Sanctuary of Shadows

Simply Self Storage asked:


If you find yourself in need of self storage and live in a town or city, chances are that you can drive to such a storage facility within just a few minutes. If you live rurally, there’s probably self storage available in the nearest town. But you shouldn’t always simply settle for the closest and most geographically convenient self storage facility.

Because you’ll be using your storage unit to keep things that you clearly don’t want to part with, whether they have real value, sentimental value, or they’re things you simply need to keep, you don’t want to trust these items to just any self storage facility.

You owe it to yourself to shop around a bit to find the best facility for your needs, with the most security you can get for the price that you want. If you’re just storing documents that you anticipate needing later but that won’t cause extreme problems if lost, or items that you simply don’t know what to do with for the time being, you might not need to pay for a storage facility with round-the-clock guards, CCTV monitoring and motion detectors that sound alarms at the local police station.

But with some items you’ll want to store, you may want those features to protect your valuables. The point of self storage is that you get to make the choice based on your needs. From the size of your storage unit to climate control storage options to whether it’s outdoors, indoors or in a drive-up unit, you get to make the decisions and decide how much you’ll need and how much you’ll pay.

Some general guidelines when it comes to choosing the right self storage facility start with making sure the company offers the size and type of storage you’ll need. Do they have climate control storage, should you need it? Do they have the size you want available, or will you be forced to rent two mini storage units or pay extra for a large unit that you don’t need? Do they have inexpensive outdoor units available for boat storage, RV storage or vehicle storage or do you have to pay for drive-up storage of these items when you’d rather not?

Find a few self storage facilities that offer the exact storage unit you’ll need. With the many facilities available today, there’s no need to settle for a storage unit that’s not exactly what you want. You might have to look beyond your immediate local area, but a drive of 20 minutes or even an hour might be worth it to get the kind of storage you need, especially if the closest storage doesn’t have the right environment for storing goods.

When you’re looking at an available self storage unit, don’t just see that they have the right size available and sign a contract. Look at an empty unit like the one you might get. Look for things like signs of a leaking roof, dampness and moisture. Look in the corners for things like vermin droppings when the previous owner cleaned out the unit, as you’re expected to do with self storage, if they did a haphazard sweep-up job they might have left evidence of such things behind. The self storage facility might clean the units between users too, but taking a quick look along the edges and the corners can make a vermin problem apparent. The unit should be dry and not feel humid. Be sure to check these things because it doesn’t take long for your items to be damaged or destroyed by either vermin or dampness.

And there are some basic security features you should look for in any self storage. Make sure the fencing around the facility is in good shape, and the buildings are well lit, inside and outside. Make a trip at night to see how dark the area might be, which can be an invitation for would-be thieves.

Well-lit facilities, however, discourage people from lurking around and trying to break in. This should be the minimal security at any facility, along with a fire alarm system to protect the contents of the self storage. You can find storage with more advanced protection like guards, CCTV and individual alarms, if you want those things.

Finally, look at the self storage contract. Will you buy the lock yourself or must you buy one of theirs? Notice the amount of the non-refundable deposit and find out if you can get a partial month’s payment back if you use the self storage unit for only part of the month.

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Are you running out of storage space in your home or office? Do you have more “stuff” than you know what to do with? If you are like most people in this country, you probably have a ton of junk lying around because you simply have no more room for it. The solution, is staring you in the face right now and that solution is called self storage. Read on to find out more about the ins and outs of self storage.

Self storage is available to residential and business customers. It is generally very cost effective also because it allows a person or business to store all kinds of items in a secure location while being permitted constant and unfettered access to such belongings twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

Facilities that provide storage space rentals are known in the industry as self storage providers. These facilities rent out varying shapes and sizes of self storage space that folks then use to store thins such as personal belongings, furniture, business equipment, etc. The list of items that can be stored in a self storage unit is pretty much endless as long as the items are legal and not considered dangerous by the self storage facility management. The single most important advantage of using self storage facilities is the freedom of choice you, as a client, are offered. For example, you can rent a small five foot by five foot area if that is all you need. In contrast, you can also rent a self storage unit that is large enough to hold one or more vehicles! As I stated earlier, the flexibility offered by these types of self storage companies is just amazing.

One of the more important features of any self storage provider is the security that is provided for your prized possessions. The explosion of self storage companies that has occurred over the last few years has brought many good self storage providers into the marketplace and many poor storage providers as well. It is your job as a consumer to properly vet any self storage provider you intend to use. Be sure to ask for a full list of services that are provided and the associated costs. Compare this information with other local self storage facilities in your area and choose the company that provides the best security even if it does cost a bit more.

If you do not have the time to go back and forth from your location to the storage facilities in your area, there is another alternative that many of them now offer. This alternative type of self storage is known as mobile self storage and it is a very effective and cost effective self storage solution for those who simply do not have the time to travel to and from a local self storage facility.

Mobile self storage is certainly a flexible and effective storage solution for both residential and commercial clients. The way mobile self storage works is pretty straightforward. Basically, the self storage company will send staff to your location along with self storage containers. Such storage containers are strong and weatherproof and can vary in size. You are then free to fill these storage containers with your belongings at your leisure. Once you’ve added all of your belongings to your self storage containers, you can either leave the containers at your property or you can have the self storage facility remove the containers from your property and transport them to their own storage facility where you will be give exclusive access to them via a gate code and keys.

Utilizing mobile self storage, in effect, cuts your work in half and ultimately reduces your costs. Instead of spending money on gas and wasting time traveling back and forth from a local self storage provider, you can simply step outside your door and store everything right in your driveway. The option to have your local self storage staff come and pick it up and move it to your self storage unit is a huge perk and incredibly time saving. If you require any type of self storage, I strongly recommend that you check out the mobile self storage options available from your local providers.

As you can see, self storage in general can be an amazingly convenient and cost effective service if you choose the right company. Mobile self storage, in my own experience, is just a fantastic invention. Activities such a moving between houses and cleaning garages have become substantially less complicated with the advent of mobile self storage offerings.

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If you’ve ever considered self storage but worry that your items could be ransacked or stolen if stored away from your home or business, you might want to give it another thought. Self storage is often the most secure storage you can find, but this can vary from company to company.

We’ve all heard or read news stories about storage facilities being broken into and people’s belongings disappearing. Sometimes this was done simply when thieves cut through the padlock that was placed there by the person who pays for the storage rental. Most of these thefts occurred at self storage facilities that didn’t really have security beyond that lock.

If you’re considering self storage, the best thing you can do for yourself and your belongings is to shop around. Self storage facilities are almost everywhere these days, so there’s no need to use the ones that are in your town or immediate local area if you think the security there is questionable. You should be able to find other facilities within a very short drive. And if you’re in a rural area where the next nearest self-storage is a longer drive, consider the value of the items you’ll be storing.

You might decide the longer drive to access the items is worth the heightened security at a better facility. Or you might decide that what you’re storing is pretty replaceable and not valuable, and stay local with a company that has less modern security systems in place. As with all other aspects of self storage that make it such a great solution for so many people, the choice is yours.

If you’re looking for a higher level of security, visit the self storage facility at night. You may not be able to get on the premises if they’re closed, but you can look at the facility from the outside and see obvious problems like broken fencing or holes in the surrounding fence, and poor lighting.

Facilities that have high fences that are intact and locked when the facilities are closed minimize the risk of a break in. Good lighting also lowers the risk of crime, as most thieves will choose buildings that aren’t well lit to minimize the chances that they’ll be seen by a passerby.

Is there a guard on duty 24 hours per day, or is the facility unmanned once the gates close? Many are unmanned, but with other measures in place like an alarm system, a fence and good lighting. Some offer guards at all times. Which you choose depends on your specific needs. You’ll pay more at facilities with state-of-the-art theft prevention in place, but depending on your stored items, it might be worth it.

Some facilities have specialized alarms to prevent theft, like alarms that sound if a storage unit is open for an extended period of time, or if motion is detected after hours. While not every facility will have such measures in place, they’re the mark of a highly secure self storage facility.

Some facilities have closed circuit television monitoring, and managers who live on the premises for added security. A general alarm system for the whole facility, as opposed to alarms that sound for each separate storage unit, is a good general feature for self storage to have. Sign-in or some kind of card swiping might be required by the storage company to give an added measure of security, by at least creating a list of people who have visited the facility during operating hours.

Ask about your self storage facility’s smoking policy. Choose one that doesn’t allow smoking on the premises, and make sure that you can see fire extinguishers or sprinklers. Ask about fire and smoke alarms, which even the most basic storage facility should have.

For RV storage, boat storage and vehicle storage that’s outside, what kind of security measures does the facility have in place to further protect your item? Will you feel safe storing valuables in a mini storage room that doesn’t have a reinforced door to further protect against break ins? Do their alarm systems link to the local police, or do they just sound an alarm? Alarm systems that sound when no guard or manager is on the property won’t draw fast attention the way that automatic police-connected alarms will.

Ask the self storage owner or manager about previous problems that might have occurred there, and if they admit there have been some, ask what steps they’ve taken to make it less likely to happen again.

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There are many people who have lost valuable prized possessions that were stored in a self storage facility. When a client is unable to pay the monthly rent on their self storage unit, the self storage facility will generally take the items from the particular unit and put them up for auction. Sometimes these items are put up in lots and other times they are auctioned off piece by piece. These self storage auctions provide an amazing opportunity for profit to savvy entrepreneurs who know how to profit from such self storage auctions.

When a self storage unit renter fails to pay his rent for two or three months, he is considered in default. A renter who is in default is usually given legal notice that their property will be sold at some form of auction if they cannot catch up on his payments. Once this legal notice is given, the self storage facility becomes the owner of the renter’s belongings. The economy is in bad shape at this time and many people all over the country simply cannot afford their rent. This is due to the belt-tightening that must happen during any financial crisis. Rising food costs, utility costs, and gas prices are also expenses that are contributing to the higher levels of default and subsequent self storage auctions.

Once the content of a self storage unit is sold at auction, the highest bidder can do as they wish with the belongings that they’ve purchased. Most entrepreneurs will take these belongings that they have acquired at steep discounts and they will sell them at flea markets and online auctions such as eBay. Many of these same entrepreneurs will also resell these belongings for a nice profit to consignment shops and at rummage sales. There is obviously a high return on investment if you can get a good deal by purchasing belongings from a self storage auction in your area.

Expensive items are often the types of belongings that are placed in self storage units. Items such as antiques, furniture, and electronics can be found in self storage units and in subsequent self storage auctions when the owners to fall behind on their monthly rent. Oftentimes, these expensive items can be purchased for very little cost. Old jewelry, books, and furniture can usually be had for just pennies on the dollar and this provides a massive opportunity to profit from self storage auctions.

Self storage auctions are generally over quickly as they are open to the general public and advertised ahead of time. When the auction begins, the lock is cut off of the door. Bidders may arrive a bit early so they can view the items from the door. Then they place bids on what they can see but some items in a self storage unit may not be viewable so there is a bit of guessing involved. Most self storage auctions are over within 30 minutes and some people can walk away with a small fortune while spending just a few dollars, relatively speaking.

The best part of a self storage auction is the thrill of the hunt, so to speak. Just as people are excited when they find a treasure on an auction site such as eBay, savvy people can find themselves overly excited when they find the same type of treasure at a self storage auction. There is no telling what you’ll find at a self storage auction but you can be pretty sure that you’ll find some fantastic deals anytime you attend one of these self storage auctions.

Some of the items you find at self storage auctions will surprise you. Business equipment, automotive repair equipment and tools, and many other business-to-business items can be found at self storage auctions. If you plan to try and earn money from self storage auctions you need to be consistent and you need to attend as many auctions as you can to have a good chance of scoring highly profitable treasures. You need to have a solid plan and know how to market the items you are bidding on. My personal suggestion is eBay. People are always looking for rare and unique items on eBay so if you find a hidden treasure in one of your self storage auctions, you can probably turn a nice profit by listing it on an auction site such as eBay.

The best way to determine when these self storage auctions are held is to check your local paper or to call the local self storage providers in your area and simply ask them. They will be more than happy to assist you as their primary goal is to collect enough money to cover the rent that has been unpaid by those in default. I hope you like this article on self storage auctions and that you follow the advice given. Happy hunting!

Simply Self Storage asked:


If you are someone who enjoys water sports, you know how great it can be to just get out on the water and have a wonderful time. No matter what type of water you are in, there are some ways to have a good time with various forms of water crafts that are available for purchase, lease or temporary rental in vacation locations that offer such items.

Jet skiing is one of the past times that many people subscribe to for the thrilling ride you can get when you’re on one. Some people remark that the water speeding out behind you and the power beneath your hands is addictive and can call you back the water again and again. Although it takes some skill and practice to learn to control a jet ski properly, part of the enjoyment is learning how to do just that after you’ve had some lessons.

Obviously, no one spends all their time in the water on a jet ski. Those who do not lease or rent their jet ski can sometimes be spotted towing them on a flat bed to the applicable dock and letting in the water to get the fun times started. If you are considering purchasing jet skis or even leasing them for a period of time, you need to have a place to safely store your jet ski in self storage.

No matter how balmy the southern belt weather may be, it is not a viable option to have your jet skis stored in your garage or even in a tarp-covered scenario in your driveway. This doesn’t even take into consideration how cluttered it will make your driveway look. It also doesn’t factor in the possibility that you may live in a community where homeowner’s association rules do not permit storage of any type of water crafts or mobile homes in your driveway for cosmetic and other reasons.

When you are considering options for storing your jet ski in self storage, you need to evaluate a few basic criteria to ensure that your jet ski will be stored safely. Perhaps the most important factor is selecting a self storage unit that will provide the right amount of space. The best way to determine a right fit without paying for more space than you need is to measure your jet ski. Be sure to allow room for the jet ski to fit into the self storage unit easily without bumping walls or having edges near the door when it is closed. If you are not sure about a right fit, consider giving a call to the retailer where you purchased or leased your jet ski from and ask if they know about the appropriate storage dimensions to ensure that you are not risking damaging your jet ski.

It is very important to know the dimensions for a leased jet ski because you don’t actually own the equipment; you are leasing it from the retailer for a specified period of time. You’ve signed a contract that makes you legally responsible for the equipment for the specified period of time that it is in your possession. This means if anything happens to your jet ski during the lease period, you are financially and legally liable.

When it comes to storing your jet ski in

Self storage is a great way to protect your jet ski from the weather’s elements, particular if you life in states where there are chances of hurricanes and tornados. Self storage can also be a smart idea to keep your jet ski protected from sun damage. One of the best things about self storing your jet ski is that you can keep it safe from all types of vandalism such as having parts removed, bumping into it with your own vehicle or natural disasters like lightning and wind storms.

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So long as people have stuff, they need a place to put it. This has been true since before written language. It was discovered that over six millennia ago, the Chinese had a system for storing their personal belongings, where select individuals would be tasked with the job of keeping watch over the items for peace of mind of everyone else. The items were most commonly stored underground, where the facility was monitored to ensure that people can only access their own belongings. The British too had systems in place for storing valuables during extended vacations or leaves. Banking companies would gain responsibility over the property, providing safe and secure storage. Many other systems arose providing a long term storage solution to consumers. All of these systems involve individuals moving your stuff to their facility and safeguarding it.

Self storage options did not really begin to show up until the 1960s, where the first self storage facility was built in Odessa Texas, know as the “A-1 U-Store-It U-Lock-It U-Carry the Key.” One of the founders, a gentleman named Russ Williams, worked on the creation of the facilities, having been inspired over his own personal need to store boats and oil field equipment. His need to store boats was not only his own, as many people were looking for new and cost effective boat storage options. He and many others needed to have quick access to the stored goods, basing his design on the pattern of side by side garages he observed for an apartment complex. Vehicle storage, as well as other kinds of storage, became part of the design, and not soon after does the design arrive at what is familiar today. The first facility was in an industrial area and was 100 feet by 30 feet in size. The facility had asphalt drives and was built with block walls, block partitions and panel garage doors. The units were sized at 30 feet by 10 feet, in part to provide space in order to accommodate 24-foot bass boat trailers.

Self storage was the greatest invention for storage companies all over the world for a number of different reasons. The main problem for companies that store your goods for you, should anything happen to your goods once they leave your possession, the storage company becomes liable. This not only includes theft and loss, but also any sort of damage as a result of fire, flooding or whatever else. The biggest reason people utilize storage is the security and safety of the goods being stored. Someone along the line must be responsible over the well being of the stored goods.

In the present, self storage options have shifted the bulk of the liability onto the consumer. If there is a fault or flaw on the part of the storage facility, then they will be liable should theft or damage occur. The other big change with self storage is that the proprietor of the facility is not granted access to the goods being stored. Security over the stored goods in each of the storage lockers is then maintained by two different systems, one of which is a physical lock provided by the consumer, and the other of which is the presence of security cameras and required gate codes for the facility to keep non-members out. More complicated systems can be employed, such as card readers and thumb print scanners. Should the consumer fail to make a payment then the facilities owner can place a lien on their property, holding it to sell in order to recoup costs. This is the only real case where the facilities owner can access the property stored.

There are many cases where self storage is only a part of the service provided. Your local gym, postal office, bank and many other places will possess a small area spot for piece inspection, as well as an area to store goods while the consumer is off doing other things. The bank provides the best security for the consumer, while not offering a lot of space. Large scale self storage options on the other hand, can include RV storage, boat storage, vehicle storage, climate control storage, drive up access storage and numerous other options depending on what your individual needs are. Once you know how much storage space you need, you can work on finding the right service to meet that need. If you only need to store small valuables, a safety deposit box in a banking institution may be ideal. If you are looking to store a boat on the other hand, a self storage facility with drive up access is the better choice.

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Currently a rapidly expanding industry, new Self Storage facilities seem to be springing up at an alarming rate throughout the country. Already there are storage facilities that have expanded vertically, building storage rooms on second and even third floors. These facilities have found it difficult to fill those spaces. Customers are now in a position whereby they can pick and choose which local facility they use based on not only price, but how easy it is to move their goods in and out. Because self storage is very basic, there are very few options available, two, in fact. We can only really compete on price and access.

As we look to the future of self storage, it\’s very clear that the future looks bright. There are a few trends afoot backed by solid industry data that justify my positive outlook on this high growth industry. These trends are as follows, there is an increased demand because the U.S. Population is predicted to reach 400 million by the year 2050. All indicators show that Americans continue to be a highly mobile society with a high predictability to accumulate things. This means that self storage companies stand to add 150 million potential customers to our prospect list who are searching for somewhere to store their belongings.

As customers become more selective in where to store their belongings, owners of older facilities will need to make necessary improvements to remain competitive. This will ultimately result in more sophisticated and higher tech facilities offering more user friendly layouts, larger offices, flexible unit mixes, kiosks, high security, and more climate control units. You should also expect to see self storage investors competing for the premier parcels located in the high traffic retail areas of town. As a result, municipalities are beginning to require that these facilities have a retail component in order to increase the amount of sales tax generated and paid to those local governments.

They are also requiring that the facilities have a certain \”look and feel\” that blend in with the surrounding businesses. Nicer fencing, or split block security walls, paved drives, certain architectural features, and an attractive landscape package will be mandatory and made part of the architectural permit prior to construction, and strictly monitored for compliance. It is expected that people will begin to see an increase in the number of customized services available for its customers. There have already been some partnerships being formed that provide complementary products and services. Of course the most common example is truck rental, but we are now seeing pack and ship businesses, EBAY add-it stores, Kinko\’s, or co-locating with retail stores such as Starbucks or Subway on the ground floor with storage above in multi-story facilities.

As more and more people frequent self storage facilities, they will begin to expect more from the facilities and the face behind the counter. These sophisticated customers are demanding excellence and consumer loyalty will quickly go out the door, along with their stuff, if they have a bad experience. Conversely, when customers are satisfied with the service they receive, they will stay, and hopefully will tell their friends about the good experience they have had. This provides an excellent opportunity for these companies to exceed their expectations, and provide a substantially better experience.

In the future, the upward value trend in self storage will continue for a number of reasons: predictably low interest rates will push cap rates low, and net larger profits for those who choose to sell. For that reason, self storage continues to rise in popularity as one of the commercial real estate assets of choice, and will ultimately attract more investors. There are still a number of individuals and investment firms that are stinging from the recent stock market corrections. These investors are now searching for a more stable investment that they can rely on as opposed to investing in a company that they have never heard of; run by people they have never met, in an industry they know nothing about.

Self storage has continued to be a great investment to exchange into and more and more investors are choosing to park their dollars here before their tax deferred status expires. Therefore, it will be imperative for owners and developers to work more efficiently to attract and retain customers in this new environment. As the saying goes, the only thing we know for sure is that things are going to change. Self storage will remain a reasonably predictable, stable, low maintenance, high cash flow investment for professional investors for years to come.

Simply Self Storage asked:


It is quite easy to find a lot of self storage facilities in the whole of Texas and particularly in Lewisville. Most of these self storage units are targeted at people who are moving houses. Most people who move will want to store their household belonging until they can get settled properly in their new homes. In such cases, it becomes better for them to have a self storage facility that is en route to their new house. Lewisville attracts such moving clients because of the strategic geographical location of its main roads. The highways and arterial roads in Lewisville connect the main residential areas within the city and are also on the way of people moving within the other main cities of Lewisville. Because of this geographical arrangement, Lewisville is well-placed in the context of self storage.

Getting a Self Storage Unit in Lewisville

The competition in this particular market is quite intense in Lewisville. That is the reason you can find competitive prices here. Most of these self-service facilities are located on the main roads of the city such as the Central Expressway and the East Route Highway. The storage buildings, usually called warehouses here, are prominently visible as boxy buildings along the roadside, with welcoming drive-in areas.

However, though there are several self storage facilities in Lewisville, it does not mean that all of them would be suitable to your tastes. You have to consider your needs. In Lewisville, you can find mini self storage units which can be of use to you if you have few small-sized goods to store, or you can find climate controlled self storage units which are useful if you are trying to store something that is sensitive to temperature. You can also find storage facilities for special items, ranging from your valuables and important documents to your RVs and boats (though boats are rare in Lewisville!).

Because of this, it is important to do some research on the available options for self storage in Lewisville before heading out. Two things are most important to check out:-

The self storage facility that you are looking at should be convenient to you in terms of location. This is easy to find because Lewisville is dotted with self storage facilities on most of its main roads. The self storage facility rules should conform to your tastes. There are several things to consider here, but the most important thing you must look at is that the facility allows you to store and access the kinds of goods you have in a convenient manner.

Rules at Self Storage Units in Lewisville

Most of the common rules apply here too, but you will find that most self storage units here are laxer than in other places in terms of the goods that they allow you to store as well as the kind of access that they provide you with.

You can store anything that is nontoxic, non-inflammable, non-explosive and legal. In some of the storage facilities (you will have to look for them), you can also store firearms. There will be restrictions though. They might ask you to prove that you are the real owner of the firearm and your access for these goods may be stricter than for the other routine goods. You might have to show some insurance for it too. You will also find that some Lewisville storage facilities have adapted themselves to store perishable foods, including meats. This was not present in Lewisville till a few years ago, but persistent demands from clients have led some storage facilities to climate control themselves which makes it possible for them to allow such goods.

Accessing Self Storage Units in Lewisville

Different self storage units in Lewisville have different access policies and clients need to obey them. Some allow free access for renters while others use methods such as cards and some even use sophisticated biometric systems. You will find that the rent of self storage in Lewisville is in direct proportion to the kind of security measures that they employ.

Access is mostly 24/7, but in some facilities, you will find that the access is time-bound. These facilities may not allow access in the afterhours and even on certain days. However, some facilities do provide access in the late hours for an additional fee.

It can be seen that self storage in Lewisville is quite versatile. People looking for them usually find the exact kind of self storage that fits their needs. Do some research on the Internet and you will find what you need too.

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Self storage offers you all the convenience of storing items in your home without the need to use up that precious storage space for items you’ll rarely use or need access to. You can store almost anything in self storage, from small items in mini storage, to large items. Vehicle storage and boat storage are common self storage solutions for those who want to store those items off-season. But most self storage is for a variety of items a person needs to store while in the process of moving, or just to free up space in a home or business.

Because you don’t have to provide the storage company with an inventory of the items you’ll be storing, and they don’t see the items since you’ll have to transport them and pack them into the storage unit yourself, it’s a very private and convenient way to store items.

But there are some types of items that you can’t put into self storage. Each individual company might have its own special list of regulations and rules, as well as items that you’re not allowed to put into their storage units, but some of the items may be illegal to store in that area or the entire country, beyond any regulations that the self storage company puts into place.

When you’re looking at self storage, but sure to actually read the contract and make sure you’re aware of their rules and regulations, along with the local laws regarding items that can’t be put into storage. Most of those restricted items fall into a handful of broad categories.

Flammable and combustible liquids and materials

This includes things like gasoline, propane or fuels of any type, and things like fireworks that are designed to explode. The reason for this restriction should be obvious, as storing these things puts not only the rest of your stored items at risk of being damaged or destroyed by fire, but it puts everyone else’s storage units at risk, too.

While you may have no desire to store tanks of gas or propane, this applies to those fuels used in machinery, too. Anything you store with a fuel tank will need to have the tank emptied to be stored safely.

Living things

You cannot put your animals or plants into self storage. The reason animals can’t be stored should be obvious, as the storage units are windowless, hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Even though you do have access any time the storage facility is open, it’s illegal to keep an animal in your storage unit. Living plants also can’t be stored in self storage, first because they’re classified as a living thing, and second because they attract insects and pests. Animal products like pet food also cannot be stored as they can attract vermin, as well.

Food

Food items can’t be put into self storage because of the likelihood that they will attract vermin. Boxed goods can be sought out by vermin, and perishable foods not only attract vermin but will spoil and cause odor and mess problems. Canned food might be an exception you’ll have to check with the self storage company you plan on using if you want to store cans, to make sure it’s allowed.

For the following items, you’ll need to check with your self storage provider and read the contract carefully, as some allow the items and some don’t.

Guns and other weapons

This is dependent on the self storage facility for the most part, unless there are local laws in that area prohibiting storage of such items. You’ll need to check the rules carefully for certain items in this category. If the facility allows firearms and you want to store a black powder rifle, for instance, you may be able to store the rifle, but the black powder used within it might be illegal, so you’ll have to clean the gun and keep your powder at home. Ask and read the contract carefully.

Certain valuables like jewelry and antiques

Your storage unit might not allow for certain high ticket items that are worth a great deal of money. You may have to sign a waiver that leaves the storage company faultless in case of problems, or show that you have your own insurance for the items.

Sprays, aerosols and perfumes

This varies from facility to facility, but anything like an aerosol that could explode under pressure may not be allowed, as these can explode with extreme temperature changes. Also, sprays and perfumes that are heavily fragranced might be forbidden.