We get that reading lengthy contracts is annoying but it’s really important that you read all of it. If you don’t you could end up with a bill for $400 or more! Worse is that you could end up making someone or their baby sick. So please, please make sure you read ALL of this contract! If you need help understanding this contract, please contact the volunteer birth pool coordinator to set up a phone call or meeting to go through the contract with you.
By hiring a birth pool from Auckland Home Birth Association you agree that:
- You, the hirer, WILL INDEED read this ENTIRE contract carefully. You accept that failing to do so may result in cancellation of your hire or replacement of a pool AT YOUR EXPENSE (these pools can cost $400-$800+!)
- Auckland Home Birth Association (AHBA) (also known as Auckland HomeBirth Community or AHBC) owns the birth pool, hose, air pumps and any other accessories, equipment and incidentals supplied with the pool (except the single-use birth pool liner and any free gifts included with hire which are yours to keep).
- You will pay:
- The total amount of pool hire: hire fee + bond + single use liner cost, unless a prior discount has been arranged with the birth pool hire volunteer coordinator; and within 7 days of booking unless a prior arrangement has been made.
- Any cost associated with repair or replacement of the birth pool and accessories/equipment due to damage incurred during hire and/or whilst the pool and supplied accessories/equipment is in the your care/possession that is in excess of the bond (in which case the bond will not be refunded).
- Any cost associated with cleaning of the birth pool and accessories/equipment due to contamination during hire and/or whilst the pool and supplied accessories/equipment is in your care/possession or due to insufficient cleaning before returning the pool that is in excess of the bond (in which case the bond will not be refunded).
- It is extremely important that the single-use birth pool liner is used at all times! This liner is yours to keep. Do not return a used liner!
- If the single-use birth pool liner is not used, the bond will not be refunded (due to extra cleaning required) and any additional cleaning costs incurred must be paid by you (see 3.c.).
- Returning a used liner will result in some or all of the bond being retained for the increased cleaning required and disposal of the used liner.
- The birth pool and supplied accessories/equipment will be collected from the birth pool coordinator by arrangement (see the Pool Pickup & Return tab).
- It is very important that the supplied instructions on the use and care of the birth pool and accessories/equipment are followed at all times! Any and all people who use the pool or help with its use must also follow these instructions!
- Failure to follow instructions can cause damage to the pool and/or equipment and will result in loss of bond and additional cost if over and above the value of the bond (up to including the full cost of replacing the pool).
- It is your responsibility to ensure that everyone who handles the pool whether that’s setting the pool up, filling the pool or using it, reads the instructions! This includes spouses, partners, doulas, birth support people, family, friends, helpers, etc.
- The birth pool and supplied accessories/equipment (but not the single-use birth pool liner) will be returned to the pool hire volunteer coordinator ASAP and, at most, within 7 days after birth.
- AHBA reserves the right to request return of the birth pool and accessories/equipment sooner than 7 days after birth in times of high demand to ensure availability to others.
- The birth pool and all accessories/equipment supplied (except the single-use birth pool liner) MUST be well cleaned and well dried as according to the supplied cleaning instructions, and returned in the same tidy manner in which they were collected. This is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! If the pool or accessories are returned untidy or uncleaned, some or all of the bond cannot be refunded due to the extra time and costs required in cleaning. If any cleaning is needed, it’s $25 per hour (minimum one hour) required to clean, deducted from the bond.
- If any negligent contamination or damage has occurred where the cost of cleaning, repair or replacement is in excess of the bond, you will be required to pay the difference within a timely manner.
- Upon return of the undamaged, cleaned and dried birth pool and accessories/equipment (but not the single-use birth pool liner) AHBA will refund the bond to your nominated bank account.
- No refund of the hire fee can be given after the pool has been collected, even if the pool is not used, except under certain conditions (such as financial hardship). Please enquire if you think you qualify for a hire fee refund.
- If the liner is unused and is still in its sealed bag, it can be returned with the pool for a full refund.
- Usage of the pool is at the sole discretion and responsibility of you, the hirer.
- Auckland Home Birth Association is run by volunteers and as such, while the utmost care is taken, AHBA volunteers (including the birth pool hire volunteer coordinator) will not be held personally accountable for anything amiss with the birth pool and/or accessories/equipment. Should you find anything missing, dirty, damaged or amiss upon collection of the birth pool and accessories/equipment, you will contact the birth pool volunteer coordinator ASAP to discuss the situation.
- Auckland Home Birth Association and its volunteers will maintain your privacy and confidentiality at all times.
Last updated: 22 May 2024