Self Storage Tips & Advice

What Is Self Storage?

Self storage is like having your own private storage room - inside a secure building or site that's managed by a storage company. You simply pay a weekly, monthly or yearly fee and get your own secure, private storage, which can usually be as big as you need.

Why Use Self Storage?

Put simply, lots of us just have too much stuff these days. Self storage allows you to store the things you want to keep but can't fit in your home.

Perhaps you have sold your house and moved home, or are renting temporarily. There's no point in unpacking all your belongings for a few months - just keep the essentials and put the rest into storage.

Self storage is ideal for students, too. Why take all your stuff home every summer when you can just store it near your university for the summer holidays?

Where Can I Find Self Storage?

Self storage companies in the UK and Ireland have grown and multiplied over the last ten years and most large towns and cities have at least one.

Beware: Not all self storage is equally safe. At the bottom end of the market you may find that your stuff is being stored in old shipping containers or leaking barns where security is poor and your possessions are likely to be damaged by damp, rodents or cold.

This is quite different to secure, dry and professional services offered by some companies. Make sure you know what you are getting and fully check out the location, storage options and rules and regulations in place with the self storage company.

Van Hire for Self Storage

If you are just drip-feeding your extra possessions into storage, you may not need a van to get them there.

However, if you are moving a large amount of stuff into storage at once (e.g. moving house yourself or a student at the end of the University year), then you will probably need to hire a van to fit everything in in one go.

How Does Self Storage Work?

Self storage is pretty simple. Here's how it works:

1. You sign up and choose how much space you want.


2. You are allocated a secure unit for your exclusive use.


3. You put whatever you want into your storage unit and swap stuff around as needed. Access is pretty unrestricted, most self storage facilities are open 7 days a week. Check times and regulations with your self storage company accordingly.