Cowley Storage Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Cowley Storage provides storage and related services to customers in the United Kingdom. By making a booking, accessing a storage unit, or using any associated service, you agree to comply with these terms. Please read them carefully before reserving space, as they explain your responsibilities, our responsibilities, and the limits that apply to the storage service.

The terms are intended to be clear, fair, and practical. They cover the storage booking process, payment requirements, cancellations, liability, waste handling, and the law that applies to the agreement. They are written to support a straightforward storage arrangement for personal and business users alike, while protecting the safety, security, and proper operation of the facility.

These conditions apply to all customers using Cowley Storage, whether the service is arranged for short-term use, longer occupancy, or a temporary solution between moves. In these terms, references to “we”, “us”, and “our” mean Cowley Storage, and references to “you” and “your” mean the person or business making the booking or using the service.

1. Booking process

1.1 Reservation and acceptance

To use Cowley Storage, you must complete a booking request and provide accurate information. A booking is not confirmed until we accept it and, where required, receive any initial payment or deposit. We may refuse a booking if the requested storage unit is unavailable, if the proposed use does not meet our acceptance criteria, or if we reasonably believe the arrangement would create a risk to the facility, other customers, or the lawfulness of the service.

When you make a booking, you confirm that the details supplied are true, complete, and up to date. This includes your name, billing details, contact information, and any information needed to assess the nature of the items to be stored. You must tell us promptly if any details change. If inaccurate information is provided, we may cancel the booking or suspend access until the issue is resolved.

1.2 Access and use of the unit

You must use the storage unit only for lawful purposes and only for the items agreed at booking stage. You are responsible for ensuring your goods are suitable for storage and for packaging them appropriately. Unless we have agreed otherwise in writing, you are the only person entitled to access your unit, although you may authorise others in accordance with our procedures. Any access rules, security controls, or operational instructions must be followed at all times.

2. Payments and charges

You agree to pay all fees and charges associated with your Cowley Storage service, including rental charges, deposits where applicable, late payment fees, replacement key or access fees, cleaning charges, and any other sums set out in your booking confirmation or price schedule. Payment is due in advance unless we state otherwise. If a payment method fails, is reversed, or is otherwise not honoured, you remain responsible for the full amount due.

We may review charges from time to time. Any change to regular rental fees will be communicated in advance where reasonably practicable. If you continue to use the storage unit after a revised charge takes effect, you will be deemed to have accepted the updated rate. We may also charge for any additional services requested by you or necessary because of your breach of these terms.

2.1 Late payment and suspension

If payment is not received on time, we may charge interest or a reasonable administration fee to cover recovery costs, to the extent permitted by law. We may also restrict access to the unit, retain goods under any lawful lien or storage right available to us, and/or terminate the agreement if overdue sums remain unpaid. Any such action will be taken in a proportionate manner, with reasonable notice where required.

3. Cancellations and termination

You may cancel a reservation or terminate your storage arrangement in accordance with the notice period stated in your booking confirmation. Where a minimum term applies, you remain responsible for charges until that term expires and any required notice has ended. If you have already received access to a unit, any prepaid period may not be refundable except where the law requires otherwise or we expressly agree to a refund.

3.1 Our right to cancel or end the agreement

We may cancel a booking before the start date if the service becomes unavailable, if we discover that the booking was made on incorrect or misleading information, or if we reasonably suspect the storage will be used for unlawful, hazardous, or prohibited items. We may also terminate the agreement immediately if you commit a serious breach of these terms, fail to pay amounts due, damage the premises, or put health, safety, or security at risk.

If the agreement ends for any reason, you must remove all goods by the date we specify. Any items left behind after termination may be dealt with in accordance with our rights under the agreement and applicable law, including disposal or sale where lawful and after any required notice. You remain responsible for all charges until the unit is fully vacated and returned in acceptable condition.

4. Liability and insurance

We take reasonable care in operating Cowley Storage, but storage involves inherent risks. You are responsible for arranging adequate insurance for the full replacement value of your stored goods unless we have expressly agreed in writing to provide cover. We do not insure your items automatically, and any reference to security measures does not mean we guarantee against loss, theft, damage, or deterioration.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for loss or damage to goods caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to fire, flood, storm, theft, vandalism, power failure, infestation, or accidental damage not caused by our negligence. We are also not responsible for indirect or consequential losses such as loss of profit, loss of business, loss of opportunity, or emotional distress arising from the storage service.

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 or limited under UK law. Where we are liable, our liability will generally be limited to the amount you paid for the affected storage period or such other amount as may be required by law, depending on the circumstances of the claim.

4.1 Your responsibilities

You must ensure that goods placed into storage are safe, lawful, and suitable for a storage environment. You are responsible for securing the contents of your unit and for using appropriate packaging, pallets, covers, or containers where needed. You must not overload shelves, block access routes, or store items in a way that could cause injury, contamination, or damage to the premises or to other customers’ property.

You must notify us immediately if you become aware of any incident, defect, leak, smell, infestation, or other issue affecting the unit or the site. Prompt notice allows risks to be managed and may reduce further loss. Failure to report an issue promptly may affect any claim you make if the delay worsens the damage.

4.2 Excluded items

Unless we have given prior written consent, you must not store dangerous, illegal, toxic, flammable, explosive, radioactive, perishable, or environmentally harmful items, nor animals, plants, live goods, or waste that is not properly packaged and lawfully retained. You must also not store items that may attract pests, create odour, leak fluid, or otherwise damage the facility or contaminate other items.

5. Waste regulations and prohibited disposal

Waste left at the facility is not accepted unless we have agreed in advance that a specific disposal service is included. You must not abandon unwanted items, packaging, furniture, electrical goods, construction debris, chemicals, oils, batteries, or any other waste in or around a unit, common area, skip, or loading bay unless we have expressly authorised this and it complies with applicable rules. Any disposal arranged by us for your items may be charged to you, including labour, transport, licensing, and third-party fees.

You are responsible for ensuring that any waste connected with your use of Cowley Storage is handled in accordance with applicable UK waste law. This includes the correct segregation of recyclables, controlled materials, and hazardous waste, where relevant. You must not use the storage unit as a rubbish store or as a temporary dumping area. If we reasonably believe items have been abandoned or unlawfully disposed of, we may remove, store, report, or dispose of them in accordance with legal requirements and our operational procedures.

Any contamination, spill, pest infestation, or pollution caused by your goods or waste may be treated as a serious breach of contract. You will be responsible for all associated cleaning, remediation, repair, disposal, and compliance costs, including any charges imposed by contractors or authorities. You must cooperate fully if an incident needs to be investigated or rectified.

6. Security, inspections, and maintenance

We may operate security measures such as controlled access, surveillance, and site checks, but these are provided to support the safe running of the premises and do not create a guarantee of security. You must not interfere with locks, doors, cameras, alarms, or other equipment. We may enter a unit without notice where necessary to respond to an emergency, prevent injury or damage, comply with legal obligations, or carry out essential maintenance.

Where practicable, we will give notice before routine inspections or maintenance works that may affect access. However, urgent works may be carried out immediately if needed to protect the site or individuals. We are entitled to move, secure, or protect goods if reasonably required for maintenance, repairs, pest control, safety, or operational reasons, and we will act with reasonable care when doing so.

6.1 Customer conduct

You must behave reasonably while on site and comply with signage, reasonable instructions, and any applicable policies. No smoking, open flames, or unsafe activities are permitted. You must not permit unauthorised access, tamper with facility systems, or use the premises for business activities that cause nuisance, contamination, or obstruction. Repeated breaches of site rules may result in immediate termination of the service.

7. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and keep indemnified Cowley Storage, its employees, contractors, and agents against claims, losses, damages, liabilities, penalties, fines, and costs arising from your breach of these terms, your unlawful acts or omissions, your misuse of the storage unit, or the presence of prohibited goods or waste in your unit. This includes reasonable legal and recovery costs where permitted by law.

This indemnity is intended to operate fairly and only to the extent that the loss or claim arises from matters for which you are responsible. It does not remove any rights you may have under mandatory consumer law or any liability we cannot lawfully exclude. Each party remains responsible for its own conduct and for complying with the law that applies to its activities.

8. Force majeure

We are not in breach of contract if we fail to perform any obligation due to events outside our reasonable control. Such events may include severe weather, fire, flood, utility failure, industrial action, transport disruption, government action, epidemic, cyber incident, or similar circumstances. If a force majeure event affects the service, we will take reasonable steps to minimise disruption and resume normal operations as soon as reasonably possible.

9. Data and communications

We may process your personal data as needed to manage the booking, operate the service, recover debts, comply with legal obligations, and communicate about your storage arrangement. We will handle information in accordance with applicable data protection law. Communications may be sent by email, text message, post, or other contact method you have provided, and any notice will be treated as received in line with the agreed communication rules.

You should keep your contact details current so that we can send invoices, notices, and important service information without delay. If you fail to keep your details updated, you may miss payment notices, cancellation notices, or warnings that affect your rights. We are not responsible for consequences caused by your failure to provide accurate contact information.

10. Governing law and jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising from them or their subject matter, are governed by the laws of England and Wales. The courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim that cannot be resolved amicably. If you are a consumer, you may also benefit from any mandatory protections available under the law applicable to your situation.

11. General provisions

If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force. Any failure by us to enforce a right at any time does not waive that right. You may not assign or transfer your rights under the agreement without our written consent. We may assign or transfer our rights where this does not materially reduce your legal protections.

These terms, together with your booking confirmation and any written variations we agree with you, form the entire agreement between the parties concerning the storage service. No statement made outside these terms will override them unless confirmed in writing by an authorised representative. In the event of any inconsistency, the written booking confirmation may clarify operational details, but these terms will prevail on matters of liability, legality, and contractual interpretation.

Cowley Storage may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in law, operational practice, or service structure. The version in force when you make your booking will usually apply to that agreement, unless a later update is required by law or expressly agreed by both parties. Continued use of the storage service after notification of a change may constitute acceptance of the revised terms where lawful.