Storage Northumberland Heath Service Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Storage Northumberland Heath provides storage, handling and related removal services to private and business customers. By placing a booking, using our storage facilities or instructing us to handle or move goods, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before making a booking.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings set out below:
Customer means the person, firm or company that requests or receives services from Storage Northumberland Heath.
Services means any storage, handling, packing, loading, unloading, transport coordination or related services provided by Storage Northumberland Heath, including services provided in connection with removal or delivery of goods.
Goods means any items, property or belongings stored with us, or handled by us in connection with our services, including goods being loaded for, or unloaded from, vehicles operated by you or a third party.
Contract means the agreement between Storage Northumberland Heath and the Customer for the provision of services, incorporating these Terms and Conditions.
2. Scope of Services
Storage Northumberland Heath provides secure storage units and related handling services. In some cases we may coordinate or assist with removal activities, including loading and unloading, and facilitating access for third-party removal companies operating within our general service area.
We do not act as a common carrier and reserve the right to refuse any goods that in our reasonable opinion may pose a risk to persons, property or the environment, or that would place us in breach of any applicable law or regulation.
3. Booking Process
All services must be booked in advance. Bookings may be made online, in writing or in person, subject to our availability. A booking is only confirmed when we have issued written confirmation of acceptance and, where required, received any applicable deposit or initial payment.
When making a booking, you must provide accurate and complete information, including contact details, the nature and approximate quantity of the goods, any special handling requirements, and the desired dates and times for access or services. If the information you provide is incomplete or inaccurate, we may amend the charges, modify the services or cancel the booking.
We may carry out identity verification checks before or during the term of the contract. You agree to provide valid proof of identity and any other documentation reasonably requested.
4. Term and Access
The contract begins on the date we accept your booking or the date you first place goods into storage, whichever is earlier. The contract will continue until it is terminated in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.
Access to storage units is subject to our standard opening hours or any agreed access arrangements. We may temporarily restrict access for maintenance, safety or operational reasons. Where reasonably possible, we will give prior notice of any planned restrictions, but we may restrict access without notice where necessary for security, emergency or legal reasons.
5. Payments and Charges
Our charges for storage and any related services are set out in our current tariff or as otherwise notified to you in writing at the time of booking. Prices may be based on unit size, duration of storage, service type, labour required, or a combination of these factors.
Unless otherwise agreed, storage fees are payable in advance, typically on a monthly or weekly basis. Charges for additional services, including handling, loading and unloading, may be payable in advance or on completion of the relevant service, as notified to you.
We accept payment by approved methods only, as specified during the booking process. All amounts are payable in pounds sterling and are exclusive of any applicable taxes unless stated otherwise.
If you fail to pay any amount when due, we may charge interest on the overdue sum from the due date until payment in full is received, at a rate not exceeding the statutory rate permitted under applicable law. We may also suspend access to your storage unit and withhold goods until all outstanding sums, including interest and reasonable costs of recovery, have been paid.
We reserve a contractual lien over the goods in our possession for all sums due under the contract. If amounts remain unpaid after reasonable notice, we may, in accordance with applicable law, sell or otherwise dispose of some or all of the goods and apply the proceeds against the sums owed, remitting any balance to you where required by law.
6. Deposits and Security
We may require a deposit as a condition of accepting a booking. The amount of any deposit will be notified to you before the contract is formed. We may apply the deposit towards any unpaid charges or costs reasonably arising from your use of the services, including damage, cleaning or disposal costs.
Subject to the above, and provided all amounts due have been paid in full and there is no breach of the contract, any remaining deposit will be returned to you following termination of the contract and vacation of the unit, within a reasonable period.
7. Cancellations and Amendments
You may cancel or amend your booking by giving us notice in writing. The amount of notice required, and any applicable cancellation or amendment charges, will be notified to you at the time of booking or in our standard tariff. As a general guide, cancellations made with short notice may be subject to loss of deposit or a reasonable cancellation fee reflecting our administrative costs and loss of opportunity to allocate the unit or service to another customer.
If you fail to attend, fail to move goods into storage as agreed, or deny us reasonable access to perform agreed services, this may be treated as a late cancellation, and applicable charges may still be payable.
We may cancel the contract or any part of the services by giving you reasonable notice, for example where we are unable to provide the services due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, or where you are in breach of the contract. In such cases, we will refund any pre-paid charges for services not provided, subject to any deduction for amounts properly due.
8. Use of Units and Customer Obligations
You must use storage units and facilities in a careful and responsible manner. You agree not to store, and not to permit any other person to store, any goods that are illegal, perishable, flammable, explosive, toxic, hazardous or otherwise dangerous, or that may attract vermin or cause contamination, nuisance or damage.
You are responsible for ensuring that goods are suitably packed, protected and stable for storage and any handling or removal activities. You should not overload units, obstruct access ways, or interfere with the operation of doors, locks, alarms or other security systems.
You must keep the unit clean and in good condition and must not carry out any alterations or install any fixtures without our prior written consent. Smoking, use of open flames, and consumption of alcohol or drugs within the storage facility are strictly prohibited.
You are responsible for the conduct of any person you allow to access your unit or use our facilities under your authority. You must ensure they are aware of and comply with these Terms and Conditions.
9. Waste and Environmental Regulations
You must not use your storage unit or our facilities for the disposal of waste. Domestic rubbish, unwanted items, packaging, or other waste generated by you must be removed from the premises by you and lawfully disposed of at your own cost.
You must not store or abandon any controlled waste, electrical items requiring specialist disposal, chemicals, paints, oils, batteries, or similar regulated materials. If such materials are found in your unit or left in common areas, we may arrange for their safe removal and disposal and charge you the full cost plus a reasonable administrative fee.
You must comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations and must indemnify us for any loss, liability, claim, cost or expense incurred by us as a result of your breach of waste or environmental requirements.
10. Security and Access Control
We will take reasonable steps to maintain the security of the storage facility, which may include physical barriers, locks, controlled access systems and surveillance. However, you are responsible for ensuring that your individual unit is locked and secure at all times when unattended and that any access devices, keys or codes are kept safe and not shared unnecessarily.
If you believe that any access device, key or code has been lost, stolen or compromised, you must notify us without delay so that appropriate measures can be taken. We may charge a reasonable fee for replacement locks, keys or access devices.
11. Insurance and Risk
Unless expressly stated in writing, our charges do not include insurance for your goods. You are strongly advised to arrange suitable insurance cover for the full replacement value of the goods stored or handled, whether through your own insurer or any insurance offering that we may make available.
All goods are stored and handled at your own risk, subject to the limitations of liability set out in these Terms and Conditions. You should not store goods of exceptional value, such as high-value jewellery, precious metals, irreplaceable documents, antiques or works of art, without first informing us in writing and obtaining our agreement.
12. Our Liability
We will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the services. However, we will not be liable for any loss, damage, delay or failure caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to adverse weather, natural disasters, acts of terrorism, strikes, lockouts, mechanical breakdowns, power failures or actions of third parties.
We will not be liable for any loss of profits, loss of business, loss of opportunity, or any indirect or consequential loss, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if foreseeable.
Our total liability in respect of any claim arising out of or in connection with the contract, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be limited to the lesser of the actual proven loss or a sum equal to a specified multiple of the charges paid by you for the services giving rise to the claim, as set out in our current tariff or notified to you in writing. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall exclude or limit liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
13. Customer Liability and Indemnity
You are responsible for any loss or damage caused by you or by any person you permit to access your unit or our facilities, including damage to units, doors, equipment, fixtures, vehicles, or the goods of other customers. You agree to indemnify us against all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs and expenses arising from your breach of the contract or misuse of the facilities, except to the extent caused by our own negligence or breach.
14. Termination
Either party may terminate the contract by giving the period of notice specified in our tariff or booking documentation, commonly not less than seven days, unless otherwise agreed. On termination, you must remove all goods from the unit, leave it clean and in good condition, and return any keys or access devices.
If you fail to remove goods on or before the termination date, we may continue to charge storage fees until the goods are removed and may exercise our lien and disposal rights as described in these Terms and Conditions.
We may terminate the contract immediately by written notice if you commit a serious or persistent breach of these Terms and Conditions, fail to pay sums when due, become insolvent, or engage in any unlawful or dangerous activities on our premises.
15. Data Protection and Privacy
We will collect and process personal information about you for the purposes of managing your account, providing services, administering payments, enhancing security and complying with legal obligations. We will handle your personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws and any privacy information that we provide to you.
16. Variation of Terms
We may from time to time amend these Terms and Conditions, our charges or our operating procedures. Any changes will be notified to you in writing or made available at our premises or on our website. Changes will apply from the date specified in the notice and will not affect any rights or obligations that have already accrued.
17. Severability
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held by a court or competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that most closely reflects the original intent, where permitted by law.
18. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
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.
You and Storage Northumberland Heath 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.
19. Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions, together with any written booking confirmation or service specification issued by us, constitute the entire agreement between you and Storage Northumberland Heath in relation to the services. You acknowledge that you have not relied on any statement, promise or representation that is not set out in the contract.
