Using Storage Facilities
As you unpack box after box in your new apartment, it slowly dawns on you that you have nowhere near enough room for the stuff you lugged over from your old home. You wonder how this can be because you carefully cleaned out every room of your house before you moved. If this situation sounds like yours, renting a storage unit may be your next best move. Here are some tips for getting your things stored and kept safe without draining what’s left of your paycheck.
How to Rent a Unit
- Try to find a unit that is near your apartment so it’s easier to get to your belongings when you need them. You can ask your landlord or neighbors for a referral, use the yellow pages or search online.
- Determine the type and size of storage unit you will need. You can choose from a variety of sizes and can usually change to a smaller or larger unit later on if you need to. Consider the level of security and whether or not the units are temperature-controlled. If you have valuable items that could break in extreme temperatures, a controlled unit will help protect them. A temperature-controlled unit will also ensure that heat-sensitive items including videotapes, albums, photographs and precious wood furniture are preserved.
- Some units have features like additional shelving, file boxes or racks. If you have any special needs, ask the manager if they can be accommodated.
- Make sure that you will have unlimited access to the unit without an appointment and won’t need to wait long to get into your unit. This is fairly standard but you should always ask before you rent.
- Your items remain your responsibility while they are in self-storage, so you should have your belongings insured. If you have renter’s insurance, call and ask if off-site items are included in the coverage. You may have to add a rider or a separate policy but it should be relatively inexpensive.
- Read your storage agreement carefully, just as you would a lease for an apartment. If you don’t understand something, feel free to ask. Keep the document in a safe place in case you need to refer to it later.
Packing for Storage
You want your belongings to be easy to access and well-preserved. Here are some tips on how to pack the belongings you will be putting into storage:
- Do not store: hazardous, flammable, explosive, perishable, environmentally harmful items (some paints, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.) or anything that may be a risk to the property of any person (acid, gasoline, etc.).
- Use high-quality boxes so that they will not collapse or break easily. Using boxes of the same size will make them easier to stack. Make sure each box is completely sealed in packing tape to keep out dust and debris.
|
Email this Article
Print this Article
