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STORAGE TIPS

How do Self Storage Units Work?

Posted on February 06, 2020

man holding box

Offload excess and downsize with a self-storage unit.

Self-storage provides a temporary or long-term home away from home in which to store your belongings. Usually, a variety of sized units are available to rent and are locked by the renter and then kept secure by the business providing the space. More than just shoving a few things into a locker, units need to be the right size, have security measures, and be accessible. Learn more as we answer all your questions on how self-storage units work.

 

Why it’s called ‘self’ storage:

Short for self-service storage, the concept of placing items in a secure space away from home is said to have come from ancient China. In those days, things such as rocks, bones, and other things considered as clutter were placed in large pots and buried underground in pits. While the same concept of ‘you store it, you lock it’ continues to this day, the industry has moved into the modern world to offer state-of-the-art security, multi-sized units, and drive-up as well as 24-hour access. You no longer have to dig into the earth!

 

Reasons to use self-storage: 

Self-storage can be used for several purposes, and especially if you lack storage space at your condo, apartment, dorm, house, office, or business. Some other reasons to use self-storage include: 

  • Downsizing
  • Moving or relocating
  • Renovation, building new home/office
  • Divorce or death in the family
  • Long-term travel, or seasonal vacationing

 

What can be placed in self-storage:  

Just about anything can be placed in self-storage, depending on what size unit you rent. Smaller 4X6-to-5X10–ft. lockers can be used to store items such as small furniture, mattresses, seasonal decorations, paperwork/files, and bike storage. Larger units can be used to store items such as a washer/dryer, large furniture pieces, recreational vehicles such as motorcycles and ATVs, and other items from a 2-4 bedroom home. Commercial establishments can also use self-storage facilities for warehousing products, equipment, and other goods.  

 

What shouldn’t be placed in self-storage:

Avoid storing anything alive, perishable, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, or explosive. This includes food products, propane and gas tanks, plants, live animals/pets, and hazardous materials.

 

How are items kept secure using self-storage:

Self-storage usually requires renters to provide their locks on individual units. However, storage businesses should offer overall security at their facility. For example, Kelowna storage business, Space Centre Storage, offers 24-hour security with digital code access gates, on-site personnel, 24-hour video monitoring, and more at its local storage facility.

 

For more information, read about Space Centre Storage’s Policies and FAQs.

 

Take advantage of the best deal on self-storage Kelowna prices at Space Centre Storage. Get 40 percent off for four months on all regular lockers and heated and 24-hour lockers. Includes the use of our complimentary move-in truck and driver. Contact us at 778-760-1713 to find out more.

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