Short-Term wheelchair and mobility aid hire

Holidaymakers, families of people leaving hospital, people recovering from surgery, event visitors and carers.

Daily or weekly hire fees, delivery and collection charges, and refundable deposits. Some customers later buy from you.

• Organised booking and record keeping
• Cleaning and basic maintenance
• Friendly, dependable customer service

• Insurance for hired items, public liability and your vehicle, so check cover for items out on hire
• Clean and inspect items between hires, and keep servicing records
• Check rules on mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, including where they can be used on roads and pavements
• Damage, theft and late returns, so use clear hire terms and deposits
• Seasonal demand may mean quiet months
• Storing equipment at home may need permission from your landlord or mortgage lender
• Scooters and powered chairs are costly, so a realistic starter fleet needs more capital than a few basic items

Startup costs are typically around £6,000 to £25,000, depending on the size of your fleet and whether you include scooters and powered chairs, which are costly. These are estimates, so price a realistic starter fleet carefully.

Check insurance for hired items, public liability and your vehicle. Also check the rules on mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs, including where they can be used on roads and pavements, and whether home storage needs landlord or lender permission.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on your fleet, local demand and seasonal quiet months. The idea is estimated to need from about 8 hours a week.