You have downsized to a small property, but you have yet to sort through all of your belongings. You do not really want to put up with climbing over boxes and bags in your new home; but what else can you do? Self-storage is an affordable option; one that means you can keep your items, until you decide what you want to do with them in the long term.
Many people worry about the safety aspects of storage units. The good news is that once you sign the contract to hire a self-storage unit, you are the only person who has access to it.
Security of a Self-Storage Unit
You are the only person who has access to a storage unit, once you have paid to use it. No-one else has any keys and you can use your own lock on the unit. Only you know what is inside, and you can store whatever you choose to, as long as you can comply with storage rules.
As you start to sort through your belongings, and want to get rid of the stuff you do not need, you can move items out of the unit. If you have other belongings that you want to move in, that is fine.
When can the Unit be Accessed by Someone Else?
The only time that someone else can enter your self-storage unit is if you do not keep up with the payment of fees. The owner of the facility will normally try and resolve the issue with you first. If this does not work, they can force entry to the unit and seize goods to sell at auction.
They need to advertise the fact that the items are being sold, in the press, on at least two occasions. They also need to notify you of the date of the auction. This means that you have plenty of chance to settle the debt before the auction, or to buy back your belongings during the auction.
It’s a good idea to make sure you know exactly what you have to pay and when, before you sign any contract. This helps you to avoid any problems with payment of fees. If you pay your fees according to the agreed schedule, your storage unit remains secure, and can only be accessed by you.
Renting a storage unit is a good idea if you have limited space due to downsizing. It can also be an excellent ongoing solution for storing seasonal items, such as garden furniture. You should not worry about the security of items, but you may want to think about checking your house contents insurance, to see if items are covered, in case of problems such as a flood. If they are not covered, you can take out self-storage insurance, for additional peace of mind.
