1. GENERAL
The premises of RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE must be returned to their original condition after a photo shoot, film production, or event. All restoration work and the associated costs shall be borne by the customer/subtenant. Restoration work must be completed within 2 working days. The resulting rental downtime shall be borne by the customer/subtenant at 50% of the agreed daily rental rate. After the second day, 100% of the respective rental costswill be charged.
The rental of the premises, studio equipment, and furnishings of RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE, as well as the provision of services for audio productions and events, is carried out exclusively on the basis of the following General Terms and Conditions. Any conflicting terms and conditions of the customer shall not apply. Such terms are hereby expressly rejected.
2. RENTAL FEE
The rental fee is based on daily rates. The daily rate applies to 8 hours and weekdays are considered working days. The price includes the basic studio equipment as well as the furnishings available in the studio.
Additional equipment such as microphones, pianos, etc. can be rented upon request and subject to an additional charge.
3. OPTION / BOOKING / CANCELLATION
Options may be agreed verbally, while bookings/confirmed bookings and cancellations must be made in writing.
The rental shall take place at the price specified in the booking, for the agreed period, and with the additional services specified in the booking, provided these are freely selectable.
In the event of cancellations received by RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE earlier than 14 working days (Monday–Friday) before the scheduled start of production, 50% of the total costs will be charged.
For cancellations made later, 100% of the total costs will be invoiced and become payable.
4. ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND COSTS
Additional services and costs are not included in the rental fee.
If RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE procures items from third parties for the customer and makes them available, these will be charged to the customer at the respective rental or purchase costs plus a handling fee.
Costs for lost, destroyed, or damaged items will be charged to the customer at the replacement value or the proven repair costs, plus a handling fee.
5. PAYMENT TERMS
The rental price stated on the invoice and the additional charges for services according to Section 4 of these General Terms and Conditions are payable within 10 days of receipt of the invoice without deduction by bank transfer, unless otherwise stated in the invoice.
6. TERMS OF USE
The right of use is granted exclusively to the customer and their guests. Subletting or transferring use to third parties requires the prior written consent of RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE.
The customer agrees to comply with the following terms of use (house rules) and is also responsible for ensuring that assistants and other persons present during the production comply with these rules.
The rooms are rented in clean condition and with the furnishings available at the time. There is no entitlement to specific furnishings unless explicitly booked.
At the beginning of the rental period, the customer must inspect the premises for proper condition. If no complaint is made at the time of handover, the condition shall be deemed accepted by the customer.
The premises, including floors and furnishings, are intended for photography, filming, music production, and events. They must be used accordingly and treated with care.
The use of furnishings and technical equipment is permitted only within the premises of RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE.
The use of sand, artificial snow, or similar materials is permitted only with prior written consent. Bringing animals also requires prior approval.
The use of materials or tools that may cause damage, contamination, or danger to people or the premises (e.g., attaching gaffer tape, nails, etc. to floors or walls, flammable liquids, open flames) is prohibited.
Modifications to the rental property are not permitted.
Use contrary to the contract is prohibited.
RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE reserves the right of entry (house rights) and is entitled to enter the premises at any time itself or through authorized representatives.
7. LIABILITY OF THE CUSTOMER
The customer is liable for all damages caused by themselves or their assistants to the premises, furnishings, or rented equipment, as well as for resulting consequential costs (e.g., loss of rental income).
8. LIABILITY OF RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE
RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE shall be liable only for damages caused intentionally or through gross negligenceby itself or its representatives.
Liability per damage case is limited to twice the value of the agreed rental fee. Any further liability is excluded.
In particular, liability is excluded for:
Damage to or theft of brought-in items and equipment (e.g., cameras, lighting systems).
Personal injuries occurring during the stay in the premises of RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE.
Damages caused by third parties or force majeure.
9. RETURN OF THE RENTED PROPERTY
At the end of the rental period, the customer is obliged to tidy up the premises and return the rooms, any keys provided, as well as rented equipment and furnishings in their original condition.
The handover must take place with a representative of RIVER STUDIOS COLOGNE. For this purpose, the representative must be notified approximately half an hour before the end of the production.
During the handover, the customer or their representative must sign a confirmation regarding additional services used or consumption of drinks and food.
In the event of damage to the rented property, a report describing the type and extent of the damage must be signed.
10. RIGHT OF RETENTION / SET-OFF
The customer has no right of retention or set-off.
11. FINAL PROVISIONS
Amendments and additions to the contract and these terms must be made in writing. This also applies to any modification or waiver of the written form requirement.
Should any provision of these General Terms and Conditions be or become invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain unaffected. The invalid provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that comes as close as possible to the economic intent of the original provision, taking into account the interests of both parties at the time the contract was concluded.
Place of jurisdiction: Cologne
Cologne, 01.01.2026
