Self storage has increased in popularity in the past few years, as the service has been working hard to help people better manage their space and belongings in various moments of transition and more. However, if self storage is new to you, renting a unit can be a challenging experience.
To help you make this experience a breeze, we’ve put together this guide to assist you when you’re renting self storage for the first time, with plenty of pointers on how storage units work, from how to find your ideal facility to what type of amenities you should consider along with other storage unit tips.
What’s self storage?
Self storage is a service where you can rent a secure space to store anything from furniture and heirlooms to documents, clothes and even vehicles. Think of it as an extension of your home or office, where your belongings are kept safe and out of the way until you need them again. Whether you need a space as small as a closet, as big as a garage or even larger for an RV or boat, there’s likely a storage unit that fits your needs.
How does self storage work?
Self storage allows you to rent a unit that suits your needs, whether for a short-term or long-term period. Here’s a quick rundown of how it works and some key things to consider as you find a new home for your belongings:
Find a storage unit in your desired location: Start by considering what matters most to you. If you’re storing personal items that you’ll need to access often, look for a facility that’s close by. But if you’re storing something like an RV or renting a unit while you’re traveling as a digital nomad, you might want to focus more on finding a place with good pricing, even if it’s not right around the corner.
Select the right unit size: Depending on what you need to store, choose a unit size that fits your belongings. Units range from small lockers to large spaces big enough for vehicles or furniture.
Sign a rental agreement: After choosing your storage unit, you’ll sign a rental agreement that details the rental period, costs and facility rules. To make things easier, many storage facilities now offer online leasing, so you can secure your space without even visiting the office. For example, platforms like StorageCafe partner with various storage operators to help you find and rent the perfect unit online in just a few clicks, whenever it’s convenient for you. It’s all about keeping things hassle-free.
Move your belongings in: Once you’ve signed the agreement, it’s time to move your stuff into the storage unit. If you pick a drive-up unit, you can pull right up to your space and unload your items with ease. If you choose an indoor unit, carts are usually available to help you move your belongings. And don’t worry—if your unit is on an upper floor, buildings typically have elevators to make the move as smooth as possible. No matter where your unit is, getting your things to their new home should be a breeze.
Secure your unit: Most facilities require you to provide your own lock, ensuring that only you have access to your belongings.
Access your items when needed: You can get to your storage unit whenever you need to, based on the facility’s access hours. Some places even offer 24/7 access, so you can grab or add items whenever it’s convenient for you.
Pay rent: Rent is usually paid on a monthly basis. Many storage facilities offer online payment options, allowing you to easily monitor and pay your bill from anywhere.
End your rental agreement: When you no longer need the storage space, you can end your rental agreement, empty the unit and remove your lock.
It’s crucial to understand that if you fail to pay for your storage unit, several consequences can occur, usually outlined in the rental agreement you signed. You might lose access to your belongings, risk having your items auctioned off and even see a hit to your credit score. Typically, after missing a payment, you’ll have a grace period—usually between 30 to 90 days—before an auction happens. During this time, you can often work out a payment plan to avoid losing your stuff. The key is to reach out to the storage facility as soon as you know you might have trouble making a payment. They’re usually willing to help you find a solution.
Where can I find self storage?
With self storage facilities practically everywhere, you’ve probably driven by at least one in your city. These large, warehouse-like buildings offer a secure place for both individuals and businesses to store their belongings away from home or the office.
In the U.S., there are over 50,000 self storage facilities, and you can easily find and compare more than 29,000 of them on StorageCafe.com—the largest self storage listings database available online.
Instances when you can use self storage
Self storage provides a flexible and secure solution for managing excess belongings, whether you’re downsizing, moving or you just need extra space.
Moving
Whether you’re in-between leases or you’re moving to an entirely different city, a storage unit is a great place to help you keep your belongings. You can keep them there until your new home is ready to move in. Moreover, for out-of-town moving, you can send your belongings ahead of the moving day and have them put in a storage unit to ease the pressure of the big day. Then, you can gradually move your items into your new home at your leisure.
Not having enough space at home
For a lot of people, home space isn’t sufficient to make room for all their belongings, especially if they live in apartments. They typically tend to be less spacious than single family homes. However, even people living in single family homes can turn to self storage when they have a growing family and can’t fit everything inside their home without cluttering it.
Keeping seasonal items away from home
Seasonal items typically get used for a short period of the year and can also go in a storage unit when not used. Holiday decorations, whether they’re for Christmas, Halloween, Fourth of July or more, as well as outdoor gear and yardwork equipment can all sit in a storage unit during the off-season.
Downsizing
If you’re downsizing, you might find that furniture, appliances and other household items might not fit inside your new smaller abode. That is when self storage can come in handy allowing you to keep your items safe until you’re ready to use them again.
Various life-changing events
Significant life changes such as marriage, divorce or the arrival of a new family member are times when people turn to self storage to better manage their belongings.
Business needs
Businesses also use self storage to manage excess inventory, documents and equipment, freeing up valuable space in their premises or workspaces. E-commerce businesses, in particular, rely on storage units to hold merchandise that’s waiting to be shipped to customers.
Home remodeling
When you’re remodeling, you need extra room for belongings displaced from the area under construction. Instead of cluttering your home with furniture and other items from that area, you can put them in a storage unit for the duration of the project.
Going to college
When in college, students get to enjoy a smaller living space – whether they’re sharing an apartment with roommates or living in a dorm – which makes managing belongings more difficult. To avoid cluttering their living space, students can put their seasonal items and more in a storage unit during the academic year. During the summer break, they can put all their belongings in a storage unit to avoid moving them back home.
Owning a vehicle
Multiple vehicle owners also tend to turn to self storage to avoid them taking up space in their driveway. Car storage also offers a safe space for their vehicle when they’re traveling for an extended period of time. What’s more, motorhomes owners can also place them in RV storage when they’re not out on the road. Similarly, boat storage offers a dedicated service for those who own a watercraft.
Traveling
If you’re traveling for an extended period of time, whether for work or studying, you might also consider this service. If you’re renting, you can put your belongings in a storage unit instead of keeping your lease.
Members of the military
If you’re in the military, you might be using self storage during a short-term or long-term deployment to keep your belongings safe while you’re away.
Types of self storage service
Your self storage experience will differ based on the type of service you choose. Some facilities offer both or either of the following:
- Classic self storage
This is the traditional service where you physically go to a facility and drop your items in the unit you’re renting. When you need an item from your unit, you visit the facility again to retrieve it. It’s a good idea to take inventory of items going in and going out of your unit to make sure you know where everything is at all times.
- Valet self storage
Valet self storage refers to a full-service storage service, where the company picks up your belongings, transports them and deposits them inside your rented unit. Moreover, they also bring them back to your home when you need them. Many facilities allow you to have scheduled pickups and drop-offs. It is a useful service for customers who don’t have the time to make repeated trips to their storage unit. Valet self storage also tends to be pricier than classic storage as the facility is also involved in the pickup and delivery of your belongings.
What to consider when renting a storage unit for the first time
When renting a storage unit for the first time, there are several aspects you should consider to make sure the service can meet your needs. Here’s what to think about prior to renting a storage unit:
The belongings you need to store
Your self storage journey begins here. You look into the items that you want to keep away from your home or business site. Take inventory of everything and group them by size, sensitivity and often you’ll need them in the future. This will help you determine how to approach your search for storage.
Location
As in real estate, “location, location, location” is a tagline that rings true for self storage as well. As a customer, you’ll want to find a storage unit for rent close to your home. You can drive around your neighborhood to see what facilities you can spot. Moreover, you can also search for one online. You can consult a self storage listings platform such as StorageCafe that allows you to search for a facility in your city.
Unit type
Based on your needs you can select between multiple types of storage units.
Outdoor storage units
Also called drive-up storage units, they resemble a garage and are an excellent choice if you plan on storing large items that are difficult to carry inside the facility. You can deposit items that are not sensitive to heat or humidity fluctuations, as these units do not typically come with climate control. Moreover, businesses can take advantage of this type of unit to easily unload inventory that needs a temporary home.
Indoor storage units
Indoor units are typically located inside a facility, and offer the added advantage of climate control in most cases. They’re also more secure as they require an additional point of entry to gain access to them. This way, you have peace of mind that your stored items are safe until you need them again.
Climate control
A climate-controlled unit offers a controlled environment in terms of humidity and temperature. It is a great option to store items such as furniture, appliances, clothing, books and musical instruments. However, the list of items that could benefit from climate control and other items that could easily deteriorate in extreme conditions is much more extensive. Climate control is a great feature if you live in a region where there’s variation in temperature and humidity, which could harm your belongings. That’s why it would be a great idea to rent a climate-controlled unit in Houston, Miami or Chicago if you live in the South or Midwest, for instance.
Storage unit size
Another important aspect when renting a storage unit is the unit size you’ll pick. This will depend largely on your needs. Standard sizes range from 5’x5’ to 10’x30’. A 5’x5’ unit is ideal for outdoor gear, small hobby gear, clothing or books. You can upgrade to a 5’x10’ if you have slightly larger items. A 10’x10’ is the most rented unit and can house a host of items, including living room furniture or the contents of an office or a small apartment. If you own a motorcycle, you can easily fit inside a 10’x15’ unit. The same type of unit can also be used to store furniture from two or three bedrooms.
If you’re moving and need to put belongings from a two- or three-bedroom home into storage, a 10’x20’ unit can accommodate them. For a four-bedroom home, you might need to upgrade to a 10’x30’ unit. If you’re unsure which unit size best suits your needs, you can consult this storage unit size guide. Moreover, if you’re combining items from various rooms, you could also use this storage unit size calculator to gauge how well your belongings can fit inside a storage unit.
Self storage prices
Knowing how much self storage costs is also essential to helping you budget for this service. More than one factor influences the formation of self storage prices. As it happens, rates vary considerably based on location, with popular cities having pricier rents than suburbs or rural places. For instance, Honolulu, HI ($419/month) and San Francisco, CA ($279/month) come with some of the highest price tags for renting a storage unit. Similarly, residents of New York City, NY ($315/month), Arlington, VA ($266/month) and Los Angeles, CA ($333/month) also pay a premium for this service. Alternatively, if you live in places such as Houston, TX ($117/month), Dallas, TX ($147/month), Columbus, OH ($123/month) or Louisville, KY ($104/month), you’ll pay significantly less each month. Besides location, climate control also influences prices, with climate-controlled units typically being pricier than their non-climate-controlled counterparts.
You should also keep in mind that you can take advantage of discounts to reduce costs. Many facilities offer the first month free if you’re renting for a longer term. In the self storage business, longer term typically means six months or more.
Lease length
Unlike apartments, self storage rentals leases have a different lease duration. Renting a storage unit for a short term typically translates to a minimum of a month, whereas long-term renting in storage can be six months or more. Month-to-month storage units are popular, but going for a longer lease can come with more advantageous rates for renters.
Security features
When you’re putting your belongings in storage, you want to make sure they’re safe. That’s why you should make sure the facility of your choice provides proper security features. Look out for security surveillance, a keypad and gated access. Moreover, to increase the safety of your items, you should buy a self storage lock. Padlocks are some of the most common ones used for self storage units, but a cylinder lock is a safer option.
Self storage insurance
Consider insurance to make sure your items are covered in case of damage or theft. In many cases, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance can cover items placed in self storage, but you should check the extent of the coverage as it’s usually limited. As an alternative, you can also opt for dedicated self storage insurance. You can get this type of insurance from your facility if they offer it, or you can buy coverage from an independent provider. For instance, Yardi can cover you through their GoodShield protection plan. You get coverage for damages associated with smoke, fire, lightning, wind and water. You can opt for a plan between 1,000 – $10,000 with no deductible. Monthly charges can be included in your typical bill – just let the facility operator know you’d like to get the insurance plan.
Facility access hours
It’s helpful as a renter to know that some self storage facilities have differing operating schedules, with some of them offering round-the-clock access for your convenience. This can be particularly useful if you have a busy schedule and can’t visit the facility during regular business hours. Find out what kind of schedule the facility has before signing a lease.
Additional amenities
Some facilities offer additional amenities. Inquire whether you need the following:
- Truck rentals
Some facilities also offer truck rentals if you’re moving and you’re not using a moving company. Having a vehicle near the facility can help make your move more efficient, as you wouldn’t have to drive to your storage unit to pick up your belongings.
- Packing supplies
Equally helpful when moving is packing supplies. If you already have your belongings in a storage unit, the packing process can be much easier if you can get moving boxes, tape, bubble wrap and more from the facility.
Putting your belongings in a storage unit for the first time
Congratulations! You’ve already rented your first storage unit and you’re probably getting ready to put some of your belongings in storage. Here’s how to have a great experience:
- Review the facility’s rules
Get familiar with the facility’s rules and regulations in terms of visiting the facility, for instance, running a business and more. You should also find out about what items you can and can’t put in storage. Fireworks, chemicals, anything flammable and food are some items that aren’t allowed inside a storage unit. This list is, however, not exhaustive, and you should consult the facility’s rules to learn more.
- Take inventory of your items prior to storing them
Before putting your items in a storage unit, make a list of them and create a “check-in” and “check-out” system for them. This way, you’ll know which items are in storage and which are at home. Moreover, take pictures of the items inside your unit to help you find them easier and also for insurance purposes.
- Pack your belongings safely
When putting items in storage, remember to give them the right treatment. Pack smaller items in clear plastic bins to make it easier to see the contents. Use bubble cushioning and plastic wrap for furniture, appliances and other sensitive items that can easily dent or break en route to the unit. Remove plastic wrapping once inside the unit, as this can make packed items sweat and deteriorate over time. Artwork, mirrors and other decorations also need special packaging – you can use their original boxes to store them inside the unit. Don’t forget to label everything for better organization.
- Get the most of your unit space with a practical organization system
For efficient use of your unit space, deposit your items along the walls. Either put them on organizing racks or start by putting the heavier containers on the ground and stack others that are lighter on top. For special items, make sure to place them correctly – for instance, mirrors need to sit vertically. Also, place the items you need more frequently towards the front of the unit.
- Keep a walking path in the middle of the unit
Make sure to leave room for a walking path from the front to the back of the unit. This will allow you to navigate your unit more easily so that you can see and retrieve your belongings hassle-free. It also helps if your items are grouped by categories for easier access.
Renting a self storage unit for the first time can be an easy task with a little know-how. Understanding what you need to store, what to look for in a storage facility and how to organize your unit will help ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free experience.
