Need A Storage Unit And It May Be Long Term? Look For A Facility With These Details In Mind

If you are looking to put a lot of your belongings into a storage unit for the undefined future, then you want to scout out the units in your area. You want to find a self-storage facility that has a lot of security, and that you can trust.

There are a lot of different things that should be taken into consideration before signing a long-term lease. Here are some of the details to pay attention to when you start comparing options.

Location

The unit should be located at a storage facility where you feel safe coming and going. In case you have to go to the unit in the early morning or late evening, it should be in an area where you don't fear crime or danger. The facility should be in a low-crime city or part of town, or in an area where there isn't a lot of traffic.

Security

Ask about the security details on the property and for each unit. There should be these details:

• 24-hour security camera monitoring
• Lighting for the parking lot and inside the units 24 hours a day
• Gated access at the entrance
• Key code entry for each unit

Management on the staff during daytime hours is also beneficial. It's more difficult for someone to be scouting out units or driving around without having a unit if someone is there in person to detect this activity.

Lease Terms

Look at the lease contract and read it thoroughly so you know what is expected of you as the renter and of them as the property owners. Details that should be inside the contract include:

• Payment dates
• Explanation of late fees or penalties
• Liability details
• Stored value limit
• Forms of payment
• Storage restrictions and limitations

Check to see if the self-storage offers any type of insurance on items in case there is a natural disaster, theft, pipe leak, or other unexpected problems. This may be a small dollar amount, so consider getting your own insurance.

Precautions  

Put your belongings in as many air-tight sealed containers as you can. Durable plastic containers are ideal for storage units because you don't have to worry about moisture getting inside, or pests. You also may want to spend the extra money to get a unit that has temperature regulation. This means you don't have to worry about getting in the unit when it's cold, or humidity being a problem when the days are hot.

A storage unit is one way to secure your belongings when you don't have a place for them, or just if you need extra space. Look around and find the safest facility at the best price.