Set terms for subscriptions that renew automatically

Recurring billing creates a different set of customer expectations from a one-off sale. If the sign-up flow, renewal wording or cancellation path is unclear, complaints can arise around unexpected charges, access cut-offs, refund requests or whether the customer really agreed to ongoing payments. Terms written specifically for auto renewal can help explain when billing happens, how renewal works, what notice the customer sees, and how they can cancel. That is particularly important for memberships, software subscriptions, paid communities, subscription boxes and app-based services where access continues over time.

These terms commonly deal with subscription plans, billing frequency, automatic renewal, payment authorisation, price changes, free trials if offered, cancellation methods, when access ends, refunds where relevant, failed payments, account suspension and changes to the service. They may also cover user conduct, intellectual property, service availability and limits on liability if the subscription is tied to digital access. The exact wording depends on how your offer is sold. For example, a monthly software tool, a recurring product delivery and a members-only content site each raise slightly different drafting issues.

Important details include what customers are subscribing to, whether the offer is consumer-facing or business-facing, how often billing occurs, whether the subscription renews by default, and how cancellation works in practice. We would also look at whether there is a free trial, introductory pricing, minimum commitment period, pause option, upgrade or downgrade path, and what happens after a failed payment. If your checkout uses tick boxes, pop-up notices, app store billing or third-party payment tools, that can also affect how the terms should be written and presented.

A generic template may mention renewals and cancellations, but it often will not line up with your actual checkout flow, billing system or customer communications. That mismatch can create problems if the terms say one thing and the user experience suggests another. Templates also tend to be light on practical issues such as trial conversions, notice wording, failed payments, pauses, account reactivation or access after cancellation. If your revenue depends on recurring subscriptions, it is worth having terms that reflect how the offer really operates rather than relying on broad wording copied from another business.

Not automatically. This service is for the auto renewal subscription terms themselves. If your subscription offer also needs a privacy policy, broader website terms, app terms or other customer-facing documents, those would usually be separate pieces of work. The fixed-fee also does not include coding, checkout design, payment gateway setup or ongoing representation if a customer complaint later arises. If we spot an issue that suggests another document or process change may be useful, we can flag that so you can decide whether you want additional legal help.

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 Auto Renewal Subscription Terms 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.