DT FILM SERVICES – RENTAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

CREDIT CHECKS

DT FILM SERVICES reserves the right to conduct credit, identity, business, and background checks on any applicant prior to approving a rental account.

Where the applicant is a business, DT FILM SERVICES may conduct checks on the business entity, its directors, members, shareholders, owners, authorised representatives, and any person providing surety for the account.

Approval of a rental account remains at the sole discretion of DT FILM SERVICES.

LIABILITY AND SURETYSHIP

The Client agrees to be jointly and severally liable for all amounts owing to DT FILM SERVICES arising from any rental, including but not limited to rental fees, late fees, repair costs, replacement costs, insurance excesses, collection costs, legal costs, interest, and any other charges due under this Agreement.

Interest may be charged on overdue accounts from the due date until payment is received in full, at the maximum rate permitted by applicable law.

The Client shall remain liable for all obligations under this Agreement regardless of whether equipment is collected or used by the Client personally or by an authorised third party.

BOOKINGS AND PAYMENTS

All equipment is rented at the applicable daily, weekend, weekly, or special promotional rate published by DT FILM SERVICES at the time of booking.

A booking is only confirmed upon receipt of the required deposit and written confirmation from DT FILM SERVICES.

A non-refundable deposit equal to 50% of the rental amount is required to secure a booking.

The remaining balance must be paid in full before any equipment is released.

DT FILM SERVICES reserves the right to refuse release of any equipment where payment has not been received and cleared.

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the commencement of the rental period shall incur a cancellation fee equal to one full rental day.

Deposits paid may be retained and applied toward the cancellation fee.

DT FILM SERVICES reserves the right to issue a credit note in lieu of a refund at its sole discretion.

COLLECTIONS AND RETURNS

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

• Monday to Thursday collections may take place after 13:00.
• Friday collections may take place after 15:00.
• Equipment must be returned no later than 09:00 on the agreed return date.

The rental period commences when the equipment leaves the premises and ends when all equipment has been physically returned, inspected, and accepted by DT FILM SERVICES.

The Client remains responsible for all equipment until such inspection has been completed.

WEEKEND RENTALS

Weekend rentals are charged at a special weekend rate equivalent to one rental day unless otherwise quoted.

Weekend rentals may be collected after 15:00 on Friday and must be returned before 09:00 on Monday.

Failure to return equipment by the required return time will result in late-return charges.

LATE RETURNS

Equipment returned after the agreed return time will incur additional rental charges.

Equipment returned between 5 and 6 hours after the agreed return time may incur a half-day rental charge equal to 50% of the applicable daily rental rate.

Equipment returned more than 6 hours after the agreed return time may incur a full-day rental charge equal to 100% of the applicable daily rental rate.

Additional charges may continue to accrue until all equipment has been returned.

EQUIPMENT INSPECTION

The Client acknowledges that all equipment has been inspected prior to collection.

The Client is responsible for verifying that all equipment, accessories, batteries, memory cards, cables, cases, and related items listed on the rental documentation have been received before leaving the premises.

Any shortages, discrepancies, or defects must be reported immediately.

Failure to report shortages prior to departure may result in the Client being held responsible for missing items.

EQUIPMENT CONDITION AND MALFUNCTION

DT FILM SERVICES makes every reasonable effort to ensure that all equipment is supplied in good working order.

Should equipment malfunction due to a defect not caused by the Client, DT FILM SERVICES shall, where reasonably possible, provide replacement equipment or issue a rental credit for the affected equipment.

Except where prohibited by law, DT FILM SERVICES shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential, business, production, travel, accommodation, or loss-of-income damages arising from equipment failure.

DAMAGE, LOSS AND THEFT

The Client accepts full responsibility for all equipment from the time of collection until the equipment has been returned and accepted by DT FILM SERVICES.

The Client shall be liable for any loss, theft, disappearance, damage, destruction, misuse, negligence, water damage, fire damage, transport damage, accidental damage, hijacking, vandalism, or any other event resulting in repair or replacement costs.

Where equipment is damaged, the Client shall be liable for:

• The insurance excess, where applicable;
• Any uninsured portion of the loss;
• Any repair costs not covered by insurance;
• The full replacement value where the equipment cannot be repaired or where insurance does not apply.

Where equipment has been discontinued, replacement shall be based on the cost of the nearest equivalent current model available from the manufacturer.

Associated costs, including freight, import duties, customs charges, and supplier costs, may be included in the replacement value.

If equipment is not returned within 48 hours of the agreed return date and the Client has failed to provide satisfactory communication regarding the delay, DT FILM SERVICES reserves the right to report the matter to the South African Police Service and pursue all available civil and criminal remedies.

LOSS OF USE

Where equipment is lost, stolen, or damaged, the Client may be liable for reasonable loss-of-use charges based on the applicable rental rate for the period reasonably required for repair or replacement.

Such charges shall cease once replacement equipment becomes available or repairs are completed.

INSURANCE

A mandatory, non-refundable insurance administration fee equal to 10% of the rental value shall be charged on all photography and film equipment rentals.

This fee does not eliminate the Client's responsibility for loss, theft, damage, negligence, misuse, or applicable insurance excesses.

Insurance cover is valid only within the borders of South Africa unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Equipment taken outside South Africa must be covered by additional insurance arranged by the Client and approved by DT FILM SERVICES before departure.

The Client shall be liable for an insurance excess equal to 15% of the replacement value of each affected item, subject to a minimum excess of R8,000 per item.

Items with a replacement value below R10,000 may not qualify for insurance cover and the Client may remain liable for the full replacement value.

Certain equipment may be excluded from insurance cover. In such cases, the Client shall remain liable for the full repair or replacement cost.

AUTHORISED COLLECTIONS

Where equipment is collected by another person on behalf of the Client, written authorisation must be provided together with a copy of the authorised person's identification document.

The account holder shall remain fully liable for all equipment released under their account.

Rentals exceeding R5,000 may require collection by the account holder in person.

REFUNDS AND CREDITS

Refunds are subject to applicable law and the discretion of DT FILM SERVICES.

Where appropriate, DT FILM SERVICES may issue a credit note in lieu of a cash refund.

PAYMENT METHODS

Accepted payment methods include:

• EFT
• Credit Card
• Debit Card

DT FILM SERVICES reserves the right to request proof of payment before releasing equipment.

POPIA CONSENT

The Client consents to DT FILM SERVICES collecting, processing, storing, and sharing personal information for purposes including:

• Account creation and administration;
• Credit and identity verification;
• Insurance administration;
• Fraud prevention;
• Debt collection;
• Legal proceedings;
• Compliance with applicable laws.

Information will be processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

The Client consents to the jurisdiction of any court of competent jurisdiction for the recovery of amounts owing under this Agreement.

CHANGES TO TERMS

DT FILM SERVICES reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time.

Any amendments shall not affect bookings already confirmed and paid for prior to the effective date of the amendment.