Terms, in plain English.

You accept these when you book. The short version below covers 99% of what matters; the full hire agreement underneath is the legally binding bit, still written so a human can read it.

The short version

1. The hire

A Weekender runs Friday drop-off to Monday pickup. The unit stays where we place it, agreed with you on delivery: flat, firm ground within 25 m of trailer access. Moving the unit after placement is the one hard no, a shifted portaloo is a tipping hazard and a bond deduction waiting to happen.

2. Payment & bond

Full payment confirms your booking. A $100 refundable bond applies unless you take the $19 damage waiver. The bond comes back within 2 working days of pickup, less any repair or specialist-cleaning costs (normal weekend use never costs you a cent, we photograph the unit at drop-off and pickup so it's never your word against ours).

3. Cancellations

Plans change: cancel 7+ days before drop-off for a full refund, 48 hours or more for a 50% refund. Inside 48 hours we've already turned work away for your booking, so no refund, but we'll credit half toward a future weekend, because we'd rather keep you. Weather is not a cancellation reason.

4. Use

Human waste and toilet paper only. Wet wipes, nappies, sanitary products, glitter, fireworks and valuables all cause damage or specialist cleaning charged against the bond. Maximum respect to whoever tried, but the unit is not a smoking lounge, a climbing frame or a photo booth roof.

5. Access

Someone 18+ needs to be present (or gates unlocked) at the agreed delivery and pickup windows. A wasted trip through no access is a $60 re-run fee. Dogs that bite and driveways that don't fit a trailer, tell us when you book, not when we arrive.

6. Our promises back

The unit arrives deep cleaned, sanitised, charged and stocked. If anything's not right, tell us within 2 hours of delivery and we'll fix it or refund you. If we can't deliver due to our own failure, you get a full refund plus your next weekend free. We give a sh*t, it's on the tin.

The full hire agreement

These terms form the contract between Shithouse ("we", "us") and the person making the booking ("you") for the hire of portable toilet equipment ("the unit"). Ticking the acceptance box at checkout constitutes acceptance of this agreement.

1. The hire and ownership

1.1 We hire the unit to you for the period shown in your booking confirmation (standard: Friday afternoon delivery to Monday morning collection, plus any extra days purchased).
1.2 The unit remains our property at all times. You gain no right, title or interest in it, and must not sell, sub-hire, modify, or part with possession of it.
1.3 We may enter the delivery property at reasonable times to deliver, service, inspect or collect the unit, and to recover it at any time if these terms are seriously breached or we reasonably believe the unit is at risk.

2. Payment, bond and pricing

2.1 Full payment at booking confirms the hire. All prices are in NZ dollars.
2.2 A $100 refundable bond applies unless the optional damage waiver is purchased. The bond (paid or charged as authorised at booking) is refunded within 2 working days of collection, less any amounts properly deducted under clause 5.
2.3 The damage waiver covers accidental damage arising from normal use. It does not cover deliberate damage, gross misuse, loss of the unit, or prohibited items in the tank (clause 4.3).

3. Cancellation and changes

3.1 Cancellation 7 or more days before delivery: full refund. Between 7 days and 48 hours: 50% refund. Inside 48 hours: no refund, but we will credit 50% of the hire price toward a future booking within 12 months.
3.2 Weather is not grounds for cancellation or refund.
3.3 Date changes are free once, subject to availability, if requested at least 48 hours before delivery.
3.4 If we cannot supply the unit due to our own failure, you receive a full refund and a free equivalent hire, and that is the limit of our liability for non-supply.

4. Your obligations

4.1 Provide safe, unobstructed access for delivery and collection, and a placement location on flat, firm ground within 25 metres of where our vehicle and trailer can lawfully park. You confirm you have the property owner's permission for the unit's placement.
4.2 Do not move, relocate, tip, drag or transport the unit once placed. If the unit must be moved, contact us and we will move it (fee may apply).
4.3 Only human waste and toilet paper may enter the tank. Prohibited: wet wipes (including "flushable" ones), nappies, sanitary products, chemicals, fuels, rubbish, glass and anything else that is not human waste or toilet paper. Specialist disposal caused by prohibited items is charged at cost plus $80 handling.
4.4 Keep the unit reasonably clean and secure during the hire and ensure it is used for its intended purpose only. You are responsible for the conduct of your guests.
4.5 An adult (18+) must be present, or access otherwise arranged, at the agreed delivery and collection windows. A failed delivery or collection attempt caused by no access incurs a $60 re-run fee.

5. Damage, loss and deductions

5.1 You are responsible for loss of, or damage to, the unit from delivery until collection, except fair wear and tear and any damage caused by us.
5.2 We photograph the unit at delivery and at collection. Deductions from the bond (or charges beyond it, up to the actual cost) may be made only for: repair of damage beyond fair wear and tear; specialist cleaning under clause 4.3; graffiti removal; or replacement at fair market value (currently $1,200) if the unit is lost, destroyed or not returned.
5.3 We will itemise any deduction in writing with the supporting photos before processing it.

6. Our obligations and the Consumer Guarantees Act

6.1 We will supply the unit clean, sanitised, chemically charged, stocked and in good working order, and will deliver and collect within the agreed windows (traffic and safety permitting).
6.2 If anything is not right, tell us within 2 hours of delivery and we will remedy it promptly or refund you.
6.3 Nothing in this agreement limits your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 where you acquire the hire for personal, domestic or household use. Where you acquire the hire in trade (a business customer), the parties agree under section 43(2) of that Act that its provisions do not apply, and this is fair and reasonable.

7. Liability

7.1 To the maximum extent the law allows, our total liability arising out of the hire is limited to the amount you paid for it, and we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss (including event disruption or loss of enjoyment).
7.2 You indemnify us for third-party claims arising from misuse of the unit during the hire, except to the extent caused by our negligence.
7.3 Nothing in this clause limits liability that cannot lawfully be limited, including under the Consumer Guarantees Act for consumer hires or for our own negligence causing personal injury.

8. General

8.1 Health & safety: we may decline or modify placement if it would be unsafe. You must not allow the unit to be climbed on or used as anything other than a toilet.
8.2 Privacy: we collect your booking details to run the hire (delivery, payment, communications) and never sell them. Payment card details are handled by Stripe and never touch our systems.
8.3 Force majeure: neither party is liable for failure caused by events beyond reasonable control (natural disaster, road closure, government restriction). Clause 3.4 applies to any resulting non-supply.
8.4 Disputes: talk to us first, we fix things fast. Unresolved disputes go to the NZ Disputes Tribunal or courts, under New Zealand law.
8.5 If any clause is unenforceable, the rest remain in force. These terms may be updated for future bookings; the version you accepted at booking applies to your hire.

Questions about any of this: bookings@shithouse.co.nz