Storage South Kensington Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Storage South Kensington provides removal, transport, loading, unloading and storage services within the United Kingdom. By making a booking, using our services or placing goods into our care, 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:
1.1 Customer means the individual or business who requests or uses our removal or storage services.
1.2 Services means any removal, collection, delivery, packing, loading, unloading, storage or related services provided by Storage South Kensington.
1.3 Goods means any items, furniture, boxes or property entrusted to us for removal, transport or storage.
1.4 Contract means the agreement between Storage South Kensington and the Customer for the provision of Services, incorporating these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or written confirmation we issue.
2. Scope of Services
2.1 We provide domestic and commercial removal and storage services, including collection from and delivery to addresses within our operating area and longer distance moves within the UK, subject to availability and prior agreement.
2.2 Any quotation or description of services is based on the information supplied by the Customer. It is the Customer's responsibility to ensure that information given about access, volume of goods, special handling requirements and dates is accurate.
2.3 We reserve the right to reasonably adjust the service, timings or charges if the information provided proves to be incomplete, inaccurate or misleading.
3. Booking Process
3.1 A booking request can be made by the Customer through our accepted communication methods. A booking is not confirmed until we provide written confirmation of acceptance and any required deposit has been received.
3.2 Our quotations are usually provided as estimates based on the details you supply. Quotations are valid for the period stated on the quotation, or if no period is stated, for 30 days from the date of issue, unless withdrawn by us earlier in writing.
3.3 The Contract is formed when you accept our quotation in writing or proceed to confirm a booking and we acknowledge your acceptance.
3.4 The Customer must notify us in advance of any special requirements, including restricted access, parking limitations, time-specific restrictions, or items requiring specialist handling such as pianos, safes or fragile or high-value goods.
3.5 We may require photographic or written evidence of the items and access conditions to prepare an accurate quotation. Failure to disclose relevant details may result in additional charges or delays on the day of service.
4. Payments and Charges
4.1 Charges are set out in our quotation or written confirmation. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment terms are as follows:
4.1.1 For removal services, full payment is due no later than the working day before the scheduled service date.
4.1.2 For ongoing storage, payment is due in advance for each storage period, typically monthly, on the date specified in your storage agreement.
4.2 We may require a deposit to secure your booking. Deposits are deducted from the final amount payable unless otherwise stated.
4.3 We accept payment by methods that we specify from time to time. The Customer is responsible for ensuring that cleared funds are received by the due date.
4.4 If payment is not received by the due date, we may, at our discretion:
4.4.1 Suspend, delay or cancel any scheduled Services; and
4.4.2 Charge interest on overdue amounts at the statutory rate applicable for late payments in business-to-business transactions or at a reasonable rate for consumer contracts.
4.5 All charges are quoted exclusive of any applicable taxes unless expressly stated otherwise. Any taxes or levies payable in connection with the Services shall be the responsibility of the Customer.
5. Cancellations and Amendments
5.1 If you wish to cancel or amend your booking, you must notify us in writing as soon as reasonably possible.
5.2 For removal services, the following cancellation charges may apply, unless otherwise set out in your quotation:
5.2.1 If you cancel more than 7 days before the scheduled service date, any prepaid amounts may be refunded, less any non-recoverable costs incurred by us.
5.2.2 If you cancel between 3 and 7 days before the scheduled service date, we may charge up to 50 percent of the quoted service fee.
5.2.3 If you cancel less than 3 days before the scheduled service date, we may charge up to 100 percent of the quoted service fee.
5.3 For storage services, if you wish to terminate ongoing storage, you must give us written notice in accordance with the notice period specified in your storage agreement. Storage charges will continue to accrue until the notice period expires and all Goods are removed and accounts settled.
5.4 Changes to service dates, addresses or required services are subject to availability and may result in revised charges. We will inform you of any additional costs before confirming an amendment.
5.5 We may cancel or postpone the Services due to events beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, road closures, accidents, industrial action, or other circumstances that make it unsafe or impracticable to proceed. In such cases, we will seek to agree a revised date with you and will not be liable for any resulting indirect losses.
6. Customer Responsibilities
6.1 The Customer is responsible for:
6.1.1 Ensuring that adequate and lawful parking or access is available for our vehicles at collection and delivery addresses.
6.1.2 Obtaining any necessary permits, permissions or access arrangements in advance, unless we have expressly agreed in writing to arrange these on your behalf.
6.1.3 Ensuring that Goods are properly packed and prepared for removal or storage, unless we have expressly agreed to provide packing services.
6.1.4 Removing or securing detachable or loose parts of furniture or appliances, and disconnecting any electrical, gas or plumbing connections by a suitably qualified person.
6.2 The Customer shall not request us to move or store:
6.2.1 Any living creatures or plants.
6.2.2 Any perishable, contaminated or offensive goods.
6.2.3 Any hazardous, explosive or flammable materials, including gas cylinders, paints, solvents, chemicals or fuel, except domestic quantities of non-hazardous cleaning products.
6.2.4 Any illegal or stolen goods, or goods that it is unlawful to possess or transport.
6.2.5 Any high-value items such as jewellery, cash, securities or important documents, unless we have agreed in writing to accept these and you have taken appropriate additional insurance.
6.3 If we discover prohibited items amongst your Goods, we may remove, return, store or dispose of them at your cost and without liability, acting reasonably and in accordance with applicable law.
7. Use of Storage Facilities
7.1 Where we provide storage facilities, we will allocate storage space suitable for the agreed volume of Goods. The specific unit or location within the premises will be determined by us and may be changed from time to time to ensure safe and efficient operation.
7.2 Access to stored Goods is subject to our access policies and opening hours, as notified to you. We may require reasonable notice in advance of any requested access.
7.3 You must not store any prohibited items listed in these Terms and Conditions. You must ensure that Goods are kept in a condition that does not cause damage, nuisance or risk to our premises, staff, other customers or third parties.
7.4 Storage is provided on the basis that we have a contractual lien over the Goods for all charges and costs owed to us. If you fail to pay storage or other charges when due, we may, after giving reasonable notice, sell or otherwise dispose of some or all of the Goods and apply the proceeds towards settlement of your account. Any surplus, after deduction of costs and charges, will be held for you.
8. Waste Regulations and Disposal
8.1 We comply with applicable waste and environmental regulations when disposing of unwanted items or waste materials generated in the course of our services.
8.2 The Customer must not deposit household waste, construction rubble, hazardous materials or other refuse in our vehicles or storage facilities unless a specific waste removal or disposal service has been agreed in writing and charged for.
8.3 Where we agree to remove waste or unwanted items, the Customer confirms that they have the authority to dispose of such items and that the items are not hazardous, restricted or illegal. Additional charges may apply for heavy, bulky or regulated waste streams.
8.4 We may refuse to remove or store any items that we reasonably believe to be unsafe, illegal, hazardous, contaminated or in breach of waste management legislation.
9. Our Liability
9.1 We will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the Services. However, our liability for loss of or damage to Goods is subject to the limitations in this section.
9.2 We are not liable for loss or damage arising from:
9.2.1 Incorrect or incomplete information supplied by the Customer.
9.2.2 Normal wear and tear, gradual deterioration or inherent defects in the Goods.
9.2.3 Moths, vermin, insects, mould, damp, rust or atmospheric or climatic changes, unless caused by our failure to exercise reasonable care.
9.2.4 Cleaning, repairing or restoring of any item unless we have agreed to provide such services and have been negligent in doing so.
9.2.5 Goods packed by the Customer or third parties, where we have not been responsible for packing and where there is no visible external damage to the package at the time of collection or delivery.
9.2.6 Electrical or mechanical derangement of appliances, instruments, computers or other equipment, unless there is evidence of impact damage caused by our negligence.
9.2.7 Loss or damage resulting from war, terrorism, civil commotion, industrial disputes, natural disasters or other events beyond our reasonable control.
9.3 Our total liability for loss or damage to Goods, whether arising from negligence, breach of contract or otherwise, shall not exceed the lower of:
9.3.1 The cost value of the Goods at the time of loss or damage, or
9.3.2 Any limit expressly stated in our quotation or in any insurance or extended liability option you have purchased.
9.4 We strongly recommend that the Customer arranges suitable insurance cover for the full replacement value of their Goods while in transit and in storage. Where we offer an insurance or extended liability option, the terms of that cover will apply in addition to these Terms and Conditions.
9.5 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.
10. Claims and Time Limits
10.1 The Customer must inspect Goods promptly on delivery or when accessing storage. If you believe that Goods have been lost or damaged, you must notify us in writing as soon as reasonably practicable.
10.2 For removal services, any claim for loss or damage must be notified in writing within 7 days of delivery, or within 7 days of the date on which delivery should have taken place in the case of alleged non-delivery.
10.3 For storage services, any claim must be notified within 7 days of you becoming aware of the loss or damage. We may request supporting evidence, such as photographs, inventories or purchase receipts.
10.4 Failure to notify a claim within the relevant time limit may affect our ability to investigate and may reduce or extinguish any liability we might otherwise have, unless the Customer can show that it was not reasonably possible to notify earlier.
11. Consumer Rights
11.1 If you are a consumer, these Terms and Conditions do not affect any statutory rights you may have under consumer protection legislation. Where there is any conflict between these Terms and Conditions and your statutory rights, your statutory rights will prevail.
11.2 If you enter into the Contract as a consumer at a distance, you may have cancellation rights under UK consumer law. Any such rights will be explained to you in a separate notice where applicable.
12. Data Protection
12.1 We will process personal data about the Customer in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Personal data will be used to administer bookings, provide Services, process payments, manage accounts and, where permitted, send relevant service information.
12.2 We will take reasonable steps to keep personal data secure and will only share it with third parties where necessary for the performance of the Contract, compliance with legal obligations or with your consent.
13. Termination
13.1 Either party may terminate the Contract for storage services by giving the notice period specified in the storage agreement, subject to all outstanding charges being paid.
13.2 We may terminate the Contract immediately if you commit a serious breach of these Terms and Conditions, fail to pay any sums due, use the storage facilities for unlawful purposes or store prohibited items.
13.3 Upon termination, you must remove all Goods 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.
14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
14.1 These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or their subject matter or formation, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
14.2 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 or formation, whether contractual or non-contractual.
15. General Provisions
15.1 If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court or other competent authority to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision will be severed and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
15.2 No variation of these Terms and Conditions shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed or confirmed by an authorised representative of Storage South Kensington.
15.3 No failure or delay by either party in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions shall operate as a waiver of that right or remedy.
15.4 These Terms and Conditions, together with any quotation or written confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede any prior understandings, representations or agreements relating to the Services.
15.5 The Customer may not assign or transfer any rights or obligations under the Contract without our prior written consent. We may assign or subcontract our rights and obligations under the Contract, provided that this does not reduce the level of service or protection offered to the Customer.
