What Should I Avoid Storing In A Storage Unit Facility?

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December 17th, 2024

Common Items Renters Should Avoid Storing in Their Storage Unit

Storage units are great ways to create space in your home or store belongings you aren’t in need of at the moment. There are some mild restrictions on what items can be brought into the units, and the state of those items. Continue reading to learn more about what items aren’t allowed to be stored in your storage unit.

Don’t Store Perishable Items & Certain Dry Goods

Even for what a renter would think of as a relatively short period of time, many foods are not permitted in your storage unit. Canned foods can spoil or burst open which can lead to mold, mildew, and issues with pests. You are allowed to store some dry goods, however not all foods that are considered to be dry goods are non-perishable. Any non-perishable foods you do end up keeping in your storage unit should be in an airtight, sealed container.

Grains, including certain types of rice, boxed foods, dry pet food, powdered milk, and baby formula are all items you should avoid keeping in your storage unit. As perishable foods go rancid they can attract pests, which can damage your belongings, and personal items, and cause damage to those storing their items in the same facility. Rotting and rancid food create a potent smell that can permeate throughout the self-storage facility. While our facility has reliable methods to keep pests out, we ask that anyone renting a storage unit in our facility avoid storing items that may be an attraction for unwanted guests.

Weapons & Unlawful Possessions

Keeping weapons or other ammunition inside of a rental unit is against the rules. This can range from handguns to fireworks and includes anything that could be seen as a dangerous weapon. There are multiple reasons why explosive belongings can’t be stored. Firearms and other weapons may accidentally discharge which is a huge liability for a storage facility, and the owner of the weapon. Even in locked containers weapons are not permitted on the premises. Weapons are also a safety issue in storage facilities.

There are legal issues with having firearms in your rental unit as well. It creates a massive headache for anyone involved when a unit is abandoned or seized and the storage unit is sold at auction. Any illegal items cannot be kept in a storage unit. This includes unlicensed weapons, unlawfully obtained property, illegal substances, and anything else that could get a renter or the storage facility into legal trouble. If you have questions about the rules and restrictions about any items you wish to store, speak with one of our facility employees and they can provide more information.

Storing Money

Storing money is a unique problem that we sometimes face. Storing cash anywhere but in your bank is not recommended. Even when you have insured the items in your storage unit, no insurance company will cover the loss of money. This includes whether your money was stolen or somehow damaged. If you plan on moving your money into a storage unit we recommend taking it to a bank or safety security box instead. These are more secure, and if stored in the appropriate channels can be insured by the government. That means your money is completely safe from damage or theft. Storage facilities are designed to store personal belongings like furniture, clothing, and general household items. While we do provide a highly secure facility, self-storage is not the place to store money and high-valued items.

Don’t Store Anything Wet or Living

Plants should not be kept inside of a self-storage unit. They require light, which they won’t receive indoors. Plants also require water, and we encourage all of our customers to avoid any moisture in their items if possible. The soil in plants will likely contain some form of pests, making them unsuitable for storing. Plant soil makes for a great environment for many pests to thrive, which makes it not ideal for a storage unit. Any living items are not permitted to be kept in your storage unit, including plants, pets, animals, or anything else alive.

Any wet items in your storage unit are likely to cause problems. They can easily cause mold or mildew to grow, especially in a darker storage unit that doesn’t get sufficient sunlight. Not only is this a headache to deal with, but it can cause damage to your personal items, so it’s good to be certain anything entering your storage unit is dry. Items for water sports such as surfboards and kayaks need to be properly dried before storing.

Irreplaceable and Valuable Items

For highly valuable items almost all storage facilities will require proof of insurance, or they simply won’t allow you to keep the items in your storage unit. If you need to store valuable items we encourage you to use a safety deposit box at a bank or keep the items stored in a reputable safe or strongbox at home. Jewelry, collectibles, historic memorabilia, gold, silver, and other valuable items are not permitted in your storage unit.

Personal irreplaceable items are also not advised to be kept in a storage unit. While our facility has safety redundancies and 24/7 surveillance, we do recommend anything valuable or irreplaceable be kept elsewhere. This is especially important if your personal circumstances change and your storage unit must be auctioned off. In the case of a natural disaster, a storage unit is not the best place for items of high value or personal meaning.

Restrictions on Putting Vehicles in A Storage Unit

We welcome the storage of certain vehicles such as ATVs, cars, boats, trailers, motorcycles, and some RVs. Some restrictions will apply to vehicle storage and certain documents must be verified by our staff.

Any vehicle stored on our premises must be insured, operable, and with a current registration. The renter must provide a valid driver's license as well.

Any vehicle that is not operable, or not registered cannot be stored at a self-storage facility. If you are interested in storing any vehicles at our facility you can speak with a staff member and learn more about your options. We have many different size storage units so you are able to find one that fits your exact needs. Whether you’re storing two monocycles or a boat, Awesome Possum Storage offers units of the right square footage.

Awesome Possum Storage Facilities

The Awesome Possum Storage facility is both secure and efficient. We offer unique options for our customers to provide direct solutions. With both indoor and outdoor storage and units of many different sizes we can find the right unit for your storage needs. To learn more about our facilities contact us, or stop by during our business hours.

Our Self Storage Amenities

The Awesome Possum Storage facility provides excellent amenities for our customers. This includes units that are climate-controlled meaning your belongings will never be exposed to extreme temperatures or high humidity. We monitor our facilities around the clock to ensure safety inside our securely gated perimeter. Customers have 24-hour access to their units so they will never be restricted by our open business hours.

Rent A Storage Unit Near You!

Leasing a storage unit is a quick and easy task. We provide a calculator that helps you determine the best size for your belongings and can help you narrow down your selection and have an agreement signed asap.