---
key: create-a-rental
title: Create a rental
audience: staff
section: operations
routes: ["/schedule/new/rental"]
permissions: ["schedule.rentals.create"]
features: ["schedule.rentals", "schedule.date_range", "schedule.bookable_units"]
since: 0.0.1
updated: 0.0.1
status: published
summary: Rent a piece of equipment, a trailer or another bookable unit to a customer from one date and time to another, and let Nova pick a free unit or choose one yourself.
keywords: [equipment rental, rent out, trailer rental, tool rental, hire, pickup, drop off, return date, rental booking]
related: [manage-a-lodging-reservation-or-rental, find-a-booking-on-the-calendar, add-a-bookable-unit, create-an-offering]
---

Open **Schedule**, press **New**, and choose **Rental**. A rental holds equipment or another item for a collection and return period.

## Before you start

Enable **Rentals** in **Settings** → **Schedule** → **What do you schedule?**. Your plan and role must allow rentals. Set up an active rental offering with date-range booking, bookable units and the rental policies you need.

## Make the rental

1. Choose the customer, message recipient and rental offering.
2. Choose when the rental starts and ends.
3. Let Nova assign an available unit or choose a specific available unit.
4. Complete the collection or delivery details and any required fields.
5. Review the item and dates, then save.

Nova checks availability before reserving the item. A room or rental unit can be held without assigning a staff member. If a delivery or another task needs staff, schedule that work separately with the right people.

## Customer messages

Rental confirmations and reminders use collection and return wording. Set them in **Settings** → **Customer messages** → **Rentals**. Existing rentals retain their history and messages when you turn rentals off for new work.