Residential Real EstateSelecting A Storage Facility
The number of self-storage facilities across the nation has grown
exponentially in recent years. So many homeowners are choosing to lock up
their possessions that one has to wonder what we did with all of our
"extras" before such facilities were so common. Our population probably had
a few less pack rats, to be sure.
Before you sign a contract with any self-storage facility, there are a few
guidelines you should heed, and a few red flags of which you should be
aware:
First, take a look at the surrounding area. Does it seem safe, or do you
spot various unsavory types cruising the neighborhood looking for trouble?
Make sure that the facility is not only in a safe area, but also in a
well-traveled area. A facility tucked back in a relatively remote location
represents a prime opportunity for burglars to hit the jackpot virtually
unnoticed. A safe facility will be situated on a well-lit, busy street, and
should be surrounded by a high, sturdy and locked fence. Although
homeowners obviously want to select a facility close to their own homes, if
you have to drive a bit further to find a safe facility in a major
metropolitan area, make that sacrifice. It could save you considerable
problems -- not the least of which is burglary -- in the long run. Larger
cities also tend to offer larger, brand-name facilities, which are a safer
bet not only because of their credibility, but also because they"re
financially able to equip their grounds with better security features.
Your entry should be controlled by an electronic gate; members should have
to enter pass codes to gain entry to the grounds. The safest facilities
will have only one entry and one exit, preferably next to each other and
within clear view of the office. Before you make a commitment to a
facility, watch the comings and goings through those gates. Do other cars
"sneak" in behind people who have legitimately entered their codes? Can the
office attendant see the entry and exit gates, a vantage point which would
enable him or her to take immediate action in the event of a problem? The
office attendant also should have access to a television behind the
reception desk, hooked up to an outdoor video camera.
Ask the facility manager if the company has a maintenance and/or security
staff who patrol the grounds periodically, preferably in uniforms and
carrying two-way radios for security in the event they spot any suspicious
activity. Other service aspects you want to look for are pest control,
access to carts and moving trailers (both should be free of charge to
renters), a computerized and efficient bookkeeping system and secure method
of rent payment, an elevator if needed, a clean facility, full-time office
staff (with access to a closed-circuit television), and as mentioned above,
uniformed maintenance staff.
Before you sign a contract, be sure to ask about the facility"s terms in
the event you decide to cancel your lease. Will you receive a refund for
your unused rent, or will you be required to pay out the remainder of your
lease or be slapped with a financial penalty? Do you have the flexibility
of moving out at a time that works within your schedule, or would you be
forced to move out at a specific time? If the answers you receive to these
questions don"t meet with your satisfaction, move on. There are plenty of
facilities who will provide the services you deserve. Your mental "red
flags" should be raised if you"re told that in the event that you decide to
vacate your unit, you will not be given a refund on your unused rent. This
is a common complaint among renters, but there"s just as many facilities
out there who will return your unused rent without a hassle. After all,
smart companies know that satisified customers will provide them leads
through word of mouth.
On a somewhat related note, are the facility staff friendly, neat in their
appearance and approachable, or do you "smell something fishy"? If your
instincts are telling you that this could be a shady operation, trust your
gut. While you might be jumping the gun, it"s better to err on the side of
caution.
It"s also best to comparison shop. Don"t sign a contract with the first
facility you visit merely because the price they quote you seems reasonable
or because the facility is close to home. Look around, and don"t hesitate
to mention the other quotes you"ve been given at competing facilities.
Many families need to rent storage facilities for a short period -- a
couple of weeks, perhaps, or a month, perhaps, while they"re living in
temporary housing and waiting for a new home to be ready for move-in. If
that"s the case for you, don"t sign any contract until you"ve found out if
the facility has a minimum amount of time you"re required to rent a unit.
Some companies have one-month or even two-month minimum requirements.
That"s a waste of money if you"re seeking a shorter-term solution. Even if
you"re fairly certain you"ll use the space for a month or more, ask about
minimum renting requirements, anyway. You never know if your circumstances
will change, and you"ll want to move out earlier than you initially
planned.
Last but not least, ask the self-storage company if they require 30 days"
notice or any other form of advance warning in the event that you have to
leave. You may believe that providing notice won"t be a problem for you
because you"re conscientious, but it"s best to avoid any company with such
a policy. If your circumstances change, and Murphy"s Law guarantees it,
many self-storage companies make a large chunk of their revenue during
times like these. You need to leave quickly, and there"s no time to provide
advance notice. While you can vacate your unit today, you"ll still have to
pay out your rent through the end of the specified period.
As the old adage says, let the buyer (or renter, in this case) beware when
you"re on the lookout for self-storage facilities. The good news is that
the Internet makes the search for reputable facilities in your area an easy
task. Most sites will enable you to search within your own city and locate
the nearest name-brand facility within a reasonable distance to your home.
Of course, the most cost-efficient solution is to hold a garage sale or
pull out a trash bag and abandon your pack-rat ways, but that"s another
story (and an impossible dream) for many of us who still believe in saving
for a rainy day.
Related Articles:
Choosing a Mover
How to Pack: Tips, Tricks and Web Sites
Settling In: Pre-Move Pointers for Taking Stock