Question: I verbally agreed to extend an equipment rental beyond its original expiration date, even though the rental contract states the rental ended on a specific date. The customer, of course, later dropped the equipment off at my facility after hours, having badly damaged it, and now refuses to pay for the damage as well as the rent due for the extension period. What can I do and how can I avoid this problem in the future?
James Waite / About Author
James R. Waite is a business lawyer with over 20 years in the equipment industry. He authored the American Rental Association’s book on rental contracts, and represents equipment lessors throughout North America on a wide range of issues, including corporate law, contracts, real estate, employment, taxation, litigation, and buying, selling and financing their businesses and their equipment. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, has a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Juris Doctor from St. Mary’s University, and an MBA from Northwestern University. He can be reached at (866) 582-2586, or via email at info@jameswaitelaw.com