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The 10 Commandments of Self Storage

Krista Diamond | August 22, 2016 @ 10:00 AM

Whether you’re religious or not, you can probably learn something from the Bible. Some lessons, like the whole being a good person thing, are still pretty relevant today. Others, like divine bear attacks, not so much. While the Bible is certainly comprehensive, it is missing one thing: self storage. That’s why we created the 10 Commandments of Self Storage.

1. Thou shalt not forget to read thy lease.

Don’t sign those documents without giving them at least a cursory glance. The lease isn’t just a piece of paper that your facility manager files away somewhere. It’s an official agreement that outlines what you can and cannot reasonably expect from your storage facility. It goes over basic things like the size of your unit along with more complex topics like what happens if you don't pay your rent.

2. Thou shalt not put dirty items into storage.

No one wants to have their stuff destroyed by mildew, mold or bugs. No matter what you’re storing, take the time to clean it properly before boxing it up. This is especially true of soft items like clothing and upholstered furniture which are more likely to absorb moisture and suffer damage.

3. Thou shalt not leave items unsecured.

You’re paying to keep your belongings safe, so why not get your money’s worth? Choose a storage facility with good security features like surveillance cameras, gates, good lighting and a staff that’s dedicated to patrolling the property. Make sure you understand how to close and lock your storage unit properly. You’d be surprised by how many people get thrown off by roll-up doors.

4. Remember the storage facilities hours, to keep them holy.

Don’t expect 24 hour access to your unit unless you’re renting at a facility that offers this. Know when you can access your stuff and know when the facility’s office hours are in case you ever need to speak to a staff member.

5. Honor thy storage facility manager and staff.

Yep, it’s the classic treat people how you want to be treated rule. If you’ve got a question or concern, it’ll get resolved a lot faster if you’re nice about it. On that note, don’t forget that storage facility managers are in the customer service business and they should treat you with respect as well.

6. Thou shalt not live in thy storage unit.

It’s illegal and it’s dangerous. Don’t put any living thing in your storage unit. This applies to you, your family, your friends and your pets. Some tenants get special permission to practice music or do other daytime activities in and around their units, but no one should ever sleep inside of one.

7. Thou shalt not neglect to pay thy rent.

Know when you rent is due and know how long the grace period is too. If you tend to forget important dates or you travel frequently, look for a facility that offers online bill pay or at least write it down on your calendar.

8. Thou shalt not forget about amenities.

The storage industry is growing and evolving to be more customer focused every day. In addition to offering you extra space, storage facilities also offer amenities like climate-controlled units, mobile storage, wine storage, moving truck rentals, RV wash stations and more. Take advantage.

9. Thou shalt not rent the wrong sized unit.

If you’ve never rented a storage unit before, it can be tough to figure out how much space you need. If you rent a unit that’s too small, you won’t be able to fit all of your stuff. If you rent a unit that’s too big, you’re wasting your money. These size guide videos will point you in the right direction but if you’re still unsure, talk to the facility manager.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s storage unit.

Come on, this one just makes you creepy. There you have it. The 10 Commandments of Self Storage. Follow them and your storage experience will be a holy one. Amen.

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