Six Crucial Mistakes To Avoid When Renting a Storage Unit

Are you about to rent a self-storage unit? Regardless of your reason for using storage space, it’s essential for the room to be of the proper size, secure, and well-organized.

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When choosing a self-storage unit, many individuals end up with either too small or too large container that lacks the necessary features for proper storage of their belongings. In some cases, people store the wrong type of items, use improper wrapping material, or fail to label the boxes. Consequently, they face difficulties in the process of managing the unit in a fast and effective manner. These are the most crucial mistakes to avoid when renting storage space.

Choosing the Wrong Size

Probably the most common mistake individuals make when renting a self-storage unit is miscalculating the size of the container. Some people opt for a small-sized unit in order to reduce the monthly rent cost, without considering the risk of damage. The more items you cram inside the container the higher the chances of some of them breaking, particularly the ones placed in the back. In contrast, other individuals use self-storage rooms that are too spacious for their possessions, thus splurging more money on storage than necessary. Therefore, make sure you take the right measurements of the bulkiest items prior to selecting a size so as to estimate the approximate space amount you’ll need. You can also use the assistance of online calculators, specially designed for this purpose, to help you determine the right size. Click here for some useful tips about measuring things without a ruler.

Disregarding Insurance

Not insuring the belongings is another frequent mistake customers make when storing their possessions in a self-storage unit. Most storage facilities provide no insurance options to clients, hence taking no responsibility in case any of the objects gets misplaced, damaged, or stolen. In order to prevent such scenarios from taking place, customers are strongly advised to insure their belongings prior to transferring them to the container. Insurance companies offer favorable policies that provide coverage in the event of theft or deterioration. Consequently, you won’t have to worry about the condition of your belongings even in the worst-case scenarios.

Neglecting Security

One of the most common oversights of people renting self-storage units is taking no notice of the security measures of the premises they’ve chosen. Storage facilities are expected to be equipped with the required safety features to ensure no items get stolen or damaged by intruders. Therefore, it’s paramount to inquire about the security features of each facility on your shortlist, thus immediately neglecting the ones that fail to provide the basic requirements. Most of the reputable storage companies, like https://www.storageplus.com.au/, equip their facilities with CCTV cameras, security fences, alarm systems, and security guards whose presence is of essential importance. Choosing a unit with a wooden door over one with a metal door may prove to be a costly mistake. Make sure you sign no renting lease prior to asking the right security questions, as well as requesting a property tour from the staff members. Seeing no CCTV cameras, no padlocks, or alarm systems is a valid reason to raise the alarm and eliminate the facility from your list.

Storing the Wrong Kind of Items

Another mistake to avoid when using a self-storage unit is storing things that aren’t supposed to be stored in such rooms. For instance, food should be never kept in a self-storage container due to the high likelihood of becoming mouldy and rotten. Also, food is likely to attract pests, which will deteriorate your belongings in no time, particularly the furniture, as well as spread an awful smell around the place. Apart from food, you also aren’t supposed to store plants due to the lack of light and water. Similar to food, plants will eventually rot and spread a foul-smelling odor. Additionally, some people make the mistake of keeping their pets inside self-storage containers, which is absolutely inhumane. Pets require eating regular meals, drinking enough water, and getting the necessary attention. Moreover, self-storage units aren’t the right place for keeping hazardous materials in the form of propane, petrol, kerosene, and other chemicals. Improper storage of such material is likely to result in a life-threatening explosion.

Using Newspaper to Wrap your Possessions

In the course of packing their belongings for storage, most people wrap them inside a newspaper without considering the potential damage done by newspaper ink. Keep in mind that the ink will most likely smudge your items, particularly in the case of using a unit with no climate control. Although using a newspaper seems like a more convenient alternative, wrapping the items in bubble wrap provides better protection. If not all, make sure you pack at least the most fragile items in bubble wrap to prevent unnecessary damage. Using the inward side of this material will provide the required friction that holds the objects in place. Some of the storage companies sell bubble wrap at their facilities for customers to purchase when necessary.

Putting no Label on Your Boxes

Not labelling the boxes inside self-storage units is yet another oversight of individuals, which complicates the process of finding the items they look for. While packing, many people try to save time by not labelling the boxes, without considering the time-consuming nature of unpacking. Box labelling has proven to be particularly beneficial for people moving to a new home, using the unit for temporary storage of their belongings. Even if you rent the self-storage container for long-term use, it’s important to keep it organized. Make sure you put a clear label on everything in order to avoid searching for an item for hours by looking inside each box. Using your organizing skills on time would save you plenty of time in the future, like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Final thoughts

When renting a self-storage unit, make sure your possessions are insured, secured, properly packed, and well-organized. It’s the only way to keep them safe!