Ratcliff Storage Service Terms and Conditions

These Service Terms and Conditions apply to all storage, handling, collection, delivery and related services provided by Ratcliff Storage ("we", "us", "our") to customers ("you", "your"). By making a booking, placing goods into storage, requesting a collection, or otherwise using our storage services, you agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the service.

These terms are intended to set out the basis on which we provide a secure and professional self-storage service and any associated logistics or storage support. They apply alongside any specific booking confirmation, inventory, quotation, or service instruction we issue. If there is any inconsistency between these terms and a written service agreement signed by both parties, the written agreement will prevail to the extent of that inconsistency.

We may update these terms from time to time to reflect operational changes, legal requirements, or improvements to the service. The version in force at the time of booking will generally apply to that booking, unless a change is required by law or agreed otherwise in writing. It is your responsibility to read the terms carefully before confirming a booking.

1. Booking process

Bookings may be made through our usual reservation process, subject to availability and acceptance by us. A booking is only confirmed when we have acknowledged it in writing, received any required deposit or advance payment, and agreed the start date, unit size or storage arrangement, and any ancillary services. We are not obliged to accept every booking request.

When you make a booking for Ratcliff Storage solutions, you must provide accurate and complete information, including your name, billing details, contact details, and details of the goods to be stored. You must also tell us whether any items are fragile, valuable, hazardous, perishable, or subject to special handling requirements. Failure to disclose relevant information may result in refusal of the booking, suspension of the service, or additional charges.

We may require identification, proof of address, or other verification before confirming storage access. This helps us protect the security of the facility and comply with legal and operational requirements. You must ensure that any person collecting, delivering, or accessing goods on your behalf is authorised by you and can provide suitable identification if requested.

Any dates or times stated in a booking confirmation are estimates unless expressly stated otherwise. While we will use reasonable efforts to meet agreed times, delays may occur due to operational issues, traffic, weather, or factors beyond our control. We will not be liable for minor delays where we have acted reasonably.

2. Payments and charges

All fees for storage and handling services are payable in accordance with the quotation, booking confirmation, or current price list provided to you. Charges may include storage rent, administration fees, access fees, collection or delivery fees, packing material charges, disposal charges, late payment charges, and any other charges clearly notified to you before they are incurred.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment must be made in advance or on the due date stated on the invoice. We may require a deposit or first payment before the service begins. Time for payment is of the essence. If payment is not received when due, we may suspend access to goods, refuse further services, and charge interest on overdue sums at the statutory rate permitted under UK law.

Where a card payment, bank transfer, direct debit, or other payment method is used, you must ensure that sufficient funds are available and that the payment details remain valid. Any bank charges, currency conversion costs, chargeback fees, or failed payment fees charged to us as a result of your payment method may be recharged to you where lawful and reasonable.

We may review our charges from time to time. For ongoing storage arrangements, we will normally provide reasonable notice of any price change. Continued use of the service after the effective date of a change will be taken as acceptance of the revised charges. If you do not accept a price change, you may end the service in accordance with the cancellation provisions below.

3. Cancellations, terminations and access

You may cancel a booking before the service start date by giving notice in the manner specified in your booking confirmation. If you cancel after the booking has been accepted, cancellation fees may apply to cover administrative work, reserved capacity, or costs already incurred. Any deposit may be retained in part or in full to reflect our losses, provided this is lawful and proportionate.

If you request termination of an ongoing storage arrangement, you must give the minimum notice stated in your agreement or, if no notice period is stated, reasonable notice. All sums due up to the end of the notice period remain payable. Goods must be removed by the agreed end date. If goods remain uncollected after termination or expiry, we may continue to charge storage fees and take such steps as are permitted by law to secure payment and deal with the items.

We may terminate or suspend the service immediately if you breach these terms, provide false information, fail to pay, store prohibited items, behave abusively, or create a health, safety, security or legal risk. In such circumstances, we may require you to remove goods promptly and may refuse further access until all outstanding issues are resolved.

Access to stored goods is subject to facility rules, security checks, reasonable notice, and availability. We may restrict access where necessary for safety, maintenance, inventory checks, or compliance reasons. We will aim to keep restrictions proportionate and for as short a time as reasonably possible.

4. Your obligations in relation to stored goods

You are responsible for ensuring that all goods placed into storage are properly packed, labelled, and suitable for storage in a standard commercial storage environment unless we have expressly agreed to special handling. You must not store goods that are illegal, stolen, contaminated, unstable, flammable, explosive, corrosive, toxic, leaking, or otherwise dangerous. This includes any items prohibited by law or by our facility rules.

You must inform us in advance if goods require temperature control, humidity control, specialist protection, insurance, or other precautions. Unless we specifically agree in writing, we do not accept responsibility for ensuring that goods are fit for long-term storage if they are vulnerable to ordinary environmental conditions. You should not store cash, securities, precious metals, rare documents, irreplaceable items, or any item that has a value far beyond normal household or business goods unless we have agreed this in writing.

Any inventory you provide must be accurate. We may reasonably rely on your description of goods, their condition, and their value for the purpose of providing the service. If the goods exceed the declared condition, weight, quantity, or value, we may adjust our charges, refuse storage, or require immediate removal.

Risk of damage caused by poor packing, unsuitable containers, insect infestation, mould, deterioration, rust, corrosion, shrinkage, evaporation, or natural spoilage remains with you unless caused directly by our negligence. You should ensure that insurance is arranged where appropriate, as our liability is limited under the section below.

5. Liability and limitation of responsibility

We will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the service. However, except where the law does not allow us to do so, we are not liable for loss or damage arising from matters outside our reasonable control, including fire, flood, storm, theft by third parties, power failure, civil unrest, industrial action, or acts of nature. We are also not responsible for losses caused by your breach of these terms or by the inherent nature of the goods.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability which cannot legally be excluded under UK law. Subject to that, our total liability to you in connection with any individual booking or storage arrangement shall be limited to the amount paid by you for the service giving rise to the claim, or such lower amount as is permitted by law.

We will not be liable for loss of profit, loss of business, loss of revenue, loss of contracts, loss of opportunity, or indirect or consequential loss, even if we have been advised that such loss might occur. If you believe a claim may arise, you must notify us promptly and provide all reasonable assistance in investigating the matter.

You are responsible for maintaining adequate insurance for your goods. Any insurance arranged by us, if offered, will be subject to separate terms and conditions and may include exclusions, limits and claims procedures. Unless expressly stated otherwise, our service fees do not include insurance cover, and we do not act as your insurer.

6. Waste regulations and disposal rules

You must comply with all applicable UK waste regulations, environmental laws and duty of care requirements. You must not deposit waste in storage unless we have expressly agreed to accept it as part of a lawful waste handling service. Items left with us must be clearly identified and must not be misdescribed as general goods if they are waste, scrap, or material intended for disposal.

If we agree to handle waste, you must provide accurate information about the nature, quantity, composition and origin of the waste, together with any documentation we reasonably require. You remain responsible for ensuring that the waste is properly packaged, contained and labelled. You must not deliver hazardous waste, clinical waste, asbestos, batteries, oils, chemicals, solvents, or other regulated materials unless we have explicitly agreed to accept them and the law permits it.

Where we lawfully dispose of goods or waste on your behalf, you authorise us to arrange removal, recycling, transfer or disposal using appropriate third parties. All associated costs, including handling, transport, transfer station fees, recycling charges and disposal charges, will be payable by you. We may refuse any item that we reasonably believe may breach environmental or safety obligations.

Any abandonment of goods or failure to collect items by the end of the agreed period may result in us treating the items as abandoned only where lawful and after giving any notice required by law or contract. We may then store, sell, recycle or dispose of the goods in accordance with our rights and any applicable statutory procedures. Proceeds of sale, if any, may be used to satisfy amounts owed to us, with any balance handled as required by law.

7. Security, inspections and care of the facility

We take reasonable measures to maintain the security and condition of the storage facility, but no storage environment is completely risk-free. We may carry out periodic inspections, maintenance, stock checks or compliance checks. We may move goods within the facility where reasonably necessary for operational reasons, provided we act with reasonable care.

You must not interfere with locks, alarms, seals, surveillance equipment, fire protection systems, or other security measures. You are responsible for ensuring that any lock, key, code, or access credential issued to you remains secure. If any access method is lost, copied, compromised or used without authorisation, you must notify us immediately.

We may open packages or inspect goods where reasonably necessary to ensure compliance with these terms, to protect the facility, to verify the contents of a consignment, or where required by law or a competent authority. Where permitted, we will take reasonable steps to preserve privacy and minimise disruption.

8. General legal terms

If any part of these terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. No failure or delay by us in enforcing any right shall operate as a waiver of that right. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by us.

You may not assign, transfer or sub-contract your rights or obligations under these terms without our prior written consent. We may assign or transfer our rights and obligations where this does not materially reduce your rights under the service agreement. These terms are intended for the benefit of the parties only and do not confer rights on any third party unless required by law.

9. Governing law

These terms and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, including non-contractual disputes or claims, shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. If you are based elsewhere in the United Kingdom, mandatory local consumer or business protections may still apply where relevant, but the governing law of the service contract will remain as stated here unless otherwise required by law.

Any dispute arising under these storage service terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, unless mandatory law provides otherwise. We encourage the parties to resolve any issue promptly and reasonably before starting formal proceedings. However, nothing in these terms prevents either party from seeking urgent injunctive or protective relief where necessary.

By using Ratcliff Storage, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions and that you accept responsibility for complying with them. These terms form the basis of a fair and lawful storage relationship and are designed to protect both your goods and our ability to operate the service responsibly.