What’s involved in renting a self-storage unit? You’re about to find out!
A storage rental can be as simple or complicated as you want to make it. At its core, all you really have to do is go to a self-storage facility, sign up for the right unit size, and then move in.
However, you might want to do some research into the facility you choose, the services you need, the size of unit you need, whether there are any discounts or offerings, whether you really need to store everything you think you need to store, and maybe a few others things too!
Below, we’ve compiled a thorough guide filled with professional advice (psst - we’ve been in the self-storage industry for decades so we are genuine storage experts) and links to tons of resources we’ve made over the years which will help you not only understand self-storage, but help you rent a self-storage unit, and even get the most out of your storage rental.
This wouldn’t be an ultimate guide on self-storage if we didn’t go over the basics of what self-storage is and how it works. Check out our very helpful blog post, How Does Self-Storage Work?, which explains:
If you’re curious about A Day in the Life of a Self-Storage Facility – we’ve written about that too so check it out!
It is very important that you do your research into storage facilities in your area before you sign up. We cannot stress this enough.
Most people start their search for a local self-storage facility online. You can get a lot of information online (especially on websites, social media channels and even from online reviews). If there is anything you cannot find information about or if you have specific questions, you can easily call, text, email, or DM the self-storage facility. This is a great way to ‘test drive’ their customer service.
When you go onto Google and search “self-storage Milton”, “self-storage Woodstock” or just “self storage near me”, a large number of storage facilities will come up. From this point on you have access to their websites, social channels, reviews and more. Invest the time to check out their websites and vet their online presence to learn more about who they are, how they do business, how they treat customers online, etc. You’ll be able to collect enough info to get your list down to two or three facilities to consider renting a unit from.
Not all Storage Facilities are the same. Whether you’re a first-time self-storage user, or you’ve rented in the past, you’ll quickly notice throughout your search online for the best self-storage facility, that not all storage facilities are the same. To find a self-storage facility that checks off all the boxes on your list, here are 8 essential questions to ask each facility you vet.
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing the right storage facility:
We have a blog dedicated to just that - surprise! Check out everything you need to know for how to choose the right size storage unit to rent.
Sign up differs from facility to facility - some are 100% paper, some are 100% digital, some are a mix of both. Here at Storage Solutions, we offer online digital sign up and we do have a paper option should a customer request this (accessibility is important), and we’re happy to oblige. Signing up for your storage rental shouldn’t take too long. BTW - you can rent in minutes on the Storage Solutions website – we make renting that easy for our customers!
It is very common to have to provide photo id at the time of contract signing for security purposes. We have it here at Storage Solutions, and it helps keep you safe when on our premises.
All facilities require you to sign a contract and most people rush through this step. Why the rush? Because they’re usually signing up in a hurry while their U-Haul is parked out front. You can always ask for the contract in advance so you can read it properly.
When you sign up to rent storage, you should also pay close attention to these 3 things:
TIP – Make sure you get any facility emergency after-hours contact info so that you can get assistance if needed. Save it in your email or phone so that you have access to it. We have helpful signs posted around our storage facility, so our customers always have access to it.
Your self-storage lock is very important. Not all storage locker locks are created equal which makes choosing the best storage unit lock very important. Check out these tips for choosing a lock for your storage unit.
The hard part is your moving day. Self storage does mean that you’re doing the heavy lifting (or movers are), and moving day is usually stressful and takes longer than you think it will. Some tips to help make it easier:
You shouldn’t dump things into your unit and then forget about it. If you’re paying a monthly rental, you should get value out of that! Make sure to check in on your unit, look at what you have packed in your unit and update your contact information with our office. We’re always happy to have our customers come in and say “hi” and to answer any questions you may have.
Here are tips and expert advice for how to get the most out of the storage unit rental:
We hope you found the information in our ultimate storage rental guide helpful. Have any questions? Call us or email us with any questions you might have – we’re always happy to help!
Whether you are new to self-storage or are a seasoned storage renter, you can count on the team at Storage Solutions for affordable and easy to rent storage.
Ready to rent? You can rent a storage unit online through our website, as well as pay your rent online and let us know you're moving out.
Curious about our facilities? Take a look at our YouTube channel for quick tour videos of our facilities and the different sized self-storage units for rent.
Have questions about renting a storage unit at our Milton self-storage facility or Woodstock self-storage facility? Call or send us a text at 905-854-1008. You can also email us at info@storagesolutionsontario.com.
Want more info…or maybe some fun? For more helpful tips & tricks, advice, or a good laugh, keep up with our blog and like or follow us on Instagram & Facebook.
Your friend in self-storage,
Storage Solutions