SAFESTORE. RIGHTS?

Salbot_

I recently rented a storage space near my old flat (pre-corona) as I was due to leave for just over 2 weeks with work, and the day I returned home my contract on the flat was over on March 31st. I had allowed a bit of buffer time, while staying with friends, before I was due to move into my new property.

I chose Saftestore as they had an offer of 50% off storage for the first 8 weeks - which I never planned to go over.

Since this has happened, the whole country has gone into lockdown. I have lost the new property, and I have moved out of my old flat to look after a vunerable member of my family (3 hours drive from the storage unit) and lost my job.

I know all of us are suffering as a result to this pandemic, but I was wondering if I had any right to ask to extend the 8 weeks offer for 3 weeks seeing as the lock down has told us all not to go out unless completely necessary. I did email to ask if this was possible but they said I already had the best offer available.

Unfortunately, as I am a contractor I fall into the cracks of all the support that the government have been offering, and so while I talk to various people while I figure out what support I could get I am a little short of money.

After the 8 weeks period the rental of this particular safe store is going to cost me almost 230 GBP a month, which with no income is going to be impossible for me to pay. I have since found cheaper storage that I can move my belongings to but I'm not sure if the lockdown will ease before or after the price will have gone up.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hope everyone is keeping themselves safe x

ssparks2003

Rights,  none what so ever.

You could try asking politely, though if you think at the end of this 3 week lockdown we will all be back to running around freely and you will be able to pick up your stuff I think you are kidding yourself 

DCFC79

As your out of work there are plenty of employers looking for staff.

Can no one else look after the family member ?

greatcrested

The Government today announced huge support for the self-employed.

The care industry, and the farming industry are both crying out for staff.

AdrianC

Salbot_ said:

I chose Saftestore as they had an offer of 50% off storage for the first 8 weeks - which I never planned to go over.

Since this has happened, the whole country has gone into lockdown. I have lost the new property, and I have moved out of my old flat to look after a vunerable member of my family (3 hours drive from the storage unit) and lost my job.

I know all of us are suffering as a result to this pandemic, but I was wondering if I had any right to ask to extend the 8 weeks offer for 3 weeks seeing as the lock down has told us all not to go out unless completely necessary. I did email to ask if this was possible but they said I already had the best offer available.

Of course you have a right to ask. You have asked. They've answered.
Do you have a right to expect? No.
Would it be good business, and engender customer goodwill for them to agree? Yes.
They are still providing the contracted service - secure storage. Your access to the storage is compromised, but not through any action of theirs.

Unfortunately, as I am a contractor I fall into the cracks of all the support that the government have been offering

No, you don't. Are you an employee of a limited company (which you may well own, but that's irrelevant for this), or are you a self-employed sole trader?