12 | LEGAL
3, 2, 1, Launch! 2020 updated agreements now available By Andrea Bowman 1. I/We have adequate insurance with (insert details of insurer and policy number) for the goods that we are storing. 2. I/We don’t have insurance and understand that if the goods are lost or damaged I/We may have to bear that loss. Further, that if my/our goods cause any damage or loss then I/We may be liable for such damage or loss.
WHY SO MANY PAGES?
UPDATED CUSTOMER STORAGE AGREEMENTS FOR AUSTRALIAN MEMBERS: The SSAA updated agreements are now available online from the Members Only section of our website for members to download and use immediately. This article provides insights to the updates noting that there are changes to layout due to ACCC requirements and some specific changes for members based in South Australia.
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YOU ASKED AND WE LISTENED: We have made improvements to the way you can do business with your storers by making the following improvements: l Instruction Sheets have been provided for each Agreement; therefore making it easier to induct new staff into signing up storers/customers on any of our Agreements; l Column formatting from Agreements has been removed; l The main points section of the Agreements has been refined and now includes at most 10 main points utilising simple language that is easy
INSIDER 114 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2020
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for facility operators to convey to storage customers; Full Terms of the Agreements have been expanded, to include defined terms as to the exact meaning of the words in our Agreements due to ACCC unfair contract requirements The updated Agreements state that the Storer is solely responsible for checking the Space and satisfying themselves that the Space is suitable for their purposes and an acknowledgment by the storer that the storage unit is approximately the size advertised by the facility. The Agreements acknowledge that the Agreement does not grant the Storer a lease of the Space; Privacy disclosure terms have been included in the Agreements. Storers will automatically be opted into receiving correspondence electronically unless they specifically opt out. Previously, storers needed to opt in. In relation to insurance, there will only be two (2) options on the updated Agreements, see example below:
Our Agreements have been formatted to include: l An instruction sheet; l Schedule; and l Full Terms. Although this seems like a lot, we realise that we have members signing up Storers: l Using sign up pads; l Using self storage industry software; l Electronically; l By customising Word versions of our template Agreements; The updated Agreements are designed to cater for the many ways our members do business. The updated documents reflect that flexibility. l Members utilising sign up pads are now only required to have one double sided document (Agreement Schedule). The Full Terms can be printed and made available as an accompaniment at your customer service desk or as a takeaway document; l Members using industry software, it will be business as usual for you; l Members signing up storage electronically can have the Full Terms embedded into their sign up process for acceptance by their storage customers; l Members customising Word versions of our template Agreements will find the new format easier to customise i.e. add your business logo, trading hours etc.
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