When you are trying to make more space in your home, getting rid of clutter is a great way to do this. However, while freeing your living space of the items you no longer want can be beneficial, what if you’re still left feeling cramped in your home? Not everyone will want to sell, donate, or recycle everything they own as many things can have sentimental value, but if you don’t have space for it at home, where should it go? Self-storage units can be the perfect solution in these circumstances, but they can also benefit a variety of other scenarios that you might find yourself in. Below are some examples of the benefits of short-term storage and how they can help your situation.
- Flexible Contracts
One of the best things about leasing a storage unit is that usually, they come with flexible contracts. Many people are only looking for a short-term lease, particularly if they are in the middle of moving house, will be out of the country or area for a few months, or are having renovations done on the house. However, having the option to continue your lease if you do need a few more months or a long-term solution is also possible and can help give people peace of mind that they won’t be left panicking about where to house their belongings.
- Affordable Cost
Many people have been put off leasing storage units because they think it will be too expensive. This may be the case for some, but the truth is that storage units usually have very affordable monthly rates. The size and type of storage unit you lease will impact the price, but generally speaking, it’s not going to break the bank. Use comparison websites to find the best rates in your area, which could help you make even further savings.
- All Kinds of Storage Solutions
Another perk of short-term or long-term storage units is that they can be used for keeping all kinds of items safe. It’s not just a place to put your boxes of old toys, clothes, and other household items, but you can also lease units that are suitable for cars, boats, and even climate-controlled units, which are best for items that will be sensitive to temperature change. You can even use these units to help you organize your business more effectively if you are a business owner, whether that is a temporary solution while you’re in between office spaces, or as a long-term place to keep important paperwork, office equipment, etc.
- Buys You More Time
If you are moving house, but the process is moving faster than originally anticipated, or you need to move quickly for some other reason, it can be overwhelming. Many people like to use a move as an opportunity to declutter and sort through their belongings, but if you need to go in a rush, this leaves very little time to do this. Getting rid of your items too quickly could leave you with regret once things have calmed down, and this is why a short-term storage unit can be greatly beneficial. Moving your belongings into this unit can buy you some more time, allowing you to sort through your items at a calmer pace and to take your time deciding what you want to keep and what can be given away or sold.
- Easy Access
You might be worried about putting your belongings into storage because you’re not sure how easy it will be to access your items during the week, thanks to your working schedule. While all storage facilities will have different opening hours, the majority will be open from early in the morning to late in the evening and the same on weekends. Some facilities may even operate 24-hour access. Either way, you won’t need to worry about never being available to access your storage unit during the day, as you can always go later in the evening if these hours are better for you.
Other Things to Think About Before Signing a Lease
All of the above benefits are great reasons to consider short-term storage, but there are a few other things you will need to think about before you sign a lease. When you are looking for a storage facility, make sure that you’re considering the distance that facility is from your home. You don’t want to travel for hours to get to access your belongings, especially in emergencies. Most towns and cities will have more than one facility to choose from, but you may have to travel a little longer than average if you’re in a rural area. Either way, you don’t want to be driving for more than an hour to access your storage unit, and preferably no more than thirty minutes if possible.
You should also check out the security at the facility you are interested in before you sign a lease. The majority of storage facilities will come with good security measures, such as gated entry, CCTV, onsite security guards, and an alarm system. However, not all facilities will be as good, so always ask about this when you visit. You should also take additional security precautions when you get your storage unit, such as buying a quality lock and even setting up CCTV inside your unit. You should also check the unit for any signs of damage before moving your stuff in and immediately notify the management team of any issues, taking photographic evidence. This will help ensure there is no confusion and you do not get blamed for any problems with the unit once your lease is up.
If you are in the middle of moving house, doing renovations, traveling, or have some other need for short-term storage, consider the benefits of leasing a unit. If you have never done this before, you will be surprised to see how efficient they are as a storage solution, and you might even be tempted to continue using a storage unit in the future.