Most UK tool hire companies require you to be at least 18 years old and to show valid photo ID before any equipment is released. A security deposit is also standard practice, held as security against loss or damage and refunded when the item is returned in good order. The exact documents accepted and the deposit amount vary between companies, so it is always worth checking in advance.
The minimum age rule
Tool hire is not available to under-18s. B&Q's tool hire service, operated in partnership with Speedy Hire, states that you must be 18 or over to hire tools, and operates a Challenge 25 policy, meaning anyone who appears to be under 25 may be asked to prove their age. This approach is common across the industry. If you cannot produce satisfactory ID to confirm you meet the age threshold, the hire company is entitled to refuse the hire.
What photo ID is accepted?
Hire depots typically accept a small range of government-issued documents. Commonly accepted forms include:
- UK or EU driving licence (full or provisional)
- Valid passport
- National identity card (for non-UK nationals)
Some companies also accept a utility bill or bank statement as a second proof of address alongside photo ID, particularly if you are opening a trade account rather than making a one-off counter hire. Always check with the specific depot before you travel. If you are booking online and the equipment is being delivered, the person who placed the order should be present when it arrives and ready to show their ID at the door, as many hire firms require this step before handing over kit.
For businesses setting up a trade credit account, additional paperwork is often required, such as a company registration number, a purchase order number or a letter of authority from a manager. Confirm exactly what your chosen firm needs when you call or book.
Security deposits: how they work
A security deposit is held by the hire company and returned to you once the equipment comes back undamaged and on time. The size of the deposit reflects factors such as the value of the item, its fragility in use and local company policy. No article can give you a meaningful figure because rates differ between depots and change over time: always ask the company for the current amount before you book.
Key points to understand about deposits:
- Most companies hold the deposit on a payment card authorisation rather than taking the cash outright, though some smaller independent depots prefer a cash or card payment.
- The deposit is separate from the hire charge. You will pay both at the point of hire.
- If equipment is returned late, damaged or with missing accessories, the company may deduct some or all of the deposit. The amount deducted should reflect actual loss, not a blanket penalty.
- Get written confirmation of the deposit amount and the conditions for its return before signing anything.
If you believe a deduction has been made unfairly, your rights as a consumer are protected under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which requires that any service, including a hire agreement, is carried out with reasonable care and skill. Citizens Advice can provide guidance if a dispute arises.
What the hire company is legally required to do
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (section 6) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), which the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces, those hiring out equipment have ongoing legal duties. As the HSE sets out on its work equipment pages, suppliers of work equipment must supply safe work equipment, whether new, second-hand or hired out, and must make reasonable checks that the products they supply are safe, including that they are labelled correctly and supplied with the required documentation and instructions for use.
This means that when you collect or receive a piece of hired equipment, the hire company should already have:
- Checked that it is in safe working condition
- Ensured any guards and safety devices are present and functioning
- Provided you with instructions for use
- Asked what you intend to use it for, so they can confirm the equipment is suitable for the task
If a piece of equipment arrives or is collected in a clearly defective state, do not use it. Report the defect to the hire company immediately and document it in writing.
Your responsibilities as the person hiring the equipment
The HSE's guidance on work equipment makes clear that the safe use of hired equipment is the responsibility of the person who hires it.
In practice, this means:
- Only use the equipment for the purpose you described at the point of hire.
- Carry out a visual check before each use.
- Ensure anyone who operates the equipment is competent to do so.
- Keep the equipment in a secure location when not in use, to reduce the risk of theft or damage that could affect your deposit.
- Return it clean, with all accessories, at the agreed time.
If you are an employer and the hired tools will be used by your employees, the HSE's PUWER guidance confirms that your duty of care extends to that hired equipment just as it does to tools you own outright.
For those searching for local options, the tool hire listings on GetBrent cover a wide range of equipment categories across the UK, and companies listing there can be contacted directly to confirm their ID policy, deposit terms and availability before you commit to a booking. If you are based in or near the capital, you can also browse tool hire companies in London or search for more specific local results such as tool hire in Enfield or tool hire in Harrow to find firms near your project site.
GetBrent brings together local tool and equipment hire companies so you can compare what each firm stocks, read their details and contact them directly, without going through a middleman. Use the listings to find a depot near your job, confirm their ID and deposit requirements upfront, and get the right kit to site without any last-minute surprises.
