Most "appliance rental agreement templates" online were written by people who have never bolted a washer into a third-floor apartment. They're missing the clauses you only learn to want after a renter self-moves your dryer to a new city, or after a pickup truck ride home with a machine full of roaches.
This is the agreement I use on my own fleet, genericized so you can adapt it. Every clause has a note explaining why it's there. It's free — the form below emails you a formatted, fill-in-the-blanks copy.
Email me the editable copy
Washer & Dryer Rental Agreement
This Rental Agreement ("Agreement") is made on [DATE] between [YOUR BUSINESS NAME] ("Owner") and [RENTER NAME] ("Renter"), residing at [INSTALL ADDRESS] .
1. Equipment
Owner rents to Renter the following equipment ("Equipment"): Washer — make [ ], model [ ], serial [ ]; Dryer — make [ ], model [ ], serial [ ]. The Equipment remains the sole property of Owner at all times. Nothing in this Agreement transfers ownership to Renter.
Operator's note: Record serials in the contract, not just your tracker. If a machine ever walks off, the signed contract with the serial number is what the police report and small-claims filing are built on.
2. Term
The initial term is three (3) months beginning on the installation date. After the initial term, this Agreement continues month-to-month until either party gives fifteen (15) days' written notice.
Operator's note: The 3-month minimum protects your delivery cost — you lose money on anyone who rents for one month. Why 3 months and not 6 or 12? Keeping the initial term at 4 months or under is what keeps a month-to-month rental outside the federal definition of a consumer lease. Full explanation here. Confirm with your attorney.
3. Rent and autopay
Rent is $[AMOUNT] per month. Renter authorizes Owner to charge the card on file automatically each month, with the first payment charged on the day of installation. A declined payment must be resolved within [5] days.
Operator's note: First payment on install day — never "net 30," never "I'll pay you Friday." Card-on-file autopay is the single biggest difference between operators who collect 98% of rent and operators who spend evenings texting reminders.
4. Delivery and installation
Owner will deliver and install the Equipment at the address above. Renter is responsible for having working water, drain, and power (and vent, where applicable) connections available. Installation to existing connections is included; new connections, parts, or modifications are not.
5. Relocation
Renter may not move the Equipment from the install address, or within the residence in any way that requires disconnection, without Owner's written consent. Owner will relocate Equipment for a $[30] fee. Unauthorized moving voids Owner's responsibility for resulting damage and Renter is liable for any damage or loss that results.
Operator's note: The relocation fee isn't a profit center — it's how you stop DIY moves. Self-moved machines arrive at the new place with cracked drain hoses, missing feet, or not at all.
6. Care and use
Renter will use the Equipment for normal household laundry only (no commercial use), keep it clean and accessible, and not exceed load capacities. Renter will promptly report any malfunction and will not attempt repairs or allow third parties to service the Equipment.
7. Pests
If Equipment retrieved from Renter's residence is found to be infested with insects or other pests, Renter is responsible for a remediation fee of $[AMOUNT] or, if the Equipment cannot reasonably be remediated, for its replacement value as listed in Section 13.
Operator's note: You will only need this clause once, but that one time you will be very glad it's initialed. An infested machine can't go to the next renter and can't ride home in your enclosed trailer.
8. Repairs and maintenance
Owner is responsible for repairs arising from normal use, at no cost to Renter, and will repair or swap the Equipment within a reasonable time. Damage from misuse, neglect, pets, pests, or unauthorized moving or repair is Renter's responsibility at Owner's actual cost.
9. Water, fire, and property damage
Renter acknowledges that washers and dryers can cause water or fire damage. Except where caused by Owner's gross negligence, Owner is not responsible for damage to Renter's property, residence, or belongings arising from use of the Equipment, including hose failure, drain overflow, or lint fire. Renter is encouraged to carry renter's insurance covering water and fire damage. Renter initials: ____
Operator's note: This waiver plus the injury carve-out below came out of a legal review of an earlier version of my contract. A $12/month renter's insurance policy protects your renter better than your apology ever will — encourage it at signing.
10. Personal injury
Except to the extent caused by Owner's gross negligence or willful misconduct, Owner is not liable for personal injury arising from Renter's use of the Equipment.
Operator's note: Notice this is a carve-out, not a blanket "not liable for anything ever" line. Blanket waivers of your own gross negligence are unenforceable in most states and make judges grumpy at the rest of your contract.
11. Late payment, default, and collections
Payments not resolved within [5] days of a declined charge incur a late fee of $[AMOUNT] . If rent is more than [15] days past due, Owner may terminate this Agreement and schedule retrieval of the Equipment, and Renter agrees to make the Equipment available for pickup. Renter remains responsible for unpaid rent, fees, and retrieval costs, and agrees that unpaid balances may be referred to collections, with Renter responsible for reasonable collection costs as permitted by law. Renter agrees that Owner may keep a photo of Renter's government-issued ID on file for identity verification. Renter initials: ____
Operator's note: The ID photo at signing does more for recovery than any clause. People pay people who know exactly who they are. Note the retrieval language says the renter "agrees to make the Equipment available" — you schedule a pickup; you don't let yourself into anyone's home.
12. Early termination
If Renter terminates before the end of the initial 3-month term, Renter owes a flat early-termination fee of $[AMOUNT] in place of remaining rent.
Operator's note: A flat fee replaced an acceleration clause (all remaining rent due at once) in my contract after legal review. Flat fees are cleaner, more enforceable, and easier to actually collect.
13. Replacement value
For purposes of loss or non-return: washer $[AMOUNT] , dryer $[AMOUNT] .
14. Promo code
Promo code applied (if any): [CODE] , reflected in the rent stated in Section 3.
15. Entire agreement
This Agreement is the entire agreement between the parties and may only be modified in writing signed by both parties. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remainder stays in effect. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [STATE] .
Owner signature: ______________________ Date: __________
Renter signature: _____________________ Date: __________
Renter ID verified (photo on file): [ ] Yes
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