{"id":6717,"date":"2020-10-19T08:09:28","date_gmt":"2020-10-19T13:09:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/3.146.49.248\/?p=6717"},"modified":"2024-09-20T16:17:28","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T21:17:28","slug":"6-important-self-storage-tips-for-new-renters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelockup.com\/blog\/6-important-self-storage-tips-for-new-renters\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Important Self Storage Tips for New Renters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Over time, we accumulate a lot of stuff. This might not be apparent if you\u2019re living in the same house, but once you try moving, you\u2019ll be suddenly overwhelmed with excess. Even if you stay in the same home, one day you might wake up and feel cluttered or disorganized. If you don\u2019t want to get rid of any belongings, but you still want to take back your space, it\u2019s a good idea to consider renting a self storage unit. However, self storage for new renters isn\u2019t as straightforward as you\u2019d think. There are a lot of moving parts to self storage<\/a> and finding the best unit for you will make your experience exponentially better. But where do you start? Many people think that doing a quick Google search and finding the cheapest option is the best way to go about renting a self storage unit, but not all facilities are created equally and there\u2019s more to it than the cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re considering renting a self storage unit, but are a little confused as to where to start<\/a>, you\u2019ve come to the right place. In this article, we\u2019ll discuss everything you need to know about self storage tips for new renters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find a Good Deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While we don\u2019t recommend finding a self storage unit solely based on price, you should still compare your options. Some facilities offer new renters a discount for their patronage and others will give you special move-in rates or deals on long-term self storage usage<\/a>. You should also make sure that you do your research on location, flexible leasing options, and sizing. You don\u2019t want to pay for a self storage unit that\u2019s an hour away from your home\u2014especially if you\u2019re going to need to access it regularly. The same can be said about rigid lease terms. If you\u2019re unsure of how long you\u2019re going to want to use a storage unit, it\u2019s important to avoid getting locked in year-long leases or you\u2019ll end up wasting your money. Finally, the size of your storage unit will have a direct impact on cost, so you\u2019ll want to avoid paying for space you don\u2019t need.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understand What Size Storage Unit You Need<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To make sure you\u2019re only paying for the storage you need, it\u2019s important to determine which size storage unit will work best for your things<\/a>. To do this, you\u2019ll want to go through everything you\u2019ll be putting in storage and try to make some calculations. If at all possible, the best way to do this is to pack everything up and dedicate a room in your home for temporary storage. Will everything fit? Do you have bigger items that might take up more room<\/a>? Once you get a good idea of the space you\u2019ll need, consider renting one size up. This will allow you to avoid over cramping your unit and will make retrieving things easier later on.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Consider Climate Control<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For most things that you\u2019ll want to store, climate control will be your best option<\/a>. There are a few options for outdoor storage that are usually far cheaper than any climate or temperature controlled unit, but this also means that your things will be at a greater risk for damage. If you\u2019re storing boats or vehicles, outdoor storage might be an option depending on where you live. However, climate control will ensure that all of your belongings not only stay safe but that they\u2019re in the best condition possible. Climate and temperature control units have plenty of benefits<\/a> such as eliminating pests, reducing dust buildup, and decreasing damage due to fluctuating temperatures or humidity levels. Talk to your facility about their options for climate control prior to signing any contracts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Double Check Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some storage facilities offer an insurance policy on their units, others require that you hold your own insurance against loss or damages. Make sure that you double check the policy for your facility before you move forward. Sometimes, cheap facilities will require you to obtain expensive insurance policies from their preferred provider. This, in turn, ends up making it more expensive than other facilities that include insurance. Always double check the insurance policies and don\u2019t be afraid to ask any questions if you don\u2019t fully understand the fine print<\/a>. You may also be eligible to add your storage unit to your homeowner\u2019s insurance for a more comprehensive coverage.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a Plan for Packing Your Unit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve decided on where you\u2019re going to rent a unit, you need to make a plan as to how you\u2019re going to utilize your space. There are a few great tips and tricks for packing a self storage unit<\/a> but focusing on the basics are just as important.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect Your Belongings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, you want to make sure that you protect all of your belongings, so they don\u2019t get damaged in transit or during storage. To do this, use the correct packing materials and cover any antiques or fragile items with adequate cushioning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Create an Organized Layout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Next, it\u2019s important to create a layout prior to getting to your unit. Create enough space for aisles that allow you to access the contents of the back of your unit without having to empty everything in the front. We also recommend raising your items off the floor with pallets to encourage airflow. When packing your storage unit, make sure that the things you\u2019ll need to access more often are towards the front and things you\u2019ll only need sparingly are at the rear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pack Like with Like<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With that being said, try to pack like things with like. If you have holiday decorations or seasonal d\u00e9cor, pack things by holiday or season. If you have extra kitchen accessories, pack them all together. Pack winter clothes with other warm items and always make sure that you label your boxes. This will save you time and energy when you want to come back to your unit to retrieve things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Store Your Belongings Correctly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, take the time to do some research on how to store your belongings correctly. By utilizing pallets, you\u2019ll give everything the proper airflow it needs to avoid mold or mildew, but you also need to use the correct storage containers and packing materials<\/a>. Certain types of containers will damage certain items, so putting in some preliminary research is well worth the effort.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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Know How You\u2019ll Vacate Your Unit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you might plan on having your self storage unit for years, you still want to be familiar with your options if you need to vacate your unit.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Give Adequate Notice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a courtesy, always give your self storage facility adequate notice. If you\u2019re locked in a lease, they may be able to work out a deal with you to break the lease and avoid paying the remaining months. If you\u2019re in a flexible leasing term, your facility will still need to know your plans to vacate so they can prepare the unit for another renter in a timely manner. Talk to your facility about their end of lease terms and conditions to make sure that you\u2019re prepared in case of emergency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid Breaking Leases or Rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With that being said, you should try to avoid breaking any leases or self storage facility rules during the vacating process. If you signed a contract, breaking rules could lead to negative consequences. During your initial consultation with a new facility, make sure that you ask as many questions as you need and don\u2019t be afraid to get clarification when you don\u2019t understand something. It\u2019s better to take the time now and fully understand the rules than to unknowingly break them down the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Understand Payments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prior to moving forward with a self storage unit, make sure that you understand the payment plan<\/a> and what happens if you\u2019re late. Read your contract thoroughly to avoid any surprises and make sure that you ask any clarification questions regarding payments prior to anything happening. In extreme cases, late payments can lead to late fees or even repossession.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a new renter looking for a self storage unit, The Lock Up Self Storage is the perfect place to start. We offer flexible leasing options alongside a variety of storage options<\/a> to fit everyone\u2019s budget and varying needs. All of our units are temperature controlled and climate controlled to keep your things in the best condition possible. To give you even more peace of mind, all of our locations are equipped with top-of-the-line security features. Our secure self storage facilities feature security-controlled gate access, motion-sensitive lighting, 24-hour camera monitoring, and perimeter alarms. Many of our locations offer electronic coded access specific to each tenant. To find a self storage unit, contact one of the representatives at The Lock Up Self Storage today. Give us a call at 1-866-327-LOCK or find a unit online today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over time, we accumulate a lot of stuff. This might not be apparent if you\u2019re living in the same house, but once you try moving, you\u2019ll be suddenly overwhelmed with excess. Even if you stay in the same home, one day you might wake up and feel cluttered or disorganized. If you don\u2019t want to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":6743,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-moving-tips"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t