Self storage in the UK is a self-regulated industry, in the words of the Self Storage Association UK, so there’s no regulator just for storage. Instead, your protection comes from two places: everyday consumer law, which applies to a storage agreement just as it does to any other service, and the standards a trade association member signs up to.
Consumer law still protects you
If you’re storing as a private individual, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies. Two parts of it matter most for storage. Every contract to supply a service includes a term that the trader must perform it with reasonable care and skill. And an unfair term in a consumer contract isn’t binding on you.
That’s one reason the agreement itself matters so much. The Self Storage Association’s advice to customers is to make sure there’s a comprehensive contract between you and your storage provider, setting out your rights over access to your goods and what happens if a bill isn’t paid. Ours is a licence to store, not a lease, and our full terms and conditions are online so you can read them before you book. If we ever change your price or your terms, we tell you in writing at least 28 days before, and you can leave without charge before the change starts if you’d rather.
These particular consumer protections are for people storing in a personal capacity. If you store mainly for your business, your agreement is still a contract, but these rules don’t cover it.
The industry’s own standard
We’re a proud member of the Self Storage Association UK. Its Membership Standard requires a site to have CCTV monitoring, a secure perimeter and to meet all fire and safety regulations. Our CCTV is monitored around the clock by a professional monitoring company, our sites have a secure perimeter and meet fire and safety regulations, the external doors have access control, and every unit has its own alarm.
Insurance for what you store
Everything stored with us needs cover, either through our contents protection, a policy we take out with an insurer, or your own insurance. If you ever need to claim on ours, you tell us and we deal with the insurer for you.
If something goes wrong
Talk to us first on 0800 2545585 or at hello@wigwamstorage.co.uk, and we’ll do our best to put it right. For free, independent advice, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline is 0808 223 1133, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Have a question about our agreement? Call us on 0800 2545585, or get a price online.
Related questions
- Is Wigwam a member of the Self Storage Association?
- Is a storage agreement a lease or a licence, and do I have to sign one?
- How do I make a complaint to Wigwam?
Further reading
- Self Storage Association UK: Selecting a storage provider
- legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49
- Citizens Advice: Contact the consumer service