1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms

Welcome to Equipt Earthworld, an online marketplace for heavy equipment rentals in South Africa. By using this platform, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. We act as an intermediary, facilitating secure rental transactions between Sellers (equipment owners) and Buyers (hirers). Your use of the platform constitutes your full acceptance of these terms.

 2. Platform Use and User Responsibilities

 Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old and legally competent to enter into a contract.

• Account: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account.

• Prohibited Activities: Do not use the platform for any illegal, fraudulent, or harmful purposes. Do not post misleading content, impersonate others, or solicit payments outside of the platform's secure system.

• Buyer Responsibilities: You are responsible for operating rented equipment safely, treating it with care, and adhering to the rental agreement. You are liable for any damages caused by misuse.

• Seller Responsibilities: You must provide accurate and honest listings with up-to-date information. Equipment must be well-maintained and compliant with all relevant laws and safety regulations.

3. Rental Process and Transactions

•  Listings: Sellers must provide detailed and truthful information about the equipment, including its condition and availability. Equipt Earthworld reserves the right to remove listings that do not meet its standards.

• Bookings: When a booking is confirmed, a binding rental agreement is formed between the Buyer and Seller.

• Handover: Both parties should inspect the equipment at the start and end of the rental period and document its condition to avoid disputes.

• Cancellations: Cancellation and refund policies will be disclosed at the time of booking. Users who frequently cancel without a valid reason may face penalties.

 4. Payments, Fees, and Disputes

•  Payment System: All payments are processed through Equipt Earthworld's secure payment system to protect both parties.

• Platform Fees: A service fee or commission is charged for facilitating the transaction. This is deducted from the Seller's payout or included in the Buyer's total payment.

• Disputes: We provide a clear process for handling disputes. Users should first attempt to resolve issues directly. If this fails, our support team will act as a neutral intermediary. For complex disputes, arbitration is encouraged as an alternative to court.

 5. Insurance and Liability

•  Insurance: Both Buyers and Sellers are strongly recommended to carry adequate insurance. Sellers should have coverage for their equipment, and Buyers should consider renter's liability insurance.

• Liability: The Buyer is generally responsible for the equipment during the rental period. They are liable for any damage, loss, or theft. The Seller is responsible for pre-existing defects or issues with the equipment that cause it to malfunction.

• Limitation of Liability: Equipt Earthworld is not liable for any personal injuries, accidents, or third-party claims arising from the use of rented equipment, as we are an intermediary and not the owner or provider of the machinery.

 6. Privacy and Intellectual Property

•  Data Protection: We comply with data protection laws such as South Africa's POPIA and the EU's GDPR. We only collect necessary information and use security measures to protect your data.

• Intellectual Property: You may not use any content from the Equipt Earthworld platform, including our trademarks and copyrighted material, without our permission. By posting a listing, you grant us a license to use your content on the platform.

 7. Legal and General Provisions

•  Governing Law: These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

• Changes to Terms: We may update these terms periodically to reflect changes in our services or laws. Your continued use of the platform after any changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.