Merton Storage Service Terms and Conditions

These service terms and conditions set out the agreement between Merton Storage and any customer using our self-storage and associated storage services. By making a booking, signing a storage agreement, or placing goods into a unit, the customer agrees to comply with these terms. They are intended to explain the booking process, payment arrangements, cancellation rights, liability limits, waste rules, and the legal framework that applies to the service. For the avoidance of doubt, these terms govern the use of storage services only and do not create any agency, partnership, employment, or consumer credit relationship.

These storage service terms apply to all customers, whether the storage is used for domestic, business, or temporary personal purposes. In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean Merton Storage, and “you” or “your” means the person or business contracting for the storage service. If a person is making a booking on behalf of a company, household, or another individual, that person confirms they have authority to agree to these terms. If any provision is held unenforceable by a court, the remainder will continue in full force.

Please read this document carefully before booking. A storage unit is provided for the safe keeping of goods on a self-service basis. We do not act as a carrier, mover, or bailee beyond the obligations expressly set out in these terms. Unless a separate written agreement states otherwise, the customer is responsible for packing, securing, loading, unloading, and insuring their goods. The service is offered subject to availability, payment in advance, and compliance with all relevant laws and site rules.

1. Booking Process

To reserve a unit, you must provide accurate information including your full name, billing details, contact details, and, where relevant, company registration information. The booking may be made online, by telephone, or through any other method we allow from time to time. A booking is only confirmed once we have accepted it and received any required initial payment or deposit. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel a booking where we suspect fraud, false identity, unlawful use, or a failure to meet our customer checks.

Before the start date, you may be required to complete a storage agreement and any identity verification we reasonably request. This may include proof of name, address, and authority to act for a business. We may also request details of the intended use of the unit and the type of goods to be stored. You must not store anything that is prohibited by law or by these terms. The contract begins on the agreed commencement date, even if you do not immediately place items into the unit.

2. Payments and Fees

All fees must be paid in advance unless we agree otherwise in writing. Charges may include rent, administration fees, lock charges, deposits, late payment fees, insurance-related charges where applicable, and any other sums set out in the booking confirmation or pricing schedule. We may vary our fees by giving reasonable prior notice, and continued use of the service after the notice period will be treated as acceptance of the revised charges. Payment must be made by the method we specify at the time of booking.

If a payment is not received on time, we may charge interest on overdue amounts at the statutory rate or, where permitted, an equivalent lawful rate, together with reasonable administration costs incurred in collecting the debt. We may refuse access to a unit, suspend the service, or take steps to recover outstanding sums if payment remains late. Any discounts, promotional rates, or offers apply only for the period and conditions stated at the time they are offered. They are not transferable and have no cash alternative unless required by law.

Where a deposit is taken, it may be used to cover unpaid charges, cleaning costs, damage caused by the customer, or disposal costs for abandoned items, subject to any legal restrictions. Any remaining balance will be returned within a reasonable time after the end of the agreement and after all sums due have been settled. We may allocate payments in the manner we consider appropriate unless the law requires otherwise.

3. Cancellations and Termination

You may cancel a booking before the start date in accordance with the cancellation terms stated at the time of reservation. If no specific cancellation period is provided, you must notify us as soon as possible. Any refundable amount will depend on the timing of the cancellation, whether the unit has been reserved exclusively for you, and whether any services have already been delivered. Administrative or non-refundable booking charges may be retained where lawful.

After the agreement has started, you may end the storage arrangement by giving notice in line with the billing cycle or the period specified in your agreement. You remain liable for fees until the unit is emptied, cleaned, checked out, and the key, access device, or lock is returned if required. If you fail to remove your goods by the end date, we may continue charging storage fees and take lawful steps to manage the items as permitted by these terms and applicable law.

We may terminate or suspend the service immediately if you breach these terms, fail to pay, provide false information, store prohibited items, or create a safety or legal risk. We may also end the agreement if required by law, by a regulator, or for reasons of site safety, provided we act reasonably. If termination occurs because of your breach, you may remain liable for all unpaid sums, losses, cleaning, disposal, and enforcement costs incurred by us.

4. Use of the Storage Unit

You must use the unit only for lawful storage purposes and only for goods that you are legally entitled to store. The unit must not be used as a place of residence, business premises open to the public, workshop involving hazardous processes, or a location for illegal activity. You are responsible for ensuring that goods are adequately packed, stacked safely, and protected against their own fragility, perishability, or instability. We do not inspect or manage the contents of your unit on a daily basis.

Access arrangements may vary depending on the service selected, security procedures, and operational requirements. You must keep your access codes, keys, and security details confidential and must notify us promptly if they are lost, stolen, or compromised. You are responsible for the actions of anyone you allow to access your unit, including employees, family members, contractors, or agents. We may carry out routine safety inspections of the premises, but we are not obliged to monitor the goods inside the unit unless required for legal or emergency reasons.

You must not exceed the permitted loading, stacking, or weight limits for the unit or the site. Goods must not obstruct corridors, exits, or shared areas. Any damage caused by your use of the unit, your visitors, or your delivery arrangements may be charged to you. If we need to move items to protect the site, comply with law, or respond to an emergency, we may do so on a reasonable basis and at your cost where the need arises from your breach or negligence.

5. Liability and Insurance

We take reasonable care in providing the storage service, but our liability is limited to the extent allowed by law. We are not responsible for loss or damage to goods caused by events outside our reasonable control, including fire, flood, theft, vandalism, pests, decay, mould, inherent vice, electrical failure, or the condition of the items themselves, unless the loss results from our proven negligence or wilful misconduct. You are strongly advised to insure your goods for their full replacement value throughout the storage period.

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under UK law. Subject to that, our total liability for direct loss arising from our breach of contract or negligence will be limited to the lesser of the value of the affected goods or the amount recoverable under any insurance arranged through us or by you, as applicable. We do not accept responsibility for indirect or consequential losses such as lost profits, business interruption, or loss of opportunity.

Where we offer insurance or require proof of insurance, that arrangement is separate from the storage contract and may be subject to its own terms. You are responsible for checking the level of cover, exclusions, excesses, and valuation basis. Any claim must be supported by evidence of ownership, value, and the circumstances of the loss or damage. You must notify us promptly of any incident that may give rise to a claim and take reasonable steps to limit further loss.

6. Prohibited Goods and Waste Regulations

You must not store any prohibited, dangerous, unlawful, or environmentally harmful items. This includes, without limitation, explosives, firearms, ammunition, toxic substances, illegal drugs, stolen property, counterfeit goods, live animals, decaying matter, and any item that emits fumes, leaks, or poses a fire, health, or contamination risk. We may update the list of prohibited goods where necessary for safety, compliance, or operational reasons. If we reasonably believe prohibited goods are present, we may inspect, remove, isolate, or report them to the relevant authorities.

All waste must be removed by you when vacating the unit. You must not leave rubbish, packaging, unwanted furniture, liquid waste, electrical waste, tyres, chemicals, or any material requiring specialist disposal unless we have expressly agreed in writing and the law allows it. If any waste or abandoned item is left in the unit or on the site, we may charge you for clearance, transport, treatment, recycling, and lawful disposal. Those charges may be deducted from your deposit or recovered as a debt.

You are responsible for complying with all applicable environmental, health and safety, fire safety, and waste disposal regulations. This includes ensuring that any items stored do not contaminate the premises, trigger regulatory obligations, or create a nuisance. If you breach waste laws or cause environmental harm, you will be liable for all related losses, fines, remedial works, and professional costs incurred by us as a result of your conduct.

7. Access, Checks, and Site Rules

We may adopt reasonable access controls to protect the safety of customers, staff, and property. You must comply with identification checks, vehicle rules, loading instructions, and any instructions given by authorised personnel. If we suspect a breach of these terms or a security concern, we may deny access temporarily while we investigate. Such action will not amount to a breach by us where it is taken reasonably and in good faith.

You are responsible for ensuring that any vehicles, trolleys, or equipment you use are suitable and operated safely. We are not liable for damage caused by improper loading, unsafe driving, overloading, or the failure of customer-owned equipment. You must not smoke, use open flames, or carry out hazardous work on the site unless expressly permitted. Any person entering the premises on your authority must follow all safety notices and site rules.

We may amend site rules from time to time to reflect legal requirements, safety measures, or changes in operations. Updated rules will take effect when notified or displayed in a reasonable manner. Continued use of the service after an update means you accept the revised rules, provided they are lawful and do not remove rights that cannot lawfully be varied.

8. Governing Law and General Provisions

These terms and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with them are governed by the law of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales will have jurisdiction to settle disputes, except where mandatory law gives a consumer the right to bring proceedings elsewhere. If you are contracting as a business, both parties agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts.

No waiver by us of any breach or default will be treated as a waiver of any later breach. Any notice under these terms may be given by email, post, or another method we reasonably choose, provided it is capable of being recorded or evidenced. We may assign or transfer our rights and obligations under the contract where lawful, but you may not transfer your rights without our prior written consent.

These self-storage terms and conditions form the entire agreement between the parties in relation to the storage service and replace any earlier discussions or understandings on the same subject. Any variation must be in writing and agreed by both parties unless we are changing operational or fee-related matters that these terms expressly allow us to update. By using the service, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms.