Frequently Asked Self Storage Questions

Most storage facilities feature security measures such as restricted entry, electronic gates, security personnel patrolling the perimeter, video surveillance, alarm systems, and so on. On top of that, you secure your unit with a lock and maybe a password too. All in all, storage units are quite safe. However, before renting one, feel free to ask the facility manager for details about the types of security they provide.

Some storage facilities require you to purchase a lock from them or to use only a certain type of lock. Others leave this decision up to you. It's important to use a solid, high-quality lock and to make sure the unit's door is fully closed before you lock it. For a roll-up door, you should slide the latch all the way inside its slot before securing it with the lock. There are storage facilities that provide password-protected electronic lock systems for the units — set up a password that you'll be able to remember easily and keep it to yourself.

It depends on the items you intend to store, for how long you plan to store them, and the climate in your area. Climate-controlled units keep their temperature levels stable all year round, generally between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity in the storage unit is also controlled and is typically set around 50-55%.

If you're storing items such as important papers, valuable books, photos, electronics, expensive furniture or clothing, and not just for a month or so, it's wise to get a climate-controlled unit. Also, if you're storing long-term and you're living in an area prone to extreme temperatures, you should consider renting a climate-controlled unit.

A 5x5 unit is the size of an average home closet and can hold a dresser, a small mattress, and a few boxes. It's the unit size you need for storing sporting equipment, garden tools, office supplies or some miscellaneous items. It doesn't hold a motorcycle — a very small scooter, maybe!

Check out our Storage Unit Size Guide to get a better idea of what fits inside a unit and to determine the amount of space that suits your needs.

The monthly rent for a storage unit varies a lot depending on where you live, the size of the unit you need, and the amenities provided by the facility. StorageCafe's sister division Yardi Matrix, which tracks self storage street rate evolution, puts the national average rent for a 10'x10' non-climate-controlled unit at $131. For specific information about self storage prices in your area, check out the StorageCafe listings portal.

You can't store perishable items like food, flammable or explosive substances (gasoline, propane tanks, kerosene, fertilizers, paint, and so on), toxic or biological waste, or live animals. Also, you shouldn't put wet items (clothing, equipment, mattresses, etc.) in a storage unit. The humidity will create the right conditions for mold to grow, which will damage the rest of your possessions. Sleeping or living in a storage unit is also forbidden.

Most storage facilities have a minimum renting period of one month. That doesn't mean you have to leave your possessions in there for a whole month. You can pick them up anytime you want, but you'll still pay the full monthly rent. You can try to negotiate a different deal with a storage facility manager, if you only need a unit for a few days; however, generally speaking, you'll have to pay for at least one full month.

The smallest standard units in most storage facilities are 4x5 square feet or 5x5 square feet. There are also some facilities that provide micro-storage units (perhaps 5 square feet or 10 square feet), which are ideal for people who only want to store a few select items (skis, golf clubs or seasonal decorations, for example).

Some of the largest storage units are 10x20 square feet or 10x30 square feet, which can hold a large vehicle or a small boat with some room to spare. Certain storage facilities also offer covered, uncovered or enclosed units that are up to 50' long and can be used for storing RVs, trailers and even mobile homes.

Storage units are private for as long as you pay your rent. The storage facility's personnel don't have a key to your unit, and only you (or other people you specifically designate) can enter it. If you stop making the monthly payments, the contents of your unit can be sold at an auction, depending on the terms of your lease. The facility owner will retain any unpaid rent, fees and other costs resulting from the auction process. If any net proceeds of the auction remain after that stage, they will be paid to you.

If you are planning to store all the furniture and the rest of your belongings from a 2-bedroom home, a 10'x15' storage unit should do the trick. For reference, such a unit is slightly smaller than a standard, one-car garage. In it, you can store the contents of two bedrooms, a sofa and other living room furniture, some appliances and tools, plus boxes with clothing and other items.

Choose the storage unit size based on the quantity of items you need to store. One simple way to decide what size unit you need is by checking out a storage unit size chart.

However, if you're still unsure about the size of unit to choose, using comparisons to visualize how much space they provide helps a lot. A 5'x5' storage unit, for example, is about the size of a home closet. The 10'x10' storage unit offers as much space as a small bedroom, while the 10'x15' unit is comparable to a large bedroom.

The 10'x20' unit is as big as your standard one-car garage, and the 10'x30' storage unit is about the same size as a generous master bedroom. You should also consider the fact that most storage units are 8' feet tall, which offers you vertical storage space too.

Now you have an idea about unit sizes, you can roughly measure the dimensions of the pieces of furniture, appliances or other items you want to store, to get an idea about which type of unit is best for your needs. However, you should also factor in leaving enough unused floor space so you can access each stored item.

A 10'x10' unit is big enough to hold the furniture from a living room, or from two small bedrooms, plus some additional boxes and other smaller items. It's also the right size for people who are interested in storing various sports equipment, tools, garden furniture and other seasonal items. If you are the owner of a snowmobile or an ATV, this unit size is the right choice, even leaving you with extra space for some boxes of belongings.

If you are planning to store all the furniture and the rest of the items that are normally found in a 3-bedroom home, your best option could be a 10'x20' storage unit. This unit size allows you to comfortably store your bedroom sets, mattresses included, plus living room furniture, appliances, tools and boxes with clothing and other items.

If your possessions are worth keeping at a self storage facility, they merit storage insurance. If you want to avoid paying it, you might be asking the question “Is storage unit insurance mandatory?” Well, many facilities these days insist that you have storage unit insurance for the items you keep there. This means less headaches for them as well as you. They may well offer you insurance for storage at the same time as you sign a lease for renting a unit. First, however, you might like to check out whether you have coverage for items kept in a storage unit on your homeowner's or renter's insurance, as this is sometimes possible. Another alternative is to get your own self storage insurance from a third-party supplier — this can be a particularly good idea when you have valuable or unusual items in storage, such as vehicles or family heirlooms. Always read a storage rental insurance contract carefully to see what coverage and levels of payment it offers should you need to claim.