Storage Elephant and Castle Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Storage Elephant and Castle provides storage, handling, and related removal support services to consumer and business clients. By making a booking, using our storage facilities, or instructing us to provide associated 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.
Client means the person, firm, or company that requests or uses our services.
Services means any storage, handling, collection, delivery, or related services that we agree to provide to you, including assistance coordinated with any removal company operating in our service area.
Goods means any items or property that you deliver to, store with, or make available for handling by us.
Contract means the agreement between you and Storage Elephant and Castle for the provision of Services, incorporating these Terms and Conditions.
2. Scope of Services
Storage Elephant and Castle provides storage units, containerised storage, and related handling services. We may also coordinate with third party removal providers for collection and delivery where requested, but we do not act as a carrier or transport operator unless expressly stated in writing.
Details of the specific Services, including size of unit, anticipated duration, and any requested handling or access arrangements, will be agreed during the booking process. Any verbal description of Services is for guidance only and the written confirmation will prevail in the event of conflict.
3. Booking Process
To use our Services you must complete our booking process. This may include providing your full name or business name, current address, identification, and a description of the Goods to be stored or handled. Bookings may be requested online or in person, and are subject to our acceptance.
A booking is not confirmed until we issue a written confirmation or allow you access to a storage unit or other facility. We reserve the right to refuse any booking at our discretion, including where we reasonably believe that the Goods are unsuitable for storage or that the proposed use may breach these Terms and Conditions or applicable law.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all details supplied during the booking process are accurate and complete. Any subsequent changes to your contact details or requirements must be notified to us promptly. We will not be liable for any loss or cost arising from your failure to provide accurate information.
4. Payments and Charges
Charges for our Services will be quoted to you during the booking process and confirmed in writing. Fees may include, without limitation, charges for storage space, minimum hire periods, administration fees, handling fees, and any agreed coordination of removal services.
Unless otherwise agreed, payment is required in advance of the commencement of the Services. For ongoing storage, fees are normally payable monthly in advance. We may require a deposit, which may be applied against unpaid charges or damage at the end of the Contract.
We may review and vary our charges from time to time. Any change to recurring storage fees will be notified to you in advance and will take effect at the start of the next billing period after the date specified in our notice.
If payment is not received by the due date, we may charge interest on overdue amounts at the statutory rate and apply reasonable administration fees. We may also restrict access to your unit, suspend Services, or ultimately exercise a lien over the Goods, including the right to sell or dispose of them to recover outstanding charges and associated costs, after giving any notice required by law.
5. Client Responsibilities
You are responsible for packing, securing, and labelling your Goods unless we have expressly agreed to provide packing services. Items must be packed in a way that is safe for handling, stacking, and storage, and which does not present a risk to people, property, or the environment.
You must not store or present for handling any Goods that are prohibited by these Terms and Conditions or by law, including but not limited to hazardous, flammable, explosive, perishable, illegal, or environmentally harmful materials.
You must use the storage unit and any common areas in a considerate manner, keep the unit in good condition, and comply with any site rules notified to you. You must not install fixtures, make alterations, or use power tools or equipment in or around the unit without our prior written consent.
6. Prohibited and Restricted Goods
The following items must not be stored or handled under any circumstances.
Explosives, firearms, weapons, or ammunition.
Flammable or combustible substances such as petrol, gas cylinders, solvents, or paint thinners.
Chemicals, toxic, corrosive, or hazardous materials, including asbestos, clinical waste, or batteries in bulk.
Perishable foodstuffs or any living organisms including plants and animals.
Illegal items, counterfeit goods, or anything obtained unlawfully.
Any waste or items intended solely for disposal.
If you are unsure whether an item is suitable for storage or handling, you must ask us before including it in your Goods.
7. Access and Security
Access to your storage unit will be available during the opening hours notified to you. We may vary or restrict opening hours for security, operational, or regulatory reasons, and will provide notice where reasonably practicable.
You are responsible for securing your unit with an appropriate lock and for keeping keys or access credentials safe. We will not hold keys for your personal locks unless expressly agreed. You must not share access codes or keys with unauthorised persons.
We may enter your unit in emergencies, where required by law, or where we reasonably believe that your Goods or activities present a risk to safety, property, or compliance. We will, where possible, notify you after such entry and any steps we have taken.
8. Cancellations and Amendments
You may cancel a booking for storage or associated Services prior to the agreed start date by providing us with written notice. Any upfront payments may be refunded in accordance with your statutory rights and the specific cancellation terms communicated to you at the time of booking. We reserve the right to deduct reasonable administration fees or charges for services already performed.
Where a minimum storage period has been agreed, early termination may result in charges for the full minimum period unless we agree otherwise in writing. For ongoing contracts without a fixed term, you must usually give at least the minimum notice period stated in your agreement to end the Contract.
If you need to amend the size of unit, dates, or other material elements of the Services, we will try to accommodate your request but cannot guarantee availability. Changes may result in revised charges or additional fees, which will be confirmed to you before taking effect.
We may cancel the Contract or suspend provision of the Services with immediate effect if you breach these Terms and Conditions, fail to pay charges when due, or if continuing to provide Services would, in our reasonable opinion, be unlawful or unsafe. In such cases, you will be responsible for removing your Goods promptly and for any outstanding fees.
9. Handling, Removal and Delivery
Where we assist with loading, unloading, or moving Goods on or off the site, this will be done with reasonable care and skill. You remain responsible for the suitability and packing of your Goods and must supervise any handling where special instructions are required.
If we coordinate with a third party removal company for collection or delivery services relating to your storage, the contract for transportation may be between you and that provider directly. We are not responsible for the actions or omissions of any independent contractor and any claims regarding carriage, transit damage, or delay must be taken up with the relevant carrier in accordance with their terms.
10. Liability and Risk
You are responsible for insuring your Goods for their full replacement value against loss or damage, including whilst in storage and during any handling we provide. Unless we have explicitly agreed in writing to provide insurance cover for specified Goods, our charges do not include insurance and we do not accept responsibility for arranging it on your behalf.
Risk in the Goods remains with you at all times. Except where caused by our negligence or breach of statutory duty, we will not be liable for loss of or damage to Goods, including damage arising from inherent defects, poor packing, or the natural deterioration of items in storage.
Our total liability to you for loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the Contract, whether in contract, tort including negligence, or otherwise, shall be limited to the lesser of the actual proven loss and a reasonable cap that reflects the charges paid for the relevant Services. We do not exclude or limit liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, for fraud, or for any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.
We will not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of business, loss of opportunity, or loss of data, even if such loss was foreseeable or brought to our attention.
11. Waste Regulations and Disposal
You must not use your storage unit for waste disposal or treat it as a skip or refuse container. All waste generated by your activities, including packaging materials and unwanted items, must be removed from the site by you and disposed of lawfully.
We comply with applicable waste and environmental regulations and reserve the right to refuse the storage of items that we reasonably suspect to be waste or unsuitable for compliant disposal. If you abandon Goods, fail to collect them at the end of the Contract, or leave waste on the premises, we may treat such items as waste and arrange for removal, disposal, or sale in accordance with applicable law.
You will be responsible for all reasonable costs, fees, and charges we incur in dealing with abandoned Goods or waste, including transportation, disposal charges, environmental levies, and any administrative expenses. Where permitted by law, we may deduct these costs from any deposit or proceeds of sale held by us.
12. Data Protection and Privacy
We collect and process personal data about clients in order to manage bookings, provide Services, handle payments, maintain security, and comply with legal obligations. Personal data will be processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and any privacy information we issue to you.
We may use CCTV and access control systems on our premises for the purposes of security, safety, and fraud prevention. Recordings may be retained for a reasonable period and disclosed to law enforcement or regulatory bodies where required.
13. Termination and Removal of Goods
At the end of the Contract, you must vacate the storage unit, remove all Goods, and leave the unit clean and free from rubbish. Any damage beyond fair wear and tear may result in repair or cleaning charges.
If you do not remove your Goods by the agreed termination date, we may treat the Contract as continuing and charge additional storage fees, or we may follow the procedures for abandoned Goods, including the exercise of a lien and eventual sale or disposal in accordance with law.
14. Force Majeure
We will not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations under the Contract where such failure or delay is caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, fire, flood, industrial disputes, utility failures, acts of terrorism, or changes in law or regulation.
15. Changes to These Terms
We may amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in law, industry practice, or our operational requirements. Updated terms will be made available and, where you have an ongoing contract, will take effect from the start of the next billing period after the date specified in any notice we provide to you.
If you do not agree to any material change, you may end your Contract by giving us the required notice, removing your Goods, and paying all outstanding charges before the revised terms take 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 Services, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.
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 the Services, including non-contractual disputes or claims.
17. General Provisions
If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision shall be removed to the minimum extent necessary and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
No waiver by us of any breach of these Terms and Conditions shall be considered a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.
You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under the Contract without our prior written consent. We may assign or subcontract our rights and obligations where this does not reduce your statutory rights or materially affect the Services provided.
These Terms and Conditions, together with any written confirmation or service schedule we provide, set out the entire agreement between you and Storage Elephant and Castle in relation to the Services and supersede any prior understandings or representations.
