Storage Downham Terms and Conditions of Service
These Terms and Conditions govern the provision of storage, removal and associated services by Storage Downham to you as a consumer or business customer within the United Kingdom. By making a booking, paying a deposit, using our storage facilities, or instructing us to undertake any removal or related services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings set out below:
1.1 Customer means the person, firm or company who requests or receives services from Storage Downham.
1.2 Services means any storage, removal, packing, loading, unloading, transportation, handling, or related services provided by Storage Downham.
1.3 Goods means the items, belongings, furniture, personal effects, equipment, or other property that we are asked to store, move, handle or otherwise deal with.
1.4 Contract means the agreement between Storage Downham and the Customer for the supply of Services, incorporating these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or confirmation.
1.5 Premises means any building, unit, room, storage container, yard or other site used or operated by Storage Downham for the provision of Services.
2. Scope of Services
2.1 Storage Downham provides storage facilities and related services, together with removal, collection and delivery services, within the UK service area notified to you at the time of enquiry or booking.
2.2 The exact scope of the Services, including collection and delivery addresses, access conditions, number of operatives, vehicle type, and duration of storage, will be set out in our quotation or written confirmation.
2.3 Any services not expressly stated in the quotation or confirmation will be considered additional services and may incur extra charges.
3. Booking Process
3.1 All bookings are subject to availability of vehicles, storage space, and personnel on the requested dates.
3.2 You may request a quotation by providing details of the Goods, locations, dates, access conditions, and any special requirements. Quotations are normally based on the information you provide, and you are responsible for ensuring that such information is accurate and complete.
3.3 A booking is not confirmed until we issue a written confirmation, which may be sent electronically or otherwise, and any required deposit has been paid within the time indicated in the quotation.
3.4 If on attendance we discover that the information provided at the time of quotation was materially inaccurate or incomplete, we may adjust the price, amend the scope of the Services, or decline to proceed with all or part of the Services.
3.5 Bookings for peak periods and specific time slots may be subject to special conditions or surcharges, which will be explained to you prior to confirmation where applicable.
4. Estimates and Quotations
4.1 Unless otherwise stated, all quotations are estimates only, based on the information you provide and the assumptions stated in the quotation.
4.2 Quotations are normally valid for a limited period from the date of issue. After that period, we reserve the right to revise the quotation to reflect current rates and availability.
4.3 Quotations do not include charges for customs duties, parking, tolls, permits, congestion or clean air zone charges, ferry costs, temporary storage outside our own premises, or charges arising from limited access or waiting time, unless expressly stated.
4.4 We may revise our quotation or charge additional fees where the work is materially increased by factors such as restricted access, additional floors, lack of suitable parking, greater volume or weight of Goods, or where delays arise for reasons beyond our reasonable control.
5. Payments and Charges
5.1 All charges are payable in pounds sterling, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
5.2 For removal and transport services, payment of the quoted amount, or any stated deposit, is due prior to the commencement of the Services, unless we have agreed alternative credit terms in writing.
5.3 For ongoing storage services, fees are normally payable in advance on a weekly or monthly basis as specified in our confirmation. Continued use of storage facilities is conditional upon timely payment of all storage charges and any related fees.
5.4 We reserve the right to review and vary our storage rates periodically, providing reasonable notice where practicable. Any revised rates will apply from the date stated in the notice.
5.5 If you fail to pay any amount due under the Contract on the due date, we may charge interest on the overdue amount at the statutory rate permitted under UK law, and we may suspend or refuse to provide further Services until all outstanding sums are paid in full.
5.6 We may also apply reasonable administration charges for late payment reminders, declined transactions, and any costs incurred in recovering overdue sums.
6. Cancellations and Amendments
6.1 If you need to cancel or amend your booking, you must notify us as soon as possible. Cancellations or changes are only effective when we confirm receipt.
6.2 We may apply cancellation charges based on the notice you provide before the scheduled start of the Services:
a. More than seven days prior: no cancellation fee may apply, although any non-refundable third party costs may still be payable.
b. Between seven and two days prior: a percentage of the quoted price may be charged to cover allocated resources and lost opportunities.
c. Less than two days prior, or on the day of the Service: up to 100 per cent of the quoted price may be charged.
6.3 For ongoing storage, you must provide the minimum notice period specified in your storage agreement if you wish to terminate storage and remove your Goods. Storage fees remain payable during the notice period.
6.4 We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule the Services in cases of force majeure, safety concerns, severe weather, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control. In such cases, we will endeavour to offer an alternative date or a refund of any pre-paid charges for Services not provided.
7. Customer Responsibilities
7.1 You are responsible for ensuring adequate and safe access to the collection and delivery addresses, including arranging any necessary parking permits or authorisations, unless we expressly agree to arrange these on your behalf.
7.2 You must ensure that Goods are suitably packed and prepared for transport or storage, unless you have contracted with us to provide packing services. Fragile, high value or delicate items should be identified to us in advance.
7.3 You must not request us to store or move any prohibited items, including but not limited to: perishable goods, live animals, plants, flammable or explosive materials, corrosive or toxic substances, illegal goods, or items that may cause damage, infestation, contamination or nuisance.
7.4 You must declare to us any items of unusual value, sentimental importance or special risk, including artworks, antiques, jewellery, collections, documents or electronic equipment, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
7.5 You must comply with all applicable waste and environmental regulations when disposing of items and must not abandon unwanted Goods at our Premises or at any location served by us.
8. Waste Regulations and Disposal
8.1 Storage Downham operates in accordance with relevant UK waste management and environmental regulations. We are not a general waste disposal facility and will only remove or dispose of items as part of agreed Services.
8.2 If you ask us to remove items for disposal or recycling, we will do so in line with applicable laws and may apply separate charges for waste handling, transport, tipping and recycling fees.
8.3 You must not place any hazardous, restricted or regulated waste within your stored Goods or among items to be removed without our prior written consent and compliance with all legal requirements.
8.4 Any costs, fines or liabilities arising from your failure to comply with waste, recycling or environmental regulations shall be your responsibility. We may recover from you any costs we incur as a result of improper or unlawful waste presented to us.
9. Storage Conditions
9.1 Storage space is allocated on the basis of the information you provide about the volume and nature of your Goods. If your Goods exceed the agreed volume, we may allocate additional space at the prevailing rates.
9.2 You are not normally permitted to access the storage area without prior arrangement. Where access visits are allowed, they must be pre-booked and may be subject to reasonable charges or restrictions.
9.3 You must not install fixtures, make alterations, or attach items to the structure or fabric of any storage unit or Premises without our written permission.
9.4 The storage of combustible, hazardous, illegal or otherwise prohibited items is strictly forbidden. We may inspect Goods or units where we have reasonable cause to suspect a breach of these conditions, in accordance with applicable law.
9.5 If you fail to pay storage charges or other sums due, we may exercise a lien over your Goods, and, after giving any required notices, sell or dispose of the Goods to recover the outstanding amounts and reasonable costs incurred in doing so.
10. Liability and Risk
10.1 Our liability for loss of or damage to Goods while in our custody or control is limited, except where English law does not allow such limitation. You are encouraged to arrange suitable insurance cover for your Goods, whether through us if available or with an independent provider.
10.2 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, our liability for loss or damage to Goods shall not exceed a reasonable limit per item or per consignment, taking into account the type of Goods, the services provided, and the charges paid.
10.3 We shall not be liable for loss or damage arising from inherent defects, natural deterioration, normal wear and tear, atmospheric or climatic conditions, vermin, infestation, or the nature of the Goods themselves.
10.4 We shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of use, loss of data, or emotional distress, arising out of or in connection with the Services, whether in contract, tort, negligence or otherwise.
10.5 We shall not be liable for any loss, damage or delay caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, extreme weather, pandemic, industrial action, civil commotion, or failure of third party services.
10.6 You must inspect Goods promptly upon delivery or following access to storage. Any apparent loss or damage must be notified to us in writing within a reasonable period, together with supporting evidence, so that we may investigate.
11. Insurance
11.1 You are responsible for ensuring that your Goods are adequately insured against loss or damage during removal, transport and storage.
11.2 Where we offer optional insurance or extended protection, the terms, conditions and exclusions of that cover will be provided separately. It is your responsibility to read and understand such terms before accepting.
12. Data Protection and Privacy
12.1 We collect and process personal data in connection with providing our Services and managing our relationship with you in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
12.2 We will only use your personal information for legitimate business purposes, including administration of bookings, provision of Services, processing of payments, customer service, and compliance with legal obligations.
12.3 We will take reasonable steps to keep your personal data secure and to restrict access to those employees and contractors who need it for the purposes described above.
13. Complaints and Dispute Resolution
13.1 If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our Services, you should raise the matter with us as soon as possible so we can seek to resolve the issue.
13.2 We will review complaints in a fair and timely manner and may request further information or evidence to assist our investigation.
13.3 Where a dispute cannot be resolved informally, you and we may consider referral to mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution before commencing legal proceedings, where appropriate.
14. Termination
14.1 Either party may terminate the Contract for storage services by giving the notice period specified in the storage agreement, subject to payment of all sums due up to the expiry of the notice period.
14.2 We may terminate the Contract immediately if you commit a serious breach of these Terms and Conditions, fail to pay sums due, use the Premises for unlawful purposes, or place prohibited items in storage.
14.3 Upon termination, you must remove your Goods from our Premises by the agreed date and settle all outstanding charges. If you fail to do so, we may exercise our rights of lien and sale as described in these Terms and Conditions.
15. Variation of Terms
15.1 We may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time you make a booking or renew a storage period will normally apply to that Contract.
15.2 Any variation to these Terms and Conditions must be agreed in writing by an authorised representative of Storage Downham.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
16.1 These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or the Services, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
16.2 You and Storage Downham agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions or their subject matter.
By proceeding with a booking, using our storage facilities, or instructing us to provide removal or related services, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
