3 Things to Look for in a Temporary Storage Space
While it may be preferable to move all your belongings straight from your existing home to your new home, the timing may not always work out in your favor. In these instances, placing the bulk of your belongings in storage can be the most convenient course of action. Before you sign a storage lease, be sure to reacquaint yourself with the three things to look for in your new temporary storage space.
Accessibility
Your ability to get into your storage unit when you need something is a critical factor to consider before you lease a unit. Among these factors include:
- Hours of operation
- Location
- Placement of unit.
It also bears mention that any security features that may slow down your access to the facility are worth the inconvenience, as they’ll help to keep your belongings safe from would-be thieves.
While some self-storage units may provide you with 24-hour access, this isn’t quite the boon it appears when your storage unit is nowhere near your lodgings or your place of business. Conversely, having a nearby storage unit does you little good when you only have access to your things during the hours you’re expected to be at the office.
Cleanliness
Although no one expects their storage space to be spotless, the condition of your unit can ultimately impact the safety of everything you put inside. For instance, excessive dirt and debris in your unit has the ability to scratch anything you move during loading and unloading. While it’s certainly easy enough to sweep out your unit prior to moving anything in, issues with the texture of the flooring itself could cause irrevocable damage to some stored items.
The condition of the overall storage facility also matters. Rodents and other pests are frequent concerns in storage spaces. Even if you don’t see the evidence of any pests, you may still want to check with management about how they keep pests from infesting individual storage spaces prior to signing any paperwork.
Climate
Depending on what you plan to store, the climate could be one of the most important aspects of choosing a storage space. Excess and prolonged exposure to heat, cold and humidity have the potential to damage everything from furniture to documents. Selecting a climate-controlled storage space could be the best way to ensure your belongings come out of storage in the same condition they were in when you placed them into storage.