THE SHORT ANSWER
Seven clauses decide whether an exclusive lead agreement protects you: how exclusivity is defined and for how long, the postcode list as an annex, a delivery time commitment in minutes, the written qualification criteria, replacement terms with a workable claim window, the right to pause without losing paid volume, and the data-protection roles. This is general information, not legal advice.
The seven clauses
Exclusivity, defined. Not just that the lead is exclusive, but for how long and against whom. A lead exclusive for 24 hours is a shared lead with a delay.
Postcodes as an annex. Named, listed, amendable in writing. Region-level wording is where out-of-area waste is authorised.
Delivery time. Stated in minutes, with a remedy if missed. Delivery speed is a substantive term, not a service nicety.
Qualification criteria. The exact checks applied before delivery, so a claim has an objective standard to reference.
Replacement terms. Categories covered, claim window of at least 72 hours, replacement rather than credit, cap no lower than 10 percent.
Pause rights. The right to suspend intake with short notice, with paid volume preserved.
Data-protection roles. Controller or processor, stated explicitly, with a commitment to produce consent records on request.
Wording that quietly removes your protection
Exclusivity described as a policy or practice rather than an obligation
Service areas described by region or city rather than postcode
Best-efforts delivery with no time figure
Replacement at the supplier's sole discretion
Automatic renewal with notice periods longer than one month
Volume minimums that survive a pause
What you should be willing to give
Suppliers reasonably need predictability. Offering a notice period on pausing, a consistent monthly volume, prompt and specific claims, and a realistic postcode set costs you little and buys the clauses above. Negotiating terms without offering anything usually fails.
Before you sign
Run a 20 to 30 lead test under the same terms. A contract that reads well and a feed that performs are different findings, and the test is cheaper than the exit.
Related answers
Frequently asked questions
How long should exclusivity last?
Permanently for that enquiry. Time-limited exclusivity is a shared lead with a head start, and should be priced as one.
Is a purchase order enough instead of a contract?
Only if it references the seven points above. A price and a volume on a PO leaves every protective term undefined.
Can I amend postcodes later?
You should be able to, in writing, without renegotiating price. Insist on that mechanism being in the agreement.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a practical checklist of what buyers commonly look for. Have your own adviser review the agreement.
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