1. Hire Agreement

These terms apply to Family Essentials equipment hired from IOWStays, including travel cots, high chairs and other hire items added to the service. The person making the booking is responsible for the equipment throughout the hire period.

2. Booking and Payment

A booking is subject to stock availability and payment. Hire charges, cleaning fees, delivery charges and refundable deposits are shown separately where applicable.

3. Refundable Deposit

The refundable deposit is security against loss, damage, missing parts, excessive soiling or other breach of these hire terms. It is not part of the final hire cost when the equipment is returned on time, complete, clean and free from damage beyond fair wear and tear.

Following return and inspection, an eligible deposit will be marked for refund. The time taken for funds to appear may depend on the payment provider or bank. IOWStays may deduct reasonable amounts from the deposit where permitted by these terms and may seek reasonable additional costs where loss or damage exceeds the deposit.

4. Delivery and Collection

The customer must provide an accurate delivery address and reasonable access. Delivery charges are calculated according to the service area shown at booking. Collection arrangements must be followed where collection is selected.

5. Safe Use and Supervision

Equipment must be used only for its intended purpose, in accordance with manufacturer instructions and any instructions supplied by IOWStays. Children must be appropriately supervised. The hirer must stop using equipment immediately if it appears damaged, unsafe or incomplete and notify IOWStays.

Travel cots are supplied as hire equipment; the hirer remains responsible for following safe-sleep guidance appropriate to the child and for checking that the equipment is suitable before use.

6. Care of Equipment

Equipment must not be altered, dismantled beyond normal intended use, sold, sub-hired or removed from the agreed location without permission. Reasonable care must be taken to keep it clean, dry and secure.

7. Return Condition

Equipment must be returned by the agreed date, with all parts, clean and free from damage beyond fair wear and tear. IOWStays may record the return condition and use photographs where an issue is identified.

8. Loss, Damage, Cleaning and Missing Items

The hirer must notify IOWStays promptly of loss, theft, damage, contamination or missing parts. Reasonable cleaning, repair or replacement costs attributable to the hire may be deducted from the refundable deposit. Where reasonable costs exceed the deposit, the hirer may be responsible for the balance, subject to applicable law.

9. Late or Non-Return

The hirer must contact IOWStays as soon as possible if equipment cannot be returned as agreed. Additional hire, collection or replacement charges may apply where equipment is returned late or not returned.

10. Cancellation and Availability

If IOWStays cannot supply paid-for equipment, we will offer an appropriate alternative where possible or refund the affected hire amount. Customer cancellations and refunds are subject to the cancellation information provided at booking and applicable consumer rights.

11. Liability

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability where doing so would be unlawful. IOWStays is not responsible for loss caused by misuse, use contrary to instructions, unauthorised alteration or continued use after a defect becomes apparent.

12. Data and Governing Law

Booking, payment, delivery, return-condition and evidence information may be retained for legitimate administration, safety, dispute and accounting purposes in accordance with applicable UK data-protection requirements.

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, subject to any mandatory consumer rights that apply.