TERMS OF BUSINESS

 

Terms and conditions of business for services that are provided in the form of inventory report make, snagging lists, check in appointment, mid term inspections, check out appointment reports or any other services( The Services) offered between Oakham Ltd t/a Staffordshire Inventories as an independent company (the company) and the client (the client)

Payments for all services are due immediately on delivery of reports unless account terms are agreed in advance. Except where instruction is taken directly from a landlord or tenant where payment is required in full prior to any Services carried out.

Payments overdue are subject to interest at 6% above capital The Bank of England base rate prevailing on the 31st day after invoicing. This rate to continue to be applied to any outstanding amount until payment in full has been received by us.

7 days are allowed by us from the invoice date to the received date of the invoice by the client. The 7 days is added to the date of invoice date in the event of late payment remedies as set out above.

Any property with lofts, garages or cellars that are not included in an inventory are the sole responsibilities of the landlord.

An inventory compiled by us is not a statement that any item or materials described therein complies with any statutory regulations. It is not a guarantee on the adequacy or safety of any such equipment

All reports generated from Services delivered via any medium remain the sole property of the Company until all fees are paid in full.

Any circumstances allegedly giving cause for complaint about Services provided or any invoice, must be notified to the Company by the Client within 3 working days of the services being completed or receipt of invoice and confirmed in writing no later than 7 working days after the cause of the alleged complaint arises.

In the event that Services cannot be delivered whether or not due to circumstances beyond The Clients control, and 4 hours' notice has not been given to the company, an abortive fee of £20 will be charged

Properties that are furnished over & above the (industry standard) in this case are the reasonable opinion of the inventory clerk, will be charged an additional 10% on the current scale of fees. Prices are based on bedrooms e.g. 3 bed 1 bath 2 reception. We reserve the right to charge additional fees to encompass extra rooms i.e. bathrooms, conservatories, outhouses, swimming pools, stables, reception rooms, garages & gyms.

Meter readings will be read & noted at the Check In & Check Out appointment only. It is the Clients responsibility to inform the Company of the locations of any such meters. If the Inventory Clerk is unaware of, or unable to locate or has unreasonable access to meters, the meters will remain unread and the Inventory Clerk will not re-visit the property, save on payment of an additional fee.

Inventory Clerks will not undertake to move heavy and/or awkward items of furniture. We may elect not to move valuable or antique items and their like.

Inaccessible areas & loft spaces will not be searched or listed on the Report unless a specific request is made by the Client.

Plants & cleaning materials are considered perishable & may not be detailed.

We will test light bulbs as standard practice within an inventory inspection process.

Inventories will be compiled to provide a written recording of the contents of the property as well as the condition of the contents, furniture, fixtures fittings & decor of the internal spaces to the extent of The Clients instructions.

The accuracy of an Inventory Report is subject to the agreement of the tenant & landlord or their respective agents within 7 days of delivery. We will not consider any disputes after this time.

We will not undertake to test any appliances & equipment unless specifically requested by The Client & then only if deemed possible & to power only.

Items perceived to be of little or no monetary value e.g. books, bed line/towels used & non matching kitchen utensils & tableware, will be listed in general terms only unless specifically requested by The Client.

A delivered Inventory is not to be used as a definitive & accurate description of each & every piece of equipment & furniture in the property or as any type of report such as a property report or survey.

Our inventory reports are compiled by a person who is not a qualified building surveyor or health & safety expert. The report only enables items to be only visually identified. No attempt has been made to identify any item by its original manufacturer or the period in which it was produces.  The inventory clerk preparing the reports is not an expert on fabrics, woods, materials, antiques etc.

We consider that fire & safety regulations regarding furnishings, gas, electrical and similar services are ultimately the responsibility of The Client and/or property landlord. Where an inventory states information from "FFR Label" this should not be interpreted that the item complies with the furniture & furnishings (fire safety amendments 1993). Rather it is a record that the item has a label as described. It is not a statement that the item complies with any regulations.

Contents & furnishings are not checked for mid-term inspections. If a particular item is to be checked specific instructions should be given in advance of the inspection.

Any contents must be situated in their respective rooms as specified in the Report upon termination of the tenancy. Failure to do so can result in delay which may require a search & match fee. This fee will be additional to the agreed fee.

The Company does not accept any responsibility for any lost or unaccounted keys.

Smoke detectors will not be tested and it is The Clients responsibility to be aware of any legislation.

In the event that The Client gives the Company instructions which are followed in good faith but which are unlawful or result in an unlawful act or otherwise give rise to any kind of claim The Client will indemnify The Company against all penalties, damages, costs & legal expenses whatsoever which may occur as the result of the following instructions.

This Contract shall be governed by English Law & Scottish Law.

No Variation to these terms will be effective unless agreed in writing by an authorised signature of The Company.

Force Majeure

A party is not liable for failure to perform the party’s obligations if such failure is as a result of Acts of God (including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disaster) war, invasion, act of foreign enemies, hostilities (regardless of whether war is declared), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power or confiscation, terrorist activities, nationalisation, government sanction, blockage, embargo, labour dispute, strike, lockout or interruption or failure of electricity or telephone service. No party is entitled to terminate this agreement in such circumstances.

If a party asserts Force Majeure as an excuse for failure to perform the party’s obligation, then the nonperforming party must prove that the party took reasonable steps to minimize delay or damages caused by the foreseeable events, that the party substantially fulfilled all non excused obligations, and that the other party was timely notified of the likelihood or actual occurrence of an event described.