Self-storage has been a hot topic lately, not only in the US but around the globe as well. According to a recent piece on Yahoo Finance, experts forecasted a valuation growth in the industry to USD 64.71 billion by 2026, up from 48.02 billion in 2020. While the Covid-19 industry was partly to blame for this, factors such as increasing urbanization and the skyrocketing living space prices are also some of the factors fueling the self-storage market. If not right now, you will most probably need a storage unit yourself at some point when moving, renovating your house, decluttering, or relocating your business, just to name a few reasons to get one.
Now, you will also want to know what items you can store in the unit and what you shouldn’t put in there. Starting with how to get the right storage unit, this piece will cover some of the items you can and can’t store in a self-storage unit.
How To Hunt for A Storage Unit:
There are various factors to think about when looking to rent a storage unit. Of course, you’ll need to consider the purpose you need it for, what you’re going to store inside, and how long you need it for. You will also need to figure out the amount of space you need. Once you have these defined, the next important consideration will be the location, and that’s where the real hunt starts. Instead of spending days and money on the commute or phone calls, most people utilize self-storage finders online. If you’re looking for a storage unit in San Antonio TX, performing a search of those words using the tool should give you some concrete leads on facilities you can approach.
Other things you want to inquire about during your storage unit hunt include:
- Storage unit sizes and types
- When you can access your unit
- Rent prices
- Discounts and deals
- Security
- Anything else you need to know about – including restrictions on things you can store!
Things You Can Put in There:
While each and every facility will have its own regulations on storage, several items are basically allowed in storage units.
Some of these include the following:
- Household items like furniture, electronics, books, artwork, and décor items
- Workplace equipment like computers, file cabinets, books, and stationery
- Valuables like jewelry, personal electronics, antique items, and precious stones
- Household documents like birth certificates, bank and investment records
- Clothing and items like mattresses
- Larger possessions like vehicles, motorcycles, pianos, and gardening equipment
- And pretty much anything else that fits into the unit and isn’t prohibited by the law
What You Shouldn’t Put in Rented Storage:
After finding a befitting storage unit for your needs, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is storing illegal items or things prohibited by the law. These would include firearms, explosives, stolen goods, and hazardous materials.
It is also advisable not to put things that you won’t use anymore, like unwanted or broken items. While what you put in there is up to you as long as it isn’t prohibited, you might also want to think twice before using it for storing delicate or precious items like your wedding album, or expensive jewelry.
Most storage facilities also prohibit certain items, including food, live/dead beings, and even money. Having storage insurance can help minimize the risk, but it is considered safer to avoid storing priceless or irreplaceable belongings in a self-storage unit.
If you feel you’re not sure about storing a particular item in a storage unit, it is always wise to consult your facility provider.
Why Storage Units Are Regulated:
Self-storage units have been regulated by law since the mid-1990s. This is done to ensure sanity in the industry and to see to it that rented storage space is not used to commit a crime or cover up illegal activities. The rules and regulations may vary from one state/country to another, but the main aim is to ensure the safety of the users, their belongings, and the safety of others.
To sum it up, you may need to rent a storage unit for various reasons, but it all boils down to the need for extra space. Once you get it, knowing what to put and what not to put inside can help keep you from trouble with the law or your storage unit lessor. Hopefully, the above piece brought this to light for you!
