Hire Agreement & Terms

This Hire Agreement is between Besides Plates (ABN 76 950 141 528, “we”, “us”) and the person making the booking (“you”, “the hirer”). It applies to every booking, whether the items are delivered or collected.

Your booking summary — your name and contact details, the hire items and quantities, the hire and return dates, delivery or collection details and every charge — forms part of this agreement. Please check it carefully before paying.

Nothing in this agreement excludes, restricts or modifies any right or remedy you have under the Australian Consumer Law (including consumer guarantees) or any other law that cannot be excluded.

A booking deposit of 50% of the hire total is payable at checkout to secure your items. The remaining balance is due 7 days before your hire date.

A separate refundable security deposit of $100.00 is also payable at checkout (unless a different amount is shown on your booking). The security deposit is not a hire fee, is not part of the price of the hire and is held only as security against loss or damage.

All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST where applicable. There are no other charges unless they are shown on your booking or agreed with you in writing.

The hire period runs from the hire date to the return date shown on your booking.

For delivery bookings, please make sure someone is available at the address and that there is safe access. For collection bookings, items are collected from and returned to our pickup address at the agreed times.

Ownership of the items stays with us at all times. You must not sub-hire, sell, lend or remove the items from the event address.

Please use the items only for their intended purpose and in a safe manner. Keep them protected from weather, open flames, sharp objects and spills where reasonably possible.

Do not attach adhesive, staples, paint or decorations that could mark the items. Table covers should not be bleached or ironed.

Tell us as soon as possible if anything is damaged, lost or not working.

Please return items free of food scraps, drink residue and rubbish. Normal laundering of table covers is included in the hire price.

If items are returned excessively soiled (for example wax, paint, heavy stains or residue requiring specialist cleaning), a reasonable cleaning cost may be deducted from the security deposit, as set out in section 8.

Fair wear and tear is not damage, and you will not be charged for it.

You are responsible for items that are lost, stolen, missing or damaged beyond fair wear and tear while in your care. Any charge is limited to the reasonable cost of repair or, where repair is not reasonable, the reasonable replacement cost of the item.

Please have items ready for collection, or return them, on the return date shown on your booking.

If items are returned late without our agreement, we may charge a reasonable amount reflecting the additional hire period (usually the standard daily rate for each extra day) and any genuine cost we incur, such as a re-booked collection. We will contact you before making any such charge.

Items are inspected after they are returned. If there is no loss, damage, excessive cleaning or late return, your full security deposit is refunded to your original payment method within two business days of the completed inspection.

If we propose a deduction, we will first record the reason, the evidence (such as photographs) and the reasonable cost, and email you the details. You will have an opportunity to respond before any amount is retained. Any amount not reasonably required is refunded.

A deduction is never more than the reasonable cost of the actual loss. The security deposit is never automatically forfeited in full because of a breach or delay.

If you dispute a deduction, the disputed amount is held while we work with you to resolve it (see section 10). Undisputed amounts are refunded without delay.

Cancellations made 7 or more days before the event receive a full refund of the deposit. Cancellations within 7 days forfeit the deposit.

Your security deposit is always refunded in full if a booking is cancelled before the items are delivered or collected.

If we have to cancel your booking, you will receive a full refund of everything you have paid.

If you have a concern about your booking, a charge or a deduction, please contact us at hello@besidesplates.com.au. We will acknowledge your concern promptly and try to resolve it fairly within 10 business days.

If we cannot resolve it together, you may contact the Queensland Office of Fair Trading or the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), or the consumer protection agency in your state.

We use your details only to manage your booking, payments and any security deposit, and to contact you about your hire. See our Privacy Policy for more information.