Frequently Asked Questions

A safe deposit box is an individually stored container held within a high secure safe or vault which is only accessible to the key holder. A safe deposit box, sometimes called a safe deposit locker, is used to store valuable possessions that an individual may not wish to store at home or at their place of work. The renter agrees to pay an annual fee for using the box, which can only be opened by combining the use of an assigned key, a personal identification number (PIN) and biometric security.

If you are concerned about the security of your valuables at home or in the workplace, you should consider renting a safe deposit box. With over 7,300 household and business thefts occurring last year according to Annual Crime figures from Merseyside Police, Essex Vaults can offer true security and peace of mind. The installation of home security provides only limited protection, since owners can be forced to open safes under threat of physical violence. In addition, your home contents insurance costs should be reduced by the use of a safe deposit box.

You will be issued with two identical keys at the time of rental. If you lose one or both keys, you should inform Essex Vaults immediately. You will then need to make an appointment with us, to ensure you are present when a locksmith drills open your box. You will be responsible for the cost of the locksmith and the subsequent repairs that are required.

Replacement Lock –no engineer required: £100

Replacement Lock – engineer required: £300

If you lose your access card, a new card will be issued at a replacement charge of £25 including. Access to your box will not be granted without the appropriate access card.

Jewellery

Cash

Data Storage

Back up discs

Wills

Birth certificates

Precious metals e.g. gold, silver etc.

Passports

Property deeds

Rare coins / stamp collections

Military medals

Artwork

Important keys

Home inventory list/video

Marriage certificate

Wedding video

Income tax returns

Family photographs

Share certificates

Insurance contracts

You are not permitted to store any items that are illegal or dangerous. Weapons of any kind, explosives, gas canisters, perishables or liquids are not permitted. See our terms and conditions for a list of additional prohibited items.

You can visit us in person any day during our opening hours, call us to book an appointment or reserve a box online. We will require you to prove your identity using an acceptable form of photographic identification (a valid passport or driving licence) and a proof of address (a utility bill or bank statement less than 3 months old).

Only people registered to use your box with Essex Vaults will be allowed to access the vault area and your box. No more than three people can be registered to access one safe deposit box at any given time. No person under the age of 18 years will be permitted to register for or to access a safe deposit box.

Prices start from less than a £3 per week. A once-off £100 key deposit is required to open a new account. The deposit is refundable when the contract ends with the return of the keys and access cards. Our minimum rental period is 3 months. Payment can be made by cheque, cash, credit card, debit card or laser card.

We are open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6:00 pm and 12 noon to 4 pm on Saturdays.

Last admittance to the vault for clients is 15 minutes before closing time.

We are located within Essex City Centre. Map-link Coming Soon.

A comprehensive insurance policy is available for the contents of your safe deposit box.

Approximately one month before your contract expires, we shall call, email or write to you (depending on your preferred method of contact) inviting you to renew your contract. If you do not wish to renew, both keys and access cards must be returned to us in person or by registered post before the date on which your contract expires. Please see our terms and conditions for further information.

No. The only case in which we are obliged to open a box is when we are presented with a valid court order.

No. You will be issued with the only 2 keys unique to your box.

Each box is opened using a dual-lock system. The ‘customer’ key and one held by ‘Essex Vaults’. Each box requires both keys to gain access, neither Essex Vaults or the customer can open the box alone.

If there is no ‘specified person’ on your account at the time of your death, then normal legal processes will prevail. Once the estate has been granted probate, the executor of the estate will be assigned access to the box. The person reporting your death should bring a certified copy of the death certificate to our office. Access will be allowed to the box for the purposes of probate valuation only. No items may be removed until such time as a relevant grant of probate has been shown.