Southern Drone Solutions – Rental Terms & Conditions

Each drone rental is governed by the following Terms and Conditions.

1. General

By renting equipment from Southern Drone Solutions, you acknowledge that you understand how to operate the product and any associated software. You agree that you are renting hardware only — not a help or training service.

You are responsible for testing the equipment and must report any faults as soon as they are discovered so appropriate action can be taken.

If technical assistance is required from Southern Drone Solutions staff outside basic operating guidance, Southern Drone Solutions reserves the right to invoice at $60 excl. GST per half hour.

Southern Drone Solutions may check device usage (including flight logs) to confirm the drone was used only for the agreed rental period. If the drone was used outside the agreed period, Southern Drone Solutions reserves the right to charge at the daily rate.

2. Bookings

A booking is not confirmed until:

• Full payment has been received, or

• You receive written confirmation from Southern Drone Solutions (typically by email).

3. Hire Period

You agree to return the drone and accessories within 1 business day before 12:00pm on the end date of the hire period.

If items are not returned within this time, Southern Drone Solutions reserves the right to continue charging late return fees until all rental items are returned. You agree that this is a fair method of compensating Southern Drone Solutions for disruption to other customers and normal business operations.

4. Late Return Fees

• For rental items valued under $3,000:
  $50 per day will be charged until returned.

• For rental items valued over $3,000:
  $100 per day will be charged until returned.

If equipment is hired but not used (e.g., unable to return on weekends or outside business hours), Southern Drone Solutions reserves the right to charge 25% of the daily rate for each day the equipment remains off-site and unused.

It is the renter’s responsibility to return equipment during business hours.

5. Security Deposit

A deposit may be required for each drone hired. This will be refunded to your nominated New Zealand bank account or credit card after all drones and accessories are safely returned.

6. Terms of Payment

All hire fees and bond must be fully paid before equipment is released.

Overdue payments may incur interest at commercial rates. Unpaid invoices may be referred to a debt collection agency 45 days after the due date.

7. Responsibility for Equipment

You are responsible for all drones and accessories from the time they are collected/delivered to you until they are received back by Southern Drone Solutions.

8. Damage to Equipment Due to Rain

You agree to pay for any repairs resulting from water damage caused by flying in or near rain or water. Moisture indicator stickers are used to confirm if water exposure has occurred.

9. Damage, Modifications & Repair

You agree to pay for repairs to any damage that is not considered normal wear and tear.

You must not attempt to modify or repair any equipment.

Southern Drone Solutions may continue to charge the daily hire rate for any drone or accessory under repair until all items are returned. This compensates for disruption to other customers and business operations.

10. Liability

You agree that Southern Drone Solutions is not liable for any damages (including direct, incidental, or consequential) or losses arising from the use of the equipment by any person during the rental period.

11. Operation

Only you, the renter, are permitted to operate the drone unless written permission is obtained from Southern Drone Solutions.

You agree to comply with all applicable aviation regulations, including but not limited to:
a. Flying only in daylight
b. Maintaining line of sight at all times
c. Not flying above 120 metres
d. Not flying within 4 km of an airport
e. Not flying over people, property, or land without consent

Drone operations in New Zealand are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under Part 101.
CAA Contact: +64 4 560 9400 | rpas@caa.govt.nz

12. Confiscation

If a drone is confiscated (e.g., by the CAA or NZ Police), you agree to immediately pay Southern Drone Solutions the full replacement value of the drone and accessories.

Ownership of confiscated equipment does not transfer to you. Southern Drone Solutions may, at its discretion, refund some or all of the payment if the equipment is returned.

13. Ownership of Equipment

Southern Drone Solutions retains ownership of all drones and accessories at all times.

14. Cancellation of Hire

Southern Drone Solutions reserves the right to cancel any hire at any time by providing written notice. Unused hire fees will be refunded pro-rata.

If the customer cancels a rental within 12 hours of the rental start time, or on the day of the rental, Southern Drone Solutions may charge 50% of the total rental value, even in cases of rain or adverse weather.

We aim to be as flexible as possible, but last-minute cancellations significantly impact scheduling and business operations.

15. Freight & Courier

You agree to pay for freight from Southern Drone Solutions’ Christchurch base to your nominated New Zealand address.

You are responsible for arranging and paying for return freight, unless Southern Drone Solutions supplies a pre-paid courier label.

You must use a fully-insured courier service and only the packaging provided by Southern Drone Solutions.

Southern Drone Solutions is not responsible for delays caused by courier networks or courier service providers.

You agree to pay for any damage to equipment caused during transport.