Terms and Conditions of Hire and Services

1. About Oxford Sound Hire

Oxford Sound Hire Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales under company number 13314237.

Email: hello@oxfordsoundhire.com

Telephone: +44 (0)1865 570440

Definitions

• “Oxford Sound Hire”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Oxford Sound Hire Ltd.
• “Customer”, “you” and “your” mean the person, company or organisation entering into the Contract.
• “Consumer” means an individual acting wholly or mainly outside their trade, business, craft or profession.
• “Business Customer” means a person or organisation acting for purposes relating to its trade, business, craft or profession.
• “Equipment” means all equipment, accessories, cables, cases, consumables and other items supplied on hire.
• “Services” means delivery, post-event collection, installation, operation, technical support, crewing, event production and any other services we agree to provide.
• “Booking Confirmation” means our written confirmation of the Equipment, Services, price, dates and booking details.
• “Hire Period” means the period beginning when the Equipment is delivered or otherwise placed under the Customer’s control and ending when it has been collected and accepted by us.
• “Contract” means the agreement incorporating the quotation, Booking Confirmation, invoice and these Terms.

2. Application of these Terms

1. These Terms apply to all quotations, bookings, hires and Services supplied by Oxford Sound Hire unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing.
2. Any special terms stated in a quotation or Booking Confirmation take priority where they directly conflict with these general Terms.
3. A Customer’s own purchase-order or standard terms do not apply unless we expressly accept them in writing.
4. Nothing in these Terms affects statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.
5. A person booking on behalf of a company, venue, organisation or another person confirms that they have authority to bind that party.

3. Quotations and Availability

1. Quotations are based on the information supplied by the Customer and are subject to Equipment, staffing and transport availability.
2. Unless stated otherwise, a quotation is valid for 14 calendar days but does not reserve Equipment, staff or an event date.
3. Equipment and dates remain available to other customers until the booking is confirmed and full payment has been received.
4. We may withdraw or revise a quotation before a Contract is formed where availability or supplier costs change, the scope changes, information was omitted or inaccurate, access or technical requirements differ, or an obvious pricing or description error occurred.
5. Images and descriptions are illustrative. We may make a reasonable substitution with substantially comparable functionality.

4. Formation and Confirmation of the Contract

1. A booking is confirmed only when:
   • you have accepted the quotation or order in writing or through our online booking system;
   • you have accepted these Terms;
   • we have received full payment in cleared funds; and
   • we have issued a written Booking Confirmation.
2. Payment alone does not require us to accept a booking where the requested Equipment, staff, dates or Services are unavailable. If we cannot accept the booking, we will refund the amount paid.
3. Telephone discussions and provisional arrangements are not binding unless confirmed in writing.
4. The Customer must check the Booking Confirmation and notify us promptly of any error.
5. Acceptance may also be demonstrated by making payment, accepting delivery of Equipment or allowing us to begin Services, provided these Terms were supplied or made available before the Contract was formed.

5. Prices

1. Prices are those stated in the accepted quotation or Booking Confirmation.
2. Unless expressly included, prices exclude parking, tolls, congestion or clean-air charges, venue permits, accommodation, additional journeys, waiting time, overtime, extra labour, licences, insurance, repair, cleaning, replacement and costs caused by inaccurate or incomplete Customer information.
3. VAT will be charged where applicable and shown on the invoice.
4. Where quantities, hours or costs can only be estimated, the Customer is responsible for properly incurred additional charges at stated rates or, if none were stated, reasonable prevailing rates.
5. We will not impose an optional additional charge on a Consumer unless the Consumer expressly agrees to it.

6. Payment

1. Unless alternative credit terms have been expressly agreed in writing, full payment is required when the booking is made.
2. Equipment, staff and dates are not secured until payment has cleared and we have issued the Booking Confirmation.
3. Where we agree to hold a provisional booking pending payment, we may release it if payment is not received by the stated deadline.
4. Bookings made fewer than seven calendar days before delivery, installation or the beginning of the Hire Period must be paid immediately.
5. Equipment will not be delivered or installed and Services will not begin until all sums due have been paid.
6. Payments must be made without deduction, counterclaim or set-off except where the law permits otherwise.
7. Bank payments must use the invoice number as the reference.
8. Customers should independently verify any communication purporting to change our bank details.
9. Payment is received only when cleared into our account.
10. If a card payment is reversed or charged back without valid grounds, the Customer remains liable for the amount and reasonable direct response costs.

7. Business Customer Late Payment

This section applies only to Business Customers.

1. Where payment is late under agreed credit terms, we may claim statutory interest, fixed compensation and reasonable recovery costs under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 and associated regulations.
2. We may suspend further deliveries, Services or credit until outstanding sums are paid.

8. Security Deposits and Card Authorisations

1. We may require a refundable security deposit or card pre-authorisation where stated in the quotation or Booking Confirmation.
2. It may be applied against missing or unrecovered Equipment, damage beyond fair wear and tear, specialist cleaning, late-collection charges, unauthorised extensions, missing accessories and reasonable recovery costs.
3. We will explain any deduction.
4. Any undisputed balance will normally be released or refunded within 14 calendar days after post-event collection and reasonable inspection.
5. Where further technical testing is genuinely necessary, we may retain the deposit or authorisation for a reasonable inspection period.
6. A security deposit does not cap the Customer’s liability.

9. Customer Cancellation

1. Cancellations must be made in writing by email to hello@oxfordsoundhire.com.
2. The cancellation takes effect when we receive the email.

Free cancellation period

3. Where we receive written notice at least seven calendar days before the earliest scheduled delivery, installation, crew call or beginning of the Hire Period, the Customer may cancel without a cancellation charge.
4. Payments received will be refunded except for Services already supplied at the Customer’s request, agreed bespoke work already completed, non-returnable goods specifically obtained with prior agreement, and third-party costs clearly identified as non-cancellable before booking and which cannot reasonably be recovered.

Cancellation within seven days

5. Where cancellation occurs fewer than seven calendar days before the relevant start time, the Customer is responsible for our reasonable direct losses caused by the cancellation.
6. These may include reasonable preparation, transport, non-refundable accommodation, staff or subcontractor cancellation charges, specially sourced Equipment or goods, permits and lost hire income where the reserved resources cannot reasonably be rebooked.
7. Any amount retained or charged will reflect our anticipated or actual loss, take account of costs saved and replacement bookings, avoid double recovery and not exceed the total booking price.
8. We will take reasonable steps to reduce our losses where practicable.
9. If our losses are lower than the sum paid, we will refund the balance. If they are higher, we may invoice the difference up to the total booking price.
10. Failure to attend, provide access or accept delivery may be treated as cancellation on the day.
11. Non-payment is not valid cancellation.

10. Consumer Cancellation Rights

1. The contractual cancellation policy is additional to mandatory statutory Consumer rights.
2. Some contracts for leisure activities on a specified date or period may be excluded from the usual statutory 14-day cooling-off right.
3. Where a statutory cooling-off right applies, we will provide the legally required information.
4. If a Consumer asks us to begin Services during a statutory cancellation period, they expressly request early performance.
5. If the Consumer then validly cancels after performance has begun, they may have to pay a proportionate amount for Services supplied, where permitted by law.
6. Where Services are fully performed following the Consumer’s express request and acknowledgement, the Consumer may lose the statutory cancellation right where the law permits.
7. Nothing limits the more favourable free cancellation right in section 9.

11. Changes to a Booking

1. Requests to change Equipment, dates, venue, timing, staffing or scope must be made in writing.
2. Changes are subject to availability and are agreed only when confirmed by us in writing.
3. We may revise the price where a change creates additional Equipment, staffing, preparation, transport, accommodation, licensing or operational costs.
4. A reduction in scope may be treated as partial cancellation under section 9.
5. A change request does not postpone payment obligations unless agreed in writing.

12. Postponement

1. A postponement is treated as cancellation of the original date unless we agree in writing to transfer the booking.
2. We may transfer payments where the new date is available, the booking remains substantially similar, it occurs within an agreed period and the Customer pays additional costs.
3. Unrecoverable costs for the original date remain payable.
4. Current prices may apply where the replacement date, scope or supplier costs differ.
5. A booking may normally be transferred only once unless agreed otherwise.

13. Cancellation or Suspension by Oxford Sound Hire

1. We may cancel or suspend where the Customer fails to pay, provides materially inaccurate information, fails to provide required access or safety arrangements, proposes unlawful or unsafe use, seriously breaches the Contract, exposes staff to abuse or danger, puts Equipment at material risk, or performance is prevented beyond our reasonable control.
2. Except where immediate action is reasonably necessary, we will seek to give reasonable notice and an opportunity to remedy the issue.
3. If cancellation results from the Customer’s breach, reasonable losses are calculated under section 9.
4. If we cancel for reasons within our responsibility and the Customer is not at fault, we will refund amounts paid for Equipment or Services not supplied.
5. Where practicable, we may offer comparable replacement Equipment, staff, timing or a replacement date. The Customer need not accept a materially different alternative.

14. Hire Period, Risk and Ownership

1. The Hire Period begins when the Equipment is delivered, left at the agreed location or otherwise placed under the Customer’s possession or control.
2. It ends when all Equipment has been collected and accepted by us.
3. Risk of loss, theft or damage passes to the Customer during the Hire Period except to the extent caused by our negligence or breach.
4. Where our staff retain exclusive custody and control, responsibility will be allocated according to the circumstances and each party’s acts or omissions.
5. Equipment remains our property at all times.
6. The Customer acquires no ownership or proprietary right.

15. Customer Responsibilities

The Customer must:

• use Equipment only for the agreed purpose and follow all instructions;
• ensure operation only by competent persons;
• keep Equipment secure and appropriately supervised;
• protect it from theft, vandalism, liquids, weather, smoke, dust, heat and other hazards;
• use suitable power supplies and connections;
• not overload, modify, open, repair or dismantle it;
• not remove labels, serial numbers or tracking devices;
• stop using unsafe or faulty Equipment and report issues immediately;
• comply with applicable law, venue rules and licence conditions; and
• keep all Equipment and accessories ready and available for collection by us at the agreed time and place.

Equipment must not be sold, pledged, sub-hired, lent, transferred, taken outside the United Kingdom, removed from the agreed venue or used by another organisation without our written permission.

The Customer is responsible for the acts and omissions of employees, contractors, performers, guests, attendees and representatives who use, handle, move or interfere with the Equipment.

16. Inspection and Condition

1. We inspect and test Equipment before delivery so far as reasonably practicable.
2. The Customer must inspect it on delivery and promptly report visible damage, missing items, incorrect quantities or apparent faults.
3. For same-day or short hires, issues must be reported immediately and before use wherever practicable.
4. Failure to report an obvious issue promptly may make it harder to establish that it existed beforehand but does not remove statutory rights.
5. We may record condition, serial numbers and included accessories through photographs, video, checklists or electronic records.

17. Faults and Breakdowns

1. The Customer must contact us immediately if Equipment fails or appears unsafe and must not attempt repairs unless authorised.
2. We will provide reasonable support and, where proportionate and practicable, may repair, replace, provide an alternative, refund or reduce the price.
3. The remedy depends on the nature and duration of the issue, its importance, availability, location, timing, prompt reporting and cause.
4. We are not responsible for faults caused by improper operation, unauthorised adjustment, incompatible third-party equipment, unsuitable power, weather or liquid exposure, radio interference outside our reasonable control, venue network failure or failure to follow instructions.
5. This section is subject to statutory rights.

18. Loss, Theft and Damage

1. The Customer is responsible for reasonable repair, cleaning and replacement costs arising from loss, theft, damage, neglect, misuse, liquid or weather exposure, unauthorised alteration, improper storage, missing parts or failure to make Equipment available for collection by us.
2. The Customer is not responsible for fair wear and tear, inherent defects or damage caused by our negligence.
3. Lost, destroyed, stolen or uneconomic-to-repair Equipment may be charged at the reasonable current cost of the same or materially equivalent replacement.
4. Charges may include reasonable delivery, configuration, programming, calibration, case, manufacturer, import and directly resulting hire-loss costs.
5. We will not charge repair and full replacement for the same loss.
6. The Customer must immediately notify us and the police following theft or suspected criminal damage and provide the crime reference number.

19. Insurance

1. Unless expressly stated otherwise, we do not insure the Customer’s responsibility for Equipment during the Hire Period.
2. The Customer should arrange suitable cover for hired-in equipment, accidental damage, theft, loss, malicious damage, public liability and event risks.
3. Business Customers may be required to provide evidence of insurance.
4. Insurance recommendations are general only; the Customer must confirm the adequacy of cover.
5. The Customer remains contractually responsible whether or not an insurer accepts a claim.

20. Cleaning

1. Equipment must be reasonably clean when made available for collection by us.
2. Additional charges may apply for mud, food or drink, adhesives, paint, confetti, smoke-fluid residue, wax, bodily fluids, excessive dust, animal contamination or other specialist cleaning.
3. Charges reflect reasonable labour, materials, treatment and resulting loss of availability.
4. Normal light cleaning from ordinary use is included unless stated otherwise.

21. Overdue Equipment and Unauthorised Extensions

1. Equipment must be ready and available for collection by us at the agreed date, time and location.
2. An extension is valid only when confirmed by us in writing.
3. Extension requests should be made as early as possible and preferably at least 12 hours before the agreed collection time.
4. Continued possession does not grant an extension.
5. Failure to make Equipment available at the agreed collection time may incur additional hire, attendance, collection, staff, transport, replacement-booking loss and reasonable recovery costs.
6. Additional hire is normally charged at the applicable daily or stated rate.
7. We will avoid recovering twice for the same loss.
8. We may take reasonable lawful steps to recover overdue Equipment.

22. Delivery, Handover and Post-Event Collection

1. Equipment will be delivered to and collected from the address stated in the Booking Confirmation unless we expressly agree otherwise in writing.
2. The Customer must ensure that an authorised adult aged 18 or over is available at the agreed times to accept the Equipment, complete any necessary handover and provide access for its later collection.
3. Equipment will not be delivered until payment, identification and security requirements are satisfied.
4. The Customer must provide accurate delivery and collection information, together with suitable parking, loading access and a clear route to and from the agreed location.
5. The Customer must keep the Equipment secure and protected until it has been collected by us.

23. Identification and Fraud Prevention

1. Before confirming a booking, delivering Equipment or beginning Services, we may require valid photographic identification, recent proof of address, confirmation of the payment card used, company identification, account-holder confirmation or other reasonable verification.
2. Equipment will not be delivered if identity cannot be satisfactorily verified.
3. We may copy or record identification for verification, fraud prevention, contract administration, insurance, debt recovery and property protection.
4. Identification information is handled under our Privacy Notice and retained only as long as reasonably necessary.
5. We may refuse or cancel a booking where we reasonably suspect fraud, identity misuse or unlawful activity.

24. Missed Delivery and Post-Event Collection Appointments

1. The Customer must notify us promptly if the agreed address will not be accessible or an authorised person will not be available at the confirmed time.
2. A failed delivery or collection may incur a £30 rebooking or additional attendance fee where further staffing, travel or administration costs arise.
3. If a delay exceeds 20 minutes and our team can wait, waiting may instead be charged at £30 for each period of up to 20 minutes.
4. We will not charge both fees for the same period unless genuinely separate costs arise.
5. Failure to make Equipment available for collection may also incur charges under section 21.

25. Delivery and Post-Event Collection Access

1. The Customer must provide accurate access and venue information.
2. Unless agreed otherwise, the Customer must arrange lawful parking or loading, the nearest suitable entrance, parking within approximately 20 metres, clear routes, working lifts, permissions, codes and a responsible on-site contact.
3. The Customer must disclose stairs, long carries, narrow routes, loading restrictions, soft ground, parking restrictions and other relevant conditions.
4. Additional labour, vehicle or time charges may apply where actual access materially differs.
5. The Customer is responsible for parking, permits, congestion, tolls and similar charges unless included.
6. If access is unavailable, the venue is unprepared or the contact is absent, waiting is charged at £30 per period of up to 20 minutes.
7. We may leave and charge for a return visit where continued waiting would disrupt other work or breach restrictions.

26. University of Oxford Buildings

The Customer must inform lodge, porters, security and venue staff; arrange vehicle and gate access; confirm entrances, parking, loading, lifts and room access; and provide required contacts. We are not responsible for delays caused by arrangements the Customer or venue failed to make.

27. Setup Location and Movement after Installation

1. The installation position will be agreed before setup.
2. The Customer must confirm that the location is authorised and suitable.
3. After installation begins, Equipment must not be moved, disconnected or reconfigured without permission.
4. Relocation or substantial reconfiguration may be charged as an additional installation visit.
5. We are not responsible for issues caused by later interference, but remain responsible for negligent installation.

28. Venue, Utilities and Technical Information

1. The Customer must provide accurate information about the venue, audience, event, schedule, access, sound limits, power, internet, rigging, staging, weather exposure and venue rules.
2. Unless included, the Customer is responsible for approvals, permissions and licences.
3. The Customer must provide suitable, safe and adequately rated electrical supplies.
4. We may refuse an unsafe, unstable, overloaded or inadequately protected supply.
5. Internet, mobile and venue-network performance depends on third-party services outside our control.
6. Sound limiters, curfews and noise restrictions must be disclosed before booking.

29. Health and Safety

1. Both parties must comply with applicable health and safety duties.
2. The Customer is responsible for the general safety and suitability of the venue and event under its control.
3. The Customer must provide safe access, clear emergency exits, suitable cable and stand positions, adequate crowd management, ventilation, structural safety, supervision and disclosure of known hazards.
4. We may stop work, isolate Equipment or refuse operation where we reasonably identify material risk.
5. Delay or cancellation caused by the Customer’s or venue’s safety failure is treated as Customer-caused.
6. Our staff cannot be required to work beyond the agreed scope or their competence.

30. Outdoor Events and Weather

1. The Customer must disclose outdoor or temporary-structure use before booking.
2. Unless expressly approved, indoor Equipment must not be exposed to rain, condensation, standing water, excessive humidity, mud, high wind, intense heat or unsuitable conditions.
3. The Customer must provide suitable weatherproof cover, stable flooring and safe power.
4. Improvised cover may be insufficient.
5. Oxford Sound Hire has the final decision on safe operation of its Equipment and staff.
6. We may delay, isolate, de-rig or cease operation where conditions are unsafe.
7. The Customer should provide an indoor or weatherproof contingency.
8. Customer weather cancellation or postponement is governed by sections 9 and 12 unless special terms apply.
9. Events genuinely beyond either party’s reasonable control are governed by section 39.

31. Wireless Microphones and Radio Frequencies

1. The Customer must accurately state the number and type of wireless systems required.
2. Unless included, the Customer is responsible for required licences or authorisations.
3. The Customer must not retune or reprogram wireless Equipment outside approved settings.
4. Wireless performance can be affected by other users, networks, venue infrastructure, congestion and obstructions.
5. We exercise reasonable care in frequency planning where included but cannot guarantee an interference-free environment outside our control.
6. The Customer must disclose other wireless systems intended for use.

32. Smoke, Haze and Special Effects

1. The Customer must obtain venue permission for smoke, haze, fog, bubbles, snow, confetti or similar effects.
2. The Customer must arrange any required alarm isolation, monitoring or approval.
3. We will not operate effects without appropriate permission and safety arrangements.
4. The Customer is responsible for false-alarm, evacuation or venue charges caused by unauthorised or undisclosed use except where caused by our negligence.
5. Consumables are charged as quoted.

33. Staff, Technicians and Operators

1. Duties, call times and anticipated hours will be stated in the quotation or Booking Confirmation.
2. Staff time begins at the call time and ends after agreed duties and safe pack-down.
3. Additional time caused by access delays, programme overruns, performers, venue clearance, restricted loading, Customer requests or other suppliers may be charged at stated or reasonable prevailing rates.
4. The Customer must provide reasonable breaks, drinking water and welfare facilities.
5. Long calls may require meals or an agreed allowance.
6. Accommodation may be required where working and travel hours make same-day travel unsafe or unreasonable.
7. Staff may refuse unsafe, unlawful, technically inappropriate or out-of-scope instructions.
8. The Customer must provide an environment free from violence, threats, harassment, discrimination and abuse.
9. We may withdraw staff from an unsafe or abusive environment without being in breach.

34. Freelancers, Subcontractors and Third-Party Suppliers

1. We may use suitably qualified staff, freelancers, subcontractors, carriers and suppliers.
2. We remain responsible for Services we contract to provide, subject to these Terms.
3. The Customer is responsible for properly disclosed, unrecoverable third-party costs resulting from a Customer cancellation or change.
4. We will not impose an undisclosed additional charge on a Consumer without agreement.

35. Customer-Provided and Third-Party Equipment

1. We are not responsible for the condition, compatibility or safety of equipment supplied by the Customer, venue, performer or another contractor.
2. We may refuse to connect or operate unsafe, defective, incompatible or undocumented equipment.
3. The Customer must have permission to use third-party equipment and content.
4. We are not liable for damage to third-party equipment unless caused by our failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.
5. Additional troubleshooting outside scope may be charged.

36. Recordings, Media and Intellectual Property

1. The Customer must obtain permissions, releases and licences to record, reproduce, stream, broadcast or play content.
2. Unless recording is included, we do not guarantee that an event will be recorded or that third-party recordings will succeed.
3. Recording Services are subject to agreed system and venue limitations.
4. We retain ownership of pre-existing documents, system designs, templates, configuration files, tools and technical methods.
5. The Customer receives agreed rights to final deliverables after payment, subject to any licence terms.
6. We will not publish identifiable event media or confidential information for marketing without an appropriate lawful basis or permission.

37. Tracking Technology

1. We may fit high-value Equipment with AirTags or similar devices to locate overdue, missing, lost, stolen or unlawfully retained company property.
2. The devices are attached to our property and are not intended for routine monitoring of customers.
3. Location information is accessed only where reasonably necessary for recovery, insurance, legal process or crime reporting.
4. Access is restricted to authorised personnel using secured accounts.
5. We do not export or retain location information longer than reasonably necessary.
6. The Customer acknowledges that certain Equipment may contain a tracker.
7. The Customer must not remove, damage, disable, block or interfere with it.
8. Further information appears in our Privacy Notice.

38. Data Protection

1. We process personal information under applicable data-protection law and our Privacy Notice.
2. Purposes may include quotations, bookings, payment, delivery, identity verification, fraud and theft prevention, Equipment recovery, customer service, insurance, compliance and debt recovery.
3. The Customer must lawfully provide information about venue contacts, staff, performers or representatives.
4. Where attendee or participant information is supplied, the parties will cooperate to establish their respective responsibilities where necessary.

39. Events Beyond Reasonable Control

1. Neither party is responsible for delay or failure caused by severe weather, flood, fire, epidemic, government restriction, civil disturbance, terrorism, road closure, major transport disruption, widespread utility failure, venue closure, external industrial action, national network failure or a comparable event beyond reasonable control.
2. The affected party must notify the other, mitigate the effect and resume performance where reasonably possible.
3. This does not include an event reasonably preventable through proper planning, maintenance, staffing or compliance.
4. If we cannot supply part of a booking, the Customer will receive a refund for unsupplied Equipment or Services, less Services supplied and reasonable non-recoverable booking-specific costs where permitted by law.
5. The parties may instead agree a replacement date.
6. A Consumer is not required to accept credit or rescheduling where legally entitled to a refund.

40. Liability

1. Nothing excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, mandatory product liability, statutory rights that cannot be excluded, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be limited.
2. We are responsible for reasonably foreseeable loss or damage caused by our breach or failure to exercise reasonable care and skill.
3. We are not responsible for loss caused by Customer misuse, unauthorised movement or reconfiguration, failure to follow instructions, unsuitable venue conditions, unsafe power, incompatible third-party equipment, inaccurate Customer information, third parties outside our reasonable control, or events beyond reasonable control.

Consumers

4. Where a Consumer hires for private use, we are not responsible for business losses including profit, revenue, opportunity or business interruption.
5. Nothing affects Consumer statutory rights.

Business Customers

6. Subject to the non-excludable liabilities above, we are not liable for loss of profit, revenue, business, opportunity, anticipated savings, goodwill, or indirect or consequential loss.
7. Subject to the same exceptions, our aggregate liability is limited to the greater of the total amount paid or payable under the Contract or the amount recoverable under our relevant insurance policy, unless another cap is agreed.
8. The cap does not apply where it would be unlawful or unreasonable.

41. Business Customer Indemnity

This section applies only to Business Customers.

The Business Customer will indemnify us against reasonable losses, liabilities and costs arising from unlawful Equipment use, third-party intellectual-property infringement in Customer-supplied content, breach of venue or licensing duties, negligence or misuse, inaccurate instructions, or Customer/third-party equipment, except to the extent caused by our negligence or breach.

42. Recovery of Equipment

1. Where Equipment is overdue, at risk, unlawfully retained or subject to serious breach, we may require immediate access to recover it.
2. The Customer must provide reasonable access for recovery.
3. We will not enter private premises without permission or lawful authority.
4. We may report suspected theft or fraud to police, insurers, payment providers or appropriate authorities.
5. The Customer is responsible for reasonable recovery costs caused by their breach.

43. Complaints

1. Concerns should be reported promptly so we can investigate and, where practicable, correct them.
2. Email complaints to hello@oxfordsoundhire.com with the booking or invoice number, event date, issue, evidence and desired outcome.
3. We will acknowledge and investigate within a reasonable period.
4. Faults during the Hire Period should be reported immediately.
5. Nothing restricts statutory rights or applicable legal time limits.

44. Notices

1. Cancellation, postponement, breach and termination notices must be in writing.
2. Email is acceptable when sent to the most recently notified address.
3. A notice is treated as received on hand delivery, carrier-confirmed recorded delivery, or entry into the recipient’s email server unless a failure notice is received.
4. This does not govern formal service of court proceedings.

45. Assignment and Subcontracting

1. The Customer may not transfer the Contract without written agreement.
2. We may transfer it as part of a genuine business sale or restructuring provided Consumer rights are not reduced.
3. We may subcontract while remaining responsible for our contractual obligations.

46. Third-Party Rights

A person who is not a party to the Contract has no right to enforce it under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, without affecting independently existing rights.

47. Severability

If any provision is unlawful or unenforceable, it will be removed or modified only to the minimum necessary extent. The remaining provisions continue in effect.

48. Waiver

A delay or failure to enforce a right does not waive it. A waiver must be clearly given and applies only to the specific circumstances.

49. Entire Agreement

1. The Contract is the entire agreement concerning the booking.
2. A Business Customer acknowledges that it has not relied on an unrecorded statement, without excluding fraud.
3. This does not restrict Consumer statutory rights or responsibility for legally actionable misleading statements.

50. Changes to these Terms

1. The version supplied or available when the Contract is formed applies to that Contract.
2. We may update these Terms for future bookings.
3. We will not materially alter an existing Contract without agreement, except where legally required and not materially disadvantageous.

51. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

1. These Terms and the Contract are governed by the law of England and Wales.
2. Business Customers submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
3. A Consumer elsewhere in the United Kingdom may bring proceedings in their home jurisdiction where mandatory law permits.

52. Acceptance

By confirming a booking, making payment, accepting delivery of Equipment or allowing Oxford Sound Hire to begin Services, the Customer confirms acceptance of these Terms, provided they were supplied or made available before the Contract was formed.