Terms and Conditions – Removal Services

JD Relocation services Ltd. – THE HOME EXPORT PACKER OF THE YEAR!

Terms and Conditions
Introduction
These conditions explain the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of all parties to this Agreement. Where we use the word ‘you’ or ‘your’ it means the Customer: ‘we’, ‘us’ or ‘our’ means the Remover. These terms and conditions can be varied or amended subject to prior written agreement. Your attention is drawn to Clauses 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 which set out our liability to you for loss of or damage to goods and property.

1 Our Quotation
1.1 Our quotation, unless otherwise stated, does not include customs duties and
inspections or any other fees or taxes payable to government bodies. It does
include us accepting liability for your goods, subject to clauses 2.2, 3.2, 5.2, 5.3
and the provisions of Clauses 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
1.2 We may change the price or make additional charges if circumstances are found to
apply which have not been taken into account when preparing our quotation and
confirmed by us in writing. These include:
1.2.1 You do not accept our quotation in writing within 28 days, or the work is not
carried out or completed within three months.
1.2.2 Our costs change because of currency fluctuations or changes in taxation or
freight charges beyond our control.
1.2.3 The work is carried out on a Saturday, Sunday, or Public Holiday or outside
normal hours (08.00-18.00hrs) at your request.
1.2.4 We have to collect or deliver goods at your request above the ground floor
and first upper floor.
1.2.5 If you collect some or all of the goods from our warehouse, we are entitled to
make a charge for handing them over.
1.2.6 We supply any additional services, including moving or storing extra goods
(these conditions apply to such work).
1.2.7 The stairs, lifts or doorways are inadequate for free movement of the goods
without mechanical equipment or structural alteration, or the approach, road
or drive is unsuitable for our vehicles and/or containers to load and/or unload
within 20 metres of the doorway.
1.2.8 We have to pay parking or other fees or charges in order to carry out services
on your behalf.
1.2.9 There are delays or events outside our reasonable control which increase or
extend the resources or time allowed to complete the agreed work.
1.2.10 We agree in writing to increase our limit of liability set out in clause 9.1.1
1.3 In any such circumstances, adjusted charges will apply and become payable.
2 Work not included in the quotation
2.1 Unless agreed by us in writing, we will not:
2.1.1 Dismantle or assemble unit or system furniture (flat-pack), fitments or
fittings.
2.1.2 Disconnect, re-connect, dismantle or re-assemble appliances, fixtures, fittings
or equipment.
2.1.3 Take up or lay fitted floor coverings.
2.1.4 Move items from a loft, unless properly lit and floored and safe access is
provided.
2.1.5 Move or store any items excluded under Clause 5.
2.2 Our staff are not authorized or qualified to carry out such work. We recommend
that a properly qualified person is separately employed by you to carry out these
services.
3 Your responsibility
3.1 It will be your sole responsibility to:
3.1.1 Declare to us, in writing, the value of the goods being removed and/or stored.
If it is subsequently established that the value of the goods removed or stored
is greater than the actual value you declare, you agree that our liability under
clause 9.1 will be reduced to reflect the proportion that your declared value
bears to their actual value.
3.1.2 Obtain at your own expense, all documents, permits, permissions, licences,
customs documents necessary for the removal to be completed.
3.1.3 Be present or represented during the collection and delivery of the removal.
3.1.4 Ensure authorized signature on agreed inventories, receipts, waybills, job
sheets or other relevant documents by way of confirmation of collection or
delivery of goods.
3.1.5 Take all reasonable steps to ensure that nothing that should be removed is
left behind and nothing is taken away in error.
3.1.6 Arrange proper protection for goods left in unoccupied or unattended
premises, or where other people such as (but not limited to) tenants or
workmen are, or will be present.
3.1.7 Prepare adequately and stabilize all appliances or electronic equipment prior
to their removal.
3.1.8 Empty, properly defrost and clean refrigerators and deep freezers. We are
not responsible for the contents.
3.1.9 Provide us with a contact address for correspondence during removal transit
and/or storage of goods.
3.2 Other than by reason of our negligence or breach of contract, we will not be liable
for any loss or damage, costs or additional charges that may arise from failure to
discharge these responsibilities.
4. Our responsibility
4.1 It is our responsibility to deliver your goods to you, or produce them for your
collection, undamaged. By “undamaged” we mean in the same condition as they
were in at the time when they were packed or otherwise made ready for
transportation and/ or storage.
4.2 In the event that we have undertaken to pack the goods, or otherwise make them
ready for transportation and/or storage, it is our responsibility to deliver them to
you, or produce them for your collection, undamaged. Again, by “undamaged” we
mean in the same condition as they were in immediately prior to being packed/
made ready for transportation or storage.
4.3 If we fail to discharge the responsibilities identified in clause 4.1 and 4.2, we will,
subject to the provisions of clauses 9, 11 and 12, be liable under this agreement to
compensate you for such failure.
4.4 We will not be liable to compensate you where clauses 2.2, 3.2, 5.2 and 5.3 apply
unless loss or damage occurred as a result of negligence or breach of contract on
our part.
4.5 If you do not provide us with a declaration of value of your goods, or if you do not
require us to accept standard liability pursuant to clause 9.1 we will not be liable
to you for failure to discharge the responsibilities identified in clause 4.1 and 4.2,
unless that failure was caused by negligence or breach of contract on our part.
4.6 The amount of our liability under this clause shall be determined in accordance with
clauses 9 and 11.
5. Goods not to be submitted for removal or storage
5.1 Unless previously agreed in writing by a director or other authorized company
representative, the following items must not be submitted for removal or storage
and will under no circumstances be moved or stored by us. The items listed under
5.1.1 below may present risks to health and safety and of fire. Items listed under
5.1.2 to 5.1.6 below carry other risks and you should make your own arrangements
for their transport and storage.
5.1.1 Prohibited or stolen goods, drugs, pornographic material, potentially
dangerous, damaging or explosive items, including gas bottles, aerosols,
paints, firearms and ammunition.
5.1.2 Jewellery, watches, trinkets, precious stones or metals, money, deeds,
securities, stamps, coins, or goods or collections of any similar kind.
5.1.3 Plants or goods likely to encourage vermin or other pests or to cause
infestation or contamination.
5.1.4 Perishable items and/or those requiring a controlled environment.
5.1.5 Any animals, birds or fish.
5.1.6 Goods which require special licence or government permission for export or
import.
5.2 If we do agree to remove such goods, we will not accept liability for loss or damage
unless we are negligent or in breach of contract, in which case all these conditions
will apply.
5.3 If you submit such goods without our knowledge we will make them available for
your collection and if you do not collect them within a reasonable time we will apply
for an appropriate court order to dispose of any such goods found in the
consignment without notice. You will furthermore pay to us any charges, expenses,
damages, legal costs or penalties incurred by us.
6. Ownership of the goods
6.1 By entering into this Agreement, you guarantee that:
6.1.1 The goods to be removed and/or stored are your own property, or
6.1.2 The person(s) who own or have an interest in them have given you authority
to make this contract and have been made aware of these conditions.
6.1.3 You will pay us for any claim for damages and/or costs brought against us if
either warranty 6.1.1 or 6.1.2 is not true.
7. Charges if you postpone or cancel the removal
7.1 If you postpone or cancel this Agreement, we will charge you according to how
much notice is given. “Working days” refer to the normal working week of Monday
to Friday and excludes weekends and Public Holidays.
7.1.1 More than 10 working days before the removal was due to start: No charge.
7.1.2 Between 5 and 10 working days inclusive before the removal was due to
start: not more than 30% of the removal charge.
7.1.3 Less than 5 working days before the removal was due to start: not more than
60% of the removal charge.
8. Payment
8.1 Unless otherwise agreed by us in writing:
8.1.1 Payment is required by cleared funds in advance of the removal or storage
period.
8.1.2 You may not withhold any part of the agreed price.
8.1.3 In respect of all sums which are overdue to us, we will charge interest on a
daily basis calculated at 4% per annum above the prevailing base rate for the
time being of the Bank of England.
9. Determination of amount of our liability for loss or damage
9.1 Standard Liability.
9.1.1 If you provide us with a declaration of the value of your goods, and subject to
clause 3.1.1, the amount of our liability to you in the event of loss or damage
to those goods in breach of clause 4 will be determined in accordance with
Clauses 9.1.2, 9.1.3 and 11 below, subject to a maximum liability of £25,000.
We may agree to accept liability for a higher amount, in which case we may
make an additional charge.
9.1.2 In the event of loss of or damage to your goods in breach of clause 4, our
liability to you is to be assessed as a sum equivalent to the cost of their repair
or replacement whichever is the smaller sum, taking into account the age and
condition of the goods immediately prior to their loss or damage, and subject
to the maximum liability of £25,000 referred to in clause 9.1.1 (unless we have
agreed a higher amount with you).
9.1.3 Where the lost or damaged item is part of a pair or set, our liability to you,
where it is assessed as the cost of replacement of that item, is to be assessed
as a sum equivalent to the cost of that item in isolation, not the cost of that
item as part of a pair or set.
9.2 Limited Liability.
9.2.1 If you do not provide us with a declaration of value, or if you do not require us
to accept Standard Liability pursuant to clause 9.1, then our liability to you is
to be determined in accordance with Clauses 9.1.3, 9.2.2 and 11.
9.2.2 In the event of loss of or damage to your goods caused by negligence or breach
of contract on our part, our liability to you is to be assessed as a sum equivalent
to the cost of their repair or replacement, taking into account their age and
condition immediately prior to their loss or damage, subject to a maximum
liability of £40 per item. Your attention is drawn to clause 11.1 which applies
to Limited Liability.
9.3 For goods destined to or received from a place outside the UK
9.3.1 We will only accept Standard Liability if you provide us with a detailed valuation
of your goods on the valuation form which we provide. All other provisions of
Clause 9.1 will apply.
9.3.2 We do not accept liability for loss of or damage to goods confiscated, seized,
removed or damaged by Customs Authorities or other Government Agencies
unless we have been negligent or in breach of contract.
9.3.3 We do not accept liability for loss of or damage to goods occurring in certain
overseas countries, including Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Libya, Lebanon,
Angola, Cambodia, Vietnam, N. Korea and Former States of the USSR, unless
we have been negligent or in breach of contract. This list is not exhaustive, and
we will advise you at the time of quotation if this exclusion applies.
We will accept liability for loss or damage
(a) arising from our negligence or breach of contract whilst the goods are in
our physical possession, or
(b) whilst the goods are in the possession of others if the loss or damage is
established to have been caused by our failure to pack the goods to a
reasonable standard where we have been contracted to pack the goods that
are subject to the claim.
In either circumstance clause 9.1 or 9.2 above will apply.
9.4 An Item is defined as :-
9.4.1 The entire contents of a box, parcel, package, carton, or similar container; and
9.4.2 Any other object or thing that is moved, handled or stored by us.
10. Damage to premises or property other than goods
10.1 Because third party contractors are frequently present at the time of collection or
delivery our liability for loss or damage is limited as follows:
10.1.1 If we cause loss or damage to premises or property other than goods for
removal as a result of our negligence or breach of contract, our liability shall
be limited to making good the damaged area only.
10.1.2 If we cause damage as a result of moving goods under your express
instruction, against our advice, and where to move the goods in the manner
instructed is likely to cause damage, we shall not be liable.
10.1.3 If we are responsible for causing damage to your premises or to property
other than goods submitted for removal and/or storage, you must note this
on the worksheet or delivery receipt as soon as practically possible or within
a reasonable time. This is fundamental to the Agreement.
11. Exclusions of liability
11.1 In respect of Limited Liability, we will not be liable for loss of or damage to your
goods as a result of fire or explosion howsoever that fire or explosion was caused,
unless we have been negligent or in breach of contract.
11.2 In respect of Standard Liability and Limited Liability, other than as a result of our
negligence or breach of contract we will not be liable for any loss of, damage to,
or failure to produce the following goods :-
11.2.1 Bonds, Securities, Stamps of all kinds, Manuscripts or other Documents or
Electronically held Data Records, Mobile Telephones
11.2.2 Plants or goods likely to encourage vermin or other pests or to cause
infestation or contamination.
11.2.3 Perishable items and/or those requiring a controlled environment.
11.2.4 Furs exceeding £100 in value, Jewellery, Watches, Precious Stones and
Metals, Money, Coins, Deeds.
11.2.5 Any animals, birds or fish.
11.3 In respect of Standard Liability and Limited Liability, other than as a result of our
negligence or breach of contract we will not be liable for any loss of, damage to,
or failure to produce the goods if caused by any of the following circumstances:-
11.3.1 By war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities (whether war is declared
or not), civil war, terrorism, rebellion and/or military coup, Act of God,
industrial action or other such events outside our reasonable control.
11.3.2 Loss or damage arising from ionising radiations or radioactive contamination
11.3.3 Loss or damage arising from Chemical, Biological, Bio-chemical,
Electromagnetic Weapons and Cyber Attack
11.3.4 Indirect or consequential loss of any kind or description
11.3.5 By normal wear and tear, natural or gradual deterioration, leakage or
evaporation or from perishable or unstable goods. This includes goods left
within furniture or appliances.
11.3.6 By vermin, moth, insects and similar infestation, damp, mould, mildew or rust
11.3.7 By cleaning, repairing or restoring unless we arranged for the work to be
carried out.
11.3.8 By change to atmospheric or climatic conditions.
11.3.9 For any goods in wardrobes, drawers or appliances, or in a package, bundle,
carton, case or other container not both packed and unpacked by us.
11.3.10 Loss of or damage to china, glassware and fragile items unless they have
been both professionally packed and unpacked by us or our Subcontractor.
In the event of an accident involving an owner packed container where
damage would have occurred irrespective of the quality of the packing, then
our liability is limited to £100 or its actual value whichever is less.
11.3.11 For electrical or mechanical derangement to any appliance, instrument, clock,
computer or other equipment unless there is evidence of related external
damage.
11.3.12 Loss or damage of motor vehicles caused by scratching, denting and marring
unless you obtain from us a pre-collection condition report.
11.3.13 Loss or damage to a vehicle whilst being driven or for the purpose of being
driven under its own power other than for the purpose of loading onto or
unloading from the carrying conveyance or container. Loss or damage
sustained by accessories and removable items unless lost with the vehicle
11.3.14 For any goods which have a pre-existing defect or are inherently defective.
11.4 No employee of ours shall be separately liable to you for any loss, damage, misdelivery, errors or omissions under the terms of this Agreement.
11.5 Our liability will cease upon handing over goods from our warehouse or upon
completion of delivery (see Clause 12.2 below).
12 Time limit for claims
12.1 For goods which we deliver, you must notify us in writing of any visible loss,
damage or failure to produce any goods at the time of delivery.
12.2 If you or your agent collect the goods, you must notify us in writing of any loss or
damage at the time the goods are handed to you or your agent.
12.3 Notwithstanding clauses 9, 10 and 11 we will not be liable for any loss of
or damage to the goods unless a claim is notified to us, or to our agent
or the company carrying out the collection or delivery of the goods on
our behalf, in writing as soon as such loss or damage is discovered (or
with reasonable diligence ought to have been discovered) and in any
event within seven (7) days of delivery of the goods by us.
12.4 The time limit for notifying us of your claim may be extended upon
receipt of your written request provided such request is received within
seven (7) days of delivery. Consent to such a request will not be
unreasonably withheld.
13 Delays in transit
13.1 Other than by reason of our negligence or breach of contract, we will not be liable
for delays in transit.
13.2 If through no fault of ours we are unable to deliver your goods, we will take them
into store. The Agreement will then be fulfilled and any additional service(s),
including storage and delivery, will be at your expense.
14 Our Right to Hold the Goods (lien)
We shall have a right to withhold and/or ultimately dispose of some or all of the goods
until you have paid all our charges and any other payments due under this or any other
Agreement. (See also Clause 23). These include any charges that we have paid out on
your behalf. While we hold the goods you will be liable to pay all storage charges and
other costs incurred by our withholding your goods and these terms and conditions shall
continue to apply.
15 Disputes
If there is a dispute arising from this agreement which cannot be resolved, subject to the
agreement of both parties, either you or we may refer the dispute to an arbitrator
appointed by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The cost of any such arbitration will
be at the discretion of the arbitrator. This does not prejudice your right to commence
court proceedings.
16 Our right to sub-contract the work
16.1 We reserve the right to sub-contract some or all of the work.
16.2 If we sub-contract, then these conditions will still apply.
17 Route and method
17.1 We have the right to choose the method and route by which to carry out the work.
17.2 Unless it has been specifically agreed otherwise in writing in our Quotation, other
space/volume/capacity on our vehicles and/or the container may be utilized for
consignments of other customers.
18 Advice and information for International Removals
We will use our reasonable endeavours to provide you with up to date information to
assist you with the import/export of your goods. Information on such matters as national
or regional laws and regulations which are subject to change and interpretation at any
time is provided in good faith and is based upon existing known circumstances. It is your
responsibility to seek appropriate advice to verify the accuracy of any information
provided.
19 Applicable law
This contract is subject to the law of the country in which the office of the company
issuing this contract is situated.
20 Your forwarding address
20.1 If you send goods to be stored, you must provide an address for correspondence
and notify us if it changes. All correspondence and notices will be considered to
have been received by you seven days after sending it to your last address recorded
by us.
20.2 If you do not provide an address or respond to our correspondence or notices, we
may publish such notices in a public newspaper in the area to or from which the
goods were removed. Such notice will be considered to have been received by you
seven days after the publication date of the newspaper.
Note: If we are unable to contact you, we will charge you any costs incurred in
establishing your whereabouts.
21 List of goods (inventory) or receipt
Where we produce a list of your goods (inventory) or a receipt and send it to you, it will
be accepted as accurate unless you write to us within 10 days of the date of our sending,
or a reasonable period agreed between us, notifying us of any errors or omissions.
22 Revision of storage charges
We review our storage charges periodically. You will be given 3 months notice in writing
of any increases.
23 Our right to Sell or dispose of the Goods
If payment of our charges relating to your goods is in arrears, and on giving you three
months’ notice, we are entitled to require you to remove your goods from our custody
and pay all money due to us. If you fail to pay all outstanding amounts due to us, we
may sell or dispose of some or all of the goods without further notice. The cost of the
sale or disposal will be charged to you. The net proceeds will be credited to your account
and any eventual surplus will be paid to you without interest. If the full amount due is
not received, we may seek to recover the balance from you.
24 Termination
If payments are up to date, we will not end this contract except by giving you three
months notice in writing. If you wish to terminate your storage contract, you must give
us at least 10 working days’ notice (working days are defined in Clause 7 above). If we
can release the goods earlier, we will do so, provided that your account is paid up to
date. Charges for storage are payable to the date when the notice should have taken
effect.
Liability Terms – For Non British Association of Removers Members