilst in use. Open Flames or candles are not permitted inside the tent unless provided by Southern Bells Ltd

In certain circumstances, such as the use of private land, the Hirer is responsible for giving notice to or obtaining permits from any authorities who are or may be concerned and must take application where necessary to the Planning Authority, District Surveyor, Police, Fire Brigade and any similar authority or organisation. Any costs incurred in delays or modifications in the work arising from the absence or misrepresentation of all such necessary permissions and permits shall be payable to the Company by the Hirer. Where appropriate obtain a license from the Local Authority. Any requirements under the license must be notified to us in writing, at least 28 days prior to erection. Should the Company for any reason be unable to comply with these requirements, then the Contract will become void and the customer advised accordingly.

The Hirer will be responsible for any additional costs incurred to the company as a result of any booked equipment not being able to be erected/laid due to incorrect measurements, varying height levels or undisclosed site complications of which the company were not informed in writing.

The Hirer will be responsible for any costs incurred by the company due to changes being requested once the erecting of tents has begun.

7. OWNERSHIP

All equipment remains at all times the property of the Company.

8. LIABILITY TO THIRD PARTIES

The Company will not be responsible for and the Hirer will indemnify the Company against all claims for the injury to persons or loss or damage to property howsoever caused unless it be proved that such injury or damage was caused by negligence of the Company.

9. ERECTION AND DISMANTLING

The Company normally provides labour for the erection and dismantling, and the cost thereof is included in the hire charges.

10. FORCE MAJEURE

The Company will not be liable for any: Act of God including but not limited to  tempest, fire, flood, storm or natural disaster; War, civil war, sabotage or act of terrorism; Government sanction, Global Pandemic , embargo, import or export regulation or order; Labour disputes, including strikes, lockouts, boycotts or other industrial action; Failure in the transportation of equipment, machinery or personnel or in the provision of any utility including power, gas, water, or communication services.

While every effort will be made by the Company to carry out any booking accepted, however, the full performance of it is subject to variation or cancellation by the Company consequent upon Act of God, War, Strikes, Riots, Lockouts or any other disturbances. Fire, Flood, Storm, Gale or Tempest restrictions on the use of Transport, Fuel or Power. Requisitioning Storage of material or transport or labour or any other cause beyond the control of the Company.

Choice of Law

This contract will be governed by the laws of England and Wales and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

11. CANCELLATION

Should the Hirer wish to terminate the contract then the following compensation rates will be charged to the Hirer by the Company.

100% of the hire price for notice less than 14 days prior to the Hire period.

50% of the hire price (excluding the non-refundable deposit) for notice more than 14 days prior to the Hire period.

20% of the hire price (this is your deposit) for notice more than 30 days prior to the hire period

All deposits are non-refundable

12. OTHER

The Company reserves the right to amend their website and terms and conditions at any time, without prior notice, the Hirers obligations not being limited to the above.

The contract will be terminated in the event of non-payment, or if there is a breach of the terms and conditions.

If any clause is deemed invalid it will not affect the rest of the terms and conditions.

13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This contract constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the Hirer.  No verbal representations or arrangements are recognised by the Company.

Nothing in this agreement shall exclude or in any way limit:

(a) either party’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its own negligence;

(b) either party’s liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or

(c) any other liability which cannot be excluded by law.