Borrower Guide
Securely finding, booking, and returning gear
Welcome to Cammunity!
This guide is your step-by-step walkthrough on how to borrow the gear you need, focusing on the security measures and best practices that keep our platform safe, affordable, and professional.
By following these industry-led standards, you can focus on your production with total peace of mind.
1. Getting started: setting up your profile
Creating your profile is your first step toward accessing the gear you need to bring your projects to life.
We ask for a few essential details to connect you with our platform of specialist lenders.
How to sign-up seamlessly
Accuracy matters: Using your real, verifiable details ensures a quick and seamless account approval, so you can start booking kit without delay.
Mandatory insurance verification: To protect our lenders and your own production, third-party insurance is required for all borrowers before your first rental request can be approved. This step is essential for building trust and ensuring everyone can create with total peace of mind.
Our security promise: Your documents are handled securely by Cammunity and are never shared publicly. We’re here to protect your data just as much as you protect the gear.
Your insurance, for your reassurance
To keep Cammunity secure and professional, all borrowers must provide proof of adequate third-party insurance before their first booking. This ensures that you and the project you’re working on are all protected.
Your coverage: Please upload your insurance certificate to your profile. This is your primary safety net, protecting you against the high costs of accidental damage or loss while the gear is in your care.
Why we ask: We’re here to prioritise your financial safety. Without verified insurance, you would be personally liable for the full replacement cost of professional gear if an accident happens. Having the right cover empowers you to focus on the shoot, not the "what-ifs".
Approval Process: Once you’ve submitted your document, we will review it within 48 hours. You’ll receive an email as soon as you’re cleared to start booking.
A quick note on responsibility: While insurance is a major safety net, borrowers remain responsible for any policy excess (deductibles) or costs not covered by their specific provider.
2. Finding and booking equipment: review, check, submit, and pay
Ready to find the perfect kit for your next project?
This section walks you through how to vet a listing, secure your dates, and safely submit your payment, ensuring you're protected every step of the way.
Here’s what you should consider when booking gear:
Review the equipment listing: When you find the gear you need, take a moment to look over the details:
Photos: Look for multiple, clear photos that show the kit from different angles.
Description: Read the full description for detailed specs and any specific notes from the lender about the kit’s condition.
Price breakdown: Review the daily rental rate and the total cost breakdown so you know exactly what to expect.
Check you’re booking for the right dates: Use the calendar on the listing page to select your collection and return dates. This sends an availability check directly to the lender to ensure the kit is ready for your shoot.
Submit your request: Once you’re happy with everything, click submit! The lender will accept or decline your booking within 24 hours (or 48 hours if the booking is longer than 6 days).
Pay for the booking: After the request is accepted, you’ll need to make payment. Your funds are held securely by Cammunity and are only released to the lender once the return is successfully confirmed in-app.
We accept all major credit and debit cards. Your payment information is securely handled by Stripe, our trusted third-party provider.Platform fees: A 10% service fee is added transparently during the checkout process. This fee is essential for keeping Cammunity running and ensuring the platform remains a secure, professional space for everyone. You’ll always see a full breakdown before you finalise the payment.
IMPORTANT WARNING: Keep all chats and payments in-app
To ensure you stay protected by Cammunity dispute support, never agree to pay a lender via cash or direct bank transfer.
Stay covered: Moving a transaction off-site (known as 'circumvention') is a material breach of our terms. It removes your digital 'paper trail', meaning you won't have the evidence you need if something goes wrong.
Report bad actors: If a lender asks you to pay or chat outside the app, please let us know immediately. Reporting these requests lets us keep Cammunity safe from potential fraud and maintain a professional environment for everyone.
3. Cancelling a booking after the lender has accepted
We know that production schedules can be unpredictable and plans often shift at the last minute.
To keep Cammunity fair for lenders who are holding kit for your specific dates, we use the following refund schedule:
Cancellation timeframes and outcomes:
More than 48 hours before: We understand plans change. You’ll receive a full refund of the rental fee (minus platform fees).
24 to 48 hours before: At this stage, the lender has likely turned down other bookings. You will receive a 80% refund of the rental fee.
Less than 24 hours before: Because the lender is now unable to re-list the kit for these dates, no refund is available for cancellations made within 24 hours of the start time.
What if a lender decides to cancel on me?
We know how much is riding on your production, and a late cancellation can be a major hurdle.
To ensure the platform remains reliable, we have strict protections in place to support you if a lender is unable to fulfil a booking.
You are always protected: If a lender cancels at any point after accepting your booking, you will receive a full refund of the rental fee and the platform fees.
Automatic refunds: We process these immediately so you can secure alternative kit for your shoot as quickly as possible.
Lender accountability: We take reliability seriously. Lenders who cancel at short notice (within 24 hours of the handover) are charged a penalty equal to 20% of the hire fee, and may receive a strike against their account.
Reliability ratings: We monitor cancellation patterns to ensure that only the most dependable lenders remain part of our trusted platform.
While we can't get behind the camera for you, we can ensure you aren't left out of pocket if a lender’s plans change.
IMPORTANT WARNING: Always keep your payments inside the app
We want to make sure you’re never in a position where it’s your word against someone else’s. Paying through Cammunity enables us to back you up with a secure, verified record of your transaction.
Avoid the "he-said, she-said": Staying in-app is the best way to avoid scams and ensure you aren’t wrongly accused of breaking the rules.
Secure your protection: Transactions made outside the platform aren’t covered by our terms or our support team. Keeping your payment inside the app ensures that if something goes wrong, we have the paper trail needed to help when there’s a problem.
The handover is where the project officially kicks off! This is your chance to verify the kit and make sure you’re happy with everything before you start shooting.
Following this checklist is the best way to ensure a smooth start and a dispute-free experience.
Must-dos:
Have you kept the chat on Cammunity?: Keeping your conversations on-platform ensures we can verify your agreement and have your back if something doesn't go to plan.
Is the location safe?: Suggest to meet at a safe, well-lit, public location for the handover.
Did you inspect the gear and record the video?: Take a moment to check for any unexpected marks or faults. You should record the condition of the gear using our in-app video feature before the rental begins. If there are any unintended defects at this stage (i.e. cracks or dents), this video is your best protection against later disputes.
Have you presented your QR code for the lender to scan?: This is the vital step! Once the lender scans your code, it confirms you’ve accepted the kit’s condition and officially transfers responsibility for the equipment to you for the duration of the booking. Make sure you are 100% happy with the gear before the scan takes place.
4. Handover: A borrower checklist
5. Returning the gear: A borrower checklist
The return is the final lap of your booking! To ensure everything wraps up smoothly you transfer liability of the gear back to the lender, follow these simple steps.
A thorough check at the finish line is the best way to prevent any misunderstandings later.
Your checklist:
Have you kept the chat on Cammunity?: Just as before, you must arrange the return in-app. Keeping your conversations on-platform ensures we have a record of the return taking place and protects your security.
Are you returning the gear on time?: Ensure the equipment is returned promptly at the agreed time. Lenders often have back-to-back bookings, and late returns will incur additional fees.
Is the location safe?: Suggest to meet at a safe, well-lit, public location for the return.
Is the gear in the same condition?: You’re expected to return the gear in the same state you received it. If any issues or damage occurred, please act in good faith and notify the lender immediately via the app before the return takes place.
If you’re unable to reach a satisfactory conclusion with the lender, please don’t hesitate to contact us at support@cammunity.co.uk
Did you record the return condition video?: Just like the handover, recording a video during the return ensures you have a clear, timestamped record that the equipment was returned safely.
Have you confirmed the return in-app?: This is the most important part! Once you and the lender 'swipe to confirm,' the booking is officially closed. Once this is done, no further claims for damage or missing items can be made against you after this point. Always ensure this is completed in person!
6. Can’t make it to the return?
Reliability is at the heart of Cammunity.
When meetups are missed, it creates a "grey area" for equipment safety and can disrupt someone else’s production.
Here is how we handle timing issues to ensure everyone stays protected:
What if I’m late to a return?: You have a 1-hour grace period. After this, you will be charged a late fee of one full daily rental rate for every 24-hour period the gear is overdue.
How can I request an extension to my booking?: If you need the gear for longer, you must agree and pay for an extension in-app before the original return time to ensure your insurance remains valid.
What if the lender misses the return?: If the lender misses the return, please wait for the 1-hour grace period. If they still haven't arrived, take a time stamped photo of yourself at the location and report it to us immediately via the app.
How we protect you: If a lender is a no-show for the return, you are entitled to compensation (50% of a day’s rental) to cover your time. Your booking is also extended for free until a new time is set so the gear remains safely in your care.
7. Leaving reviews
Once your kit is safely returned, we’ll ask you to share a quick review of your experience.
Your honest feedback helps other creators looking for gear, and to keep Cammunity a professional, and transparent marketplace.
Whether it’s a shout-out for a great lender, or a note on how well the equipment performed, your input is what makes Cammunity thrive.
Thanks for helping us grow!
Thank you for choosing Cammunity!
We have your back every step of the way. By staying on-platform and following this guide, you’re enabling us to step in and help if anything ever goes sideways.
It ensures your financial safety and rental agreements are fully backed by Cammunity, leaving you free to focus on your production with total peace of mind.
We’re excited to see what you create!
Support and Terms of Service
We’re here to ensure your experience is as smooth as possible. If you need any assistance with a booking or have questions about how the platform works, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
In-app support: Message us directly through the help centre.
Email: support@cammunity.co.uk
Full terms and conditions: Click here