Rental Contract

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RENTAL CONTRACT

For good and valuable consideration, you and Rural Equipment Rentals Inc., an Illinois corporation, d/b/a “Rural Rentals” (also referred to herein as “Rural,” “Lessor,” “we,” “us” and “our”) agree as follows:

1. As used herein, “P.1” refers to the first page or “face” of this Contract; “Contract” refers to P.1 together with these Terms and Conditions, “Rented Item(s)” or “Item(s)” means the item(s) provided (rented or if specifically set forth on P.1, sold) to you, as identified on P.1 (including any “Instructions” and/or safety devices provided per Section [or “§”] 5 below); “Site” means the address set forth on P.1 where the Item(s) is/are to be delivered and/or used; and “Customer,” “Lessee,” “you” and “your” mean the “Renter,” “Customer,” “Lessee” and/or “Guarantor” (as applicable) identified on P.1.
2. You agree to rent from Rural the Rented Item(s) for the period(s) specified on P.1 (the “Term”), to pay us our stated rental rate(s) (the “Rent”), together with all other charges accruing hereunder, without proration, reduction or setoff, and to remain liable for all injuries and damages arising from or associated with such Item(s), until all Rented Item(s) is/are returned to and accepted by Rural in the return condition required under this Contract (including § 3). Unless otherwise specifically agreed by Rural, all rental rates are for normal use of the Rented Item(s) on (a) a single-event basis for inflatables; and (b) a single-shift basis for all other Items, including without limitation, equipment, tools and trailers, not exceeding the least of: 8 hours per 24 hour period for which Rent is charged hereunder (each, a “Rental Day”); 40 hours per 7-Rental Day period; and/or 160 hours per 28- Rental Day period (zero hours for uncharged-for periods) and otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Contract. Additional Rent at our highest incremental rate will be charged for late returns and overuse. You will not be entitled to any cancellation right or reduction of Rent or other amounts coming due hereunder for time in transit, Act(s) of God, event(s) of force majeure or any other period(s) of nonuse. We have estimated the Rent based on your estimate of the length of the Term (the “Estimated Rent”). Unless otherwise agreed by Rural in writing, you agree: (a) to pay us: (i) the Estimated Rent specified on P.1 in advance of the Term (the “Prepayment”); and (ii) all other amounts coming due hereunder upon demand; and (b) that: (i) we may deduct any amount you owe us from any Prepayment; (ii) no interest will accrue on any Prepayment; (iii) no Prepayment will be deemed a limit of your liability to us; and (iv) all Prepayments are NON-REFUNDABLE. Anything remaining with, in or on any Rented Item(s) upon return will, at our option, be deemed abandoned.
3. You will ensure the Site is reasonably clean, safe, secure and fit for delivery and use of the Rented Item(s), to protect, properly maintain and care for each such Item at all times, to keep each such Item safely and securely stored and locked when not in use, and return each such Item to Rural on time at the end of the Term, complete, clean and free of contamination (including asbestos, beryllium, silica and pathogens), and otherwise in good order, condition and repair, properly serviced and maintained, and if applicable, full of the appropriate fuel, fluids and lubricants. If you fail to do so, in addition to any other amounts specified on P.1, you will promptly pay to Rural: (a) Rent as provided in § 2 until all such Item(s) have been returned or replaced as required; and (b) all costs and expenses we may incur in connection with such failure. You shall not, nor shall you permit anyone else to: (i) use any Rented Item while under the influence of any intoxicant(s) (including without limitation, CANNABIS, CANNABINOIDS, AND ALCOHOL, WHETHER OR NOT LEGAL) or to abuse, misuse, overuse, conceal, store with any third party, repair, modify or damage any Rented Item(s); (ii) violate any Instruction, insurance policy or warranty; (iii) expose any Rented Item(s) to any flammable, explosive, harmful or hazardous substance(s) or circumstance(s); (iv) disable, misuse or circumvent any safety equipment or device(s) in, on or with any Rented Item(s); or (v) take possession of or exercise control over any Rented Item(s), without our prior consent (in our sole and absolute discretion).
4. If we agree to deliver and/or retrieve any Item(s), you agree to: (a) pay our regular charge(s) therefor, and for all waiting time; (b) be present at the Site at the agreed time(s); and (c) ensure our personnel have full access to the Site. We will not be responsible for delay(s) caused by any acts or omissions of/by you, your agents, employees or contractors, or any other parties, including providers of other equipment or services (“Other Providers”) for which you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Rural Rentals, its agents, employees and contractors. If you are not present upon delivery or retrieval of any Item(s), you agree to accept the statements of our representatives and/or delivery personnel regarding the same (including status, condition, quality, utility, defects, and quantities of or with respect to the Item(s) and/or the Site).
5. Upon the earlier of your receipt, or the delivery to the Site, of the Rented Item(s) unless you thereupon reject it/them, you represent, warrant, acknowledge and agree that: (a) each Item: (i) is complete and in good order, condition and repair; (ii) is appropriate for your purposes and in all ways acceptable to you; and (iii) was selected (not based on any recommendation by us), carefully examined, counted and tested by you or your agent(s); and (b) you: (i) have carefully reviewed and fully understand all laws, rules, regulations, training, instructions, user manuals, maintenance requirements, and other information, if any, including all EPA, OSHA, MSHA, ASME, IBC, IFC, IEEE, UL, ASSP, DOT, FMCSA, IFTA, ANSI and other standards, applicable to the Item(s) (collectively, “Instructions”); (ii) will fully comply therewith (including Tier 4, Silica Dust, Ventilation, AWP/MEWP, training and familiarization, cleaning, and site assessment requirements ); (iii) have been made aware of the need to use all applicable personal protective equipment and safety devices (including RESPIRATORY and FALL PROTECTION); (iv) will use each Item only for its intended purpose, in a reasonable and safe and within its rated capacity; (v) will timely give all applicable notice(s) to, and obtain all applicable licenses, authorizations, permits and approvals from, all affected parties, including governmental authorities, utilities, cable companies and the owner(s) of the Site, and ensure that all underground lines, cables and conduits are clearly and properly marked before using any Item(s) to disturb the ground surface (see § 6 below); will ensure all children near (or in the case of inflatables, in) rented items are always supervised by a competent adult; (vi) will immediately cease using any Item that is contaminated, damaged, breaks down, or proves defective (a “Malfunction”); and (vii) will ensure that all others comply with this Contract. You agree to notify: (A) the police and Rural in the event of any theft or accident involving any Rented Item(s); and (B) Rural if any of the other requirements of this § 5 shall be breached or proven incorrect or misleading. 6. Excavating: You must provide notice to owners and operators of underground utilities or CATS facilities as required under the Illinois Underground Utility Facility Damage Prevention Act, 220 ILCS 50/1, et seq. (as amended, the “Act”) not less than 2 business days, nor more than 14 calendar days, prior to the start of any non-emergency excavation or demolition. For line locations, call 811 or JULIE at 1-800-892-0123 and go to www.illinois1call.com. Refer to the Act for more details.
6. In the event of a Malfunction (as defined in § 5), you will immediately notify Rural, and provided such Malfunction did not result from or in connection with: (a) any wrongful or negligent act or omission of/by you or anyone you permit to use or otherwise deal with any Rented Item; or (b) your breach of any provision of this Contract, Rural Rentals may, at its sole option: (i) repair the Malfunctioning Item; (b) provide you with a comparable item; or (c) solely with respect to the Malfunctioning Item, return the unused portion of the Rent and cancel this Contract. The foregoing remedies are EXCLUSIVE. Rural shall have no other obligation(s) regarding Malfunctions, all of which you hereby waive.
7. Rural owns and will retain title to all Rented Items at all times. You will have exclusive control over the Rented Item(s) during the Term; subject however, to your obligation to fully and timely comply with this Contract at all times. You SHALL NOT: (a) permit the taking or existence of any lien, claim, security interest or encumbrance on any Rented Item(s); (b) have any title or ownership interest in or with respect to any Rented Item(s); or (c) loan, share, transfer, sublease, store, surrender or assign any Rented Item(s) or this Contract, without our prior written consent (in our sole discretion). Rural may, from time to time, substitute Rented Item(s) and/or sell or assign all or any part of its interests in one or more Rented Item(s) and/or this Contract, in which event, you will attorn to the assignee, who will not be responsible for any pre-existing obligations or liabilities of Rural.
8. NO WARRANTIES. RURAL IS NOT THE MANUFACTURER OR DESIGNER of any of the Rented Item(s), all of which are provided “AS-IS”. RURAL MAKES NO WARRANTY(IES), EXPRESS OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING ANY AND ALL WARRANTY(IES) OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, FUNCTION, DESIGN, QUALITY, CAPACITY, FREEDOM FROM DEFECTS AND GOOD AND WORKMANLIKE PERFORMANCE, as well as any warranty(ies) arising from course of dealing, course of performance and/or usage of trade) regarding any Item(s) or Service(s) provided by or at the direction of Rural, nor does Rural make any warranty against INTERFERENCE OR INFRINGEMENT, all of which warranties you hereby waive. NO DESCRIPTIONS, SPECIFICATIONS OR ADVERTISEMENTS CONSTITUTE REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES BY RURAL.
9. WARNINGS: THE RENTED ITEM(S) CAN BE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE SERVICED, MAINTAINED, REPAIRED AND USED WITH EXTREME CARE, ONLY FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE(S), AND ONLY BY PROPERLY QUALIFIED, INSTRUCTED, TRAINED, FAMILIARIZED, AND IF APPLICABLE, LICENSED, ADULT USERS, OPERATORS AND OCCUPANTS. YOU AGREE TO PROVIDE ALL APPLICABLE FAMILIARIZATION, TRAINING, INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS TO ALL SUCH PARTIES, and ensure that each such Item is used, operated and occupied safely and only: (a) for its intended purpose(s); (b) within its rated capacity; (c) unless otherwise specifically agreed by Rural, at the Site; (d) by adults who satisfy the above requirements; and (e) otherwise in full compliance with this Contract and the Instructions, at all times.
10. INDEMNITY. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, YOU: (A) ASSUME ALL RISK OF PERSONAL AND BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS, PRODUCTS LIABILITY, LOSS, PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND CONTAMINATION OF, TO, AND/OR ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH, THE ITEM(S) AND/OR SERVICE(S) REFERENCED IN THIS CONTRACT, INCLUDING ALL LIABILITIES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) ARISING FROM AND/OR IN CONNEC- TION WITH THE SELECTION, PROVISION, INSPECTION, DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, USE, LOADING, UNLOADING, TRANSPORTATION, DEMONSTRATION, INSTALLATION, STORAGE, SERVICING, MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, DELIVERY AND/OR RETRIEVAL OF SUCH ITEM(S) AND/OR SERVICE(S), WHETHER OR NOT YOUR FAULT (COLLECTIVELY, “RISKS”); (B) RELEASE AND DISCHARGE, AND AGREE TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND AND HOLD HARMLESS, RURAL, its respective parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, and their respective owners, shareholders, members, managers, officers, directors, agents, employees, insurers, subrogees, representatives, successors and assigns (each, an “Indemnitee”), for, from and against all such RISKS, as well as all other liabilities, claims, damages, losses, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) arising from and/or in connection with the Rented Item(s), this Contract, our negligence, and/or your breach of any one or more of the terms hereof; and except only as provided in § 7, (C) WAIVE all rights, remedies and defenses available under the Uniform Commercial Code, as well as all direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, general, special, exemplary and punitive damages, against each and every Indemnitee.
11. You agree to maintain all insurance we may require, including: (a) liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence; (b) property damage/inland marine insurance covering all Items for the full (new) replacement cost thereof; (c) workers’ compensation insurance; and (d) for all vehicles and trailers included with or in the Rented Item(s): (i) hired auto liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000; (ii) hired auto physical damage insurance for actual cash value; and (iii) replacement cost contents insurance for all contents thereof. Such policies shall, whenever possible: (i) name Rural as an additional insured and loss payee; (ii) waive subrogation against us; (iii) be primary and non-contributory; and (iv) include such other provisions (including deductibles) as we may require. You irrevocably appoint Rural as your agent and attorney-in-fact for purposes of submitting, negotiating, and settling claims on all of the above referenced policies.
12. If and only if, we have offered, and you have paid for our OPTIONAL LIMITED DAMAGE WAIVER (“LDW”) (set forth on P.1, if available) in advance of the Term, you will have no liability to us for 80% of the first $10,000 of repair/replacement costs for physical damage to Item(s) covered by LDW (“Covered Item(s)”); provided however, that you will, remain fully liable for: (a) all loss of and damage to: (i) Item(s) not covered by LDW; (ii) Covered Item(s) lost or damaged during transportation and/or as a result of: (A) your breach of this Contract; (B) theft or other failure to timely return Covered Item(s) to us; (C) negligence, misuse and/or abuse of Rented Item(s) (including submerging, overturning and overloading); (iii) GPS and telematics systems, data, batteries, keys, glass, tires, tubes, tracks, fittings, belts, chains, knobs and hoses; (b) 20% of the first $10,000 of repair/ replacement costs for Covered Item(s); and (c) all repair and replacement costs exceeding $10,000 in the aggregate across all Covered Item(s). You may decline LDW if you provide the property/physical damage/inland marine insurance referenced in § 12. LDW IS NOT INSURANCE, NOR IS IT A WARRANTY.
13. You agree to fully and timely pay all taxes (including sales, use, and other taxes), tolls, fines, fees, assessments, and other charges related to each Item. If legal action is commenced in connection herewith, we will be entitled to recover our associated costs and expenses (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees) from you if we prevail. To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, you grant to Rural a lien on all real and personal property: (a) placed in or on; and/or (b) improved with, any Rented Item(s). We may, without notice or liability to you, monitor and/or inspect, in person and/or electronically (including via Telematics/GPS systems) any Rented Item(s) at any time. You consent thereto and agree that all information thereby obtained will be Rural’s property. If any performance required of us is delayed, impaired or rendered more costly as a result of any act or omission of/by you, any Other Provider(s) or any “Act of God,” event of force majeure (including fire, flood, storm, earthquake, tsunami, slide, collapse, subsidence, war, terrorism, power surge or outage, pandemic, epidemic and governmental and regulatory actions) or other events, facts or circumstances beyond our reasonable control, we will be excused from such performance. You waive all statutes of limitations regarding our rights and remedies. All amounts due hereunder but not timely paid will bear interest at the lesser of: (i) 18% per annum; or (ii) the highest rate permitted under applicable law until paid. You authorize us to charge all amounts coming due hereunder to any debit and/or credit card(s) you provide (up to 150% of the new replacement cost of the Item(s)). You agree to pay us the maximum lawful charge for any check you write which is returned unpaid. Our maximum liability in connection with this Contract is limited to the amount(s) actually paid by you and received by us hereunder for the Item(s) identified on P.1. Neither our exercise, nor our failure or delay in the exercise, of any rights or remedies available in connection herewith will constitute an election of remedies or a waiver of any of our rights or remedies. Time is of the essence. There are no third-party beneficiaries hereto other than the Indemnitees. The terms of this Contract are severable. If any provision hereof is deemed invalid or unenforceable by any court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction, such provision will be deleted, and the remainder (t)hereof will remain valid and enforceable. This Contract, and any addenda we provide, each of which shall be deemed incorporated herein, represent(s) the entire agreement between you and Rural, superseding all other agreements and representations (including our website and advertising) and cannot otherwise be amended or extended except in a writing signed by Rural. These Terms and Conditions apply to all Item(s) identified on P.1, and to all other Items you obtain from us at any time (except only as we may otherwise agree). You acknowledge that this Contract: (i) is a true operating lease, and not a financing; (ii) is fair and reasonable; and (iii) shall bind and be enforceable by you, Rural Equipment Rentals Inc., d/b/a “Rural Rentals” the other Indemnitees and their respective insurers, subrogees, successors and permitted assigns. Digital, electronic, photocopied and facsimiled signatures hereon will be deemed originals.
14. Any and all item(s) sold to you (“Sale Items”), as provided on P.1 are provided “AS-IS” and subject to the terms of this Contract (modified to address sales); provided that we will have no obligation to accept returns thereof. All item(s) not specifically identified as Sale Items on P.1 will be deemed “Rented Item(s)”.
15. Your rental shall be deemed a “net” rental. Accordingly, your duties hereunder are unconditional and shall not be subject to any reduction, setoff or counterclaim. If you or any guarantor shall: (a) fail to fully and timely honor, pay, perform or comply with this Contract, any other contract(s) with Rural, and/or any of your obligations (t)hereunder; (b) provide any incorrect or misleading information to us; (c) become insolvent; or (d) die or cease conducting business, or if any Rented Item(s) shall be lost or, unless covered by LDW per § 13, damaged, you will be in DEFAULT hereunder and thereunder, whereupon, Rural Rentals may, with or without legal process or notice (and without liability to you or any guarantor), to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law: (i) cancel the Term and/or the subject contract(s) (and/or your rights to use and possess the Rented Item(s)); (ii) seek relief from stay; (iii) recover, empty, lock, restrict, disassemble and/or disable any Item(s) without being guilty of breach, trespass or wrongful interference, or liable for any injuries or property damage, including without limitation, damage to crops, flora and/or fauna (for which you will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Indemnitee); (iv) perform your obligations (t)hereunder on your behalf, without being obligated to do so; (v) purchase replacement Item(s); (vi) recover from you and/or any guarantor our associated damages, losses, costs and expenses (including without limitation, Rent for the balance of the scheduled Term, overtime, loss of use, interest, attorneys’ fees, repossession costs, and collection costs); and/or (vii) pursue any one or more other rights and/or remedies available in connection (t)herewith, all of which shall be cumulative.
16. This Contract shall be governed by and enforceable under the laws of Illinois. Disputes arising in connection with this Contract and/or its subject matter, shall, at our option, be submitted to binding ARBITRATION in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association before a single arbitrator and in a location selected by Rural. Judgment on the arbitrator’s award shall be final and binding and may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Proper venue for all other civil legal actions commenced in connection herewith but not made subject to arbitration shall lie solely in the federal, state, and local courts located in or nearest to Christian County, IL (unless waived by Rural). You consent and submit thereto and waive all claims that such venue lies in an inconvenient forum. YOU HEREBY WAIVE YOUR RIGHTS TO: (A) PARTICIPATE IN ANY JOINT, COLLECTIVE OR CLASS ACTION AGAINST RURAL; AND (B) TRIAL BY JURY.
17. WARNING: Wrongfully obtaining property or the use thereof, available only for hire or failing to timely return such property may be deemed THEFT, RESULTING IN CIVIL LIABILITY AND/OR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. See 720 ILCS 5/16-1.1, 16-3 and 16A-3(h) and its/their successor provision(s) for details.

LESSEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT A LARGE-PRINT VERSION OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO LESSEE