Frequently Asked Questions

Search your city, ZIP code or address, then compare the facilities nearby by price, distance, reviews and features. When you find a unit that fits, reserve it online. It takes a couple of minutes and it's free.

On move-in day, go to the facility with a photo ID, sign the rental agreement, pay your first month and any fees, and you'll get your gate code. Some facilities also let you finish the paperwork online and go straight to your unit.

It depends mostly on three things: the size, the features (climate control costs more than a standard unit) and where you live. A small locker or 5' x 5' is the cheapest option, and prices climb from there. 10' x 20' and larger units, and anything in a busy city center, cost the most.

The quickest way to know for sure is to search your area. Every listing shows its current online price for each size, and many include a move-in special.

A rough guide: a 5' x 5' holds boxes and a few small pieces, a 5' x 10' fits a studio or dorm room, a 10' x 10' takes one to two bedrooms, and a 10' x 20' can hold a two- to three-bedroom home or a car.

If you're between two sizes, the bigger one usually saves you a headache, especially if you need to walk in and get things out. Our storage calculator can estimate it from the rooms and items you're storing.

Bring a government-issued photo ID and a way to pay for your first month and any admin fee. You'll also need a lock if the facility doesn't provide one (most sell them in the office). If the facility requires insurance or a protection plan, have your homeowner's or renter's policy details handy.

Most storage units are rented month to month, so you can stay as long as you need and leave when you're done, usually with some notice. A few facilities have a minimum stay or special rules tied to a move-in deal, and those show up in the rental agreement.

Often, yes. Many facilities let you move in the day you reserve, as long as you arrive during office hours or complete an online move-in. You can also pick a later move-in date, and your reservation holds the unit until then.

No. Reserving through StorageUnits.com is free and doesn't need a credit card. You lock in the price you see online and pay the facility when you move in. If a particular deal needs a card to hold it, you'll see that before you confirm.

Yes, and it doesn't cost anything. Use your confirmation code on the My Reservations page to change your move-in date, update your contact details or cancel. You can also call the facility directly.

Your reservation holds the unit until the move-in date you choose. If your plans change, update the date from My Reservations so the facility knows you're still coming.

The online price you reserve is the price you start at. Like most rentals, storage rent can go up over time, and how often and by how much is up to each facility. Your rental agreement explains their policy and how much notice they give, so it's worth a quick read before you sign.

Your confirmation code is in the email we sent when you reserved. Check your spam or promotions folder if you don't see it. Still stuck? Contact us with the name and email you used, and we'll help you find it.

Many facilities charge a one-time admin or setup fee when you move in, and some ask for a refundable deposit. You might also pay for a lock or a protection plan. The facility's fees are shown where we have them, and the rental agreement lists them all.

You pay the storage facility directly, not StorageUnits.com. Most take cards in the office and online, and many offer autopay so you never miss a due date.

Facilities usually add a late fee after a short grace period, and they can lock you out of the unit until the account is caught up. If rent goes unpaid for a long time, state law lets the facility place a lien and eventually sell what's in the unit. If you're going to be late, call the facility early. Most would rather work something out.

Many facilities require it. Your homeowner's or renter's policy may already cover belongings in storage, so check with your insurer first. If it doesn't, most facilities offer a protection plan you can add for a few dollars a month.

A climate-controlled unit stays within a set temperature range all year, and many also keep humidity in check. It's worth it for things that don't handle heat, cold or damp well: wood furniture, electronics, photos and documents, artwork, instruments, mattresses and clothing.

For tools, patio furniture, bikes or things packed in plastic bins, a standard unit is usually fine and costs less.

Drive-up units open to the outside, so you can park right at the door and unload. That's handy for heavy furniture and frequent trips. Indoor units are inside a building, reached through hallways or an elevator, and they're more often climate controlled and a bit more sheltered from the weather.

A storage locker is smaller than a standard unit, often around 5' x 4' or less, and sometimes stacked two high. It's a low-cost way to store a few boxes, seasonal decorations or documents.

Yes. Many facilities rent outdoor, covered or enclosed parking spaces, and a large drive-up unit can hold a car or small boat. Browse car storage, boat storage or RV storage near you. Most facilities will ask for current registration and insurance, and the vehicle should be in working order.

Office hours are when staff are on site to help with move-ins, payments and questions. Access hours are when you can get through the gate to your unit, and they're usually longer, often early morning to late evening. Some facilities offer 24-hour access. Both are listed on every facility page.

Anything flammable or hazardous (gasoline, propane, paint thinner, fireworks), perishable food, live animals or plants, firearms and ammunition where they're restricted, and anything illegal. Facilities may add their own rules, so check the rental agreement if you're unsure about something.

No. Living in a storage unit isn't allowed, and most facilities don't permit running a business out of the unit either. Many businesses do use storage for inventory, files and equipment, though.

Use sturdy boxes of a few standard sizes so they stack evenly. Put heavy items at the bottom and the things you'll need most near the front. Leave a narrow path down the middle, label every box on the side, and cover furniture with breathable cloth instead of plastic. Our storage tips have more ideas.

Most facilities have a gated entry with a personal code, plus video cameras and good lighting, and some have on-site managers or individual door alarms. You bring or buy the lock, and only you have the key. Each facility page lists its security features.

Usually, yes. A disc or cylinder lock is the hardest to cut, and many facilities require one or sell them in the office. Some newer facilities have smart locks you open with an app.

Yes, if you allow it. Give them your lock key and ask the facility to add them as an authorized user so they get their own gate code. Only the people on your account can get in.

Tell the facility before you leave. Many ask for a written notice or a set number of days' notice. Empty and sweep the unit, remove your lock, and confirm with the office that you've moved out so you aren't billed for another month.

That depends on the facility. Some prorate the last month, and many don't refund a partial month. The move-out terms are in your rental agreement, so check them before you plan your move-out date.

No. StorageUnits.com is a free service that helps you find, compare and reserve storage from facilities across the country. The facility you choose owns and runs the storage, and you rent the unit from them. Learn more about us.

You'll see the facility's online rate and any move-in deal they're running, and reserving through us is free. Prices can change with demand, so reserving locks in the rate you see today.

Send us a message on our Contact Us page. For questions about your unit, your rent or access, the facility's office is the fastest place to get an answer.