Storage Castelnau Standard Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Storage Castelnau provides storage, handling and related removal services within the United Kingdom. By placing a booking, using our services or arranging for goods to be collected, transported, handled or stored by us, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings given below.
Customer means the person, firm or company that requests our services, makes a booking or enters into an agreement with us.
Services means any storage, removal, packing, handling, loading, unloading, transportation, or related services provided by Storage Castelnau.
Goods means any items, property or effects that we are asked to handle, transport or store.
Contract means the agreement formed between Storage Castelnau and the Customer, incorporating these Terms and Conditions and any written quotation or booking confirmation.
2. Scope of Services
Storage Castelnau provides storage and associated removal and handling services. We reserve the right to accept or refuse any request for services at our discretion. All services are subject to availability and suitable access for our vehicles and operatives.
The Customer is responsible for ensuring that the services requested are suitable for their requirements. Any advice or guidance we provide is for general information only and does not form a separate warranty or guarantee.
3. Booking Process
3.1 Quotations
Any quotation issued by Storage Castelnau is based on the information supplied by the Customer and is valid for the period stated on the quotation or, where no period is stated, for 30 days from the date of issue. Quotations are not binding until a booking is confirmed in accordance with this clause.
3.2 Booking Confirmation
A booking is only confirmed when Storage Castelnau has accepted the Customer's request for services and provided written confirmation of the booking. We may require a deposit or prepayment as a condition of confirmation. Until confirmation is provided, dates and times remain provisional and may be offered to other customers.
3.3 Information Required
The Customer must provide accurate and complete information when requesting a quotation or making a booking, including but not limited to:
the addresses for collection and delivery if applicable;
descriptions, approximate quantities and nature of the goods;
details of access, parking restrictions and any known obstacles or limitations at the premises;
any items requiring special handling, disassembly, reassembly or protection.
Storage Castelnau is not liable for additional costs, delays or inability to perform where inaccurate or incomplete information has been provided.
4. Payments and Charges
4.1 Charges
Charges for our services are based on the quotation we provide or our prevailing tariff where no specific quotation is issued. Charges may include, but are not limited to, labour, vehicle use, storage fees, materials, tolls, congestion or emission zone charges, waiting time, and surcharges for difficult access or additional services requested.
4.2 Deposits
We may require a deposit at the time of booking. Deposits are applied against the final invoice and are non-refundable except where otherwise stated in these Terms and Conditions or where required by law.
4.3 Payment Terms
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment for removal or transport services is due on or before the service date, and payment for ongoing storage is due in advance for each billing period. We reserve the right to suspend services or deny access to stored goods where payments are overdue.
4.4 Overdue Payments
Where a payment is not received by the due date, Storage Castelnau may charge interest on the overdue amount at a reasonable commercial rate, as permitted by law, from the due date until the date of actual payment. We may also recover from the Customer any reasonable costs incurred in recovering overdue sums, including debt collection and legal costs.
4.5 Lien and Right of Sale
Storage Castelnau has a lien over the goods for all charges and expenses due under the Contract. Where any sum remains unpaid for a period of at least 90 days, we may, after giving reasonable notice, sell or otherwise dispose of some or all of the goods to recover the amounts owed and the costs of sale or disposal. Any surplus remaining after deduction of all amounts owed and costs will be made available to the Customer upon request.
5. Cancellations and Changes
5.1 Customer Cancellations
The Customer may cancel a booking by providing written notice. Cancellation charges may apply as follows, unless otherwise agreed in writing:
cancellation more than seven days before the scheduled service date no cancellation fee;
cancellation between seven and three days before the scheduled service date up to 50 percent of the quoted charges;
cancellation less than three days before the scheduled service date up to 100 percent of the quoted charges.
Where specific third party costs, such as special equipment or permits, have been incurred on the Customer's behalf, these may be charged in full on cancellation regardless of notice period.
5.2 Changes to Bookings
Changes to service dates, times, addresses or scope of work are subject to availability and may result in revised charges. Storage Castelnau is under no obligation to accommodate changes, but will act reasonably where practicable.
5.3 Cancellations by Storage Castelnau
We may cancel or postpone a booking where circumstances arise beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, accidents, vehicle breakdown, industrial action, legal restrictions, or safety concerns. In such cases we will offer, where possible, an alternative date or refund any prepayments for services not provided. Storage Castelnau is not responsible for any indirect or consequential loss arising from such cancellation or postponement.
6. Customer Responsibilities
The Customer is responsible for:
ensuring that they are legally entitled to have the goods moved or stored and that the goods do not infringe the rights of any third party;
obtaining all necessary permissions, permits, parking suspensions and access rights required for our vehicles and operatives to perform the services;
preparing the premises, including protecting floors and surfaces where necessary and ensuring safe and clear access to and from the property;
adequately packing the goods, unless packing services are expressly included in the Contract;
removing any personal documents, valuables and prohibited items from the goods prior to collection.
Where, in the reasonable opinion of our operatives, access is unsafe or the condition of the premises or goods presents a significant risk of injury or damage, Storage Castelnau may suspend or refuse services without liability, and additional charges may apply.
7. Excluded and Prohibited Items
Unless expressly agreed in writing in advance, Storage Castelnau does not accept the following items for removal or storage:
cash, jewellery, watches, precious metals and stones, or items of exceptional value;
securities, financial instruments, deeds, bonds or similar documents of value;
perishable goods, including food and drink;
animals, plants or other living organisms;
flammable, explosive, corrosive, toxic or otherwise hazardous materials, including but not limited to gas cylinders, fuel, paints, solvents, chemicals and batteries not designed for normal household use;
illegal goods, substances or items whose possession or transport is prohibited by law.
If such items are found among the goods without our prior written agreement, Storage Castelnau may remove, dispose of or surrender them to the relevant authorities without liability, and the Customer will be responsible for all costs, losses or claims arising as a result.
8. Waste Regulations and Disposal
Storage Castelnau operates in accordance with applicable waste management and environmental regulations in the United Kingdom. The Customer must not present general waste, hazardous waste or items intended solely for disposal as part of a standard removal or storage service.
Where the Customer requests disposal of items, this must be agreed in advance and may be subject to additional charges, which may include fees for waste transfer, recycling, special handling and compliant disposal. We reserve the right to decline disposal of any items that we reasonably consider to be unsafe, illegal or unsuitable.
The Customer is responsible for ensuring that any items provided for disposal are lawfully capable of being disposed of and do not contain hazardous materials, electrical components requiring special treatment, or confidential data that must be erased or destroyed securely. Storage Castelnau accepts no responsibility for the content of goods presented for disposal once they have been collected in accordance with the Customer's instructions.
9. Access to Stored Goods
Access to stored goods is by prior arrangement only and may be subject to reasonable notice requirements and access charges. We may require identification and proof of authority before allowing access. Storage Castelnau may refuse access where payments are overdue or where we reasonably consider that access may compromise safety or security.
10. Liability and Limitations
10.1 Our Responsibility for Loss or Damage
Storage Castelnau will take reasonable care in handling, transporting and storing the goods. Our liability for loss of or damage to goods, arising from our negligence or breach of duty, is limited as set out in this clause.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, our liability per claim or series of related claims is limited to a reasonable amount per item and per consignment, having regard to the nature and value of the goods and the charges paid for the services. The Customer is encouraged to arrange appropriate insurance for their goods, as our standard limits may not reflect the full value of the items.
10.2 Exclusions of Liability
Storage Castelnau is not liable for loss of or damage to goods arising from:
inherent defect, natural deterioration, atmospheric or climatic conditions, including damp, mould, rust or corrosion;
insufficient or unsuitable packing or preparation by the Customer or third parties not acting on our behalf;
handling of goods excluded under these Terms and Conditions or accepted only at the Customer's own risk;
acts or omissions of the Customer or third parties over whom we have no control;
war, terrorism, civil commotion, acts of government or other events beyond our reasonable control.
We are not liable for any indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of business, loss of use, loss of data or emotional distress, even if advised of the possibility of such loss.
10.3 Time Limits for Claims
Any visible loss or damage must be notified to Storage Castelnau in writing as soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within seven days of delivery or access to the goods. Any non-visible loss or damage must be notified in writing within 14 days of delivery or access. Failure to notify within these time limits may affect our ability to investigate and may prejudice any claim.
11. Insurance
Storage Castelnau does not provide insurance for the goods as part of the standard service unless this is expressly stated in writing. The Customer is responsible for arranging any additional insurance cover they require for their goods in transit or in storage. We may, on request, provide general information about insurance options, but we do not act as an insurance broker and do not provide advice on the suitability of any policy.
12. Health and Safety
Storage Castelnau is committed to maintaining safe working practices. The Customer must cooperate with reasonable health and safety requests from our operatives, including keeping children and pets away from working areas, not obstructing access routes, and not asking our operatives to undertake tasks that may be unsafe or outside the agreed scope of services.
13. Data Protection and Privacy
Storage Castelnau will collect and process personal information about the Customer in order to provide the services, manage the Contract and comply with legal obligations. Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws in the United Kingdom. We will not sell the Customer's personal details to third parties, but may share information with service partners and authorities where necessary for the performance of the Contract or compliance with legal requirements.
14. Termination
Either party may terminate ongoing storage arrangements by giving the period of notice specified in the Contract or, where no period is specified, not less than 30 days' written notice. On termination, all outstanding charges must be paid in full before goods are released. If the Customer fails to collect the goods or arrange delivery within a reasonable time after termination, Storage Castelnau may exercise its lien and right of sale as described in these Terms and Conditions.
15. 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, whether contractual or non contractual, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws 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 their subject matter or formation.
16. General Provisions
16.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms and Conditions, together with any quotation and booking confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between Storage Castelnau and the Customer in relation to the services provided. The Customer acknowledges that they have not relied on any statement, promise or representation that is not set out in the Contract.
16.2 Variation
No variation of these Terms and Conditions is effective unless it is in writing and signed or expressly confirmed by an authorised representative of Storage Castelnau.
16.3 Severability
If any provision or part provision of these Terms and Conditions is held by a court or competent authority to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision or part provision shall, to the extent required, be deemed deleted, and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected.
16.4 Non Waiver
No failure or delay by Storage Castelnau in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy.
16.5 Assignment
The Customer may not assign, transfer or otherwise deal with their rights or obligations under the Contract without the prior written consent of Storage Castelnau. We may assign or subcontract our rights and obligations where necessary for the effective delivery of the services.
By proceeding with a booking or using our services, the Customer confirms that they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
