Storage Terms & Conditions
TOTALLY HITCHED RV & BOAT STORAGE - CONDITIONS OF AGREEMENT
STORAGE:
1. So long as all fees are paid up to date, Storer: (a) is licensed to store Goods in the Unit allocated to Storer by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage from time to time and only in that Unit; (b) is deemed to have knowledge of the Goods in the Unit; and (c) warrants that it is the owner of the Goods in the Unit and/or entitled at law to deal with them in accordance with all aspects of this Agreement as agent for the owner.
2. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage: (a) does not have and will not be deemed to have knowledge of the Goods; (b) is not a bailee or a custodian nor a warehouseman of the Goods and Storer acknowledges that Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage does not take possession of the Goods; and (c) does not grant any lease or tenancy of the Unit.
COST:
3. Storer must pay the Deposit on signing this Agreement. The Deposit (or the balance of it after any appropriate deductions for unpaid Fees, repairs, cleaning or other charges to put right any breach of this Agreement by Storer) will be refunded by check or electronic transfer within 21 days of termination of this Agreement.
4. Storer is responsible to pay: (a) the Storage Fee (being the amount set out in the cover sheet or as most recently notified to Storer by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage) payable in advance on the first day of each storage period (Due Date) and it is Storer's responsibility to see that payment is made directly to Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage on time and in full throughout the period of storage. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage does not normally bill for fees. Any Storage Fees paid by direct transfer will not be credited to Storer’s account unless the Storer identifies the payment clearly and as directed by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage and Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage shall have no liability to and shall be indemnified by Storer if Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage takes steps to enforce the Agreement (including the sale of Goods) due to the Storer’s failure to identify a payment. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will not accept that payment has been made until it has received cleared funds and, if any payment is later dishonored, may charge the Check Return Fee; (b) the Cleaning Fee or charges for repairs, to be invoiced at Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s discretion as per clause 19; (c) a Late Payment Fee each time a payment is late; (d) any costs incurred by the Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage in collecting late or unpaid Storage Fees, or in enforcing this Agreement in any way, including but not limited to postal, telephone, unit inventory, debt collection, personnel and/or default action costs and associated legal and professional fees; and (e) any government taxes or charges (including any value added tax) levied on any supplies made under this Agreement. Where Storer has more than one agreement with Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage, all will form one account with Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage and Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may in its sole discretion elect to apply any payment made by or on behalf of Storer on this agreement against the oldest Debt due from Storer to Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage on any agreement in the account.
DEFAULT – RIGHT TO SELL OR DISPOSE OF GOODS:
5. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage takes the issue of prompt payment very seriously and has a right of lien. Regardless of Condition 35, if any sum owing to Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage is not paid when due, Storer authorizes Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage without further notice to: (a) refuse Storer and its agents access to the Goods, the Unit and the Facility and overlock the Unit until the amount due and other fees related to it (Debt) have been paid in full; (b) enter the Unit and inspect and/or remove the Goods to another unit or site and to charge Storer for all reasonable costs of doing so on any number of occasions; and (c) apply the Deposit against the Debt and, if insufficient to clear it in full, hold onto and/or ultimately sell or dispose of some or all of the Goods in accordance with Condition 7. Storer acknowledges that (a) Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage shall be entitled to continue to charge for storage from the date the Debt becomes due until payment is made in full or the Goods are sold or disposed of; (b) Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will sell the Goods as if Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage was the owner and will pass all rights of ownership in the Goods to the buyer; and (c) if Storer does not pay fees on the Due Date, the value of any discounts and special offers (including periods of free storage) which Storer has received will be payable by Storer in full.
6. On expiry or termination of this Agreement, if Storer fails to remove all Goods from the Unit, Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage is authorized to treat the Goods as abandoned and may sell or dispose of all Goods by any means in accordance with Conditions 7 to 9. Storer is liable for Storage Fees for the period from abandonment to the sale or disposal of the Goods together with any costs of disposal (Debt).
7. Before Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage sells or disposes of the Goods, it will give Storer notice in writing directing Storer to pay (if Storer is in default) or collect the Goods (if they are deemed abandoned). This notice will be sent by registered or recorded delivery to the address last notified by Storer to Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage in writing or by email only if you have elected not to receive traditional mail. If no address within the US has been provided, Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will use any land or email address it holds for Storer or ACP. If Storer fails to pay the Debt and/or collect the Goods (as appropriate) Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will access your space and begin the process to sell or dispose of the Goods. Storer consents to and authorizes the sale or disposal of all Goods without further notice regardless of their nature or value. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will sell the Goods for the best price reasonably available in the open market, taking into account the costs of sale. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may also require payment of default action costs, including any costs associated with accessing the Unit and disposal or sale of the Goods, which shall be added to the Debt.
8. Sale proceeds will be applied first against the cost of removal and sale of Goods and second to pay the Debt. If sale proceeds do not discharge all of these costs and the Debt, Storer must pay Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage the balance within 7 days of a written demand from Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may take action to recover the balance and any legal and administration costs incurred in doing so. If sale proceeds exceed the amount due from Storer, Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will hold the balance for Storer but no interest will accrue on it.
9. If, in the opinion of Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage and entirely at the discretion of Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage, a defaulting Storer’s Goods are either not saleable, fail to sell when offered for sale, or are not of sufficient value to warrant the expense of attempting to sell, Storer authorises Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage to treat the Goods as abandoned and Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may dispose of all Goods by any means at Storer’s cost. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may dispose of Storer’s Goods in the event that Goods are damaged due to fire, flood or other event that has rendered them, in the opinion of Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage, severely damaged, of no commercial value, or dangerous to persons or property. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage does not need the prior approval of Storer to take this action but will send Notice to Storer within 7 days of assessing the goods.
10. Any items left unattended in common areas or outside the Storer’s Unit at any time may at Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s discretion be moved, sold or disposed of immediately with no liability to Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage.
ACCESS:
11. Storer has the right to access the Unit during Access Hours as posted by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage and subject to the terms of this Agreement. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will try to provide advance warning of changes to Access Hours by notice at the Facility but reserves the right to change Access Hours temporarily to other reasonable times without giving prior notice.
12. Only Storer or others authorized or accompanied by Storer (its Agents) may access the Unit. Storer is responsible for and liable to Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage and other users of the Facility for its own actions and those of its Agents. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may (but is not obliged to) require proof of identity from Storer or any other person at any time and, at Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s sole discretion, may refuse access to any person who is unable to produce satisfactory proof.
13. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may refuse Storer access to the Unit and/or the Facility where moneys are owing by Storer to Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage, whether or not a formal demand for payment has been made, or if Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage considers the safety or security of any person, unit or goods on or at the Facility has been threatened or may be put at risk.
14. Storer should not give out keyless entry to anyone else.
15. Storer authorizes Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage and its agents and contractors to enter the Unit in the following circumstances: (a) on not less than 7 days’ notice to inspect or carry out repairs or alterations to the Unit or any other part of the Facility; (b) without prior notice (but with notice as soon as practicable after the event) in the event of an emergency (including for repair or alteration) or to prevent injury or damage to persons or property; or if Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage believes the Unit is being used to store prohibited goods or for a prohibited purpose; or if Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage is obliged to do so by law, by the Police, Fire Services, Trading Standards, HM Revenue & Customs, competent authority or by a Court Order; or to relocate the Goods or exercise Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s lien or power of sale or disposal in accordance with this Agreement.
CONDITIONS:
16. Storer will be solely responsible for providing a secure padlock for the Unit and ensuring it is locked so as to be secure from unauthorized entry at all times when the Storer is not in the Unit. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will not be responsible for locking any unlocked Unit. Storer is not permitted to apply a padlock to the Unit in Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s overlocking position and Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may have any such padlock forcefully cut off at Storer’s expense. Storer must ensure the gate closes properly behind them during entry and exiting.
17. Storer must not store (or allow any other person to store) any of the following in the Unit: (a) food or perishable goods unless securely packed so they are protected from and do not attract vermin; (b) any living creatures; (c) combustible or flammable substances such as gas, paint, petrol, oil, cleaning solvents or compressed gases; (d) firearms, explosives, weapons or ammunition; (e) chemicals, radioactive materials, biological agents; toxic waste, asbestos or other potentially hazardous substances; (f) any item that emits fumes, or odors; (g) any illegal item or substances or goods illegally obtained such as illicit (counterfeit/smuggled) tobacco or alcohol and unlicensed or unsafe goods (such as toys, electrical goods, medicines, aerosols, cosmetics, fireworks); (h) goods which are environmentally harmful or that are a risk to the property of any person; and (i) currency, deeds, and securities; and (j) items which are unique in nature and /or where the value to the Storer cannot be assessed on a financial basis. Storer will be liable under Condition 28 for any breach of this Condition 17.
18. Storer will use the Unit solely for the purpose of storage and shall not (or allow any other person to): (a) use the Unit as offices or living accommodation or as a home, business or mailing address; (b) use or do anything at the Facility or in the Unit which may be a nuisance to Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage or any other person (including the escape of any substance or odor from or generation of noise or vibration which may be heard or felt outside the Unit); (c) use or do anything at the Facility or in the Unit which may invalidate or increase premiums under any insurance policies of Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage or any other person; (d) paint or make alterations to or attach anything to the internal or external surfaces of the Unit; (e) connect or provide any utilities or services to the Unit unless authorized by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage; or (f) cause damage to the Unit or any part of the Facility (which includes by removal, haulage or delivery contractors) or create any obstruction or leave items or refuse in any common space within the Facility.
19. Storer must maintain the Unit by ensuring it is clean and in a state of good repair. In the event of uncleanliness of or damage to the Unit or Facility, Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will be entitled to retain the Deposit, charge a Cleaning Fee, and/or claim full reimbursement from the Storer of the reasonable costs of repairs, replacement, restoration, proper compensation or disposal of refuse.
20. Storer must (and ensure that its Agents) use reasonable care on site and have respect for the Facility and other unit users, inform Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage of any damage or defect immediately it is discovered and comply with the reasonable directions of Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s employees, agents and contractors and any other regulations for the use, safety and security of the Facility as Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage shall issue periodically.
21. This Agreement does not confer on Storer any right to exclusive possession of the Unit and Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage reserves the right to relocate Storer to another Unit not smaller than the current Unit (a) by giving 14 day’s notice during which the Storer can elect to terminate their agreement under Condition 35 or (b) on shorter notice if an incident occurs that requires the Unit or section where it is located to be closed or sealed off. In these circumstances, Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will pay Storer’s reasonable costs of removal if approved in writing by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage in advance of removal. If Storer does not arrange removal by the date specified in Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s notice, then Storer authorises Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage and its agents to enter Unit acting as Storer’s agents and at Storer’s risk (except for damage caused willfully or negligently which is subject to the limitations in Condition 26) remove the goods. Following removal this agreement will be varied by substitution of the new Unit number but otherwise continues in full force and effect at the rate in force for the original Unit at the time of the removal.
22. Storer must ensure the Unit is suitable for the storage of the Goods intended to be stored in it and is advised to inspect the Unit before storing Goods and periodically during the storage period. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage makes no warranty or representation that any unit is suitable for any particular goods and accepts no liability in this regard.
23. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may refuse to permit Storer to store any Goods or require Storer to collect any Goods if in its opinion storage of such Goods creates a risk to the safety of any person or property.
24. Storer must give Notice to the Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage in writing of the change of address, phone numbers or email address of the Storer or the Alternate Contact Person (“ACP”) within 48 hours of any change. Storer agrees Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage is entitled to discuss any default by the Storer with the ACP registered on the front of this Agreement.
RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY:
25. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will not be liable for any loss or damages suffered by Storer resulting from an inability to access the Facility or the Unit, regardless of the cause.
26. The Goods are stored at the sole risk and responsibility of Storer who shall be responsible for and bear the risk of any and all theft, damage to, and deterioration of the Goods caused by any reason. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage excludes all liability in respect of (a) loss or damage to Storer’s business, if any, including consequential loss, lost profits or business interruption. (b) loss of or damage to Goods or any claim for return of the Storage Fees except where this results from Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s negligence or breach of contract, in which case Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s liability will be limited to the sum of $100 in total. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage does not exclude liability for physical injury to or the death of any person and which is a direct result of negligence or willful default on the part of Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage, its agents and/or employees.
27. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage does not insure the Goods and it is a condition of this Agreement that the Goods remain adequately insured at all times while they are in storage for their Replacement Value (as set out on the cover sheet)". Storer warrants that such cover is in place, that it will not allow or cause such cover to lapse and that the aggregate value of Goods in the Unit from time to time will not exceed the Replacement Value. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage does not give any advice concerning insurance cover given by any policy and Storer must make its own judgment as to adequacy of cover even when facilitated by the Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage. Inspection of any insurance documents provided by Storer to demonstrate cover does not mean Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage has approved the cover or confirmed it is sufficient.
28. Storer will be liable for and compensate Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage for the full amount of all claims, liabilities, demands, damages, costs and expenses (including any reasonably incurred legal and professional fees) incurred by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage or third parties (Liabilities) resulting from or incidental to (a) the use of the Unit (including but not limited to the ownership or storage of Goods in the Unit, the Goods themselves and/or accessing the Facility) or (b) breach of this Agreement by Storer or any of its Agents or (c) enforcement of any of the terms of this Agreement.
29. Storer acknowledges and agrees to comply with this Agreement and all relevant laws and regulations as are or may be applicable to the use of the Unit. This includes laws relating to the material which is stored and the manner in which it is stored. Liability for any and all breach of such laws rests absolutely with Storer, and includes any and all Liabilities resulting from such a breach.
30. If Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage has reason to believe that Storer is not complying with all relevant laws Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may take any action it believes to be necessary, including but not limited to the action outlined in Conditions 15 and 35, contacting, cooperating with and/or submitting Goods to the relevant authorities, and/or immediately disposing of or removing the Goods at Storer’s expense. Storer agrees that Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may take such action at any time even though Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage could have acted earlier.
31. In respect of circumstances outside Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s reasonable control, Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage shall have no liability under or be considered to be in breach of this Agreement for any delay or failure in performance of its obligations under this Agreement or any resulting loss or damage to Goods. Such circumstances include any Act of God, riot, strike or lock-out, trade dispute or labor disturbance, accident, breakdown of plant or machinery, fire, flood, shortage of labor, materials or transport, electrical power failures, threat of or actual terrorism or environmental or health emergency or hazard, or entry into any unit including the Unit or the Facility by, or arrest or seizure or confiscation of Goods by, competent authorities. If this happens, Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will not be responsible for failing to allow access to the Goods, Unit and/or the Facility for so long as the circumstances continue. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will try to minimize any effects arising from such circumstances.
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
32. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage collects information about Storer on registration and whilst this Agreement continues, including personal data (Data). Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage processes Data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and all associated laws. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage uses Data to process payments, communicate with Storer and generally maintain Storer’s account, to comply with its legal obligations and for its legitimate business interests. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may share Data with, and collect Data from, credit reference or fraud prevention agencies and trade associations of which Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage is a member. If Storer does not pay Fees when due, Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may share Data with debt collection agents. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will release Data and other account details at any time if it considers in its sole discretion this is appropriate: (a) to comply with the law; (b) to enforce this Agreement; (c) for fraud protection and credit risk reduction; (d) for crime prevention or detection purposes; (e) to protect the safety of any person at the Facility, (f) if Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage considers the security of any unit at the Facility or its contents may otherwise be put at risk. Also, if Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage sells or buys any business or assets, it may disclose Data and account details to the prospective seller or buyer of such business or assets or if substantially all of Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s assets are acquired by a third party, Data and account details will be one of the transferred assets. Individuals have the right to request a copy of the information that Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage holds on them, to request that inaccurate Data is rectified, to restrict how data is used and in certain circumstances to have Data deleted. Requests for any of these should be emailed or sent to the addresses on the cover sheet to our Data Compliance Manager. More details on how Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage uses Data and Storer’s rights in relation to Data are set out in Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s Privacy Notice which can be viewed on its website or provided on request.
33. If Storer gives consent, Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will use Data for marketing purposes, including to provide Storer with information on products or services provided by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage in response to requests from Storer or if Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage believes they may be of interest. Storer’s choice with regard to the relevant use of Data is indicated in the cover sheet and can be changed at anytime by Storer contacting Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage.
NOTICE:
34. Notices to be given by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage or Storer must be in writing and must either be delivered by hand or sent by pre-paid post. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may also give Notice to Storer by SMS or email if Storer has elected to receive correspondence this way. Notices shall be deemed received at the time of delivery by hand, one hour after sending by email or SMS or 48 hours after posting. Notices from Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage to Storer will be sent to the address on the cover sheet or the most recent address in England notified to Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage. In the event of not being able to contact the Storer at the last notified address or other contact including SMS or email, Notice is deemed to have been given to Storer if Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage serves that Notice on the ACP as identified on the front of this Agreement at the last notified address or other contact including SMS or email of the ACP. Any notice from Storer must be sent to the Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage at the address on the cover sheet. In the event that there is more than one Storer, Notice to or by any single Storer is agreed to be sufficient for the purposes of any Notice requirement under this Agreement.
TERMINATION:
35. Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving the other party Notice of the Termination Date in accordance with period indicated on the cover sheet ending on any Due Date. In the event of illegal or environmentally harmful activities on the part of the Storer or a breach of this Agreement (which, if it can be put right, Storer has failed to put right within 14 days of notice from Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage to do so), Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may terminate the Agreement immediately by Notice. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage is entitled to retain from the Deposit, or make a charge for, apportioned Storage Fees if less than the requisite Notice is given by Storer. Storer must remove all Goods in the Unit before the close of business on the Termination Date and leave the Unit in a clean condition and in a good state of repair to the satisfaction of the Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage. In the event that Goods and/or refuse are left in the Unit after the Termination Date, Conditions 6 and 19 will apply. Storer must pay any outstanding Storage Fees and any expenses on default or any other moneys owed to Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage up to the Termination Date, or Conditions 5 to 9 may apply. Any calculation of the outstanding fees will be by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage. If Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage enters the Unit for any reason and there are no Goods stored in it, Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may terminate the Agreement without giving prior Notice but will send Notice to Storer within 7 days.
36. Storer agrees to examine the Goods carefully on removal from the Unit and must notify Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage of any loss or damage to the Goods as soon as is reasonably possible after doing so.
37. Liability for outstanding moneys, property damage, personal injury, environmental damage and legal responsibility under this Agreement continues to run beyond the termination of this Agreement.
GENERAL:
38. Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage may vary the Storage Fee or other terms of this Agreement and add new terms and conditions as long as such modifications are notified to Storer in writing. The modified terms will take effect on the first Due Date occurring not less than 28 days after the date of Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage’s notice. Storer may terminate without charge before the change takes effect by giving notice in accordance with Condition 35. Otherwise, Storer’s continued use of the Unit will be considered as acceptance of and agreement to the amended terms.
39. Storer acknowledges and agrees that :(a) the terms of this document constitute the whole contract with Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage and, in entering this contract, Storer relies upon no representations, oral or otherwise, other than those contained in this Agreement; (b) it has raised all queries relevant to its decision to enter this Agreement with Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage and Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage has, prior to the Storer entering into this Agreement, answered all such queries to the satisfaction of Storer; (c) any matters resulting from such queries have, to the extent required by Storer and agreed to by Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage, been reduced to writing and incorporated into the terms of this Agreement; (d) if Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage decides not to exercise or enforce any right that it has against Storer at a particular time, then this does not prevent Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage from later deciding to exercise or enforce that right unless Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage tells Storer in writing that Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage has waived or given up its ability to do so; (e) it is not intended that anyone other than Storer and Totally Hitched RV & Boat Storage will have any rights under this Agreement; (f) if any court or competent authority decides that any of the provisions in this Agreement are invalid, unlawful or unenforceable to any extent, the provision will, to that extent only, be severed from the remaining terms, which will continue to be valid to the fullest extent permitted by law; (g) Storer may not assign or transfer any of its rights under this Agreement or part with possession of the Unit or Goods whilst they are in the Facility; and (h) where Storer consists of two or more persons each person takes on the obligations under this Agreement separately.
40. This Agreement shall be governed by US law and any dispute or claim that either party brings will be decided by the Courts of The United States of America. The parties must endeavor to settle any dispute in connection with this Agreement by mediation. Such mediation is to be conducted by a mediator who is independent of the parties and appointed by agreement of the parties. It is a condition precedent to the right of either party to commence arbitration or litigation other than for emergency interlocutory relief, that it has first offered to submit the dispute to mediation.