What to look for a storage facility/unit?

	Does the facility appear neat & clean?
	Is it free of graffiti?
	Is the rental office clean and tidy?
	Are the grounds kept up?
	Is the perimeter secure?
	Are there extended access hours?
	Is there significant lighting and security?
	Is the lot free of debris?
	Is the restroom clean?

What size do you need?

	Determine what items you will be storing.
	House vs. apartment
	Seasonal decorations?
	Appliances?
	Antique furniture?
	Will you be constantly accessing the space?
	Will you leave the items undisturbed for a long period of time?

Cubic vs. Square footage

Cubic feet is the measurement generally used by the moving companies who load up and transport your property. Square feet is the measurement commonly used in the self-service storage industry to denote a unit (or mini) size. Here is the basic formula. A 10 x 10 storage unit is 100 square feet of floor space. (Multiply the length times the width) If the unit has a 10' high ceiling, multiply the square footage by 10 feet high to come up with a total of 1000 Cubic feet. Or a 7 x 10 with an 8 foot ceiling would be 70 square feet or 560 cubic feet.

What about the facility staff?

	The staff members should be friendly and helpful.
	Do you feel comfortable?
	Is the office organized and clean?
	Are you given options and shown the various sizes available within your needs range?

How do I judge the security?

	Security varies from facility to facility
	Some will have state of the art equipment and monitoring; others may have none.
	Ask the facility about their security record.
	Ask your storage consultant which methods of security they employ.
	Look for the following security features: Computer controlled gate access Secure perimeter fencing Fire sprinklers or smoke alarms Keyed access to units (what type and how secure) Security alarms on each unit Security cameras Resident Manager

Are there any rules and regulations I need to be aware of?

	First, read your contract.
	Ignorance is not an excuse for breaking the rules.
	Be sure you are aware of any posted regulations.
	Most regulations are simple common sense items.
	Obey the facility speed limit.
	Obey the access hours.
	Don't use space heaters or smoke in units.
	Do not store illegal items, perishable foods, grains, toxic or flammable materials.

What are the laws regarding self-storage?

	Self -service storage laws vary from state to state.
	Ask the facility staff what you need to be aware of as a consumer in your state.

What amenities can I expect?

	Some facilities offer simple things such as a water cooler, coffee, and snacks.
	There may be an area to rest in, or wait for movers to arrive. There may be telephones for customer use, fax machines, etc. Some facilities offer climate control for severe weather areas.

How can I be a terrific customer?

	Observe the rules.
	Pay your rent on time.
	Be courteous
	Don't be a messy tenant.
	Obviously no illegal activities.
	Be observant and notify the facility management if anything looks wrong to you.

Do I need insurance?

	Insurance is a subject you want to discuss with the staff.
	Do they offer insurance as an add-on to rent?
	Does the facility insure your belongings? Most companies will offer you an insurance booklet to help you obtain self-storage insurance through very reputable companies. Others will process insurance for you. Another option for you to consider is working with your homeowners or renters insurance agent to discuss additional coverage for your stored items.

What if I don't pay my rent on time?

	You may lose everything you have stored! Always know the law.
	Late fees and penalties may occur at the very least.
	Self-storage does not generally fall under the same guidelines as renting an apartment. Know your rights and responsibilities.

What are ancillary products & services?

	Locks! Everyone needs one. Almost all facilities will offer locks for sale.
	Other items that may be offered include; packing boxes and materials moving trucks (either free or for rent) moving personnel free use of furniture dollies and carts.

Change of address notification

	This is a very important piece of information people often forget.
	It is imperative that you notify the facility of any address & telephone number changes.
	Provide the facility with an alternate, stable, contact person.

When can I access my unit?

	Again the variety of options available are endless.
	Know what your access requirements will be, then select a facility accordingly.

Are pests & rodents a problem?

	Some facilities may have a monthly service contract with a pest company to avoid problems.
	You should expect to encounter ants & spiders just as you do at home.

What types of rental can I expect?

Month to month vs. Leases A month to month contract is standard, with rent due on the first of the month. Anniversary billing is always due on the same day of the month. Month to month contracts allow you to cancel at any time according to the terms of your rental agreement. A lease is an agreement to rent for a specified amount of time, and penalties for early termination may occur.

Will a self-storage facility pro-rate my rent?

Ask the facility about their policy. The range of pro-ration methods varies widely, and you are only concerned with the method your selected facility uses.

Will my things stay clean & dry?

	Will you be going into your unit each week to vacuum and dust like you do your home? Probably not, so expect some dirt and dust to accumulate.
	To protect your property, it is advisable to throw old sheets or cotton material over your belongings.
	Plastic shrink-wrap is not recommended where a moist climate may be a problem.
	Check with the facility for recommendations specific to the geographical area. They may advise you to use an air-drying agent or raise belongings up on pallets.

What is SSA?

The SSA is the national Self-Storage Association. When selecting a facility, ask if they are a member, or check their Yellow page advertisement for the membership logo. SSA member facilities usually offer superior service and are more knowledgeable about industry changes, which affect their business, and you, their customers.

How do I make the best use of the space I rent?

	Determine what you are storing and plan ahead.
	Decide which items can be stacked on top of each other.
	Try to utilize the height and leave access space for aisle ways in the unit.

Use uniform sized boxes for easy stacking.

Pack each box fully, but not too heavy.

Label your boxes on all sides.

Photograph the contents of the boxes or…

Make a detailed list and post it on the outside of the box.

Keep an inventory of stored items.

Make a videotape of the unit and boxes, as they are loaded.

This is a good idea for locating items & for insurance purposes if needed.

Use mothballs judiciously. Too many can be hazardous to you and other tenants.

Place an open box of baking soda inside appliances to prevent a musty smell.

Wipe down metal items (bicycle handle bars, tools etc.) with a little machine oil to prevent rust.

Utilize the interior of large appliances and furniture as additional storage space.

Leave a walkway to the back of your unit.

Put down a moisture barrier on the floor of ground level units. (pallets, plastic sheeting, old carpet)

Place frequently used items near the door.

Stack carefully to avoid leaning stacks that could tip and fall.

Carefully wrap all fragile items and place on top of heavier items.

Leave appliance doors ajar. Tuck a towel in the appliance door to prevent it from closing.

Pack books flat to protect their spine.

Store records on edge to prevent warping.

Secure moving parts on electronic equipment (needle armatures on phonographs)

Pack the remote control with the item it belongs to.

Mirrors, artwork, windows, screens & glass tabletops should be stored on edge, not flat.

Place mattresses in large bags specifically designed for this purpose.

Why would I want to store my belongings?

	Your house is too full and company is coming for an extended stay.
	You are a student leaving a dorm room for the summer to go home.
	You're planning a home-remodeling project.
	You want to store bulky tools that are used sporadically, like table saws or carpet cleaners.
	You can't bear to part with Junior's crib, but there's no room for it at home.
	You are selling your home and want to clear out clutter before buyers come through.
	You are between homes and warehousing your goods can be expensive and troublesome.
	Seasonal decorations, & lawn furniture can be safely locked away out of season.

Are there any business uses for self-storage?

	Storing of records off-site (renting office space to accommodate more records is comparably higher).
	Tradesmen & construction tools can be locked up at night.
	Extra warehousing space.
	Storage of extra office furnishings.
	Bulky holiday decorations can be stored out of the way.
	Seasonal rental for holiday merchandise for stores & malls.

What other types of things have been stored in units?

The list is endless, but here are a few ideas. 25' tall Bugs Bunny & Daffy Duck statues (store decorations) Restored antique vehicles Jet Skis/Wave Runners Snow mobiles Small boats Camper shells