Removal Van Hire Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which we provide removal van hire services to you within our UK service area. By booking or using our services you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming a booking.
1. Definitions
In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions shall have the following meanings:
1.1 "Company" means the removal van hire business providing the services.
1.2 "Customer" or "you" means the person, firm or organisation booking or using the services.
1.3 "Services" means removal van hire and any associated labour or assistance provided by the Company.
1.4 "Vehicle" means any van or other vehicle supplied by the Company in connection with the services.
1.5 "Booking" means a request for services made by the Customer and accepted by the Company in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.
2. Scope of Services
2.1 The Company provides removal van hire services within its advertised UK service area. Availability may vary by date, time and location.
2.2 Services may include van hire only or van hire with one or more members of staff to assist with loading and unloading, as agreed at the time of booking.
2.3 The Company does not undertake specialist removals, including but not limited to: hazardous materials, illegal goods, live animals, perishable food requiring refrigeration, or items which by their nature or condition may cause damage to the Vehicle or other goods.
2.4 The Customer is responsible for ensuring that the services booked are suitable for their requirements, including the size of the Vehicle and the number of staff requested.
3. Booking Process
3.1 Bookings may be made through the Company’s accepted booking channels as advertised. A booking is only confirmed when the Company has accepted it and provided written or electronic confirmation.
3.2 When making a booking you must provide accurate and complete information, including collection and delivery addresses, access details, dates, times, volume of goods, and any items of unusual size, weight or value.
3.3 The Company reserves the right to refuse or cancel any booking where the information provided is incomplete, inaccurate or misleading, or where the requested work falls outside the scope of the services.
3.4 Any quotation provided prior to booking is based on the information supplied by the Customer. The Company reserves the right to adjust the price if the actual work differs from the information originally provided, including but not limited to additional mileage, waiting time, extra labour or additional items.
3.5 The Customer must notify the Company as soon as reasonably possible of any changes to the booking details. Changes may be subject to availability and may result in an adjusted price.
4. Prices and Payment
4.1 Prices are provided in pounds sterling and are quoted exclusive of any applicable taxes or charges that may apply, which will be clearly communicated where relevant.
4.2 The Company may require a deposit to secure your booking. The deposit amount and due date will be confirmed at the time of booking.
4.3 Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment of the balance is due on or before the day of the service, and in any event before unloading at the final destination is completed.
4.4 Accepted payment methods will be notified to you at the time of booking. The Company does not accept responsibility for cash sent in the post or through any unauthorised payment channels.
4.5 If payment is not made when due, the Company reserves the right to:
a) suspend or cancel the services, including withholding delivery of goods until payment is received; and
b) charge interest on overdue amounts at the statutory rate applicable in England and Wales, calculated on a daily basis until payment is made in full.
4.6 Additional charges may apply for waiting time, extended hire periods, additional labour, extra stops, congestion or clean air zone charges, parking fees, tolls or any other costs reasonably incurred in providing the services. These will be added to the final invoice where applicable.
5. Cancellations and Amendments
5.1 If you need to cancel or amend your booking you must notify the Company as soon as possible through an accepted communication method.
5.2 The following cancellation charges may apply, calculated as a percentage of the agreed price:
a) More than 7 days before the service date: no cancellation charge, and any deposit will be refunded or credited at the Company’s discretion.
b) Between 3 and 7 days before the service date: up to 50 percent of the agreed price may be charged.
c) Less than 3 days before the service date or on the service date: up to 100 percent of the agreed price may be charged.
5.3 If the Company is unable to perform the services on the agreed date and time due to circumstances within its reasonable control, the Customer will be offered an alternative date or a refund of any amounts paid for the affected services. This shall be the Customer’s sole remedy for such non-performance.
5.4 The Company shall not be liable for any delay or cancellation caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, road closures, traffic accidents, public transport disruption, industrial action, or emergency situations.
6. Customer Responsibilities
6.1 The Customer is responsible for ensuring that:
a) all items are properly packed, secured and ready for transport at the agreed time;
b) all fragile or delicate items are adequately protected;
c) items requiring disassembly are disassembled in advance, unless otherwise agreed;
d) there is clear and safe access to the collection and delivery points, including adequate parking for the Vehicle.
6.2 The Customer must obtain any necessary permits, authorisations or permissions required for parking or access at the collection and delivery locations.
6.3 The Customer must ensure that any goods loaded into the Vehicle are lawful and do not include any prohibited items such as hazardous waste, chemicals, explosives, firearms, illicit drugs or stolen property.
6.4 The Customer is responsible for supervising the loading and unloading of goods where necessary and for checking that nothing is left behind at the collection address or in the Vehicle at the end of the hire.
7. Use of the Vehicle
7.1 Where the services include a driver provided by the Company, only the Company’s authorised driver may drive the Vehicle.
7.2 The Customer must not request the driver to undertake any manoeuvre or action that is unsafe, illegal or likely to cause damage to the Vehicle, property or persons.
7.3 The Company reserves the right to refuse to drive the Vehicle onto unmade roads, driveways or areas where there is a risk of damage or where access is unsafe or unsuitable.
7.4 The Customer will be liable for any damage to the Vehicle caused by their negligence, including damage arising from loading or unloading items that are unsuitable, improperly secured or in excess of the agreed load.
8. Liability and Insurance
8.1 The Company will exercise reasonable care and skill in providing the services. However, the Company’s liability for loss of or damage to goods shall be limited as set out in this clause.
8.2 The Company shall not be liable for:
a) loss or damage arising from the Customer’s failure to pack goods properly or to protect fragile items;
b) loss of or damage to items of special value including money, jewellery, watches, precious metals or stones, securities, important documents or collections, unless disclosed to and expressly agreed in writing by the Company prior to the service;
c) loss or damage resulting from normal wear and tear, deterioration, leakage, or inherent defects in the goods;
d) indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, loss of income, loss of opportunity or loss of enjoyment, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise.
8.3 The Company’s total liability for any claim arising out of or in connection with the services, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be limited to a reasonable sum having regard to the value of the goods and the price paid for the services, subject always to any mandatory legal rights that cannot be excluded or limited.
8.4 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall exclude or limit the Company’s liability for death or personal injury caused by its negligence, for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, or for any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under UK law.
8.5 The Customer is advised to arrange adequate insurance cover for their goods during transit and handling, especially for high-value items or where the value exceeds any applicable limit of liability.
9. Waste and Environmental Regulations
9.1 The Company operates in accordance with applicable UK waste and environmental regulations. The Vehicle must not be used for the carriage of waste unless this has been expressly agreed in advance and is compliant with all legal requirements.
9.2 The Customer must not load any controlled, hazardous or regulated waste into the Vehicle unless the Company has specifically agreed to handle such waste and holds the necessary licences or registrations.
9.3 Where the Company agrees to remove unwanted items or waste, the Customer confirms that they have the right to dispose of those items and that the items do not include any prohibited materials.
9.4 The Customer is responsible for any fines, penalties or legal costs incurred by the Company as a result of the Customer’s failure to comply with waste or environmental regulations.
10. Delays, Waiting Time and Access
10.1 The Company will use reasonable endeavours to arrive at the agreed collection time. However, arrival times are estimates only and may be affected by traffic, road conditions or other factors beyond the Company’s control.
10.2 Where delays are caused by the Customer, including but not limited to inadequate access, items not being ready, or waiting for keys or permissions, the Company may charge reasonable waiting time at its prevailing hourly rate.
10.3 If, in the Company’s reasonable opinion, it is not possible to safely or lawfully access the collection or delivery address, the Company may refuse to complete the service or may offer an alternative arrangement. Additional charges may apply.
11. Complaints
11.1 Any complaint about the services should be raised with the Company as soon as reasonably possible so that it can be investigated and, where appropriate, remedied.
11.2 The Customer should provide full details of the complaint, including dates, times, locations and the nature of any loss or damage claimed.
11.3 The Company will investigate the complaint and respond within a reasonable timeframe. The Customer agrees to cooperate fully with any such investigation.
12. Data Protection and Privacy
12.1 The Company will collect and process personal information about the Customer only as necessary to arrange and provide the services and to fulfil its legal obligations.
12.2 The Company will take reasonable steps to keep personal data secure and will not sell or disclose personal data to third parties except where required to do so by law or where necessary to provide the services.
13. Variations to Terms
13.1 The Company may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of your booking will apply to that booking.
13.2 Any variation to these Terms and Conditions requested by the Customer will only be effective if agreed in writing by the Company.
14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
14.1 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.
14.2 You and the Company 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.
15. General Provisions
15.1 If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed deleted and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
15.2 No failure or delay by the Company in exercising any right or remedy under these Terms and Conditions shall operate as a waiver of that right or remedy.
15.3 These Terms and Conditions constitute the entire agreement between the Customer and the Company in relation to the services, superseding any prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral.
15.4 Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to confer any rights on any third party, whether under the Contracts Rights of Third Parties Act 1999 or otherwise.
