Terms and Conditions for Man and a Van Belsize Park

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which Man and a Van Belsize Park provides removal and related services within the United Kingdom. By making a booking, using our services, or allowing our staff to commence work at your premises, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before confirming any service.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following expressions have the meanings set out below:

Client means the person, firm or company requesting or receiving services from Man and a Van Belsize Park.

Company means Man and a Van Belsize Park, the provider of the removal and related services.

Services means removal, transport, loading, unloading, packing, storage, and any other work or service provided by the Company as agreed with the Client.

Vehicle means any van or other vehicle used by the Company to provide the Services.

Goods means the items, belongings, furniture, equipment and other property in respect of which the Services are provided.

2. Scope of Services

The Company provides man and van and small removals services, including local and regional transport of household and commercial Goods, loading and unloading, and other related tasks as agreed. The exact scope of the Services will be set out in the booking confirmation or as otherwise agreed in writing between the Client and the Company.

The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry or handle any Goods that it reasonably considers to be hazardous, illegal, dangerous, or likely to cause damage or injury. This includes, but is not limited to, explosives, flammable substances, corrosive materials, illegal items, live animals, and perishable goods that may spoil during transport.

3. Booking Process

3.1 Booking Request

Clients may request a booking by contacting the Company and providing full details including collection and delivery addresses, property access details, dates and times, description and volume of Goods, and any special requirements.

3.2 Quotations

Any quotation provided by the Company is based on the information supplied by the Client and is subject to these Terms and Conditions. Quotations are normally given as either an hourly rate or a fixed price, as specified in the quotation. Quotations are valid for a limited period, which will be stated by the Company. If no period is stated, the quotation will be valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

If the information supplied by the Client is incomplete or inaccurate, or if the scope of work changes, the Company reserves the right to amend or withdraw the quotation and to charge for additional time, distance, labour, or materials required.

3.3 Booking Confirmation

A booking is only confirmed when the Client has accepted the quotation and the Company has acknowledged the booking, which may include confirmation of the date, time, pricing basis, and any applicable deposit. The Company may refuse or cancel a booking at its discretion, for example where access is unsafe, the Goods are unsuitable, or the Client has outstanding unpaid charges.

3.4 Access and Parking

The Client is responsible for ensuring that adequate access and suitable parking are available at both collection and delivery locations. This includes obtaining any necessary parking permissions or permits. Any delays, fines, or parking charges arising from insufficient access or lack of permits may be charged to the Client as an additional cost.

4. Client Responsibilities

The Client must:

Ensure that all Goods are properly packed and ready for transport unless packing is expressly included in the Services.

Provide accurate and complete information about the nature and quantity of the Goods, access conditions, and any special handling requirements.

Be present or represented at the collection and delivery addresses to supervise the work and sign any job sheets or delivery notes, unless otherwise agreed.

Ensure that all Goods are owned by the Client or that the Client has full authority to allow them to be moved.

Disconnect, defrost, and secure any appliances or equipment prior to removal, unless otherwise agreed.

Comply with relevant laws and regulations, including those related to waste, hazardous materials, and prohibited items.

5. Payments and Charges

5.1 Pricing

Charges may be calculated on an hourly basis or as a fixed fee, as specified in the quotation or booking confirmation. Additional charges may apply for long distances, congestion, tolls, ferries, waiting time, extra labour, difficult access, or work outside normal hours, where not already included in the original quotation.

5.2 Deposits

The Company may require a deposit at the time of booking. Deposits are usually non-refundable unless the Company cancels the booking without providing an alternative date, or unless otherwise stated in writing.

5.3 Payment Terms

Unless agreed otherwise in writing, payment is due immediately upon completion of the Services on the day of the move. For some bookings, payment may be required in advance or at the start of the job. The Company reserves the right to withhold completion of the Services or to retain possession of the Goods until payment is received in full.

5.4 Overdue Payments

If payment is not received when due, the Company may charge interest on the outstanding amount at the statutory rate applicable under UK law, as well as reasonable costs of collection. The Company may also suspend or cancel any future bookings until all outstanding sums are settled.

6. Cancellations and Amendments

6.1 Client Cancellations

If the Client wishes to cancel or reschedule a booking, the Client must notify the Company as soon as possible. The following cancellation charges may apply, unless otherwise specified in writing:

More than 7 days before the scheduled service date: any deposit may be retained but no additional cancellation fee will usually be charged.

Between 48 hours and 7 days before the scheduled service date: the Company may charge up to 50 percent of the quoted price.

Less than 48 hours before the scheduled service date or on the day of the move: the Company may charge up to 100 percent of the quoted price.

6.2 Company Cancellations

The Company will use reasonable efforts to honour confirmed bookings. However, the Company may cancel or postpone a booking due to circumstances beyond its control, such as severe weather, vehicle breakdown, staff illness, accidents, or other events that make it unsafe or impracticable to carry out the Services. In such cases, the Company will offer to reschedule the booking at a mutually convenient time, or, if rescheduling is not possible, will refund any deposit or prepayment received for the cancelled Services. The Company will not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses arising from cancellation or postponement, except as required by law.

6.3 Amendments

If the Client requests significant changes to the date, time, addresses, or scope of the Services, the Company may treat this as a new booking and may revise the quotation and charges accordingly. Any amendments are subject to availability.

7. Liability and Limitations

7.1 Duty of Care

The Company will take reasonable care in handling, loading, transporting and unloading the Goods. However, the Client acknowledges that normal risks may arise in the course of removal work, and that certain items may be particularly fragile or susceptible to damage.

7.2 Excluded Items

The Company will not be liable for loss or damage to the following, unless expressly agreed in writing:

Cash, jewellery, watches, precious metals, or other valuables.

Important documents, data, or electronic files.

Plants, food, and other perishable items.

Items of sentimental value where the value cannot be reasonably assessed.

The Client is advised not to include such items in the Goods, or to carry them personally.

7.3 Pre-Existing Damage and Poor Packing

The Company will not be liable for damage to Goods that are already damaged, inadequately packed by the Client, or structurally weak. This includes items that are dismantled or reassembled at the Client's request, unless damage results directly from negligence by the Company.

7.4 Indirect and Consequential Loss

The Company will not be liable for any indirect or consequential losses, including loss of profits, loss of opportunity, loss of business, or emotional distress, even if arising from delay, damage, or loss of Goods, except where liability cannot be excluded under UK law.

7.5 Overall Liability Cap

Subject to applicable law, the total liability of the Company for loss of or damage to Goods, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, will not exceed the lower of:

The reasonable replacement value of the affected Goods; or

A monetary limit that may be specified by the Company from time to time.

This limitation does not apply to death or personal injury caused by the negligence of the Company or its employees, or to any other liability that cannot be lawfully excluded or limited.

8. Claims and Complaints

If the Client believes that loss, damage, or another issue has occurred in connection with the Services, the Client must notify the Company as soon as reasonably possible. Visible damage should be reported on completion of the job and recorded on any job sheet or delivery note, where available.

Any formal claim should be submitted to the Company in writing with full details of the alleged loss or damage, including supporting evidence such as photographs and proof of value. The Company may inspect the items and investigate the circumstances. Failure to notify the Company within a reasonable period may affect the ability to investigate and may reduce or extinguish any potential liability, except where prohibited by law.

9. Waste and Environmental Regulations

9.1 Waste Carriage

The Company may carry waste arising directly from its removal activities, such as packaging or unwanted items, subject to compliance with relevant UK waste and environmental regulations. The Company is not a general waste collection service and will not remove large quantities of waste or items that are classified as hazardous or controlled waste, unless this is specifically agreed and lawfully permitted.

9.2 Client Responsibilities for Waste

The Client is responsible for ensuring that any waste presented to the Company for removal is lawful and suitable for transport. This includes confirming that the waste does not contain hazardous materials, such as asbestos, chemicals, solvents, oils, paints, medical waste, or electrical items that require special handling beyond the normal scope of the Services.

9.3 Refusal and Additional Charges

The Company reserves the right to refuse to collect or transport any waste that it reasonably believes to be non-compliant with UK regulations or beyond the scope of the Services. If the Company incurs additional costs in dealing with waste that is misdescribed or unlawfully presented, including disposal fees, cleaning costs, or regulatory charges, these may be passed on to the Client.

10. Delays and Events Beyond Control

The Company is not liable for delay or failure to perform the Services where such delay or failure is caused by events beyond its reasonable control. This includes, but is not limited to, extreme weather, traffic incidents, road closures, breakdowns, accidents, public disturbances, strikes, or acts of government authorities.

Where possible, the Company will notify the Client of any significant delays and will use reasonable efforts to complete the Services at the earliest opportunity. Time for completion is not guaranteed unless expressly agreed in writing as an essential term.

11. Insurance

The Company maintains insurance cover appropriate to its operations as required by law. This may include motor insurance and public liability insurance. Details of insurance cover are available on request. The Client remains responsible for arranging any additional insurance for high-value or particularly fragile Goods if required.

12. Privacy and Data Protection

The Company collects and uses personal data such as names, addresses, and service details for the purpose of managing bookings, delivering Services, processing payments, and fulfilling legal obligations. The Company will take reasonable steps to keep personal data secure and will not sell personal information to third parties.

Personal data may be shared with third parties where necessary to perform the Services or comply with legal requirements, for example with payment processors or regulatory bodies. By using the Services, the Client consents to this use of personal data, subject to applicable data protection laws in the United Kingdom.

13. Termination

The Company may terminate or suspend any Services immediately if the Client is in material breach of these Terms and Conditions, including failure to pay sums due, providing false information, or engaging in abusive, threatening, or unsafe behaviour. Upon termination, the Client must immediately pay all outstanding sums for work performed up to the date of termination.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them, or with the provision of the Services, 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, except where consumer legislation permits the Client to bring a claim in another competent jurisdiction.

15. General Provisions

15.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms and Conditions, together with any written quotation or booking confirmation, constitute the entire agreement between the Client and the Company in relation to the Services and supersede any prior understandings or arrangements.

15.2 Severability

If any part of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that part shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary or, where this is not possible, deleted. The remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

15.3 No Waiver

Any failure or delay by the Company in enforcing any provision of these Terms and Conditions shall not be construed as a waiver of that provision or of any other rights.

15.4 Changes to Terms

The Company may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The version in force at the time of the Client's booking will apply to that booking, unless changes are required by law or regulation.

By proceeding with a booking or using the Services, the Client confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms and Conditions.