Skip Hire Terms and Conditions

OB Skips & Recycling Ltd – Terms and Conditions of Hire

Definitions

• In these Terms and Conditions:
  • “Owner” means OB Skips & Recycling Ltd.
  • “Hirer” means the person or company using the services of the Owner in respect to the hire of skips, disposal of contents, or material delivery, including any third-party booking service making a booking on behalf of a customer. The Hirer is responsible for ensuring that any person acting on their behalf on-site (e.g., end customer or site manager) complies with these Terms and Conditions.
  • “Vehicle” means the vehicle delivering or collecting the skip.
  • “Driver” means the individual operating the Vehicle.
  • “Site” means the place where the skip is deposited on the direction of the Hirer or their agent.
• These Terms and Conditions apply to all contracts for skip hire, waste disposal, or material delivery with the Owner. The booking, instruction to deliver, or use of the skip (including placing any object in it) by the Hirer or anyone acting on their behalf, whichever is earliest, indicates acceptance of these conditions.
• The Owner may collect the skip without notice if these terms are breached.
• No signature is required on delivery or collection documentation for these terms to apply.
• These terms may not be altered unless authorized in writing by the Owner.

General

• The Owner will use reasonable efforts to meet the Hirer’s requirements but is not liable for delays, failures, or losses due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including labour disputes, accidents, service failures, equipment breakdowns, fire, flood, acts of God, or the Hirer’s actions or neglect.
• The Hirer’s attention is drawn to the limitations of liability in clauses 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the Skip Hire section.
• When a booking is made through a third-party booking service, the third-party booker is considered the Hirer and is responsible for complying with all obligations under these Terms and Conditions, including ensuring that any person acting on their behalf on-site (e.g., end customer or site manager) complies with requirements for skip placement, permissions, and safety. The Owner is not responsible for pricing or additional fees set by third-party booking services. For the best rates and to ensure compliance, book directly with OB Skips & Recycling Ltd.
• This document (plus any written amendments) is the complete agreement and supersedes prior representations. If any provision is invalid, the remainder remains enforceable.
• All claims must be made within 30 days of the event.
• The Owner may revise terms, fees, and compliance requirements to reflect new regulations, effective upon notice or publication. The version in effect at hire governs.

Skip Hire

1. Skip Placement
   1.1. Skips will be delivered to the nearest accessible point on the public highway unless otherwise directed by the Hirer.
   1.2. If the Hirer or their agent directs the Driver to deposit or pick up a skip on a Site off the public highway, including on driveways, private land, or surfaces such as block paving, slabbed driveways, soft ground, or unlevel ground, the Hirer accepts full responsibility for any damage to the property or surface caused by the skip’s placement, delivery, or removal. Such placement is at the Hirer’s sole risk and is not recommended due to the potential for damage.
   1.3. The Hirer is advised to protect paving slabs, manhole covers, and other protective or superficial covers, as the Owner does not provide protective boards.
   1.4. Drivers are instructed not to drive over footpaths, drives, grass verges, or other soft or landscaped ground. If the Hirer or their agent directs the Driver to do so and damage occurs (except for death or personal injury due to the Owner’s negligence), the Owner is not liable, and the Hirer is responsible for any damage to the Vehicle, skip, or third-party property.
   1.5. Vehicle access requirements: minimum entrance width of 3.1m, height of 3.9m, surface capable of withstanding 32 tonnes, and adequate turning/manoeuvring space. The Hirer is responsible for any damage caused by inadequate access. The Hirer or their agent shall direct the Driver where to deposit or collect the skip, and the Driver acts as the Hirer’s agent for this purpose.
2. Delivery Over Obstacles
   2.1. Drivers are instructed not to lift skips over walls, fences, or other barriers or obstructions, nor to place skips onto raised embankments.
   2.2. If the Hirer or their agent directs the Driver to lift a skip over any barrier or obstruction or to place it on a raised embankment, the Hirer accepts full responsibility for any damage to the barrier, obstruction, property, Vehicle, or skip caused by this action. Such delivery is at the Hirer’s sole risk and is not recommended due to the potential for damage. The Owner is not liable for any damage caused (except for death or personal injury due to the Owner’s negligence), and the Hirer will compensate the Owner for any damage to the Vehicle or skip.
3. Skip Permits and Highway Use
   3.1. The Hirer shall ensure that all permissions required before the skip can lawfully be deposited on the Site, other than skip permits under the Highways Act 1980 for placement on a public highway or in a Controlled Parking Zone (e.g., yellow lines, pay-and-display bays), such as permissions for placement on private land (e.g., landowner consent), have been obtained before directing the Driver to deposit the skip. The Owner will arrange all skip permits for public highways, with the cost of the initial 7-day permit included in the hire agreement and payable by the Hirer at booking.
   3.2. Permits are valid for 7 days. The Hirer must contact the Owner to request permit extensions if the skip is kept beyond 7 days or to arrange collection before the 7th day. The Owner will arrange permit renewals, with the Hirer responsible for paying the additional permit costs. Failure to notify the Owner or pay for renewals may result in the Owner collecting the skip to avoid permit violations, and the Hirer will be responsible for any additional charges, penalties, or costs incurred.
   3.3. For skips on a public highway, the Owner will provide a skip light attached to the skip. The Hirer must:

• Ensure the skip is adequately lit from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, ensuring the skip light is operational and reporting any issues to the Owner immediately.
• Guard the skip with four traffic cones in an oblique line.
• Keep the highway clean and free from debris.
  3.4. Failure to comply with safety requirements (e.g., lighting, markings, cones) may result in fines of £1,000 or more, for which the Hirer is responsible.

4. Rental Period and Collection
   4.1. The standard hire period is 7 days unless otherwise agreed. The Hirer must notify the Owner when the skip is ready for collection. Failure to do so may result in unannounced collection and/or additional rental charges.
   4.2. Extensions require prior agreement and may incur additional fees. The Owner aims to collect skips within the agreed timeframe but may require an additional 1-2 days during busy periods. For urgent collections, the Hirer must notify the Owner in advance.
   4.3. The Owner may collect a fully loaded skip before the hire period ends or reposition/remove it if required by a highway authority or constable under section 140 of the Highways Act 1980.
5. Payment Terms
   5.1. Non-account customers: Payment is due prior to or on delivery unless otherwise agreed. Skips will not be collected until payment is received in full. All charges include VAT at the applicable rate.
   5.2. Account customers: Payment is due within 30 days from the end of the month of service, subject to approved credit accounts. Overdue payments may incur interest at 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate, plus recovery costs. The Owner may withhold collection or cancel orders for overdue accounts. The Hirer shall under no circumstances be entitled to withhold payment.
   5.3. The Owner reserves the right to require payment before delivery if the Hirer’s credit is unsatisfactory or payments are overdue.
6. Hirer Responsibilities
   6.1. From delivery until collection, the Hirer must:

• Ensure the skip is placed safely and in accordance with any permits arranged by the Owner, as the skip becomes the Hirer’s responsibility upon delivery.
• Not set fires in or near the skip. The Hirer is liable for damage caused by fire, accident, or mechanical excavators.
• Not overload the skip. Skips must be filled level to the top, with no waste extending above the skip’s sides. The Owner may weigh skips upon collection, and the Hirer is responsible for overweight disposal costs. Overloaded skips will not be collected, and the Hirer is responsible for removing excess waste or incurring additional charges, including wasted journey costs.
• Not board up, move, or tamper with the skip’s identification marks without the Owner’s consent, or unless directed by a highway authority or constable under section 140 of the Highways Act 1980.
• Notify the Owner when the skip is ready for collection and report any accidents or damage to the skip immediately.
• For drop door skips, use the door safely and assume full responsibility for any accidents or injuries caused by improper use.
• Ensure the skip remains at the Site until collected. If a skip is removed without consent, the Hirer will be charged its full replacement value.
  6.2. The Hirer warrants compliance with all applicable legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Waste Regulations, Highways Act 1980, and local bylaws, and must accurately describe waste at booking.

7. Waste Restrictions and Unauthorized Waste
   7.1. The following items are prohibited in skips unless prior arrangement is made with the Owner (subject to additional charges):

• Aerosols
• Asbestos
• Batteries
• Chemicals
• Clinical waste
• Compressed canisters
• Food waste
• Fridges/freezers
• Gas bottles
• General household waste (black bin bags)
• Hazardous materials
• Human/animal waste
• Liquids, toxic waste
• Tyres
• WEEE electrical items
• Wet paint tins
• Upholstered items (with textile or foam upholstery)
• Wood waste from construction/demolition of buildings constructed pre-2007
• Mattresses
• Plasterboard
• Roof sheets with insulation foam
• Special waste (as defined in Section 20 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990)
• Rubber
• Roofing felt
• Bird droppings
• Artificial grass/astro turf
• Plastic flooring
  7.2. Non-recyclable materials (e.g., rubber, roofing felt, mattresses, bird droppings, artificial grass/astro turf, plastic flooring) will incur additional charges, calculated by weight (minimum 1 tonne). The Hirer shall indemnify the Owner for any surcharges or costs incurred due to the disposal of prohibited or hazardous waste.
  7.3. Skips containing prohibited items will not be collected until such items are removed by the Hirer. If unauthorized waste is found, the Owner will:
• Record the waste’s details, quantities, and any contamination caused by unauthorized waste.
• Notify the Hirer (and, if applicable, any third-party waste producer or transporter) and, if necessary, the Environment Agency.
• Offer the Hirer 7 days to remove the waste, subject to payment of a minimum £100 (plus VAT) for non-hazardous waste or £250 (plus VAT) for hazardous waste, plus administrative and storage fees.
• Return uncollected waste to the origin site, with the Hirer’s consent (via acceptance of these terms).
• Charge a £10 administration fee per reminder sent.
• Pursue civil action against the Hirer or any third-party waste producer/transporter for costs or enforcement actions by the Environment Agency.
  7.4. Waste becomes the Owner’s property upon acceptance of the transfer note, except for unauthorized waste, which remains the responsibility of the Hirer or, if applicable, any third-party waste producer or transporter involved.

8. Waste Separation and Compliance with Regulations
   8.1. The Hirer must ensure all waste placed in the skip complies with UK regulations, including separating recyclable materials such as glass, metal, plastic, paper, card, and food waste, where applicable, in accordance with the Simpler Recycling reforms.
   8.2. Businesses with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees must arrange separate collection of recyclable waste by March 31, 2025, while micro-firms (fewer than 10 employees) must comply by March 31, 2027.
   8.3. The Owner reserves the right to refuse collection or charge additional fees for non-compliant waste, including mixed waste that does not meet separation requirements.
   8.4. The Hirer must ensure waste is properly separated and labelled to facilitate compliance with the Owner’s duty of care obligations.
9. Health and Safety
   9.1. The Hirer must comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, ensuring the skip and surrounding area are safe and tidy.
   9.2. The Hirer is responsible for safeguarding the skip and preventing unauthorized access or misuse. The Hirer is encouraged to use skip covers or lockable skips to prevent fly-tipping, for which the Hirer remains liable.
10. Waste Disposal
    10.1. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the Owner will dispose of the skip’s contents in compliance with applicable regulations.
    10.2. The Hirer is responsible for ensuring only permitted waste is placed in the skip.
11. Limitation of Liability
    11.1. The Owner is not liable for delays, failures, or losses caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to labour disputes, accidents, equipment failure, fire, flood, or acts of God.
    11.2. The Owner is not liable for any damage caused whilst the Vehicle or skip is off the public highway or lifted over barriers or obstructions at the Hirer’s direction (except for death or personal injury due to the Owner’s negligence). Such placement or delivery is at the Hirer’s sole risk and is not recommended due to the potential for damage. The Hirer will compensate the Owner for any damage to the Vehicle or skip caused by such placement or delivery.
    11.3. The Owner is not liable for accidents or injuries arising from improper use of the skip, including drop doors, except were caused by the Owner’s negligence.
12. Liability and Indemnity
    12.1. The Owner is not liable for any damage to property (e.g., pavements, driveways, block paving, slabbed driveways, soft or unlevel ground, walls, fences, or other barriers or obstructions) caused whilst the Vehicle or skip is off the public highway or lifted over barriers or obstructions at the Hirer’s direction (except for death or personal injury due to the Owner’s negligence). Such placement or delivery is at the Hirer’s sole risk and is not recommended due to the potential for damage. The Hirer will compensate the Owner for any damage to the Vehicle or skip caused by such placement or delivery.
    12.2. The Hirer shall keep the Owner indemnified against any claim, demand, or penalty arising out of the presence or use of the skip, including damage to third-party property or the Owner’s Vehicle or skip, and any claim or demand which could not have been made had the Driver not been directed off the public highway or to lift the skip over barriers or obstructions (except for death or personal injury due to the Owner’s negligence).
    12.3. The Owner is not liable for delays, losses, or damages due to the Hirer’s failure to provide adequate access, permissions, or safe loading conditions.
    12.4. In the event of damage to property during the hire period, the Owner reserves the right to appoint its own contractors to carry out necessary repairs. The Hirer shall not engage third-party contractors without prior written consent from the Owner. However, if the Owner permits, the Hirer may obtain at least three written quotes from reputable contractors for the necessary repairs. The Hirer shall submit these quotes to the Owner for approval. The Owner reserves the right to select the most appropriate contractor and approve the repair costs.
13. General Provisions
    13.1. The Owner reserves the right to refuse service or collection if these terms are breached or if the skip poses a safety or legal risk.
    13.2. The Hirer warrants compliance with all applicable legislation, including the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Waste Regulations, Highways Act 1980, and local bylaws.
    13.3. These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and disputes will be resolved exclusively in those courts.