People can choose to rent a storage unit for a multitude of different reasons. These reasons can vary from needing a place to store certain items when they are out of season, you’re downsizing and cannot deal with parting with all of your belongings, or even needing somewhere to store the items that were in the house of a loved one who has recently passed away. No matter the reason, finding out the information dealing with renting, maintaining, and using a storage unit can be quite intimidating.
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What are storage units?
Storage units are spaces that are built for people to use in order to store items. They are commonly insulated to protect the items from outside conditions such as rain, snow, and heat. They normally are locked areas of storage, which ensures that the items within the unit are not stolen.
People are then able to rent or buy these storage units. These people are often referred to as tenants, who store their belongings within the unit.
Places to rent a storage unit
When it comes to renting a storage unit near you there are often many different available locations, especially if you live in a bigger town. These locations can vary from commercially owned companies to locally small-owned businesses.
Commercially owned companies
Throughout the United States, you can find many commercially owned storage companies. Some of these companies include…
- U-Haul
- Life Storage
- Prime Storage
These companies often have set prices for their units, and a large variety of different-sized units. They often give you the option to purchase units either online or in person, for your convenience.
Locally owned small businesses
Local small businesses are owned by individuals that are in charge of their own companies and who answer only to themselves when it comes to business decisions. In a lot of towns, both large and small, you can find small business owners who rent out storage units to the local citizens.
These storage units can be of any size, but each location typically only has a few available units. The positive to buying a local storage unit is that it is a place for you to store your items. You are also helping local businesses to make a profit within your own community.
How much is a storage unit to rent?
Renting a storage unit may seem daunting because it can seem like a big price commitment, and it is! When renting a unit it is important to realize that the bigger the volume, the more expensive it will be. Storage unit costs often vary depending on the company you are renting from.
Small Units
Small storage units are normally between 50 square feet and 500 square feet, with the ceiling height being 10 feet. The price range for a small unit typically ranges from $50 to $75 a month.
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Medium Units
Medium storage units are usually between 1,000 square feet and 1,500 square feet, with the ceiling height being 10 feet. The average price range for a medium-sized unit is $90 to $140 per month.
Large Units
Large storage units typically are between 1,750 square feet and 2,500 square feet, and the ceiling heights can range from 10 to 20 feet. The normal price range for this size of unit is $150 to $200 a month.
How to rent a storage unit?
When it comes to physically renting a storage unit a lot of facilities offer ways to pay the rent either in person or online. You want to ensure the facilities units include what you are specifically looking for. Check to see if it is climate controlled, has surveillance devices and security to monitor the units, and if they have the specific size unit that you want.
After you find the location where you want to rent the unit and the size of the unit you want, it is finally time to put a payment down on the unit. Then you can find a company, or some friends to help you move your belongings into the unit. You may find that using a labor-only moving company can help to reduce the cost of moving your items.
What do you need to rent a storage unit?
When you’re preparing for this task there are a few items that you need to be able to sign off on the paperwork and to ensure your items are stored properly. One thing that you are going to need is a government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s license. This will be required when you fill out your renter’s contract.
Another item that you may need is a lock to keep your items secured since not all locations will provide them for individual unit doors.
After you ensure your contract is filled out properly and you know your items are secure within the unit you are all set!
Conclusion
Renting a storage unit can be a very stressful event, but it does not have to be! The key is to do your research beforehand and get a base idea of what you want and where you want to rent your unit.
Start with the base idea of what type of unit you want, cost, size, and what the company provides for security. Once you have these preferences, you are all ready to pick out which storage unit you want to rent!
Jessica is a students at the University of Northern Iowa. She is majoring in English Education with a creative writing minor. In her free time she loves to read books of every genre, write short stories, and spend time with friends. In the future she hopes to share her love for reading and writing with her future students.
