Storage solutions have become increasingly popular in recent years, as people need a secure place to store their belongings with rising rents forcing many of us to downsize. For students, storage facilities can be a valuable resource to store items you may not have space for in your dorm rooms or apartments, or over summer between tenancies if you don’t want to take all of their belongings home. Let’s take a look at some of the key things that students need to know about storage facilities.
What are the options?
First of all, it’s important to understand the types of storage facilities available. There are various options, including self-storage units, warehouse storage, and mobile storage containers. Self-storage units are the most common, where the customer rents a unit of varying sizes to store belongings, and are provided with easy access. Warehouse storage is typically used for storing larger items or equipment, and mobile storage containers can be used for temporary storage needs.
Where’s it located?
Students should also consider the location of the storage facility. If you’re going to need regular access to the items, you should try to find a solution that’s close to your home or university to make it as convenient as possible. The location should also be 100% secure; a facility with 24-hour security and surveillance such as Stored Away is preferable, to ensure the safety of the stored items, especially if they’re particularly valuable.
How much does it cost?
With many students on a tight budget, it’s important to consider the cost of the storage facility. Prices can vary greatly depending on the size of the unit, the location, and the services offered. You should research different storage facilities and compare prices, to find the best option for your budget.
Is it a stable environment?
When selecting a storage facility, students should also consider whether environment control options like heating and air conditioning are present to maintain a stable environment for their belongings. If you’re storing items like electronics, musical instruments, or fragile paper documents, climate control is absolutely necessary to protect the items from humidity changes.
Packing and labelling
Before storing items in a facility, students should make sure that they properly label everything, so that unpacking doesn’t become a total nightmare. It’s also important to use sturdy boxes and bubble wrap to protect items from damage, and label boxes with delicate items in them to ensure that they’re handled with care.
If anything especially valuable is going to be placed in the facility, students should definitely consider insurance options for their stored belongings. A lot of facilities include insurance coverage as part of their service, while others require renters to purchase their own insurance policy, so it’s important to check with your storage supplier.
To round up, storage facilities can be a valuable solution for students to store belongings, whether you want to declutter, or simply need to store some of your stuff between tenancies. By understanding the different types of facilities available, and the importance of accessibility, cost, and location, you can choose the best storage solution for your specific needs.
