House Clearance Tooting Service Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions set out the basis on which House Clearance Tooting provides house clearance and associated waste collection services to domestic and commercial customers. By booking a service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before placing an order.

1. Definitions

In these Terms and Conditions, the following definitions apply:

Customer means the person, company or organisation booking the services.

Services means house clearance, waste removal, waste collection, bulky item removal, appliance removal, and any related services provided by House Clearance Tooting.

Waste means any items, materials, furniture, appliances, or other goods that the Customer asks House Clearance Tooting to remove and dispose of.

Agreement means the contract between the Customer and House Clearance Tooting for the provision of the Services, governed by these Terms and Conditions.

2. Scope of Services

House Clearance Tooting provides house clearance and waste collection services, including but not limited to removal of general household items, furniture, non-hazardous waste, and selected commercial items. The exact scope of work for each booking will be as set out in the quotation or booking confirmation provided to the Customer.

The Services do not include the removal of hazardous or prohibited materials such as asbestos, clinical or medical waste, pressurised containers, certain chemicals, flammable or explosive substances, or any other materials classified as hazardous under applicable waste regulations, unless expressly agreed in writing in advance and subject to additional charges and conditions.

House Clearance Tooting reserves the right to refuse to remove any item or materials which, in its reasonable opinion, may pose a risk to health, safety or the environment, or which it is not legally permitted to transport or dispose of.

3. Booking Process

Bookings for house clearance or waste collection services may be made by telephone, email, or through any other method made available by House Clearance Tooting from time to time.

When requesting a booking, the Customer must provide accurate and complete information, including but not limited to the address of the property, the nature and approximate volume or weight of the Waste, access details, parking restrictions, property layout and any relevant time constraints.

Based on the information supplied, House Clearance Tooting will provide an estimated quotation or pricing structure. This may be a fixed price or an estimate subject to confirmation upon arrival at the property, depending on the nature of the job and the information provided.

A booking will only be confirmed once House Clearance Tooting has accepted the order and provided confirmation of the agreed date, time window and pricing basis. House Clearance Tooting reserves the right to decline a booking for any reason.

The Customer is responsible for ensuring that a suitable adult is present at the property at the agreed time to grant access and confirm the items to be removed, unless otherwise agreed in advance.

4. Estimates, Quotations and Pricing

Any estimate or quotation is based on the information provided by the Customer and on normal access and working conditions. If on arrival it becomes apparent that the volume, weight, type of Waste or access conditions differ materially from those described by the Customer, House Clearance Tooting may revise the price accordingly.

Where pricing is based on volume, weight, labour time, or a combination of these, the final price payable will be calculated on completion of the work and will be communicated to the Customer before payment is taken.

Prices are inclusive or exclusive of VAT depending on the current status and will be clearly communicated to the Customer. Any additional charges such as congestion or parking charges, local authority fees, or additional labour due to unforeseen complications may be added where applicable and will be explained to the Customer.

5. Payments

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is due in full on completion of the Services on the day of the clearance or collection.

Payments may be made by cash, debit card, credit card, bank transfer, or any other methods accepted by House Clearance Tooting from time to time. House Clearance Tooting reserves the right to request part or full payment in advance for larger jobs or commercial customers.

If payment is not received when due, House Clearance Tooting reserves the right to withhold or suspend Services and to charge interest on overdue sums at the statutory rate, as well as any reasonable costs incurred in recovering the outstanding amount.

For account or commercial customers, payment terms will be set out separately and must be strictly adhered to. Failure to comply with agreed credit terms may result in suspension of Services and withdrawal of credit facilities.

6. Cancellations and Amendments

The Customer may cancel or amend a booking by giving notice to House Clearance Tooting.

Where at least 24 hours notice is given before the scheduled arrival time, no cancellation fee will usually be charged, unless otherwise specified in writing.

Where less than 24 hours notice is given, or where the Customer fails to provide access to the property at the agreed time, House Clearance Tooting reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee, which may include a call-out charge, lost labour time and any costs incurred in connection with the booking.

If House Clearance Tooting needs to cancel or reschedule a booking due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, such as severe weather, vehicle breakdown, staff illness or operational issues, it will notify the Customer as soon as reasonably possible and offer an alternative date or time. House Clearance Tooting will not be liable for any indirect or consequential loss arising from such cancellation or rescheduling.

7. Customer Obligations

The Customer must ensure that:

The property is safe and suitable for the Services to be carried out.

Access to the property, relevant rooms, and all items to be removed is clear and unobstructed.

Any items that are not to be removed are clearly identified and separated where possible.

The necessary permissions and consents have been obtained from the property owner, landlord or any other relevant parties.

Parking is available or appropriate arrangements are made for parking permits or visitor passes. Any parking fees or fines arising from insufficient arrangements may be charged to the Customer.

If the Customer fails to comply with these obligations, House Clearance Tooting may charge additional fees for extra time, labour or costs incurred, or may refuse to carry out all or part of the Services where health and safety standards cannot be met.

8. Waste Handling and Compliance with Regulations

House Clearance Tooting operates in accordance with applicable UK waste management legislation and duty of care requirements. All Waste collected will be transported and disposed of at authorised facilities wherever reasonably practicable.

The Customer confirms that they have the right to authorise the removal of the Waste and that the Waste does not include any items that may be illegally disposed of or are prohibited under relevant waste regulations.

Where required, House Clearance Tooting will complete appropriate documentation such as waste transfer notes in accordance with legal obligations. The Customer agrees to provide any information necessary to accurately complete such documentation.

House Clearance Tooting may, at its discretion, sort or separate Waste for reuse, recycling, donation or disposal. Title to the Waste passes to House Clearance Tooting on collection, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

9. Items of Value and Ownership

The Customer is responsible for ensuring that no items of personal, sentimental or significant monetary value are included in the Waste to be removed, unless the Customer intends for such items to be permanently discarded.

House Clearance Tooting does not accept responsibility for loss or removal of items that were not clearly identified by the Customer as items to be retained. The Customer should carefully check all cupboards, drawers, lofts, storage areas and containers before the clearance begins.

Where items are identified by House Clearance Tooting staff as potentially valuable or personal in nature, reasonable efforts will be made to bring these to the Customer's attention. However, House Clearance Tooting has no obligation to identify such items and accepts no liability for any failure to do so.

10. Liability and Limitations

House Clearance Tooting will take reasonable care when carrying out the Services. However, minor scuffs, marks or wear to floors, walls, door frames or other surfaces may occur as an unavoidable consequence of moving heavy or bulky items. The Customer acknowledges this risk and agrees that House Clearance Tooting will not be liable for minor cosmetic damage consistent with the nature of the work.

House Clearance Tooting will not be liable for any loss, damage or expense arising from circumstances outside its reasonable control, including but not limited to extreme weather, traffic conditions, accidents, acts of third parties, or delays caused by local restrictions or access issues.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions limits or excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability which cannot be excluded or limited by law.

Subject to the preceding paragraph, House Clearance Tooting shall not be liable for any indirect, consequential or economic loss, including loss of profit, loss of opportunity or loss of enjoyment. The total liability of House Clearance Tooting in respect of any single claim or series of connected claims shall not exceed the total amount paid or payable by the Customer for the Services giving rise to the claim.

11. Insurance

House Clearance Tooting maintains insurance cover appropriate to the nature of its business. Details of relevant insurance policies may be made available to the Customer on reasonable request.

The Customer is responsible for maintaining adequate insurance in respect of the property and any items not intended for removal. Any claim for loss or damage must be notified to House Clearance Tooting in writing as soon as reasonably practicable and, in any event, within a reasonable period after completion of the Services.

12. Access, Parking and Site Conditions

The Customer is responsible for providing clear and safe access to the property, including any communal areas, stairways, lifts, gardens, garages and outbuildings, as necessary for the Services.

Where parking restrictions apply, the Customer must inform House Clearance Tooting in advance and arrange suitable parking permissions or permits. Any charges or penalties incurred due to insufficient parking arrangements may be recovered from the Customer.

If site conditions are unsafe or unsuitable, House Clearance Tooting may suspend or cancel the Services, or impose additional charges for any extra time or resources required to carry out the work safely.

13. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

If the Customer is dissatisfied with any aspect of the Services, they should raise the issue with House Clearance Tooting as soon as possible so that it can be addressed promptly.

House Clearance Tooting aims to investigate and respond to complaints within a reasonable period, and may request photographs, documentation or other evidence to assist in resolving the matter.

Both parties agree to attempt to resolve any dispute amicably in the first instance. If a dispute cannot be resolved through discussions, the parties may consider mediation or other forms of alternative dispute resolution before commencing legal proceedings, where appropriate.

14. Data Protection and Privacy

House Clearance Tooting will collect and process personal data provided by the Customer for the purposes of administering bookings, providing the Services, processing payments, and meeting legal obligations.

Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws. Only information necessary for these purposes will be collected and retained for as long as is reasonably required.

By placing a booking, the Customer consents to the use of their personal data in connection with the performance of the Agreement. The Customer may request details of the personal data held about them and may ask for corrections where appropriate.

15. Variation of Terms

House Clearance Tooting may update or amend these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in law, regulations or business practices. The version in force at the time of the Customer's booking will apply to that specific Agreement.

Any changes to key terms that materially affect the Customer's rights will, where practicable, be brought to the Customer's attention before a new booking is confirmed.

16. Severability

If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found by a court or other competent authority to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that provision shall be treated as deleted and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

17. 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 house clearance or waste collection services by House Clearance Tooting, 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.

By confirming a booking with House Clearance Tooting, the Customer acknowledges that they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.