Instrument Hire Terms and Conditions

Terms & Conditions of Hire

Hire of a SMS instrument is ONLY available if your son/daughter will be having instrumental lessons with a Music Service tutor.  If you are unsure (eg if changing schools) then please contact the Music Service office.  Instrumental hire is also dependent upon a suitable instrument being available.

For new starters, the instrument will need to be collected from Stockport Music Service, Werneth Young People's Centre, George Lane, Bredbury, Stockport, SK6 1DJ. You will be notified once an instrument has been allocated to your child and you can then arrange to collect it. On collection of the instrument, we will accept payment by card, cheque (made payable to Stockport Council) or cash. Instruments will not be delivered to school.

For 2023-2024 the cost of instrument hire for all pupils will be £60.00 for the year payable as £20.00 per term

Alternatively, you may wish to purchase an instrument through the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS).  This scheme is run by HMRC and enables the Music Service to purchase a new instrument on your behalf, exempt from VAT.  This saving, coupled with the discounts given by our suppliers enables you to buy an instrument at a lower price that would otherwise be possible.  Please contact the Music Service on 0161 483 7636 if you wish to discuss this option.  

I agree to pay £60.00 to cover the hire during the academic year.  I understand that:

This charge covers the hire of the instrument only and does not cover consumables such as strings, woodwind reeds, valve oil, rosin etc. I will be charged for the replacement of missing accessories such as neck straps, mouthpiece caps etc.  Relevant charges can be obtained through the Music Service office.

The instrument remains the property of Stockport Music Service at all times and that I am responsible for the safekeeping of this instrument during the hire period.

The instrument can be recalled if required and that the hire of the instrument can only continue if tuition is received from a Music Service tutor.

I am liable for any necessary repairs to (unless caused by fair wear and tear), or replacement of the hired instrument if damaged, lost or stolen during the hire period.

Responsibility for insuring the instrument during the hire period rests with me (the hirer) and that I agree to reimburse Stockport Music Service for any loss or damage as noted in the previous point above, even if I choose not to insure the instrument during the hire period (your household insurance company can advise you about this).

If I do not wish to carry on hiring the instrument into the next academic year, it must be returned to Stockport Music Service, otherwise I will be invoiced for the full replacement value. I will remain responsible for this instrument until the Music Service Office has acknowledged receipt.

Instruments MUST NOT be returned to school or the music teacher.