What is Self Storage?

It’s not unusual to find yourself preparing to move home only to discover not everything you want to pack is going to get to your new place. It could be that the house or apartment you are moving to is smaller and so there isn’t enough room, or it could be that the reason for moving has to do with work, and a one-year contract doesn’t justify taking everything you own with you. A solution for either of these circumstances is to store your possessions until you can send for them, and often self-storage is the best answer.

Self-storage isn’t as DIY a solution as it sounds. It refers to someone renting unit space at a professionally run and facility. However, there is a freedom for you to come and go as you see fit without the need to get security clearance. Basically, you hold the keys and you control access to your possessions. You can even rent the storage space per month, allowing you to keep your things in storage for an indefinite period of time – in fact, many people keep things in storage for several years, not months.

Why is Self-Storage Popular?

The alternative to self-storage is moving storage, or the storage services offered by moving companies to their clients. The principal differences are that moving storage services are available for a set period of time, though extensions may be negotiated, and that access to your belongings is through the moving company. This prevents the freedom of access that self-storage facilities can offer, with visits at any time of day or night possible so long as you have the keys to your own unit.

It is also much more popular with businesses that have moved building and haven’t sufficient space for some office furniture, have opted to hold onto old office furniture or even have decided to move the boxes of old files into storage rather than have them clutter their office. Because of the freedom of access, personnel can then access old files with ease when it is necessary. In essence, self-storage simply gives a freedom that is highly desirable.

There is also flexibility in payment, with legally-binding rental agreements also allowing for a sudden change of circumstance. Generally, you pay one month in advance and if within that time you opt to move everything out, you can. The storage period paid for but not used can also be refunded, while a deposit at the start of the agreement should also be refunded or termination.

Self-Storage Options

Usually a wide variety of storage options are available to you. If you need a large space, then these can be provided, while small spaces not much bigger than a school locker can also be rented. Because a rental agreement can be on a month-by-month basis, and you are free to take items away or add items, you can always bump up to a larger space. So, you can store your old albums and books in a locker-sized space for a few months then move everything to a bathroom-sized space to accommodate the addition of a motorbike, perhaps.

Is Self-Storage Really Secure?

Understandably, there may be a fear that self-storage is not as secure as its alternative. However, this is not true. The facilities that provide self-storage services normally have an overall security system complete with guards and alarms. Regular patrols should take place, while CCTV systems ensure that everything can be seen and recorded. However, the only real difference is that you don’t need to sign in and out, you are free to see your things when you want. Usually, you simply drive through a side-lane and a 24-hour service means you can go there at any time.

While there are many advantages to self-storage, there are also a few disadvantages, One down-side, you are responsible for getting your possessions to the facility as no moving service is provided by self-storage companies. It means you’ll have to pay for movers, if there is a lot, but it is also possible to make a few journeys yourself.