Get a dry hire agreement that matches how your equipment is actually hired out

Emails may record the dates and price, but they often leave out the points that matter when something goes wrong. In a dry hire arrangement, issues commonly arise around who is allowed to use the equipment, where it can be taken, who is responsible for maintenance during the hire period, what happens if it is damaged, and what charges apply for late return or cleaning. A proper agreement pulls those issues into one document so the commercial terms and risk allocation are clearer from the outset.

Most dry hire agreements deal with the hire period, fees, deposits if used, delivery or collection arrangements, permitted use, storage and care obligations, breakdown reporting, responsibility for loss or damage, insurance expectations, indemnity wording, and return conditions. They may also cover inspection on return, charges for missing parts, and termination rights if the hirer breaches the agreement. The right drafting depends on the type of equipment involved, because the risks for event gear, vehicles, machinery or specialist tools can look quite different in practice.

Important details include the type and value of the equipment, whether it is hired to consumers or businesses, whether you deliver it or require collection, how long hires usually last, and whether there are restrictions on location, use or sub-hire. It also matters whether the hirer is expected to arrange insurance, whether training or instructions are provided, and what happens if the equipment becomes unusable during the hire period. Those points can materially change the clauses around liability, risk transfer and return obligations.

A generic template can be a starting point, but it may not reflect the way your business actually operates or the specific risks attached to your equipment. For example, a template may not properly address consumables, operator exclusions, transport responsibility, security requirements, or the consequences of unauthorised use. It may also use broad wording that is not well matched to New Zealand practice. A tailored agreement is usually more useful when your hires involve valuable equipment, repeat customers, or situations where damage and downtime could become expensive.

With dry hire, you are supplying the equipment only, and the hirer is generally responsible for operating it. Wet hire usually involves supplying both the equipment and an operator. That difference matters because the contract needs to reflect who controls the equipment during the hire, who is responsible for safe use, and where liability should sit if something goes wrong. If your business sometimes offers both models, it is important that the agreement is drafted for the correct arrangement rather than relying on wording meant for a staffed service.

Submit an enquiry on this page or click 'Get started'. One of our legal consultants will review it within 1 business day and get in touch to understand what you need.

Your consultant will then email you a fixed-fee quote setting out the cost, scope and timing. If you're happy with it, you can accept the quote and sign our engagement letter online.

Once you've accepted, one of our Australian-qualified lawyers will work with you to complete your project. They'll contact you by email or phone if they need anything.

Sprintlaw works on fixed-fee pricing wherever possible, so you can review the scope and cost before you decide whether to proceed. For the Dry Hire Agreement service, pricing starts from $900.00.

After you enquire, a legal consultant will confirm what is included, the expected timing and whether any extra work is needed before you engage us.

We work online, so we can help wherever you are in New Zealand. Our team works remotely, mainly from Australia.

Your work is done by our Australian-qualified lawyers, who hold Australian practising certificates and specialise in business law. None of them are New Zealand lawyers or hold a New Zealand practising certificate.

Sprintlaw NZ Limited is a legal consultancy, not a law firm, and is not regulated by the New Zealand Law Society. We don't act in court or tribunal matters, conveyancing (including leases and business sales) or other reserved areas of work. Communications with Sprintlaw are unlikely to be protected by legal professional privilege. We still keep everything confidential under our engagement letter.