Renting a van from a private owner: moving without surprises

You're moving in three weeks and the numbers don't work: a removal firm costs four figures, but fitting everything in an estate car means eight trips. In between sits the van for a day — provided you know where it gets expensive.

What a van really costs

The daily rate is rarely the problem. Privately you'll pay 40 to 80 euros, commercially 60 to 120. The cost almost always creeps in through two other items: mileage and fuel.

Many commercial offers include only 100 or 150 free kilometres, with every further one costing 20 to 40 cents. A move to the next town and back easily hits 200 kilometres — that's another 40 to 80 euros. Add a van using 12 to 15 litres per 100 kilometres. So always ask about included mileage first, not the daily rate.

What size you actually need

• Up to 8 m³: one-room flat, furniture purchase, dump run.
• 10 to 12 m³: two-room flat without large wardrobes.
• 15 to 20 m³: three rooms or a flat with a kitchen.
• With a tail lift: worth it for washing machines, pianos or heavy single items.

The most common miscalculation is booking too small. A second trip costs you two hours, double the distance, and often more than the larger van would have.

Before you drive: where things go wrong

• Note the height — underground car parks and barriers are the classic source of damage.
• Record the fuel level and agreed return time in writing.
• Walk around with a camera, especially bumpers, corners and the roof.
• Organise straps and blankets; unsecured loads cause the most damage.
• Check whether a sack truck is included — otherwise rent one too.

Why private often fits better

Commercial firms have fixed hours and depots on the edge of town. If you want to set off at seven on a Saturday, that's often a problem. With private owners you agree handover directly — and the van is usually in the same neighbourhood, not an industrial estate.

Then there's mileage: private rentals more often charge a flat rate rather than per kilometre. Over longer distances that makes the biggest difference.

How it works on Tavaa

Search the app for vehicles nearby, pick your dates and book. Payment and deposit run securely through the app. At handover you take photos together — with vehicles that's the single most important step, and it takes two minutes.

One thing to settle before booking: ask the owner how insurance is arranged and whether there's an excess. With vehicles, that's the step you shouldn't skip.