{"id":2226,"date":"2018-08-16T09:24:15","date_gmt":"2018-08-16T16:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.storewithneighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=2226"},"modified":"2025-08-28T14:25:57","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T21:25:57","slug":"storage-facilities-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/storage-facilities-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Storage Facilities Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Self storage is a great option for keeping your belongings safe and out of the way. You might be looking for storage if you&rsquo;ve recently downsized, are in the process of moving, or just want to get rid of some clutter in your current home.&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are over 50,000 storage facilities in the United States with varying features and prices, so <a href=\"http:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=contentlinks\">finding the perfect storage space<\/a> for your needs can be challenging. This guide will help you understand the ins and outs of self storage, so you can find and rent storage space that fits all of your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"renting-storage-space-in-utah\">Renting Storage Space in Utah<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several storage facilities in Utah, but most of them fill up quickly and are full or nearly full. If you don&rsquo;t already have a storage unit that&rsquo;s been in your family for generations, you&rsquo;re going to have to do some digging to find an affordable storage space that works for you. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/ideal-storage-unit-features\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">important storage features<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to consider while you are comparing storage facilities are security, location, and climate control, which is especially important considering Utah&rsquo;s extreme weather.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can search for self storage online just like you would search for other rentals. Neighbor helps you compare storage unit prices and availability across local facilities and unique spaces, whether you need a 10&times;10 storage unit, a drive-up garage, or a secure lot for your RV. With smart filters for locations, price, and features like climate control, you can instantly book the right storage options without endless phone calls.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<html><body><div id=\"in_post\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/host\" onclick=\"rudderanalytics.track('press editorial cta button', {location: 'first in post', version: '2.0'}, () =&gt; { console.log('track call'); });\">\r\n  <div class=\"first-in-post-cta\">\r\n    <header>\r\n      <h2 id=\"can-we-pay-you-to-store-vehicles\">Can we pay you to store vehicles?<\/h2>\r\n    <\/header>\r\n    <section>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path d=\"M26.7552 20.0573C26.2911 20.9853 26.2499 22.3578 26.2499 24.375H33.7499C33.7499 22.3577 33.7088 20.9853 33.2448 20.0573C33.0557 19.6792 32.8 19.3973 32.3888 19.1841C31.9442 18.9535 31.2108 18.75 30 18.75C28.7892 18.75 28.0558 18.9535 27.6112 19.1841C27.2 19.3973 26.9442 19.6792 26.7552 20.0573Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M28.0777 4.32887C29.3195 3.87732 30.6805 3.87732 31.9223 4.32887L48.7973 10.4652C51.0173 11.2725 52.5 13.3777 52.5 15.7462V33.1425C52.5 33.7407 52.4058 34.3605 52.1888 34.9629C47.861 46.9738 35.9939 53.5676 32.1164 55.464C30.7986 56.1086 29.2843 56.1505 27.9278 55.5549C23.9729 53.8185 12.0728 47.6941 7.77513 34.8948C7.58399 34.3255 7.5 33.7394 7.5 33.1762V15.7481C7.5 13.3807 8.98165 11.2729 11.2027 10.4652L28.0777 4.32887ZM22.4998 24.1662L22.4999 24.375C20.4289 24.375 18.75 26.054 18.75 28.125V35.625C18.75 37.6961 20.4289 39.375 22.5 39.375H37.5C39.5711 39.375 41.25 37.6961 41.25 35.625V28.125C41.25 26.0539 39.5711 24.375 37.5 24.375L37.5 24.166C37.5016 22.4546 37.5037 20.19 36.5989 18.3802C36.0848 17.352 35.2859 16.4621 34.115 15.855C32.9776 15.2652 31.6017 15 30 15C28.3983 15 27.0224 15.2652 25.885 15.855C24.7141 16.4621 23.9152 17.352 23.4011 18.3802C22.4961 20.1901 22.4982 22.4547 22.4998 24.1662Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg><\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"list-your-unused-space\">List your unused space<\/h3>\r\n        <p>People are earning $1,000s per year from their garages and outdoor space.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M13.125 9.375C11.0539 9.375 9.375 11.0539 9.375 13.125V46.875C9.375 48.9461 11.0539 50.625 13.125 50.625H46.875C48.9461 50.625 50.625 48.9461 50.625 46.875V13.125C50.625 11.0539 48.9461 9.375 46.875 9.375H13.125ZM28.125 16.875C28.125 15.8395 28.9645 15 30 15C31.0355 15 31.875 15.8395 31.875 16.875V20.625H35.625C36.6605 20.625 37.5 21.4645 37.5 22.5C37.5 23.5355 36.6605 24.375 35.625 24.375H26.25C25.2145 24.375 24.375 25.2145 24.375 26.25C24.375 27.2855 25.2145 28.125 26.25 28.125H33.75C36.8566 28.125 39.375 30.6434 39.375 33.75C39.375 36.8566 36.8566 39.375 33.75 39.375H31.875V43.125C31.875 44.1605 31.0355 45 30 45C28.9645 45 28.125 44.1605 28.125 43.125V39.375H22.5C21.4645 39.375 20.625 38.5355 20.625 37.5C20.625 36.4645 21.4645 35.625 22.5 35.625H33.75C34.7855 35.625 35.625 34.7855 35.625 33.75C35.625 32.7145 34.7855 31.875 33.75 31.875H26.25C23.1434 31.875 20.625 29.3566 20.625 26.25C20.625 23.1434 23.1434 20.625 26.25 20.625H28.125V16.875Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"approve-your-renters\">Approve your renters<\/h3>\r\n        <p>You're in control. Approve who rents and the hours of access.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M31.2776 51.9974L31.7666 51.5417C32.0789 51.2503 32.527 50.8317 33.0706 50.3224C34.1576 49.3041 35.6276 47.9224 37.158 46.4698C40.1682 43.6127 43.5576 40.3461 44.596 39.1282C46.7163 36.6414 48.1719 33.6468 48.8127 30.4251C49.5529 26.704 49.173 22.847 47.7211 19.3418C46.2692 15.8366 43.8105 12.8407 40.6559 10.7329C37.5015 8.62514 33.7942 7.5 30.0001 7.5C26.2061 7.5 22.4973 8.62504 19.3428 10.7329C16.1882 12.8407 13.7295 15.8366 12.2776 19.3418C10.8257 22.847 10.4458 26.704 11.186 30.4251C11.8268 33.6468 13.2824 36.6414 15.4027 39.1282C16.4411 40.3462 19.831 43.6128 22.8415 46.4698C24.3721 47.9224 25.8422 49.3042 26.9294 50.3225C27.4731 50.8318 27.9212 51.2504 28.2336 51.5418L28.723 51.9979C29.4428 52.6672 30.5579 52.6668 31.2776 51.9974ZM28.723 51.9979C28.723 51.9979 28.7232 51.998 30.0001 50.625L28.723 51.9979ZM30.0001 50.625L31.2776 51.9974C31.2776 51.9974 31.2771 51.9979 30.0001 50.625ZM30 32.8125C33.6243 32.8125 36.5625 29.8744 36.5625 26.25C36.5625 22.6256 33.6243 19.6875 30 19.6875C26.3756 19.6875 23.4375 22.6256 23.4375 26.25C23.4375 29.8744 26.3756 32.8125 30 32.8125Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"get-paid-monthly\">Get paid monthly<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Sit back and collect automatic payments each month.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n    <footer>\r\n      <button>Learn more about hosting <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\">\r\n          <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M18.8304 5.17619L4.55227 11.6663H11.1779C11.8199 11.6663 12.3404 12.1867 12.3404 12.8288V19.4543L18.8304 5.17619ZM19.029 3.43822C20.0069 2.99374 21.0129 3.9997 20.5684 4.97757L13.0612 21.4935C12.5438 22.6316 10.8404 22.2627 10.8404 21.0124V13.1663H2.99417C1.74398 13.1663 1.37497 11.4628 2.51312 10.9455L19.029 3.43822Z\" fill=\"#EFF5F8\"><\/path>\r\n        <\/svg><\/button>\r\n    <\/footer>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\n  <\/div><\/body><\/html><h2 id=\"benefits-of-self-storage\"><strong>Benefits of Self Storage<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img  decoding=\"async\"  class=\"wp-image-2229 alignright pk-lazyload\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"Self storage facility\"  width=\"422\"  height=\"281\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-ls-sizes=\"(max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-2-300x200.png\"  data-pk-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-2-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-2-380x253.png 380w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-2-550x367.png 550w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-2.png 588w\" ><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"convenient-access\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Convenient Access<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The majority of self storage facilities allow 24\/7 access to your storage unit, so you can visit your storage at a time that works for you. Most facilities also have an emergency phone number you can call after office hours to receive additional assistance. While you will be able to come and go from your storage unit on your timeframe, if you aren&rsquo;t able to rent storage space close to your home or work, you might not have such convenient access.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"choice-of-size\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choice of Size<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/self-storage\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=contentlinks\">Traditional self storage facilities<\/a> have a variety of unit sizes to choose from. With your choice of size, you only have to pay for the space you need. The downside to this is that you have to pay the full price of a bigger unit even if you only have a few too many items for a smaller space.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"secure-payments\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secure Payments<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several storage facilities are adopting online and automatic payments for their renters. These payment methods ensure your money is handled correctly, so you won&rsquo;t have to worry about lost checks or dishonest management.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Features like convenient access, a wide choice of unit sizes, and secure payments are key benefits of self-storage. With Neighbor, you can compare all these features across multiple facilities and spaces in one easy search.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-use-neighbor-for-self-storage\"><strong>Why Use Neighbor for Self Storage<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img  decoding=\"async\"  class=\"wp-image-2230 alignright pk-lazyload\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"Peer-to-peer storage\"  width=\"392\"  height=\"261\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-ls-sizes=\"(max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-3-300x200.png\"  data-pk-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-3-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-3-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-3-380x253.png 380w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-3-550x366.png 550w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-3-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-3.png 866w\" ><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"half-the-cost\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Half the cost<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of paying $100 a month for that 10&times;10 storage unit, you can compare prices with traditional storage units and unique residential spaces you can rent from an individual. You get all the benefits of traditional self storage, plus more, at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/neighbor-self-storage-costs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a better price<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"flexible-contracts\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flexible Contracts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don&rsquo;t have to worry about getting locked into a contract or paying extra charges. Month-to-month contracts make it easy to rent storage space for short periods of time or long periods without worrying about cancellation fees.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"convenient-locations\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Convenient Locations<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding storage near you can be tricky. Especially since self storage facilities in the U.S. are 87% full according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/self-storage-industry-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recent self storage stats<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. With Neighbor, you can find storage options in your own neighborhood! <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"individual-needs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Individual Needs<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you search for storage with Neighbor, you can find space that fits your unique needs. If you&rsquo;re not sure what that looks like, Neighbor&rsquo;s storage experts can help. They&rsquo;ll help you find a local host with the right space or connect you with a well-known storage facility in your area. The best part is you get to choose what you want based on your need.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"storage-sizes\"><strong>Storage Sizes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the hardest parts of picking out your ideal storage space to rent is determining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/size-guide\">what size you need<\/a>. Below are three of the most common sizes of storage spaces with descriptions to give you an idea of what will fit in each size.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"55-storage-space\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5&times;5 Storage Space<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 5&times;5 storage space will fit the contents of your closet. These are popular choices for summer storage for students and usually the cheapest units available in a storage facility. If you only have a few boxes and one or two small pieces of furniture to store, 5&times;5 is the perfect choice for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"1010-storage-space\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10&times;10 Storage Space<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The typical storage unit size is 10&times;10. These units are about the size of a bedroom and will hold the contents of your 1 or 2 bedroom apartment nicely. These are by far the most popular size of storage space because there is enough space to handle most of your storage needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"1020-storage-space\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10&times;20 Storage Space<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&rsquo;re looking to store vehicles, boats, or your entire house, you should look into a 10&times;20 storage space. Imagine putting two typical-sized storage units together and you will have a 10&times;20. These spaces are less common than smaller sizes, but extremely useful if you have a lot of items that need to be stored.<\/span><\/p>\n<html><body><div id=\"2_in_post\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/host\" onclick=\"rudderanalytics.track('press editorial cta button', {location: 'second in post', version: '2.0'}, () =&gt; { console.log('track call'); });\">\r\n  <div class=\"second-in-post-cta\">\r\n    <section>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <h2 id=\"earn-1000s-per-year-with-your-unused-space\">Earn $1,000s per year with your unused space<\/h2>\r\n        <button>Become a Neighbor host<\/button>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\n  <\/div><\/body><\/html><h2 id=\"storage-unit-features\"><strong>Storage Unit Features<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"climate-controlled\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Climate Controlled<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/climate-controlled-storage-5-things-you-need-to-know-before-renting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate controlled units<\/a> are kept at a comfortable temperature year-round. These units protect your items from extreme temperatures and humidity and are worth the extra money if you are storing sensitive items. The definition of climate control varies between facilities, so it&rsquo;s always best to check with management before renting storage space in a facility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"security-cameras\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Security Cameras<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most facilities have security cameras, but they vary by quality and quantity. These are a major deterrent for thieves, and help keep your unit safe. You will want to take a tour of the facility and clarify beforehand what kind of security measures have been taken.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"indoor\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indoor<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indoor storage units are inside a building, and are great for getting out of the weather while you transfer items to and from your storage. These units usually have the option of being climate controlled.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"drive-up-access\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drive-up Access<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being able to drive up to your storage unit is critical for vehicle storage and useful for moving large items. If you are looking to store furniture, be sure the storage space you rent has drive-up access. These types of storage units are typically outdoor units.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"electricity\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electricity<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Electrical outlets are not a common storage unit feature due to added fire hazard and cost of electricity. &nbsp;If you have permission to use your storage space for a workspace or band practice, it may be worth dishing out the extra cash for access to electricity, but chances are you won&rsquo;t need it for your typical storage needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-you-can-and-cant-put-in-storage\"><strong>What You Can (and Can&rsquo;t) Put in Storage<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"approved\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approved<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Clothes<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Keep your clothes packed in boxes, totes and bags for protection from pests, and be sure to protect your apparel from humidity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Books<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Humidity is the enemy when storing books, so take precautions to make sure they stay dry and mold-free.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Furniture<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> If you&rsquo;re spending time and money storing your furniture, you should protect it from pests, humidity, and dust. Climate-controlled indoor storage is the best place for furniture. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Electronics<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Electronics are especially susceptible to weather and dust, so consider a climate-controlled unit if you are planning to store them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Decorations and Seasonal Items<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Storage is a great place to keep your boxes of Christmas lights the 11 months out of the year you aren&rsquo;t using them. Keep your decorative items packed away in totes and they should be fine in any storage conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"prohibited\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prohibited<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Anything alive<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Don&rsquo;t put your pets in your storage unit. Aside from the obvious animal cruelty, management will definitely notice and you will be evicted. On the same note, don&rsquo;t put your plants in storage. There is no sunlight or water in a storage unit, and your plant friends will shrivel up and die. Give them away if you can&rsquo;t keep them with you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Food<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> If you want to have everything in your storage unit infested with rats, bugs, and other pests, put some perishable food items in there. This is also a great way to get evicted quickly. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Garbage<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Why would you want to store garbage anyway? Like food, it will attract all sorts of pests, so just take your garbage where it belongs.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Illegal items.<\/strong> Other people will likely notice if you&rsquo;re doing suspicious things with your storage unit and you will get busted. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Flammable or hazardous materials<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> This is a no-brainer. Storing dangerous chemicals is not only against storage facility policies, it will probably destroy everything else you have in your unit sooner or later. Just don&rsquo;t do it.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Equipment<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>.<\/strong> Some kinds of construction or medical equipment is prohibited in certain storage facilities, so double check before you start storing your equipment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"is-it-illegal-to-live-in-a-storage-unit\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it Illegal to Live in a Storage Unit?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a word, yes. With inflating rent prices, it might seem like renting out a storage space is the only rental in your budget, but unfortunately it is illegal to live in a storage unit. Some storage sites will go as far as letting you set up a game room or have your garage band practice in your unit, but as soon as you are caught sleeping or actually living in your unit, management will call the cops.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"do-i-need-storage-insurance\"><strong>Do I Need Storage Insurance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img  decoding=\"async\"  class=\"wp-image-2233 alignright pk-lazyload\"  src=\"data:image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABAQMAAAAl21bKAAAAA1BMVEUAAP+KeNJXAAAAAXRSTlMAQObYZgAAAAlwSFlzAAAOxAAADsQBlSsOGwAAAApJREFUCNdjYAAAAAIAAeIhvDMAAAAASUVORK5CYII=\"  alt=\"Storage insurance umbrella\"  width=\"412\"  height=\"268\"  data-pk-sizes=\"auto\"  data-ls-sizes=\"(max-width: 412px) 100vw, 412px\"  data-pk-src=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-6-300x195.png\"  data-pk-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-6-300x195.png 300w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-6-230x150.png 230w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-6-260x170.png 260w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-6-380x247.png 380w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-6-550x357.png 550w, https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Storage-facilities-6.png 570w\" ><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most storage facilities do not require you to have insurance to rent a storage space. Even though it&rsquo;s not a requirement, depending on what you&rsquo;re storing, you might want to consider self storage insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"insurance-through-the-storage-facility\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insurance Through the Storage Facility<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some storage facilities offer insurance policies to make things more convenient for their renters. These policies typically only cover a few thousand dollars worth of damages and certain kinds of damage or items may not be covered. There usually is no deductible for insurance policies offered through storage facilities, but you can expect higher rates and lower coverage than other storage insurance policies.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"other-insurance\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Insurance<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your storage facility doesn&rsquo;t offer insurance, or you&rsquo;re looking for a better rate, you can look into getting insurance through an independent storage insurance company like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.snapnsure.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SnapNsure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Most of these companies offer coverage of up to $15,000 for a couple hundred dollars a year.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>If you rent through Neighbor, you can opt into its protection plans for renters. You can select from different options from $5,000 up to $25,000, giving you peace of mind for your items.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don&rsquo;t want to purchase a new insurance policy, adding storage insurance to your current homeowner&rsquo;s insurance is a great way to save money. You&rsquo;ll likely have a lower rate than an independent storage insurance company, and you might even qualify for discounts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"overall-cost\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall Cost<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can plan on spending $1 to $2 for every $100 worth of value you want to insure. As you are considering whether to get insurance or not, keep in mind that damages can happen to your stuff at any storage space, regardless of security or personnel. If you plan to store anything of value, self storage insurance is a good idea.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-i-know-my-stuff-is-safe\"><strong>How Do I Know My Stuff is Safe?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most important things to consider when searching for your ideal storage space is security. Along with a good location and affordable price, you should be sure you can have peace of mind knowing your stuff is safe when you rent a storage space. Check out this list of storage safety tips to get an idea of what you can do to keep your things safe.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Tour the storage facility.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Make sure to check everything out thoroughly. Note the kind of lighting and fences the facility has, and the way units are locked.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Talk to the manager about security practices of the facility.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Most facilities have some sort of gate system and some have security cameras or nightly personnel. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Check out the location.<\/strong> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a look at the neighborhoods and business districts near the storage facility. Facilities in a good location will have fewer security issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neighbor lists only trusted spaces, whether is a trusted facility or spaces are maintained and protected by a host. These spaces are usually located in or near a host&rsquo;s house, meaning your stuff will always have neighbors nearby.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"have-you-tried-neighbor\"><strong>Have You Tried Neighbor?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&rsquo;s not a secret that self storage is in huge demand right now. For renters, this means high prices, stiff contracts, and inconvenient locations. If you want to find a storage space close to you with all the extra features you&rsquo;re looking for and without the high price tag try Neighbor! <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neighbor is the largest self storage and parking marketplace connecting people looking for storage space with traditional storage companies and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/how-to-host\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=contentlinks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">those who have extra space<\/a>. Neighbor takes care of background checks and secure payment processing, so you can feel confident in any of the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/rentals\/search\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_campaign=contentlinks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">storage spaces<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> listed on Neighbor&rsquo;s website.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Self storage is a great option for keeping your belongings safe and out of the way. You might&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":2235,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_appearance_grid":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[205],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business-operators","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Storage Facilities Guide - Neighbor Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This guide will help you understand the ins and outs of self storage facilities, so you can find and rent storage space that fits all of your needs.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/storage-facilities-guide\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Storage Facilities Guide - 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