ABOUT US
Hello, my name is Anji and I live with my partner Carl and our Jack Russell Bonnie on our narrowboat, Troy. We built our first narrowboat Shanti (meaning Peace in Hindu) some years ago when we decided to escape the rat race and live at a more natural pace on the beautiful waterways of the UK. We are now building our second narrowboat Troy, who is a beautiful modern/traditional tug style narrowboat.
The American Indian lived and respected his land and was strictly a practical man. His many inventions are still used today namely his canoe, his moccasin and his Tipi.
My interest is focused mainly on the Tipi. It is roomy, well ventilated, sturdy, cheerful and cosy. It will stand up to the harshest of weather conditions and we will never improve on the design. I hope to offer you the chance to experience this nomadic, practical, magical way of living and enjoy the best of all movable shelters, The Indian Tipi.
We are based in Solihull,
West Midlands. Our aim is to introduce people to the unique experience
of Tipi living, either short-term through our Tipi hire business or
long-term via our Tipi sales. 
Our company is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals.
We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry.
The Tipi Hire Company have now teamed up with some great and interesting campsites. We invite large parties, hen nights, stag weekends, wedding parties etc. to spend time with family and friends enjoying our tipis in wonderful surroundings with plenty of things to do for everyone. Bring your own tents and make up your own camping village. We can also supply large marquee tipis, sound systems, lighting, dance floors and everything you need for your own outdoor event. See our holiday page.
F.A.Q's
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about tipis. If you have any other questions please email anjimorrall@gmail.com and I will try to answer a.s.a.p.
Is the Tipi Waterproof?
Yes, the tipi is made from waterproof canvas. An ozan and rain catcher/hat can also be used to catch the drips entering the tipi if the weather is very wet. In order to protect the tipi from rain entering, the smoke flaps may need to be adjusted to help prevent this from happening. Please note - You will sometimes get the occassional drip coming down the tipi poles.
Is it cold in the Tipi?
Our tipis come with a lining making it warm and comfy in the winter. In the summer the tipi offers a cool and airy environment although even on the hottest summer nights you should bring a blanket and sleeping bag. Liners are not a necessary accessory, but they do have advantages. When hung in place from a rope on the inside of the poles, eight inches will lay on the ground. The tipi cover is on the outside of the poles and is three inches off the ground. This produces a gap between the layers of canvas where the poles are sandwiched. The air will come in under the outer cover, hit the inner liner and shoot up in between the two layers of canvas pulling the smoke and drafting it out the smoke hole. Liners also reduce the draft on people sitting or lying down inside the tipi. They also divert rain dripping off the poles from landing on your bedding.
Are Tipis hard to erect?
No. With practice, two people can put up a tipi in an hour. It may take 3 - 4 hours the first time round!
What is an ozan?
An ozan is a horizontal canopy tied above the lining at the rear end of the tipi. It acts as a rain canopy and provides warmth in bad weather.
What do you use to cover the floor?
A plastic groundsheet covered in coconut fibre, rugs and sheepskins will make the tipi very comfortable for a day or two. If you plan on living in a tipi ground covers are not required as they will rot very quickly with mildew and are very hard to keep clean. Vinyl laminate can be used for those who want a waterproof floor in their tipi although it is not very pleasing to the eye, it will act as a moisture barrier and is easy to clean. A custom built wooden floor would be an ideal substitue. Reeds and rushes can be used to make a lovely floor covering which will keep the tipi warm and dry.
Can I smoke in the tipi?
No, we operate a no smoking policy.
How do I make a fire?
The fireplace should be positioned directly under the smoke hole. Remove a thin layer of turf and line with rocks or stones. Always use dry wood such as elm, ash, holly, oak and sycamore. Do not use green wood such as pine, willow, elder or yew.
N.B Due to our insurance policy, if you are hiring a tipi from The Tipi Hire Company a fire inside the tipi is not permitted . However, we do supply firebowls to be used outside the tipis which also double up as barbeques. A fire in the tipi during the summer months can be more of a pain than a pleasure. If the smoke flaps are not used correctly then the tipi can fill up with smoke causing evacuation of the tipi! It can get very warm inside a tipi during the summer season so a fire is not needed.
Is the Tipi Fireproof?
The standard Tipis that we sell are classed as "hardly flammable" which doesnt mean they will not burn. If your intention is to burn the Tipi then you will probably succeed. Tipis are designed to have a fire inside them. Respect and care is needed at all times when dealing with a fire, candles and cooking equipment. Our hire tipis are treated for fire, rot and water but we still do not allow fires inside.
We can supply fire retardant canvasses at and additional cost. Please ask.
Are the rental tipis furnished?
We supply a liner, ground cover and solar fairy lights for free. We also offer extra furnishings to make the tipi more comfortable. (See Extras on Hire Page). We do not supply bedding. Please ask for details.
How long will a Tipi last?
It depends on the quality of the tipi material, the climate you live in and how well the tipi is maintained.
Considering all these elements your tipi can last from 5 - 10 years or longer.
What type of area is needed for the tipis?
We need a flat level grass service with no over-hanging trees or power-lines. We need to be able to gain access and park within a reasonable distance from the site to allow us to carry the tipi/poles/furnishings.
Can I put the tipi up myself?
No, The Tipi Hire Company employees are the only people allowed to erect and dismantle the tipis.
Do I need insurance?
We have public liabilty & equipment insurance but extra insurance should also be obtained by yourself if you wish to cover contents.
How long will it take to erect a tipi?
Up to two hours per tipi depending on how it is going to be decorated.
TERMS OF TRADING
1. Definitions
“Contract” – the document or documents to which these terms and
conditions are attached, these terms and conditions themselves and all
other details about your agreement with us and to which we have agreed
in writing signed by a Director of The Tipi Hire Company.
“We”, “Us”, “The Company” - The Tipi Hire Company.
“You” – the person, firm, company or other organisation hiring equipment
from us.
“The site” – the location where equipment is to be erected and or
supplied as specified in the contract.
“Equipment” – the items listed in the contract and any other items used
to facilitate the equipment on site.
These conditions override any terms and conditions you may have put
forward, unless we have agreed to any other conditions in writing and
this agreement has been signed by a Directory of The Tipi Hire Company.
2. Our Charges
The company's quotation for hire charges is made on the assumption
that the site on which the equipment is to be erected or to which goods
are to be delivered is;
• Flat level firm ground with easy access for heavy motor transport
and
• Has no drain pipes, cables or other services buried beneath the
surface or otherwise concealed.
Should the site not comply with these requirements, the company may
in its discretion either rescind the contract by giving verbal or
written notice to the hirer or make additional hire charges. The company
shall not be liable to the hirer for any loss damage or expense
resulting from such rescission of the contract.
a.
Charges for Hiring: You must pay the hire charges shown in the contract
at the time when they fall due as listed on the contract schedule.
b. Interest and
Other Charges: If you do not pay the amount when it is due, we will add
interest to the amount that is overdue. We will add interest each day at a rate
equal to 4% above Barclay Bank Plc’s base rate at the time. Charging interest
will not affect any other rights we may have. Interest can be charged before or
after we have obtained any court judgement against you. You must also pay any
of our reasonable expenses in recovering money or goods from you.
3.
When The Contract Starts
The contract comes
into effect when you have placed an order, by which you agree to keep these
conditions and we have accepted your order, complete with deposit for 50% and an
Acceptance of Contract form. Employees and or agents of The Tipi Hire Company do not
have authority to make representations regarding equipment, the site or any
other matter, only Directors of the Company may do this. The customer may not
rely on any representations which we have not confirmed in writing and signed by
a Director of the Company.
4. Delivery, Erection
and Removal of Equipment
a. We will
deliver and erect the equipment shown in the contract so that it is ready for
use by the date shown in the contract.
b. We will not be
liable for any compensation if any minor items or terms are outstanding, but in
return we agree to rectify such items or terms a soon as we reasonably can.
c. Before we
deliver the equipment, you will ensure that we have unrestricted access to the
site on dates which we will notify to you, which will be before the date shown
in the contract for the actual start of the hire. If you fail to secure us
unrestricted access, an additional charge may be raised to cover any additional
costs that occur as a result of this. We will make every effort to accommodate
change of dates made by you, but this is subject to our other work schedules and
may incur extra costs should you wish to change dates.
d. You will ensure
that the site is served by a firm access road with adequate hard standing and
the site itself is firm, level, free from flooding, trees and overhead
obstructions and without buried pipes, or concealed services which might suffer
damage as a result of our erecting the equipment. If you cannot meet any of
these conditions you will let us know in writing as soon as possible before we
deliver the equipment, and if these matters have not previously been mentioned
during the contract negotiations, we reserve the right to make further charges
to cover any additional costs that we incur in dealing with any problems with
the site, access to it, obstructions etc.
e. You or your duly
authorised representative will be present at the site on the date notified to
you to instruct us exactly where the equipment is to be erected, and will
ensure that you have authority from the site owner or organiser to do this. Any
delay in time by you may result in extra charges if we are kept waiting unduly.
If we have to site our equipment in a different place to that agreed, or if we
have to move any of our equipment after it has been erected, then you will be
responsible for any reasonable charges that we make.
f. We will do our
best to deliver and erect the exact equipment as specified in the contract. If
we are unable to do this for any reason, we may substitute equipment to achieve
the same result. We will not however insist on your accepting substitute
equipment which is substantially or materially different from that which is
specified in the contract.
g. We will
dismantle and remove from site our equipment as soon as possible after the hire
period defined in the contract is terminated. We will do our best to remove our
equipment as quickly as possible, and you will ensure that we have free and
unhindered access for this purpose. Extra charges may be raised if you fail to
allow us free and unhindered access. We will only remove our equipment during
reasonable hours and any work outside these hours will be with your consent.
You should note that the installation and erection of the equipment often
involves the use of stakes or similar
ground fixing devices. We will exercise every reasonable care, but will not be
responsible for any element of making good of the site after removal of our
equipment.
5. Your
Responsibility When Hiring Equipment
a.
You must take note of and implement any instructions that we give you
relating to the safe use of our equipment. You will be liable for any loss or
damage which results from your failure to follow our recommendations.
b. You are
responsible for the general security of the site throughout the whole of the
period when our equipment is present. You are responsible for the safety and
security of the equipment from the commencement of installation to the
completion of dismantling and subsequent removal from the site. You will make
good any loss or damage to the equipment which may occur during this period.
c. You will notify
us as soon as possible of any defect or deterioration in the equipment. In
return we will take all reasonable steps to remedy this as quickly as we can.
We may make a charge for any site visit unless the need for a visit was as a
result of any inherent defect in our equipment or workmanship.
d. You will in
particular ensure that you will not
allow the collection or build up of snow or rain on the equipment.
e. In windy
conditions you will take all reasonable steps to make sure that all openings are
firmly closed when not in use, and are opened only for the purposes of entering
or leaving the structure.
f. You will take
all reasonable steps to make sure that the equipment is not at any time altered
or interfered with, and you will make sure in particular that no unauthorised
entries are made in any tented enclosure, and that no canvas, poles, ropes,
anchors, wires or other parts or any structure are moved, removed, altered or
modified or in any way tampered with or misused.
g. If we incur any
cost, or if our equipment is damaged, through your failure to follow any of
these conditions you will be responsible to compensate us fully for that loss.
6. Health & Safety
We aim to provide a safe and hazard free work environment for all our
employees engaged in erecting, maintaining and supervising our equipment when on
site. To ensure that all site operations are conduced in accordance with safe
working practices and comply with relevant health and safety regulations, we
require you to supply us with a copy of your health and safety policy (where
available) before the equipment is delivered to site, together with details of
any specific site condition and/or restriction which requires safety
consideration.
7. Limits of Our
Liability
a. We will not
be liable for any delay in erecting or dismantling equipment which is caused or
exacerbated, whether directly or indirectly by any strike, lockout, labour
disturbance, Government action, civil commotion, unrest, riot, armed conflict,
fire, flood drought, failure of power supply, unavailability or breakdown of
normal means of transport, adverse weather, act of God or any other matter
beyond our reasonable control.
b. We will not be
liable for any loss or damage to the site, its contents and our equipment, where
this is caused by factors out of our reasonable control. This would include,
but is not limited to, negligent or malicious acts of third parties, inclement
weather conditions etc.
c. The maximum
amount for which we will be liable in any circumstances is the total hire charge
payable under the contract. This limit does not apply in respect of any claim
for death or personal injury which results from negligence on our part.
8. Insurance of
Equipment
a.
The client shall be responsible for and indemnify the company against any
loss of or damage to all hired equipment whatsoever the cause.
Please note that the client will remain responsible for
and will indemnify the company against any loss of or damage to all Hired
equipment resulting from their negligence or legal liability.
b. We ask you to
specifically note most insurance does not cover any consequential loss for
which, if required, you must insure separately.
9. Ending the Contract
a. We may end
this contract if:
i.
You break its terms; or
ii.
You become bankrupt; or
iii. As a
Company you start to be wound up, or a Receiver or Administrator is appointed
over all or part of your assets; or
iv. You
enter into any agreement with your creditors or a voluntary agreement is made
which affects you; or
v. You enter
into a voluntary agreement.
If we end the contract in these circumstances, it will end immediately and we
may repossess any or all of our equipment. If we end the contract it will
affect our right to recover any money you owe us under this contract or damages
we claim as a result of your breaking this contract.
b. You may end this
contract by giving clear notice in writing, but if you do, you will be liable to
pay us a percentage of the hire charges shown below) depending on the length of
time left between our receiving your written notice and the date shown in the
contract by which the equipment was to be erected and ready for use. The amount
payable by you will be on the following scale:
i. – more
than 30 days notice – 25%
ii.
– less than 30 days notice, but more than 15 days notice – 50%
iii. – less
than 10 days notice – 100%
10.
Ownership of Equipment
a. The equipment
remains the sole property at all times of The Tipi Hire Company. You are prohibited
from parting possession with, from selling or hiring out the equipment at all
times.
b. We retain the
absolute right to repossess any equipment if you have any outstanding monies
owing to us at any time the equipment is in your possession.
c. This right to
repossess as stated at 11b shall not preclude any other remedy that we may have,
whether under the contract or otherwise.
11. Our Rights of
Access
We may enter any
land or premises where we reasonably believe the equipment is, at reasonable
times and after giving reasonable notice (except in cases of emergency) and you
irrevocable authorise us to do so to enable us to inspect, test, repair,
service, maintain, replace or repossess the equipment.
12. Unforeseen circumstances
The Tipi Hire Company cannot be held responsible for delays or non availability of the tipis caused by breakdowns, unforeseen defects, obstructions or traffic delays.. In the event of complete non availability all monies will be refunded and the hirer shall have no further c
13. Errors &
Omissions
We maintain the
absolute right to correct, without liability, any errors and/or omissions on any
sales literature, website, price list, notices or any other documents, or in any
other information issued by us.
All transactions are subject to the law of England
