This Agreement sets out the full terms and conditions upon which Sussex Waste Management Ltd ("the Company") agrees to provide skip hire services to the individual, company, or legal entity ("the Hirer"). By submitting a booking, the Hirer confirms full understanding and unconditional acceptance of all terms and responsibilities described herein. These terms shall govern all aspects of the skip hire process including delivery, usage, charges, collection, liability, and termination.
1.1 The standard hire period is three (3) weeks from the date of delivery. For skips placed on the public highway this is reduced to two (2) weeks, subject to local authority permit approval.
1.2 The hire period begins on the day the skip is delivered and expires at the end of the third week (or second week for on-road skips). The Company is entitled to collect the skip at any point after this date without further notice or permission.
1.3 Extension charge: If the skip is not collected or returned by the end of the standard hire period, an automatic weekly overstay charge of £25 + VAT per week (or part thereof) will be applied to the Hirer's account until the skip is collected. No further authorisation is required to apply this charge.
1.4 The Hirer is responsible for monitoring the hire period. It is strongly recommended that the Hirer contacts the Company at least 48 hours before the skip is full or the three-week period is approaching to arrange collection. Failure to do so may result in overstay charges for which the Company accepts no liability.
1.5 The Company reserves the right to collect the skip upon expiry of the hire period regardless of whether it is full or empty. The Hirer agrees to ensure clear access for collection at all times during the hire.
2.1 The Hirer is responsible for ensuring unobstructed access to the delivery site at the scheduled time. If access is blocked or restricted, resulting in failed delivery or collection, the Company reserves the right to charge an abortive visit fee.
2.2 The Hirer must ensure the delivery surface is suitable to withstand the weight of the skip and delivery vehicle. The Company is not liable for damage to driveways, paving, turf, underground services, or other property surfaces caused during delivery, placement, or collection.
2.3 Safe and suitable location. It is the Hirer's responsibility to provide a safe and suitable location for the skip to be placed. Our driver relies entirely on the Hirer's instructions regarding the requested position of the skip. Where the Hirer directs that a skip be placed in a particular position, the Hirer is responsible for ensuring that the chosen location is safe and free from any risk of damage to their own or any third party's property.
2.4 Overhead obstructions. Where a skip is requested to be placed beneath or close to overhead cables, power lines, telephone lines, trees, guttering or other overhead obstructions, the Hirer is responsible for ensuring that adequate clearance is maintained. This is particularly important because skips may be loaded above the height of the container and are collected by lifting equipment (chains and hydraulic arms) which requires significant overhead space. The Company accepts no liability for any damage to, or arising from contact with, overhead services or obstructions where the placement position was directed or agreed by the Hirer.
2.5 Ground obstructions and load-bearing surfaces. The Hirer must ensure that the ground on which the skip is placed, and any ground the delivery or collection vehicle must cross, is able to bear the combined weight of the skip and the fully loaded vehicle. The Hirer must make the driver aware of any drain covers, inspection chambers, manholes, soakaways, private drains, cellars, underground tanks or other concealed or fragile services in the placement or access area. Whilst an empty skip may pass over such a feature without issue, a fully loaded skip and vehicle exert considerably greater weight. Any damage caused to drain covers, manholes, underground services or ground surfaces as a result of the position chosen by the Hirer, or the weight of the material the Hirer has loaded, is the responsibility of the Hirer and not the Company.
2.6 The Hirer accepts that the suitability of the placement location — including overhead clearance, ground stability and the absence of concealed services — is the Hirer's responsibility. The Company shall not be liable for any damage to the Hirer's property, any third party's property, or the public highway arising from a placement position directed or agreed by the Hirer.
3.1 The Hirer shall not place any of the following items in the skip: hazardous waste, clinical waste, gas bottles or cylinders, asbestos, solvents, oils, paints, chemicals, fuel containers, batteries, fridge/freezers, electrical appliances (WEEE), plasterboard (unless separately agreed), or any items classified as restricted by the Environment Agency.
3.2 The following items may be accepted but are subject to surcharge: mattresses, car tyres, carpet rolls, TV units, large metal appliances, and bulky furniture. These charges will be added to the final invoice or deducted from any pre-paid balance. Surcharges may vary and are at the discretion of the Company based on current disposal costs.
3.3 If prohibited items are found in the skip, the Hirer agrees to pay for any additional handling, segregation, or disposal costs, as well as administrative fees for breach of contract.
3.4 Upholstered furniture (POPs). Upholstered domestic seating — including sofas, settees, armchairs, futons, sofa beds, dining chairs with padded seats, beanbags, floor cushions and other soft furnishings — may contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs). In accordance with Environment Agency requirements, such items must not be mixed with general waste and must be declared to the Company in advance so that they can be segregated and handled separately from other waste streams. Additional charges may apply for the separate storage, transport and disposal of items containing POPs.
4.1 Skips must be loaded level to the top edge ("level load"). Overloading the skip may result in refusal to collect, or in additional tipping or reloading charges.
4.2 The Company reserves the right to offload excess waste on site or request photographic evidence to determine surcharge. Any such costs will be passed to the Hirer.
4.3 Fires are strictly prohibited within the skip. If evidence of fire or combustion is found, charges will be raised for damages and/or full skip replacement.
4.4 The total weight of the loaded skip must comply with legal road weight limits for haulage vehicles. The Company will not collect skips that exceed the safe or legal carrying capacity of the collection lorry. For safety and legal compliance:
Failure to comply may result in non-collection, extra costs, or the need for the Hirer to remove excess material.
5.1 The skip will be placed at a location agreed upon between the Hirer and delivery driver at the time of drop-off. Once positioned, the skip must not be moved, dragged, or relocated by any party other than the Company.
5.2 Any attempt to move the skip may result in non-collection, added labour or recovery charges, and refusal of further service.
5.3 The Hirer is responsible for the skip while on site, including securing it from tampering, fly-tipping, or theft. The Company may recommend lockable skips or covers if security is a concern.
6.1 The Hirer is fully liable for any damage caused to the skip during the hire period.
6.2 If the skip is lost, stolen, or rendered unusable (e.g. due to fire or chemical contamination), the Hirer agrees to pay in full for repair or replacement at market value.
6.3 The Hirer shall ensure that no third party accesses or interferes with the skip.
7.1 For skips placed on public roads or verges, a permit may be legally required from the local council. Unless otherwise agreed, the Hirer is responsible for obtaining such permits and ensuring all conditions (e.g. night-time lighting, cones, signage) are met.
7.2 The Company may assist with permit applications on request, but accepts no liability for any penalties or fines arising from non-compliance.
7.3 Skips without valid permits may be removed without notice.
8.1 The Company reserves the right to collect the skip at the end of the agreed hire period without further notice or permission, regardless of whether the skip is full, partially full, or empty.
8.2 The Company retains the legal right to access the delivery site for the purpose of skip collection once the agreed hire period has expired. The Hirer agrees that no further authorisation is required for such collection. Any delay, obstruction, or refusal may result in charges for wasted visits or recovery costs.
8.3 Uncollected skips that remain beyond the agreed hire period will automatically incur a weekly overstay charge of £25 + VAT per week (or part thereof) unless a formal extension has been agreed with the Company in advance. This charge applies from the day after the standard hire period expires.
8.4 If skip collection is blocked, delayed, or otherwise prevented by the Hirer or a third party, the Hirer must immediately resolve the obstruction.
8.5 The Company shall not be held liable for any damage caused to the public highway during the placement, presence, or collection of the skip. The Hirer accepts full responsibility for any such damage and acknowledges that the Company will not be held accountable for repair, reinstatement, or compensation costs.
9.1 All hires must be paid in full prior to or on delivery unless otherwise agreed in writing.
9.2 Additional charges arising from overweight skips, unauthorised waste, extended hire, aborted visits, or damages will be invoiced with payment terms of 7 days.
9.3 Persistent late payment or breach of terms may result in legal recovery action, interest charges, and withdrawal of future hire services.
10.1 Cancellations must be made by telephone or email as early as possible. The charges below apply depending on the stage at which the booking is cancelled.
10.2 Where a booking is cancelled before the skip has been dispatched for delivery, a full refund will be issued, less any card or payment-processing fees and a reasonable administration charge where applicable.
10.3 Where a booking is cancelled after the skip has been dispatched or the delivery vehicle is already en route, an abortive delivery / call-out charge will apply to cover the wasted journey.
10.4 Once a skip has been delivered, the hire is deemed to have commenced and the full hire charge is payable. No refund is given for early collection or for a skip that is returned unused or only part-used.
10.5 Where the Company has arranged a highway permit on the Hirer's behalf, the permit cost is non-refundable once the permit application has been submitted to the local authority.
10.6 Refunds, where due, will be made using the original payment method within a reasonable period following the cancellation.
11.1 The Hirer shall maintain appropriate public liability insurance for the duration of the hire.
11.2 The Hirer agrees to indemnify Sussex Waste Management Ltd against all claims, costs, damages, penalties, and losses resulting from any misuse, negligence, environmental violation, or third-party injury relating to the skip during the hire.
12.1 This agreement is governed under the laws of England and Wales.
12.2 All disputes arising under this agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
By submitting a booking, the Hirer confirms that these Terms & Conditions shall apply to this and any future skip hires arranged by the Hirer at the same property address, unless otherwise agreed in writing by Sussex Waste Management Ltd.
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