Leisure Rent Review

Editors Review

Leisure Rent is a very popular technology-based campervan hire company in Tasmania offering 2 and 4 berth campervans. 

Its fleet consists of all current models, which are currently priced at a little lower than most major companies with new models. 

It has multiple airport locations across Tasmania but no offices on mainland Australia. 

And recently, they added a unit to their fleet―a 4 berth motorhome with shower and toilet. 

Plus, they won the Tasplan Business Excellence Award 2019 for the Startup Category!

About Leisure Rent

Leisure Rent may be a newish player in the Tasmania campervan hire market, but they have rapidly risen to the top.

Established in late 2017, the owner of Leisure Rent has over 30 years of experience in the campervan and car rental market. 

So, when he had a chance to start a new company from scratch, he knew all the best ways to keep costs low and quality high. 

In particular, he has used the latest cloud software systems to keep the booking process simple and online rather than having to do everything in the depots on pickup.

Leisure Rent has had the foresight to make more than one location available for pick up and drop off, even if there are some unique and different ways of doing it. 

So, without a specific depot and staff to inspect the campervans how are you going to do the damage inspection report before heading off? 

Well, an inspection report is supplied to you based on the end damage report of the previous renter. 

You compare the report to what you see on pickup―if there is damage on the vehicle that is not on the report you mark it down. 

And you better make sure you do because otherwise the next renter will, in which case you are going to get the blame for it and the bill. Get it? 

So make sure you do a detailed damage report before you go out as it not likely a staff member will be standing with you. 

Of course, it is commonplace to also take lots of photos and even video these days, so I suggest you do that too. 

The reality is no one likes it when a camper is damaged but the goal is just to make sure the person who actually did it has to pay for it, not the next renter.

At the end of the day, we, the renters are really only interested in the convenience of the location anyway right. 

In fact, they have taken a leaf out of the JucyUSA book and just have safe deposit boxes with a PIN code in some locations to drop off and pick up the keys and 3rd party companies helping them out in other locations. 

And because of their excellent efforts, Leisure Rent has been recognized by Tasplan Business Excellence Awards, a renowned organization in Northern Tasmania who awards outstanding businesses, the company won the 2019 Startup Category, which gives them a more impressive reputation in the area. 

Fleet

Leisure Rent only have 2 vehicle types in the fleet at this stage, keeping it nice and simple

2 berth hi-top campervan  

4 berth turtle style

Their business model makes it so that no camper will get to over 5 years old and some will be retired early if they have clocked up too many kilometres. 

As a result, you can be sure you are going to be getting a fresh vehicle.

Vehicles

4 Berth Easy Drive Motorhome

Welcome to the newest Leisure Rent unit―an easy-to-drive motorhome with shower & toilet, along with other upgraded features. 

Ideal for 2 adults + 2 children or 4 adults, this practical unit already comes with child restraint anchor points. 

There's a permanent double bed at the cabover area and another double bed from the convertible rear dinette. 

This 2019 Toyota Hilux also provides a nice kitchen with a sink, fridge, microwave, and other kitchenware. 

All motorhomes have a solar panel to aid in charging the house battery.

Hilux is a beast of a vehicle and so powering to any place in particular won't be a problem.

2 Berth Hi-Top Camper

It's based on the ubiquitous Toyota Hiace model with a hi-top conversion and a not-so-common interior design. 

Many of the interior designs put the kitchenette directly behind the driver, but in this case, the rear seating goes there. 

This configuration allows for the 2 single seats in the rear to take passengers if you like, however only sleeping 2 inside.

Also inside is a fridge, microwave, cooktop, sink and even a little wardrobe style cupboard for those things you simply MUST hang up. 

Having the high top is a great advantage in comfort. 

Being able to stand up fully inside the campervan is taken for granted by most people, but when you get a van without the extra height and you can't stand up straight, you won't believe how much more uncomfortable living in that space is. 

Always get a high top.

See more images in the GALLERY section below.

Insurance

Leisure Rent has a base liability of AU$5,000 if you take out no extra insurance cover through the company. 

Whilst many of the bigger players will take that bond money off your credit card and hold on to it, Leisure Rent simply has it in the terms and conditions that in the event of damage your card can be charged up to this amount and excellent policy for the renter!! We LOVE this.

When you sign the contract you are agreeing to this term. 

Actually similar terms are in pretty much all the campervan rental contracts across Australia so this is not unusual, but it sure is nice to be able to keep the money on your credit card for spending on your travels rather than sitting in the campervan company's vault somewhere.

There is the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) AU$30 per day to reduce the liability to AU$2500. 

The Maximum Protection Waiver (MPW) at AU$45 per day reduces it to NIL, plus windscreen and tyre damage cover. 

Last option is the Stress Free Package (SFP) at AU$55 per day, which is the same as the MPW but comes with free rentals of items such as linen/ bedding, camping table and chairs, GPS, extra driver fee, and child restraint and baby strollers―if required. 

This is a standard custom across campervan hire companies in Australia and New Zealand and the rates to do so are on par with the Australian market. 

However, do take note that all these insurance reduction options still do not cover overhead damage, underbody damage, as well as damage caused by unsealed roads and water damage.

Insurance is always the trickiest part of campervan hire after after deciding what style you want. 

To get a the low-down on how campervan hire insurance works go to our extensive article here

And if want to look at the best alternative to taking out directly with the rental company go here

Reputation

This upstart Tasmanian rental company is brimming with positive reviews. 

In fact this is consistently the highest ranked company in all our listings.

The person behind the business is a local with more than 3 decades experience and is committed to providing service as a labor of love. 

Accordingly, this entity can be a go-to company for quite a few years to come. 

Their campervans are 2 berth Hi-Top and 4 berth motorhome with shower & toilet, which are cheaper compared to other campervan hires with also newer models. 

Even though they don't have their own physical depot, only airport locations, they are one of the few companies in Tasmania that is up-to-date with technology, through its E-Sign and E-Key features. 

This kind of pick-up and drop-off is very convenient for renters. 

All in all, Leisure Rent is a highly recommended campervan rental with a great reputation.

Summary

Leisure Rent is one of the most reputable campervan hires in Tasmania and even in all of Australia. 

If only they had operations on the mainland! 

We cannot recommend them highly enough. 

Get in quick, they book out all the time.