Storage Childs Hill Terms and Conditions of Service
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Storage Childs Hill provides storage, handling, and related removal services. By placing a booking, using our facilities, or instructing us to carry or store goods, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming any booking.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings set out below:
Client means the person, firm, or organisation that enters into a contract with Storage Childs Hill for storage and or removal services.
Company, we, us, or our means Storage Childs Hill, the provider of the services described in these Terms and Conditions.
Services means any storage, removal, handling, packing, loading, unloading, or related services provided by the Company.
Goods means the items, belongings, furniture, and any other property that the Client asks the Company to handle, move, or store.
Contract means the agreement between the Client and the Company incorporating these Terms and Conditions and any written confirmation of booking issued by the Company.
2. Scope of Services
The Company provides storage and related removal and handling services within its service area, including collection and delivery of goods to and from its storage facilities. The exact scope of the Services will be set out in the booking confirmation or written quotation provided to the Client.
Any additional services not expressly stated in the booking confirmation or quotation, such as packing, unpacking, dismantling, reassembly, or specialist handling, may be provided at the Companys discretion and may incur additional charges.
3. Booking Process
3.1 Initial enquiry
The Client may request a quotation for Services by contacting the Company and providing accurate details of the goods, collection and delivery locations, access conditions, dates, and any special requirements.
3.2 Quotations
Any quotation issued by the Company is based on the information provided by the Client and is subject to these Terms and Conditions. Quotations are normally valid for a limited period, as stated on the quotation, after which the Company may revise or withdraw them.
3.3 Confirmation of booking
A booking is only considered confirmed when the Company issues a booking confirmation and, where required, the Client has paid any deposit or advance payment specified by the Company. Until that time, availability of services, vehicles, and storage space is not guaranteed.
3.4 Changes to booking
If the Client wishes to change the date, time, scope, or destination related to the Services after a booking has been confirmed, this will be subject to the Companys availability and may result in revised charges. The Company is not obliged to accommodate requested changes and may treat significant changes as a cancellation and new booking.
4. Client Responsibilities
The Client is responsible for:
Providing accurate and complete information about the goods, including any items requiring special handling, and about the access conditions at all relevant locations.
Ensuring that adequate parking and access are available for the Companys vehicles at collection and delivery points, including arranging any permits or permissions required.
Ensuring that goods are properly packed, labelled, and prepared for removal and storage, unless the Company has explicitly agreed to provide packing services.
Removing any prohibited or hazardous items from goods intended for storage or transport.
Ensuring that only goods which the Client owns or is otherwise lawfully entitled to move or store are handed over to the Company.
5. Payments and Charges
5.1 Pricing
The price for the Services will be set out in the Companys quotation or booking confirmation. Prices are usually based on factors such as volume, weight, access conditions, distance, duration of storage, and any additional services requested.
5.2 Deposits and advance payments
The Company may require a deposit or full payment in advance to secure a booking. The amount and due date for such payments will be stated in the quotation or booking confirmation. Failure to pay any required deposit or advance payment may result in cancellation of the booking.
5.3 Payment terms
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, all charges are payable in full by the due date specified in the invoice or booking confirmation. For ongoing storage, charges will normally be invoiced periodically in advance. The Client must keep their account up to date for the duration of the storage period.
5.4 Late payment
If the Client fails to pay any sum by the due date, the Company reserves the right to charge interest on the overdue amount and to suspend or withhold Services, including restricting access to stored goods, until all outstanding amounts have been settled.
5.5 Additional charges
The Company may apply reasonable additional charges for services not originally included in the quotation, such as delays caused by factors outside the Companys control, extended waiting times, unforeseen access difficulties, or extra handling requirements.
6. Cancellations and Postponements
6.1 Client cancellations
The Client may cancel a booking by giving notice to the Company. The following cancellation charges may apply, depending on when notice is received:
If cancellation is received well in advance of the scheduled service date, the Company may levy a reduced or no cancellation fee, as specified in its current policy.
If cancellation is received close to the scheduled service date or on the day of service, the Company may charge a higher proportion of the quoted price, up to 100 percent, to cover costs and lost opportunity.
Any deposit or advance payment may be retained in full or in part as a cancellation fee, subject to the notice period and the Companys policy at the time.
6.2 Client postponements
If the Client requests to postpone or reschedule Services, the Company will attempt to accommodate the new date or time but cannot guarantee availability. The Company may charge a postponement fee, particularly where the request is made at short notice or results in lost bookings.
6.3 Company cancellations
The Company may cancel or postpone Services due to factors beyond its reasonable control, such as severe weather, vehicle breakdown, safety concerns, or legal restrictions. In such cases, the Company will seek to reschedule the Services or refund any payments received for the affected portion of the Services, but will not be liable for any consequential loss.
7. Storage Terms
7.1 Allocation of space
The Company will allocate storage space for the Client's goods at its discretion and may move goods within its facility as reasonably required for efficient operation, provided that such movement does not materially affect the safety or condition of the goods.
7.2 Access to stored goods
Access to stored goods is by appointment and subject to the Companys procedures and opening hours. The Client must comply with any security checks and rules governing the facility. The Company may charge a fee for access, retrieval, or handling of goods, particularly where staff time, equipment, or vehicle use is required.
7.3 Duration of storage
Storage will continue on a rolling basis unless a fixed term is agreed in writing. The Client must give reasonable written notice when intending to remove goods from storage permanently. All outstanding charges must be paid before goods are released.
7.4 Lien over goods
The Company shall have a general lien over the Client's goods for all sums due and unpaid under the Contract. If the Client fails to pay any outstanding charges within a reasonable period after written notice, the Company may, in accordance with applicable law, sell or dispose of some or all of the goods to recover sums owed and costs incurred.
8. Prohibited and Restricted Items
The Client must not submit for storage or removal any goods that are illegal, dangerous, explosive, highly flammable, perishable, contaminating, or that may attract pests or cause damage, including but not limited to:
Drugs, weapons, or other illegal substances or items.
Gas bottles, fuel, chemicals, or toxic substances.
Perishable foodstuffs, plants, or live animals.
Waste materials or items for disposal, except where specifically agreed as part of a compliant waste removal service.
The Company may refuse to handle or store any goods it reasonably considers unsafe or unsuitable. If prohibited items are discovered, the Company may arrange for their removal, disposal, or reporting to relevant authorities as necessary, at the Clients cost.
9. Waste Regulations and Environmental Compliance
9.1 Waste handling
The Company is not a general waste carrier and will not remove waste or rubbish except where this forms part of an agreed service and is undertaken in compliance with applicable waste and environmental regulations. The Client must not use the Companys services to circumvent proper waste disposal requirements.
9.2 Duty of care
Where the Company agrees to remove items that may constitute waste, the Client confirms that such items are lawfully and safely presented for removal. The Client remains responsible for ensuring that no hazardous or regulated waste is handed to the Company without prior written agreement and that any such items are declared fully and accurately.
9.3 Environmental obligations
The Company will take reasonable steps to comply with relevant environmental laws and guidance when handling or disposing of waste-like items. The Client acknowledges that additional fees may apply for lawful disposal or recycling of certain items and agrees to pay such fees when reasonably incurred.
10. Liability and Insurance
10.1 Standard liability
The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the Services. However, the Companys liability for loss of or damage to goods, and for delay or failure in performance, is limited as set out in this section.
10.2 Excluded risks
The Company shall not be liable for loss or damage arising from:
Normal wear and tear, gradual deterioration, or inherent defects in the goods.
Changes in atmospheric conditions, humidity, or temperature, unless expressly agreed in writing for climate-controlled storage.
Insufficient or unsuitable packing carried out by the Client or a third party.
Handling of fragile or unboxed items against Company advice.
Acts or omissions of the Client or any third party not under the Companys control.
Events beyond the Companys reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, fire, flood, industrial action, or acts of public authorities.
10.3 Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Companys total liability for loss of or damage to goods, or for any other claim arising under the Contract, shall not exceed a reasonable limit per consignment or per storage unit, as specified in the Companys current policy or in the quotation or booking confirmation.
The Company shall not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of use, or loss of opportunity, arising out of or in connection with the Services.
10.4 Client insurance
The Client is strongly advised to arrange adequate insurance cover for the full value of the goods being removed or stored. The Company may offer information about optional insurance or extended liability cover, but it is ultimately the Client's responsibility to ensure that suitable protection is in place.
11. Claims and Complaints
11.1 Notification of loss or damage
If the Client believes that goods have been lost or damaged while in the Companys care, the Client must notify the Company as soon as reasonably possible and provide full details of the alleged loss or damage. The Company may require supporting evidence, such as photographs, inventories, or proof of value.
11.2 Time limits
Any claim relating to loss of or damage to goods must be notified within a reasonable time after delivery or retrieval, and in any event no later than a period specified by the Companys current policy, failing which the Company may decline to consider the claim.
11.3 Complaints procedure
The Company aims to resolve any concerns promptly and fairly. Clients are encouraged to raise any issues in writing, giving clear details of the matter and the outcome sought. The Company will review the complaint, seek any necessary clarification, and respond within a reasonable timeframe.
12. Data Protection and Privacy
The Company will collect and process personal information about the Client for the purposes of administering the Contract, arranging and providing Services, managing payments, and complying with legal obligations. Personal information will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
The Company may, where necessary, share relevant personal data with third parties involved in performing the Services, such as subcontractors or insurers, but will not sell or misuse personal data for unrelated purposes.
13. Termination
Either party may terminate the storage element of the Contract by giving the notice required under the applicable storage terms, provided all outstanding charges have been paid and the Client removes all goods from storage.
The Company may terminate the Contract with immediate effect if the Client commits a serious breach of these Terms and Conditions, fails to pay amounts due, or engages in unlawful or unsafe activities in relation to the Services or the Companys premises.
14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or the Services provided by the Company, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
The parties 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.
15. General Provisions
15.1 Entire agreement
These Terms and Conditions, together with any written quotation or booking confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between the Client and the Company and supersede any prior understandings, representations, or agreements relating to the Services.
15.2 Variation
No variation of these Terms and Conditions shall be effective unless agreed in writing by the Company. The Company may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time, and the version in force at the time of booking will apply to that Contract.
15.3 Severability
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed modified or deleted to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
15.4 No waiver
Failure or delay by the Company in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy.
15.5 Third party rights
No person other than the Client and the Company shall have any rights to enforce any term of these Terms and Conditions, whether under legislation relating to third party rights or otherwise.
