Self Storage - How It Can Work For You

There are a number of reasons why someone might need self storage. One of the most common scenarios you'll encounter that might require it is when moving from one place to another. Your new apartment or house is too small to accommodate all of your belongings. Perhaps you only plan to be in the home for a short time, however. It doesn't make sense to sell all of your surplus stuff, especially if you'll have room for it again in a year or so. You need a facility where you can keep these belongings safe and secure until such a time that you can retrieve them. And that's exactly what these businesses give you the chance to do.



What It Is

At no time in history were there more self storage facilities available than today. Part of that is simply the natural expansion of a successful business model. Another part of it is likely a reflection of changing times. In a period of economic uncertainty, people are moving from larger houses into more affordable dwellings. They need a place to put their stuff. These facilities offer people or families units of varying size to put it until they have room for it again. You can get a unit as small as a closet or as large as a garage. The best companies (and the only ones really worth considering) give their customers access to their units 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Renting A Unit

The most common scenario with self storage is to lease a unit on a monthly basis. Most customers are unsure about how long they will need to store their belongings, meaning it makes little sense to sign a longer lease, even if it means saving some money. A security deposit is often required. Speaking of security, it is one of the biggest factors you should be looking at when deciding which company to go with. Cameras, fences, guards, and barbed wire are all some of the precautions put in place by businesses serious about keeping their customers' items secure.

Off Limits

While most self storage unit managers will have little interest in what you choose to store on the premises, there are some limitations. Furniture, paperwork, electronics, and just about anything else you have in your home is likely fine. Animals are not acceptable for storage. You may also be restricted when it comes to storing flammable liquids (including lawnmowers and power tools that have not been drained of gasoline) and any illegal materials. Food is usually frowned upon, simply due to its ability to attract pests.