Rental Agreement Template

Default template, version 1.0 · Effective May 27, 2026

1. Parties

This Equipment Rental Agreement (the "Agreement") is made on [Booking date] between:

• Owner: [Owner full legal name], an individual or business with an address at [Owner address] ("Owner"); and
• Renter: [Renter full legal name], an individual or business with an address at [Renter address] ("Renter").

Owner and Renter are each a "Party" and together the "Parties." Both Parties found each other and entered this Agreement through the idle iron platform operated by Ridge Link LLC d/b/a idle iron ("idle iron"). idle iron is not a Party to this Agreement.

2. Equipment

The "Equipment" rented under this Agreement is:

• Category: [Equipment category, e.g., skid steer]
• Make / Model / Year: [Make] / [Model] / [Year]
• Identification: [Serial number or VIN, if applicable]
• Hours at handoff: [Hour-meter reading]
• Attachments included: [List of attachments, if any]
• Documented pre-existing condition: [Notes and photographs taken at handoff; see Section 7]

3. Rental period

The rental period begins on [Start date and time] when Renter takes possession of the Equipment, and ends on [End date and time] when Renter returns the Equipment to Owner's specified return point. Time is of the essence. Possession outside this window is governed by Section 15 (late return) or by separate written extension signed by both Parties.

4. Rental amount and payment

• Daily rate: $[Daily rate] per 24-hour period (or partial day at the start and end of the rental).
• Weekly rate (if applicable): $[Weekly rate].
• Monthly rate (if applicable): $[Monthly rate].
• Delivery fee (if applicable): $[Delivery fee].
• Subtotal: $[Rental subtotal].
• idle iron service fee (10%): $[Service fee] (paid by Renter to idle iron, not to Owner).
• Total: $[Total].
• Sales or rental tax (if applicable): collected and remitted by Owner as required by law (see Section 17 of the idle iron Terms of Service).

The Total is paid by Renter through the idle iron Service to idle iron, acting as Owner's limited payment collection agent. Receipt by idle iron satisfies Renter's payment obligation under this Agreement (see Section 15 of the idle iron Terms of Service). idle iron will forward the net amount (Total minus Service Fee minus any pass-through processing fee) to Owner under the payout terms then in effect.

5. Security and damage protection

The damage-protection method for this Booking is:

[Card on file] / [Refundable deposit of $XX] / [Both]

If card on file: Renter authorizes Owner, through the Service's payment processor, to charge Renter's stored payment method for any amounts owed under this Agreement (including damage charges established under Section 13), subject to Renter's 72-hour dispute window described in Section 13.

If refundable deposit: Renter pays the deposit at booking. The deposit is held by the Service and applied against any amount owed under this Agreement at the end of the rental. For purposes of this Section, "completion" means the later of (a) the return of the Equipment or (b) the close of the 14-day damage-claim filing window in Section 13.1; if a damage claim is filed within that window, the deposit (or the disputed portion of it) is held until the claim is resolved. Any remaining balance is refunded to Renter within seven (7) business days after completion.

If both: both the card-on-file authorization and the refundable deposit apply, and Owner may use either or both to recover amounts owed.

6. Pickup, delivery, and return

Pickup: Unless this Agreement specifies delivery (below), Renter picks up the Equipment at [Owner pickup location] at the start of the rental period. Renter is responsible for transporting the Equipment to and from the work site, including loading and unloading, and for compliance with all applicable transportation law and reasonable industry practice for securement (49 CFR 393.100), towing capacity, lighting, brakes, weight, and (where required) commercial driver's license endorsements.

Delivery (if selected): Owner will deliver the Equipment to [Renter delivery address] on [Delivery date] at [Delivery time window] for a delivery fee of $[Delivery fee]. Owner is responsible for the Equipment during delivery until handoff.

Return: Renter returns the Equipment to [Return location] on or before [End date and time], in the same condition as received less ordinary wear and tear. If Owner has agreed to pick up the Equipment from Renter's work site (a return-delivery option), the pickup time and fee are specified above.

Risk of loss in transit: When Renter transports the Equipment, risk of loss is on Renter from the moment Renter takes possession at pickup through return. When Owner delivers the Equipment, risk of loss is on Owner until handoff at delivery, at which point it transfers to Renter for the remainder of the rental period.

7. Condition at handoff and post-rental inspection

At handoff (pickup or delivery), the Parties shall jointly:

• Walk around the Equipment and verify its identification (make, model, serial number or VIN);
• Note any pre-existing damage, wear, or defects, and capture photographs depicting the Equipment from multiple angles;
• Record the hour-meter or odometer reading;
• Confirm that the included attachments are present and functional;
• Confirm that any required safety equipment, manuals, and keys are present.

At return, the Parties shall repeat the walk-around and photograph the Equipment in its post-rental condition. The post-rental photographs and the handoff photographs together establish the Equipment's condition over the rental period. The photographs may be uploaded through the idle iron Service for inclusion in the Booking record.

If Renter or Owner is unable to be present at handoff or return, the present Party shall complete the walk-around and capture photographs, and shall promptly share them with the other Party. Failure of either Party to participate in or record the inspection materially weakens that Party's later claims about the Equipment's condition.

8. Renter's use of the Equipment

Renter agrees to use the Equipment only:

• For the purpose disclosed to Owner (typical construction, landscape, agricultural, or maintenance work consistent with the Equipment's design);
• In accordance with the manufacturer's operator's manual, the safety instructions on the Equipment, and reasonable industry practice;
• Within the Equipment's rated capacity, load limits, slope limits, and other operating parameters;
• In conformity with all applicable federal, state, and local law, including occupational-safety law (OSHA and equivalents), environmental law, motor-vehicle law (if on a public road), and any contractor-licensing law applicable to the work being performed.

9. Operator qualification

Renter represents and warrants that any person who operates the Equipment during the rental period:

• Is at least 18 years old;
• Is trained in the safe operation of equipment of the type rented;
• Holds any license, certification, or credential required by federal or state law to operate the Equipment lawfully (including OSHA-required certifications for powered industrial trucks (29 CFR 1910.178), cranes and derricks (29 CFR 1926.1427), aerial lifts (29 CFR 1926.453), state-issued hoisting or operator licenses, contractor licenses, and similar credentials);
• Is not impaired by alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or any other condition that would compromise safe operation.

Renter is responsible for confirming each operator's qualification before that operator uses the Equipment. Owner has no obligation to verify operator qualifications and is not liable for any injury or damage caused by an unqualified operator. idle iron is not a Party to this Agreement and has no such obligation either.

10. Prohibited uses

Renter shall not, and shall not permit any person under Renter's control to:

• Operate the Equipment outside the geographic area specified in the listing or this Agreement (including transporting the Equipment across state lines without Owner's prior written consent);
• Sublet, sublease, lend, or transfer possession of the Equipment to any person other than Renter's direct employees or qualified operators Renter directly supervises;
• Use the Equipment in a manner contrary to the manufacturer's instructions or to applicable law;
• Use the Equipment to transport, store, or process hazardous materials except as the Equipment is specifically designed to handle and as disclosed to Owner;
• Modify, alter, repaint, decal, or attach unapproved accessories to the Equipment;
• Tamper with the safety devices, hour meters, GPS units (if any), or other instruments on the Equipment;
• Operate the Equipment under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances;
• Operate the Equipment in any manner that violates federal, state, or local law, including by performing work for which a contractor's license is required without holding the appropriate license, or by operating in a no-work zone, weather hold, or similar prohibition.

11. Fuel, fluids, consumables, and routine maintenance

Unless this Agreement specifies otherwise:

• Renter receives the Equipment with a full tank of fuel and returns it with a full tank. Refueling on return is Renter's responsibility. If returned with less than a full tank, Owner may charge the cost of refueling plus a reasonable service fee, which counts as damage under Section 13.
• Renter performs routine pre-shift checks (fluid levels, tire pressure, visible damage) before each shift.
• If the Equipment requires routine servicing during the rental period (such as engine oil or hydraulic fluid changes at scheduled hour intervals), Renter shall coordinate with Owner; the cost is Owner's unless the servicing was triggered by Renter's misuse.
• Cleaning at return: Renter shall return the Equipment in reasonably clean condition, free of mud, debris, and project residue. A reasonable cleaning fee may be charged for returns requiring more than standard cleaning.

12. Insurance

Each Party is responsible for maintaining the insurance appropriate to its participation in this rental, as further described in Section 21 of the idle iron Terms of Service. Without limiting that section:

• Owner shall maintain commercial inland-marine or equipment insurance covering the Equipment while rented, commercial general liability insurance for the pickup location, and business-auto coverage for any delivery vehicle.
• Renter shall maintain commercial general liability insurance covering the work for which the Equipment is being used, equipment-rental coverage (rental floater or equivalent), workers'-compensation coverage as required by state law for any employees operating the Equipment, and auto liability and physical-damage coverage for any vehicle used to transport the Equipment.
• Each Party shall furnish a current Certificate of Insurance to the other on request. The Service may provide a mechanism to upload and verify Certificates of Insurance.

idle iron does not provide insurance, does not arrange insurance, and is not a Party to any insurance contract. A referral link to a third-party insurance provider may appear in the Service for Renter's convenience; if Renter purchases coverage through such a provider, the coverage is between Renter and the carrier.

13. Damage, loss, and the damage-claim process

Renter is responsible to Owner for damage to the Equipment caused by Renter's negligence, misuse, abuse, operation outside the agreed scope, failure to maintain the Equipment as this Agreement requires, theft from Renter's work site, or loss of the Equipment during the rental period. Ordinary wear and tear consistent with the use Owner authorized is not damage.

13.1 Filing a damage claim

If Owner believes Renter is responsible for damage or loss, Owner shall file a damage claim through the idle iron Service within 14 days of return. The claim must include a written description, photographs (ideally including the handoff photographs for comparison), and a written repair estimate from a qualified repair facility (or, for total loss, a fair-market valuation from a qualified appraiser).

13.2 Renter's dispute window

On receipt of the claim through the Service, Renter has seventy-two (72) hours to dispute the claim by submitting a written response through the Service. Renter's response should include any evidence Renter has, including photographs taken at return, statements from operators, and any disclosed pre-existing damage at handoff (Section 7).

13.3 Resolution

If Renter does not dispute within 72 hours, Renter is deemed to have accepted the claim. Owner may then charge Renter's card on file, apply the deposit, or invoice Renter directly for the amount claimed.

If Renter disputes within 72 hours, the Parties shall resolve the dispute directly. idle iron is not the mediator. Resolution may include negotiation, an independent appraisal, an insurance claim by either Party, or litigation. Section 23 (governing law) and Section 25 (miscellaneous) describe the legal framework for any dispute.

13.4 Total loss; environmental damage; third-party damage

Total loss, theft, environmental damage, and third-party damage are addressed in Section 22 of the idle iron Terms of Service, which the Parties incorporate here.

14. Mechanical failure not caused by Renter

If the Equipment becomes inoperable during the rental period due to a defect, mechanical failure, or condition not caused by Renter's negligence or misuse, Renter shall promptly notify Owner. Owner is responsible for the repair or replacement of the Equipment. Owner shall refund Renter the rental fee for the period of inoperability (less the idle iron Service Fee on the refunded amount), or, at the Parties' agreement, extend the rental period for an equivalent number of hours. The Parties may negotiate a different remedy in writing.

15. Late return

If Renter fails to return the Equipment by the end of the rental period and has not obtained a written extension from Owner, the rental shall continue on a day-to-day basis at 200% of the daily rate for each day or partial day of late return, until the Equipment is returned. If the Equipment is more than 72 hours overdue, Owner may treat Renter as in default under Section 17 and may recover possession of the Equipment by any lawful means that do not breach the peace and that comply with applicable law.

16. Cancellation prior to rental period

Cancellation by Renter:

• More than 72 hours before start: full refund of the rental amount collected, less the non-refundable idle iron Service Fee.
• Within 72 hours of start: Renter forfeits the first day's rental rate, plus the Service Fee, plus any documented Owner expense for trailer prep or delivery if Owner has already incurred it.
• No-show at the scheduled start time: Owner may mark the Booking as a no-show and charge the rental subtotal; Renter has a 72-hour window through the Service to dispute.

Cancellation by Owner after acceptance: Owner refunds the full amount collected. Owners who cancel in bad faith or recurrently may have their Account suspended by idle iron per the Terms of Service.

17. Default

A Party is in default of this Agreement on the occurrence of any of the following:

• Failure to pay any amount when due and uncured within 5 days of written notice;
• Failure to return the Equipment more than 72 hours after the end of the rental period without a written extension;
• Breach of Sections 8, 9, 10, 12, or 13 that materially harms the other Party and is not cured within 7 days of written notice;
• Filing of a voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy petition by or against a Party;
• Material misrepresentation in any document or statement made in connection with this Agreement.

On default, the non-defaulting Party may, in addition to any other remedy available at law or equity: (a) terminate this Agreement on written notice; (b) recover the Equipment by self-help (Owner only, for late-return default) without breach of the peace and in compliance with applicable law, or by judicial process; (c) charge the card on file for damages established under Section 13; (d) seek damages and recover reasonable attorneys' fees.

18. Indemnification (Renter to Owner)

Renter shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Owner and Owner's owners, officers, employees, and contractors from any claim, demand, loss, damage, judgment, settlement, cost, or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) brought by any third party (including any employee, contractor, or invitee of Renter, any operator of the Equipment, any neighboring property owner, any government authority, and any insurer of any of the foregoing) arising out of or related to:

• Renter's possession, use, operation, transport, loading, unloading, fueling, maintenance, or storage of the Equipment;
• Any act or omission of any operator of the Equipment during the rental period;
• Any injury to person or damage to property occurring during the rental period that is not solely caused by Owner's gross negligence or willful misconduct;
• Renter's breach of any representation, warranty, or covenant in this Agreement;
• Renter's violation of any law, regulation, or third-party right;
• Renter's failure to maintain insurance required under Section 12.

19. Assumption of risk and release

Renter acknowledges that the operation, transport, loading, unloading, fueling, maintenance, and storage of the Equipment are inherently dangerous activities that can result in property damage, environmental damage, serious bodily injury, permanent disability, and death. Renter voluntarily assumes all risks associated with renting and using the Equipment, including risks from the condition of the Equipment, the qualifications of the operator, weather and site conditions, traffic conditions during transport, the actions of third parties, and the inherent dangers of heavy machinery.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Renter releases, waives, and discharges Owner, idle iron, and their respective owners, officers, employees, and contractors from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, losses, damages, costs, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) Renter may have against any of them arising out of or related to Renter's rental, possession, use, operation, transport, loading, unloading, fueling, maintenance, or storage of the Equipment, whether arising in contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, statute, or any other legal or equitable theory, and whether known or unknown.

20. Disclaimers of warranty

Except for the express commitments in Sections 7 (condition at handoff) and 14 (mechanical failure not caused by renter), Owner makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the Equipment, including any implied warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. The Equipment is rented "as is."

21. Limitation of liability between the Parties

To the maximum extent permitted by law, neither Party shall be liable to the other for any indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, consequential, or punitive damages of any kind, including lost profits, lost revenue, lost business, lost data, lost goodwill, work stoppage, or business interruption, arising out of or related to this Agreement, even if advised of the possibility of those damages. This limitation does not apply to (a) Renter's payment obligations to Owner under Sections 4, 5, 11, 13, 15, and 18, or (b) any claim arising from a Party's gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, or intentional misrepresentation.

22. idle iron is not a Party

idle iron is the venue through which the Parties found each other and entered this Agreement. idle iron is not a Party to this Agreement. idle iron has no obligation to perform under this Agreement, does not guarantee either Party's performance, and is not the insurer of any obligation. idle iron acts only as Owner's limited payment collection agent for the limited purpose described in Section 4. Neither Party shall name idle iron in any dispute or litigation arising out of this Agreement. If a court joins idle iron, idle iron is entitled to recover its attorneys' fees and costs from the joining Party.

23. Governing law and venue

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the state in which the Equipment is located on the start date of the rental, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute arising out of or related to this Agreement that is not subject to arbitration under the idle iron Terms of Service shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in the county in which the Equipment was located on the start date.

24. Notices

The Parties may give notice under this Agreement: (a) by message through the idle iron Service to the other Party's Account; (b) by email to the address on the other Party's Account; or (c) by U.S. mail to the address listed for the other Party in Section 1. Notice is effective on receipt for message and email; on the third business day after mailing for U.S. mail.

25. Miscellaneous

• Entire agreement. This Agreement, together with the idle iron Terms of Service and Privacy Policy as they apply to the Parties, is the entire agreement between Owner and Renter regarding the rental of the Equipment.
• Amendments. Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by both Parties.
• Severability. If any provision is held unenforceable, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary or severed; the remainder remains in effect.
• No waiver. A Party's failure to enforce any right is not a waiver.
• Assignment. Neither Party may assign this Agreement without the other's prior written consent, except that Owner may assign in connection with the sale of the Equipment, in which case the assignee succeeds to Owner's rights and obligations.
• Independent contractors. The Parties are independent. Nothing creates a partnership, joint venture, employer-employee, or agency relationship.
• Electronic signatures. The Parties consent to the use of electronic signatures. A typed name within the Service, accompanied by the signing Party's IP address and a timestamp, is the equivalent of a handwritten signature for all purposes.
• Survival. Sections 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 survive termination or expiration of this Agreement.

26. Signatures

By typing their names in the signature fields provided on the idle iron Service, the Parties acknowledge that they have read this Agreement in full, understand it, and agree to be bound by it.

• Owner: [Typed signature] · [Signed at IP and timestamp]
• Renter: [Typed signature] · [Signed at IP and timestamp]