Qualities to Consider in Self-Storage Units

By Lorena Roberts on May 15, 2017

If you’re anything like me, your lease runs out at the end of July, but you can’t move into your new place until halfway through August. So what do you do with all of your stuff? Move it home and then move it all back? No thank you.

So maybe you’re looking into a self-storage unit. And if you are, there are some things you should be looking at besides just the price. Lucky for you, I’ve got some tips.

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Size

Think about how big of a storage unit you’re going to need. You wouldn’t want to pay extra for space you won’t be using, so make sure to check out lots of different sizes before deciding which one is best for you.

Safety

Are the facilities well-lit?

Is someone watching surveillance at all times?

Are there video cameras?

What part of town are the units located in? A part of town you’d want to spend time in?

As a woman, the first thing on my list (and on my parents’ list, too!) when looking for a self-storage place is how safe it is. I want there to be plenty of lights and plenty of people around. I don’t want to end up renting a spot in a super sketchy neighborhood where I’m going to be scared to get out of the car.

Reviews

What do the reviews say online? Are people generally overall happy with the management? Or do people have a lot of negatives to discuss? Remember to take all online reviews with a grain of salt, because people generally write reviews when they get pissed off, but nevertheless, it’s important to know what the general reputation of the place is.

Access hours

Can you access your storage unit seven days per week? If you can’t, are their hours of operation convenient to you? The most frustrating thing ever is going to be trying to get into your unit and the gate is locked.

Convenience

Is auto-pay available? Do they take cash or check?

This might not make or break choosing a storage unit, but it’ll definitely weigh in on whether or not you want to rent from that company. I’d consider all your options — why make life harder than it has to be?

Ask lots of questions

Ask to see the unit you’ll actually be renting out.

What happens if your monthly payment is late?

Definitely check for any rent specials or discounts going on — wouldn’t want to miss those.

Check out a lot of different places

As you would with anything, make sure to survey lots of different places. You’ll want to get the ‘best bang for your buck.’ Follow these steps for every place you visit and you’ll be able to find the perfect spot to store your stuff.

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