Storage Ponders End Terms and Conditions of Service
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Storage Ponders End provides storage, removal and associated services to consumer and business customers in the United Kingdom. By making a booking, using our services, or placing goods into our custody or storage, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, you must not use our services. You are advised to read this document carefully before confirming any booking.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following words have the meanings given below:
Agreement means the contract between you and Storage Ponders End incorporating these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or service confirmation we issue.
Services means any storage, removal, packing, handling, transportation, loading, unloading, or related services provided by us.
Goods means the items and property which you ask us to handle, transport or store.
Storage Facility means any premises where your goods are stored on your behalf.
We, us, our means Storage Ponders End.
You, your means the customer who books or uses our services.
2. Scope of Services
Storage Ponders End provides storage units, storage space, and removal and handling services for domestic and commercial customers. Our services may include local and regional collections and deliveries, transport between properties, and loading and unloading of vehicles, as agreed in your booking confirmation.
The exact scope of work, including the type and size of storage provided, the date and time of removal or delivery, and any additional services such as packing, will be set out in our written quotation or confirmation document.
3. Booking Process
3.1 Booking request
You may request a quotation or make a booking enquiry by telephone, in writing, or through our website where available. We may ask you for details of the property, access, the volume and nature of the goods, and any special requirements.
3.2 Quotation
Any quotation we provide is based on the information you give us. Quotations are normally valid for a limited period stated on the quotation or, if not stated, for 30 days from the date of issue. A quotation is not a binding offer until we confirm acceptance of your booking.
3.3 Acceptance and confirmation
Your booking is only confirmed when we issue a written confirmation, which may be sent electronically. By confirming the booking, you are deemed to accept these Terms and Conditions. We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion.
3.4 Changes to booking
Any changes to dates, addresses, access, volume of goods or services required must be requested as early as possible. We will try to accommodate changes but cannot guarantee availability. Changes may result in an amended quotation and additional charges.
4. Access, Packing and Customer Responsibilities
4.1 Access for removal services
You are responsible for ensuring that we have suitable access to the property and any relevant parking permissions on the agreed dates. You must notify us of any restrictions, such as narrow roads, height limits, parking suspensions, or time-limited access. Additional costs incurred due to lack of access or delays outside our control may be charged to you.
4.2 Packing and preparation of goods
Unless we have specifically agreed to provide packing services, you are responsible for properly packing and preparing your goods for removal or storage. Fragile items must be adequately protected, and furniture should be dismantled where necessary, unless otherwise agreed.
4.3 Prohibited and restricted items
You must not submit for transport or storage any goods that are illegal, unsafe, or otherwise prohibited. These include, but are not limited to, explosives, flammable or hazardous materials, gas bottles, firearms, perishable or living items, cash, securities, and high value items such as jewellery, precious metals, or collectibles, unless we have agreed in writing.
4.4 Information and declarations
You must provide complete and accurate information about the nature, quantity and condition of the goods, and any special handling requirements. You must also declare any item of significant value. We are not responsible for loss or damage arising from your failure to disclose relevant information.
5. Storage Use and Conditions
5.1 Storage units and allocation
We will allocate storage space or units that we consider appropriate for the volume and nature of your goods, subject to availability. We may move your goods to another location within our Storage Facility for operational or safety reasons, while taking reasonable care of your goods.
5.2 Access to stored goods
Access to your stored goods may be by prior arrangement only and during advertised or agreed hours. We reserve the right to require proof of identity and to limit or refuse access if we have reasonable grounds to suspect unauthorised access or a breach of these Terms and Conditions.
5.3 Use of storage space
You must not use the storage space as a residence, office, or for any activity other than the storage of goods. You must not install fixtures, make alterations, or cause any damage to the Storage Facility. You must keep the area clean and must not obstruct access ways or fire exits.
5.4 Non-transferability
Your rights to use the storage space are personal to you and may not be transferred, sublet or shared with any other party without our prior written consent.
6. Payments and Charges
6.1 Pricing
Prices for our services are stated in our quotation or tariff and may include charges for labour, travel time, vehicles, fuel, packing materials, storage space, and any other agreed services. All prices are subject to applicable taxes.
6.2 Payment terms
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment for removal services is due in full in advance of the service date, and payment for ongoing storage is due on or before the first day of each storage period. We may require a deposit at the time of booking.
6.3 Methods of payment
We accept the payment methods advised at the time of booking or invoice. Payment is not deemed received until cleared funds have reached our account.
6.4 Late or non-payment
If you do not pay sums due by the due date, we may charge interest on overdue amounts at the statutory rate and may suspend services, refuse access to stored goods, or exercise a lien over your goods until all amounts, including interest and costs, are paid in full.
6.5 Lien and sale of goods
If sums due remain unpaid for a prolonged period, we reserve the right, after giving reasonable notice, to sell or otherwise dispose of some or all of your goods to recover outstanding charges and costs. Any surplus proceeds will be held for you, but no interest will be paid.
7. Cancellations, Postponements and Refunds
7.1 Your right to cancel or postpone
You may cancel or postpone your booking by giving us notice in writing. Where you cancel within a specified number of working days prior to the agreed date, we may charge a cancellation fee, which may increase as the service date approaches, reflecting our loss of business and costs incurred.
7.2 Cooling-off for consumers
If you are a consumer and you booked our services at a distance, you may have a statutory cooling-off period. However, where services are scheduled to be performed within the cooling-off period and you request that work commence, your right to cancel may be limited and you may be liable for reasonable costs already incurred.
7.3 Our right to cancel
We may cancel the Agreement or any part of the services at any time if you fail to pay sums due, breach these Terms and Conditions, present a safety risk, or where performance of the services is impossible due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control. In such cases, we will aim to give you as much notice as reasonably possible.
7.4 Refunds
Where you have paid in advance and are entitled to a refund following a valid cancellation, we will process the refund as soon as reasonably practicable, using the original method of payment where possible, subject to the deduction of any applicable cancellation fees or charges for services already provided.
8. Liability and Insurance
8.1 Our duty of care
We will exercise reasonable care and skill in the handling, transport and storage of your goods. However, our liability is subject to the limitations and exclusions set out in this Agreement.
8.2 Limitations of liability
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, our liability for loss of or damage to your goods, however arising, is limited to a maximum amount per item or per consignment as stated in our quotation or tariff. If you wish to increase our liability limit, you must request this in writing and pay any additional charges.
8.3 Excluded risks
We will not be liable for loss or damage arising from inherent defects, natural deterioration, atmospheric or climatic conditions, vermin or infestation, or from insufficient packing by you. We are not liable for loss of indirect or consequential nature, such as loss of profits, business interruption or emotional distress.
8.4 High value and fragile items
We recommend that you do not store or submit for removal high value items such as fine art, antiques, or irreplaceable goods, unless they are specially declared and arrangements are made for suitable protection. We may refuse to handle such items in the absence of appropriate cover.
8.5 Customer insurance
It is your responsibility to ensure that your goods are properly insured for removal and storage. You should check with your own insurer whether existing policies cover the goods at all locations relevant to our services. We do not provide insurance advice.
8.6 Time limits for claims
You must inspect your goods as soon as reasonably possible following removal or access to stored items. Any visible loss or damage must be notified to us in writing within a reasonable period, and in any event no later than seven days after the date of delivery or access. Failure to notify within this period may prejudice or extinguish any claim, except where you can show that it was not reasonably possible to discover the loss or damage earlier.
9. Waste, Disposal and Environmental Regulations
9.1 Prohibition on waste storage
You must not bring into the Storage Facility any waste materials, refuse, rubbish, or items intended for disposal instead of storage. Our facilities are not licensed as general waste transfer or disposal sites.
9.2 Responsibility for waste and unwanted items
You are responsible for arranging lawful disposal of any unwanted items. If, during the course of a removal or clearance, you ask us to dispose of items, we may agree to do so at our discretion and may charge additional fees. We will handle such items in line with applicable waste and environmental regulations.
9.3 Prohibited waste
We will not accept hazardous waste or items that require specialist treatment or licences for transport or disposal. This includes chemicals, asbestos, clinical waste, and other controlled materials. You remain responsible for such items and any consequences arising from your failure to disclose them.
9.4 Abandoned goods and waste
If you fail to remove your goods at the end of the agreed storage period, or after we have given reasonable notice following non-payment, we may treat the goods as abandoned. We may dispose of or sell the goods in a lawful manner, and you will be liable for any disposal costs or environmental charges incurred.
10. Health and Safety
10.1 Safe environment
We operate our services in accordance with relevant health and safety requirements. You must comply with any safety instructions given by our staff and must not act in a way that could endanger yourself, our staff, other customers, or the public.
10.2 Customer conduct
We reserve the right to refuse service or access where a customer behaves in an abusive, threatening or dangerous manner towards our staff or others, or where their actions pose a risk to property or safety.
11. Events Beyond Our Control
We are not liable for any delay, failure or inability to perform our obligations where such performance is prevented or affected by events beyond our reasonable control. These may include, without limitation, extreme weather, road closures, accidents, industrial action, acts of God, public emergencies or legal restrictions. In such cases we will use reasonable efforts to perform our obligations as soon as reasonably practicable.
12. Data Protection and Privacy
We may collect and process personal information about you for the purposes of managing your booking, delivering services, handling payments, and administering our relationship with you. We will handle such information in accordance with applicable data protection laws and only retain it for as long as necessary for these purposes or as required by law.
13. Variation of Terms
We may update or vary these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version applying to your Agreement will be the version in force at the time your booking is confirmed, unless we agree otherwise in writing. Any variations must be in writing and signed or confirmed by an authorised representative of Storage Ponders End.
14. Assignment
You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under this Agreement without our prior written consent. We may assign or transfer our rights and obligations to another suitably qualified provider, provided that this does not materially reduce the level of service to you.
15. Severability
If any part of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court or competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable, that part will be treated as severed from the Agreement and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or with the provision of our services, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, although we retain the right to bring proceedings against you in any other court of competent jurisdiction where appropriate.
By proceeding with a booking or using our services, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
