What to put in a jumping castle hire agreement

A one-page hire agreement protects you, sets expectations, and settles disputes before they start. It takes five minutes to sign and can save you a fortune. Here’s what to put in it.

This is a general checklist for guidance, not legal advice. Have a professional review your agreement, and remember the Consumer Protection Act applies to your terms.

The essentials to include

• The parties and the booking: your business details, the hirer’s name and contact, the date, the delivery address, and exactly which unit(s) they’re hiring.
• Price and payment: the hire fee, deposit, when the balance is due, and accepted payment methods.
• Cancellation policy: what happens (and what’s refunded) if the hirer cancels, and your right to cancel for unsafe conditions.
• Delivery, setup and collection: your times, and what the hirer must provide — a flat, clear site and suitable power within reach.

The clauses that protect you

• Supervision: state clearly that once set up, the hirer is responsible for adult supervision at all times, and list the rules — shoes off, no food, drinks or sharp objects, group children by size, observe the maximum number of users, and everyone off during inflation, deflation or a power cut.
• Weather: you may deflate or cancel in unsafe conditions — the castle must not be used in winds above the safe limit (see when it’s too windy or wet).
• Indemnity and liability: the hirer indemnifies you against claims arising from misuse or failure to supervise, while you remain responsible for supplying safe, well-maintained equipment and setting it up correctly. (This is exactly the wording worth having a professional check.)
• Damage: the hirer is liable for damage beyond fair wear and tear, and set out how that’s assessed and charged (this is what the deposit is for).
• Signatures and date from both parties.

Make it easy to use

Keep it to one page in plain language. Bring two copies to every setup, or send a digital version to sign before the day. The point isn’t to scare customers — it’s to make the rules and responsibilities clear so everyone has a safe, happy party.

A hire agreement works hand-in-hand with public liability insurance and the safety standard — together they’re what make you a professional operator rather than a risk.