Storage company - not allowing access

Tygermoth

Hello everyone,

Posting this with my friend’s permission as they needed help.

About 1yr ago my friend and partner had to move back home (due to circumstances outside their control) to live with parents. Moving from an established two bed to a single room they decided to put the bulk of the household into storage.

They chose a company that the family had used before and were reliable and accommodating.

6 months ago the company went into administration and they received paperwork from the new owners. 4 Months ago another family member needed to move back in to the house too so they asked to access the containers (large mdf style boxes) to remove a bed and desk and put items in to make way for the new occupant.

To this day they have been unable to access their stuff - the company promise to have the container ready and it never is. On three pre agreed appointments my friend has turned up with the hired van to be told they are unable to access. As of yesterday the company has advised that they will need to pay £800 (access fee and admin fee) to get in to their stuff – this is per box and they have three. This sum is arbitrary and does not relate to the terms and conditions which were signed with the original company.

Every time they ring and make an appointment they are advised it’s not convenient or they don’t have the staff given conflicting or incorrect information. The company as a resolution promised to deliver the boxes to the home address so that my friend could store elsewhere however predictably they did not turn up.

I am very surprised with Armishaws (the new owners) as their website abounds with promises of good customer service, quality assured service standards and brilliant customer reviews. However presently they are not living up to the high standards they set themselves.

We have sent a letter to head office without any response would a LBA be the next step?

Hintza

Tygermoth wrote: »

We have sent a letter to head office without any response would a LBA be the next step?

I would have thought so.

skivenov

I'm not a legal expert by any means, so I'll just float this out as a startting point for research.

You should be able to make an application under Tort to a local Magistrate. When I had this done for me, a lot of years ago, it was very straightforward.

Tygermoth

Thank you for your replies.

I was wondereing about the legalities of them holding the items hostage wanting more money when my friend has no contract with them.

vaio

I'd say there must be a contract with the new owners as they are storing your stuff. and details would have been included in the paperwork sent when they took over.

If this didn't happen then I'd argue that the T&C of the original contract still apply

arcon5

Have you maintained all payments for the container?
Where has the £800 come from?
Was you notified of any changed to the terms when they changed hands?

If the answer are yes/thin air/no then assuming there is nothing of sentimental value send them a LBA for the value of the goods + the cost of the hire van each time + some kind of refund for the months they've denied access. If there are sentimental items in there then another member may have some advise.

When you say 'get it ready'.. What does this involve? I'd be tempted to go there, take a seat and refuse to budge until its opened for you to access. If any potential customers come in then airing your concerns to the staff out loud may be enough for them to pull their finger out