Review status. This is an operational launch draft. It must be approved for the final business, provider, vehicle, and California rental flow before it is published as binding customer terms.
1. The operator and the service
“Mells,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean Nikulin Rentals LLC, doing business as Mells Rentals. In the initial Los Angeles pilot, Mells is the direct rental operator. The site is not a peer-to-peer marketplace.
The site lets you review available vehicles, request dates, receive a manual decision, and—only after approval—continue through the identified checkout provider. A website request is not a reservation, vehicle hold, rental contract, or promise that a vehicle will be available.
2. Requests, quotes, and confirmation
- You may send a request without entering card information.
- Mells manually reviews the vehicle, dates, driver information, intended use, and operational readiness.
- If a request is approved, Mells creates or verifies the exact matching provider quote and sends the provider's checkout link.
- A trip is confirmed only after every required provider step is complete and Mells sends an express confirmation.
A displayed estimate may change before payment if you change the vehicle, dates, drivers, mileage, or requested use, or if a required tax or provider charge changes. The final itemized amount is shown before you authorize payment.
3. Driver eligibility
Phase 1 provider eligibility requires intended drivers to be at least 25 years old. This is a requirement of the intended provider flow, not a statement that California law sets 25 as the minimum for every rental. Every intended driver must be disclosed before handoff, hold a current driver license valid for the vehicle and trip, provide accurate information, and satisfy applicable provider verification.
A person may drive only if permitted by California law, the final Rental Agreement, and applicable provider and carrier rules. Nothing in these site terms excludes a person whom nonwaivable California law treats as an authorized driver. Mells may decline a request or stop checkout when identity, license, provider, payment, agreement, or vehicle-readiness evidence is missing, expired, inconsistent, or cannot be verified.
4. Checkout, payment, and security authorization
Wheelbase is the intended Phase 1 checkout provider, but it is not active for a vehicle until the account and that vehicle are approved. When activated, the provider controls rental payment, the separate refundable security authorization, driver verification, any provider option, and electronic signature of the rental documents. The Mells site does not ask you to type card details into a Mells form.
The security authorization is separate from rental payment. It is not rental revenue and does not establish responsibility for damage or loss. Release timing depends on the card issuer and provider after Mells submits the release.
Protection options are presented during checkout. Availability and eligibility are subject to provider approval. Mells is not the insurer. The exact provider document and your recorded choice control.
5. Rental documents
These site terms do not replace the final Rental Agreement, the trip-specific Rental Record, provider documents, or any separate legally required disclosure. Before a direct trip is confirmed, you must be able to review and sign the applicable documents and receive or access a copy.
The Rental Record identifies the exact vehicle, approved drivers, dates and times, pick-up and return location, mileage terms, fuel source and return terms, itemized charges, security authorization, and incorporated document versions. A material change requires a revised record and may require new consent or signature.
6. Pick-up, return, and vehicle condition
Phase 1 uses one staffed, off-airport pick-up point in El Segundo, California. The exact address is supplied after confirmation. Delivery, airport handoff, unattended key exchange, and remote unlock are not offered in this pilot.
You must arrive at the agreed time with the required license and provider evidence. Mells and the renter document the vehicle's condition, fuel or charge level, mileage, and provided items at check-out and return. Do not accept the vehicle until any disagreement about recorded condition is written down.
7. Permitted use
You must use the vehicle lawfully, carefully, and only within the approved trip terms. Unless the Rental Record expressly permits it, you may not:
- allow a person to drive contrary to California law, the final Rental Agreement, or applicable provider and carrier rules, or fail to disclose an intended driver before handoff;
- use it for rideshare, delivery work, racing, speed testing, towing, pushing, driver training, or off-road use;
- carry unlawful goods, overload the vehicle, smoke or vape in it, tamper with safety or telematics equipment, or leave the approved territory;
- subrent, sell, pledge, abandon, or intentionally damage the vehicle.
Vehicle-specific restrictions and consequences must appear in the final Rental Agreement and Rental Record before signature.
8. Breakdowns, collisions, citations, and loss
In an emergency, call 911 first. Then contact Mells at +1 234 980 5783 as soon as it is safe. Follow lawful instructions, protect the vehicle from further harm when reasonably possible, and provide accurate incident information.
Ordinary checkout does not pre-authorize a card charge or a new or extended card block for damage or loss. Any post-incident request must be separate, authenticated, itemized, and presented after the incident under the applicable signed documents and law.
9. Cancellations and changes
No cancellation charge applies while a submission is only a request. After confirmation, the policy posted at the time of booking and incorporated into the final quote applies. Read the complete Cancellation Policy.
Date, driver, vehicle, use, or price changes are requests only. They are effective after Mells and the provider confirm the revised trip and any required documents are completed.
10. Privacy and electronic records
Our Privacy Notice explains how Mells handles personal information. Our Cookie Notice explains browser storage and third-party resources.
You may be asked to consent to electronic records and signatures. Transactional email or text choices are separate from marketing choices. You may request a paper copy or withdraw electronic-record consent as described in the final agreement, subject to completing any legally required alternative process.
11. Website availability and content
We may correct errors, maintain the site, or suspend a feature. Vehicle photos, features, and availability are provided for shopping and may be updated. The exact vehicle and final terms are those in the confirmed Rental Record.
To the extent allowed by law, the site is provided as available without a promise that access will always be uninterrupted. Nothing in these terms limits a right that California law does not allow a business to waive.
12. Governing law and contact
California law governs these site terms, without regard to conflict-of-law rules. Any venue term for an actual rental must be stated in the counsel-approved Rental Agreement; this launch draft does not add arbitration or waive a jury right.
Questions or notices may be sent to nikulinmells@gmail.com or +1 234 980 5783. We may update these terms prospectively by posting a new date. A confirmed trip remains governed by the versions incorporated into that trip's documents unless the parties lawfully agree otherwise.
California consumers may also contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs Consumer Information Center at 1 800 952 5210, or use the Department's complaint resources. Mail may be addressed to Consumer Information Center, 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112, Sacramento, CA 95834.