Most people have at least heard of self storage, even if they have no idea what it really is. We wanted to take some time and explain the basics of renting a self storage unit. Read more to understand the industry and learn a little more about self storage
First, be sure to stop by the facility and talk to the property manager. Rule of thumb, a facility with a property manager on-site will provide you with better service, more security, and a great resource to go to when you have questions or concerns. If there is no manager onsite, it’s best to find a facility that offers this benefit. All of our Moove In Self Storage facilities have an on-site property manager who is ready to become your new BFF.
How To Rent a Storage Unit: The Basics
Here are a few basics to know and take care of when you’re ready to rent your self storage unit:
- Determine which size storage unit you will need.
Our friendly property managers can help you figure this out with just a few questions and by showing you some actual storage units on site. We even offer an online unit size calculator to get you started. - Bring at least one form of Photo I.D. with you.
When you are ready to sign the lease and rent your storage unit, you will need to show photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport or other state or government issued photo identification. - Show proof of rental insurance or purchase insurance on site.
Our lease requires that you carry rental insurance for your self storage unit. If your property is worth storing, it is worth insuring. Not to mention that it gives you peace of mind that your belongings are safe while in storage at our facility and you are covered if anything happens. You can present proof of your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance when you sign the lease, or you can purchase insurance through a third-party provider which we offer on site. If you have questions, simply ask our property managers and they will gladly help! - Be sure to have some form of payment.
You will need to pay for your first month’s rent upon signing the lease. We accept cash, check or money order, and major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover). We can even help you set up future payments using our online payment system where you can have monthly payments applied automatically on a certain date or manually make payments when you log in.
How to Rent a Storage Unit: Questions to Ask
Now that we have covered some of the basics, we wanted to give you answers to some of the questions we receive frequently:
How long is my lease?
All of our leases are month-to-month, which means no long-term contracts. You decide how long you need to keep your storage unit. Another benefit we offer on our leases is that we prorate them after the 1st of the month when you move in. So, if you sign the lease on the 15th, you’re not paying for the first 14 days of the month.
When is the rent due?
Storage unit rent is due on the first (1st) of each month. If rent is not paid by the fifth of the month, a late fee is assessed and continues to accrue. But don’t worry – we make it easy to pay your rent on time! Read our blog “Here’s the 411 on Making Payments…” to learn more about making payments.
Can my spouse or another alternate contact pay my account balance?
Yes. Anyone can make a payment on your account. If someone else does make a payment on your account, no account information will be given to them. We we value your privacy. Account information is only given to the person who signed the lease, no exceptions.
When can I access my unit?
Gate access is from 6am-10pm seven days a week for Moove In, which includes holidays. We also offer 24-hour access if requested and approved. We understand that some people work different shifts and need access outside the normal hours. You will always need your individual gate access code that is given to you when you sign the lease. This helps us know who is on the property at all times, offering you added security when you access your unit. No one can enter the gate unless they are a current tenant. Gate access is something you’ll always want to know a lot about when it’s time to rent a storage unit.
Can I contact you after hours?
You sure can! We have a call service that will answer the phones outside normal business hours. They can take a message for the property manager, take rental payments over the phone and answer many of your questions on the spot. If a return call is necessary, the property manager will contact you as soon as he or she is back in the office.
These are just a few of the most common questions we are asked. If you want to learn more about self storage you can read over our large list of Frequently Asked Questions.
In Closing
Simply fill out our contact form or call 866-645-1515 if you would like more information on how to rent a storage unit or wish to talk directly to a property manager. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Originally posted 1/7/2014; Updated 8/4/2021