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12 Tips for Renting a Storage Unit
By Martha C. White MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Renting a storage unit can be the ideal solution if you need a place to keep your stuff while moving to a new home, undergoing a big renovation, downsizing to a smaller place or just needing extra space to clear the clutter out of your life.
You can use a self-storage unit to keep all sorts of personal property, from furniture to sporting equipment to holiday decorations and more. Storage facilities offer a flexible way to keep your property safe when it can’t be under your own roof.
Here are some tips to follow when choosing a storage unit to rent.
Table of contents
- Find and compare prices of storage unit facilities
- Protect your storage facility with insurance
- Find a storage location near you
- Choose the best type of storage unit for your needs
- Consider hiring a reliable pest control service
- Choose climate-controlled storage
- Look for a well-maintained facility
- Review and clarify your rental agreements
- Be aware of storage-unit hidden costs
- Check the access availability of a storage unit
- Find out if you’re eligible for a discounts
- Check customer reviews
- Rent a storage unit FAQ
- Summary of our guide to renting a storage unit
1. Find and compare prices of storage unit facilities
Your first step should be to find prices of self-storage facilities and compare them. Most self-storage companies have websites. Some let you see prices by putting in your location and specifying the unit size and type of storage unit you want. For others, you will have to submit those specifications via email and request a quote.
There are also online aggregators where you can search for storage space by address or zip code and get a list of storage facilities nearby. It’s important to be sure that you’re comparing roughly equal sizes and types of storage — use a platform that offers a size guide to make comparison shopping easier.
2. Protect your storage unit with insurance
Even though self-storage facilities have security features to protect your items, you should make sure that the items you plan to store are properly insured. Some storage facilities require proof of insurance or will require you to buy insurance through them or a related company.
Even if you have homeowners insurance or renters insurance, check your policy. It’s likely that the coverage level for items stored in a facility is much lower than if those things were stored at your own home.
3. Find a storage location near you
Unlike in years past when you might have had to drive around to find storage units, you can now find facilities near you from the comfort of your couch. That’s especially useful if you need storage in a location where you don’t currently reside, and so can’t easily go on-site and visit in person.
It’s become that much easier to search online for storage units since the pandemic began, as even smaller facility operators have had to develop their digital operations. Online quotes and unit reservations are also increasingly common.
4. Choose the best type of storage unit for your needs
There are a plethora of options when it comes to storage types. If you only need to store a few items — say, the contents of a dorm room over the summer — a storage locker might be your best bet. Some options are portable storage units, which make it easier if you’re moving across town or across the country, and some even offer packing and pick-up services.
The storage unit size you choose will depend on how much you have to store. You can rent units that will hold the contents of a small bedroom as well as ones for an entire home’s worth of goods. If you need to store unusual items like a vehicle, fine art, a wine collection or business storage, there are storage options to meet those needs, as well.
5. Consider hiring a reliable pest control service
Several steps will minimize the odds of bugs or other pests infiltrating your storage unit. Make sure the unit is kept tidy, use pallets to elevate your items off the floor, never store food inside your unit (this is probably a violation of your contract, anyway), securely wrap upholstered items in plastic and keep items in sealed plastic containers — not cardboard, which can be chewed through by determined vermin.
If you’re still concerned about the possibility of pests or discover an infestation in spite of your efforts, consider hiring a pest control company, but check with your facility to see if it has any options. In fact, a lot of the best storage unit companies have pest control specialists treat their facilities regularly to prevent this sort of damage to your property.
6. Choose climate-controlled storage
Climate-controlled storage refers to indoor storage that maintains consistent temperature and humidity levels. While climate-controlled storage is generally more expensive per square foot, the investment could be well worth it, especially if you need to store furniture, electronic equipment or valuables that could suffer damage if exposed to excessive heat, cold or moisture. A climate-controlled storage unit is also recommended if you plan to store items for an extended period of time.
7. Look for a well-maintained facility
When shopping for a storage unit, examine the facility with a critical eye: Is the place clean, well-maintained and free of dirt and grime? Are the weatherstripping and seals around doors intact so moisture or bugs can’t make their way in? Does the storage company provide security features such as keycode entry and video surveillance with 24-7 monitoring?
8. Review and clarify your rental agreements
Since you will be required to sign a binding contract to rent your storage unit, it’s important to review this document carefully. These contracts generally spell out what items are prohibited in storage units, such as food, money, weapons and other hazardous, flammable or illegal materials.
You should also make note of other contractual obligations, such as how and when to provide notice if you plan to cancel, and what the penalties are for late payments. It’s important to know all of these things ahead of time to make sure you don’t violate any requirements.
9. Be aware of storage unit hidden costs
Watch out for hidden costs and fees in your contract, as well. If your storage needs are short-term, be aware that many storage companies charge a one-time administrative fee or a security deposit. Most charge penalties if you submit a monthly payment late. You also might have to pay sales tax on your monthly storage rental fee, and some storage facilities might also make you buy your own lock to secure your property.
10. Check the access and availability of a storage unit
A lack of availability is obviously a dealbreaker, particularly if you need a specific storage type — such as a unit with drive-up storage or one on the first floor with easy accessibility. Confirm that your chosen facility will be able to provide you with a unit that meets your needs.
Likewise, check to make sure your chosen storage facility can accommodate you if you need 24-7 access to your unit, since many storage facilities only let renters access their units during ordinary business hours.
11. Look for discount eligibility
Self-storage costs are based on the size and type of storage you need, as well as the location and availability of units within a particular facility. Storage locations in cities tend to cost more. But many companies have options if you’re looking for a discount.
Most storage unit contracts are monthly but you might be able to score a deal if you’re willing to commit to a longer tenancy. Just make sure you’re aware of cancellation penalties you might have to pay if you break that contract early. In addition, some facilities offer a free first month’s rent to new customers, and many have discounts for students, seniors or military members. If you don’t see any discounts listed on a company’s website, ask the facility manager.
12. Check reviews
While it’s important to do your own research on storage units, an important part of that is looking at customer reviews. Feedback on review sites can help you find out what current and past customers think about the facility you’re considering.
If a particular facility or company has low ratings, dig a little deeper to see if reviewers voice similar complaints. If the same concerns show up over and over, you should rethink your choice — especially if you come across multiple instances of theft at a particular location. That’s a giant red flag, so you should proceed with caution.
Renting a storage unit FAQs
What is the average cost to rent a storage unit?
Self-storage is a very decentralized industry, so storage unit cost is a broad range, which makes it very difficult to determine how much it costs to rent a self-storage unit in any given city. Expect higher prices in more densely populated and expensive cities such as New York and Los Angeles. In addition to location, the other factors that affect the cost are the unit's size, features, rental period length and availability.
Is insurance necessary when renting a storage unit?
You will likely be required to carry self-storage insurance. Some facility operators make you purchase an insurance policy through them or an affiliated insurance company. Even if you have a homeowners insurance policy, you might want to increase your coverage, since off-site coverage is typically lower.
Can you rent a storage unit online?
Today it's easier than ever to find the right storage unit without having to drive around. It's possible to rent storage units online if you don't want to — or can't — be on-site to sign a contract in person. A growing number of companies also let you pay your monthly storage rent online and initiate automatic payments, which will help you avoid late fees.
What do you need to rent a storage unit?
If you plan to rent a self-storage unit, you will need to provide a valid government-issued form of identification such as a driver's license, military I.D. or passport. You don't necessarily need a good credit score to rent a storage unit, but if you plan to rent online, expect to provide a credit card to facilitate payment.
Summary of the guide to renting a storage unit
People rent storage units for a variety of reasons, such as when moving to a new home, downsizing to a smaller house or undertaking major renovations. There are storage solutions available to meet all of these needs.
Figure out how large of a self-storage unit you need. Sizes range from storage lockers, which are good for college students, to large units that can easily accommodate the contents of an entire house. If you need to store something unusual such as a car, motorcycle or boat, you should look for storage facilities that offer vehicle storage.
Consider investing in a climate-controlled storage unit, which will keep your belongings at a consistent temperature and humidity level. This prevents items, especially upholstered furniture, electronics, antiques and other valuables from being damaged by mold, mildew or excessive heat or cold. Attributes such as 24-7 access and first-floor or drive-up access are also important considerations.
It’s important to undertake due diligence before signing a contract, especially if it’s your first time renting a storage unit. You can search for a storage unit near you (or in the city where you need to store your belongings) online. Some storage companies even let you reserve your unit online without having to visit the facility in person.
Most storage unit contracts are month-to-month. Read the contract carefully before signing to make sure you understand the charges and what you need to do if you want to cancel your contract. You may be able to get a discount if you’re a senior, a student or in the military, and some storage companies run specials such as a free first month for new customers.
