Cancellation & Refund Policy

Clear, fair guidelines for Renters and Equipment Owners

Last Updated: 10/1/2026

1. Overview

At HobbyRent, we understand that travel plans, weather, and project timelines change. This Cancellation and Refund Policy balances flexibility for Renters with protection for Owners who commit high-value equipment and reserve booking dates.

2. Standard Cancellation Windows

Unless an Owner listing specifies a custom policy, the following standard cancellation rules apply:

🟢 Full Refund Window (More than 48 Hours Before Pickup)

Renters receive a 100% full refund of all rental fees and taxes if cancelled at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled pickup time. Any processing fees charged by third-party payment networks may be deducted where legally permissible.

🟡 Partial Refund Window (24 to 48 Hours Before Pickup)

Renters receive a 50% refund of the rental rate if cancelled between 24 and 48 hours prior to the scheduled pickup time. The remaining 50% is credited to the Owner to compensate for reserved equipment downtime.

🔴 Non-Refundable Window (Less than 24 Hours or No-Show)

Cancellations requested less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled pickup time, or instances where the Renter fails to arrive for pickup without prior written notice, are non-refundable. The Owner receives full payout minus platform service fees.

3. Severe Weather & Safety Cancellations

Safety is paramount when operating watercraft, powersports, and heavy equipment. If hazardous weather conditions (e.g., severe thunderstorms, gale warnings, heavy snowfall, flash flood warnings) or official government advisories make equipment operation unsafe:

  • Both Renter and Owner may mutually agree to reschedule the reservation at no extra charge.
  • If rescheduling is not possible, HobbyRent Support will verify weather telemetry and issue a 100% refund to the Renter without penalizing the Owner.

4. Owner Cancellations

Owners are expected to honor all confirmed reservations. In the rare event that an Owner must cancel due to unexpected mechanical breakdown or emergency:

  • The Renter receives an immediate 100% full refund.
  • HobbyRent Support will assist the Renter in finding a comparable alternative listing.
  • Frequent or unexcused Owner cancellations may result in search penalty rankings or account suspension.

5. Security Deposit Refunds

Security deposits are pre-authorized holds placed on the Renter's payment method. If the equipment is returned on time, clean, with matching fuel levels, and with no reported damage, the security deposit pre-authorization is automatically released within 48 hours of completed return inspection.

6. Dispute Resolution

If you believe a cancellation fee was assessed in error or experienced extenuating circumstances, contact our 24/7 team at support@hobbyrent.com or open a ticket through our Support Center.