The self-storage industry is a fast-growing industry, which means a large percentage of our customers are first time users.
While self-storage makes a lot of sense to us, and is fairly simple, we 100% understand that this may not be the case for others. We know that when you’re new to things, it’s nice to get an instruction booklet...so consider this blog post just that! :)
A self-storage unit is a clean, dry, secure place, located within a self-storage facility. The self-storage unit is rented just to you – at Storage Solutions, our customers provide their own lock and keep the key to the lock.
The self-storage facility is a larger “compound”, either a building where storage units are inside and accessed through a loading bay door, and if there are multiple stories, then also through an elevator, or an outdoor space where units are drive-up. Storage Solutions offers both drive-up and interior storage.
The self-storage facility should have video cameras, security, gate access, and locks on the unit doors. The self-storage units should be clearly labelled with a unit number, and the facility should be well-lit because you will likely have to access your unit during an evening at some point.
Renting a self-storage unit is fairly simple. You provide your name, address, contact information, method of payment and sign a rental agreement. The rental agreement covers things like your unit size, rent rate, liability, insurance, and what is permitted.
At Storage Solutions, we provide you with a move-in confirmation that sets out your access code, your unit number and rental date. We also have links to our website so that you can keep that one email and easily work out how to get in touch with us, how to make your monthly payments, and what to do when you move out.
At Storage Solutions, we rent month-to-month on your anniversary date. This means that if you rent a unit on the 5th of the month, your rent is due on the 5th of every month afterwards. Rent is paid at the beginning of the month and is tracked through our computer software. We accept many forms of payment, but we recommend you sign-up for monthly automatic payments through your credit card, so that you don’t have to think about your storage unit every month. You can also pay your rent online through our website.
Accessing your self-storage unit is typically the “newest” thing customers do, because most people have signed a monthly lease at some point in their life. Access is easy though. We give you an access code, you punch that into the keypad and the gate opens. For our interior units, you punch your code into the keypad and the door opens. We have cameras on our keypads, around our yards, and also at key points, so we track the identity of people accessing the facility.
Once you are inside the self-storage facility, you walk or drive-up to your unit, use your key that you keep to unlock the lock on the storage unit door, and open your storage unit door. We provide privacy to our customers, so you might notice our staff members doing maintenance, cleaning or a walk-around, but we are not lurking by your unit, trying to catch a glimpse of what is inside. That would bug us too!
Self-storage facilities typically rent on a monthly basis, so move-out notice is often 30 days in advance. Here at Storage Solutions, we require at least 7 days notice prior to a customer vacating their storage unit rental. We also make moving out easy. Customers moving out, can notify us right from our website with just a few clicks. Visit our Moving Out page for all the details.
Self-storage is a little strange when you first try it, but once you have, we promise, you’ll love it. It’s amazing to have an off-site locker room, man cave, seasonal storeroom, garage, etc. And you will feel secure with the extra access requirements, video cameras and lighting.
If you have questions, or want to know more, we do also have tours of our Milton Self-Storage or Woodstock self-storage locations posted on YouTube. This is a no-pressure way to see what a self-storage facility is really like.
And if you’re ready to rent, give us a call or send us a text at 905-854-1008, or email us at info@storagesolutionsontario.com or you can rent 24/7 online through our website.
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Your friend in self-storage,
Storage Solutions
