Hire of Room, Hall or Other Premises Templates

This subfolder contains a range of template Agreements which can be used to hire out premises. Each document sets out all of the important legal and commercial terms of the arrangement.

These templates have several elements in common:

they are all slanted more towards the interests of the owner than the hirer
they are all suitable for use where each period of use by the hirer is quite short, more than say 2 hours but less than say 10 hours, on a particular day
in each document a hire fee is payable per session or on the basis of a rate per hour.
a deposit is payable on booking
there is also an option for payment of a security (damage) deposit

These documents between them cover a range of variables, i.e. they provide for hire:

of the whole of premises
of part or parts of a set of premises
by an owner which is either an individual, company, charity or other type of organization
to a hirer which is either an individual, company, charity or other type of organization
for a one off session
for a number of sessions (advance block booking)

If however you wish to consider using a template specifically designed for use where one party is a charity (either the owner or the hirer), we have included two documents to cover that situation in the Hire of Premises subfolder in our Charity & Non-Profit Group (Corporate folder).

Hire of Room, Hall or Other Premises Templates is part of Business . Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Business for 1 year.

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to hire out my hall or room for short bookings. What agreement do I need? +

A hire of premises agreement, which sets the booking, the hire fee (per session or per hour), a deposit on booking, an optional security deposit and the rules of use, cancellation and liability. These templates are designed for short use, more than about two hours but less than about ten on a given day, and are slanted towards the owner's interests. Choose the version that fits your premises and booking pattern.

Does hiring out my premises for a few hours create a tenancy? +

Normally no. A short hire where you keep control of the premises and the hirer does not have exclusive possession is a licence, not a lease or tenancy, so business tenancy security-of-tenure rules do not apply. What decides it is the reality of control, not the label on the document. These agreements are structured as licences for short, controlled use to keep you on the right side of that line.

Can I take a deposit and charge for damage to the premises? +

Yes. The templates provide for a deposit payable on booking and, as an option, a separate security or damage deposit you can apply against damage the hirer causes. Set out clearly what each deposit covers and when it is returned. Keeping money beyond your actual loss can be challenged, particularly against a consumer hirer, so tie any deduction to real damage or loss.

The templates favour the owner. Can I use them whoever I am hiring to? +

Yes, within their design. These agreements are deliberately slanted towards the owner and cover hiring the whole or part of premises, by and to individuals, companies, charities or other organisations, for a single session or a block booking. If either the owner or the hirer is a charity, there are dedicated documents in the Charity and Non-Profit group instead. Pick the closest fit for your situation.

What is the difference between hiring out premises and granting a lease? +

Scale and control. A hire is short, the owner keeps control and provides the space for a few hours at a time under a licence. A lease gives the tenant exclusive possession for a term and brings in landlord and tenant law, including possible security of tenure. If you need someone to occupy long-term with their own possession, you need a lease, not a hire agreement.

Business Buy Only £38.50 + VAT!
Unlimited Downloads for One Year
No Auto-Renewal

All Commercial Agreements