Renting storage for the first time can be confusing and troubling. There are local regulations, renting agreements, storage access, type of storage, and various other things you should know beforehand.
Learn about some important things before renting storage. Whether you need storage in Dubai or anywhere else in the world, knowing these things earlier can help you make informed decisions. The local regulations may be different in different states and countries. But wherever you may be, this article can help you in many ways.
Understanding Your Requirements
The first thing you should do before renting and even finding storage space is to understand your requirements. It is important for you to have a clear idea of what you want to store and for how long you are going to need the space. It is important because you should know the rental duration and the area of storage space that fulfills your needs.
Besides the duration and area of the space, you should also consider the accessibility and location. Usually, storage facilities are outside the cities. It is better to know which locations would suit you. Also, you may decide the type of access you need to your inventory. Some storage spaces allow access during limited hours a day while others are accessible 24/7.
Lastly, you should know the budget you can spend on the storage space. These facilities usually have a minimum rent duration of 3 months. Therefore, it is better to set a budget so you search for properties within that range.
Search for a Storage Facility
The first thing you need to do to rent storage is to find one. You can look for storage facilities online. Simply type the name of the storage facility and your city (or the place where you want to rent storage) in Google’s search bar. Open the first three to five results in different tabs. Scroll those websites to see available storage facilities in that area.
Another way of searching for storage space is by reaching out to brokers. Property brokers can help you, especially when you do not know about the area. They can take you to different storage facilities to help you find a suitable one. It is always better to consult more than one broker to get a better idea of the rent and help with negotiation.
Another approach is to get help from your colleagues and associates. You can ask them if they know about any good storage space in the area you are looking for.
Visit the Location
When you find some storage spaces that are worth considering, you can schedule your visits to them. Do not finalize a location that you haven’t physically seen. Visit the storage facilities and personally observe the security and condition of the building. It is always better to look out for mold on your visit as it can damage the inventory and affect your health.
It is also better to visit more than one location so you have options to choose from. You can compare security, the buildings’ condition, accessibility, and rents. Also, it is better to check for anything that needs maintenance When you are rushing things with your moving date coming close, you may end up missing a good deal you could get elsewhere.
Documentation and Terms
When you finalize a storage facility that is a perfect fit for your needs, ask the owners or management for a rental contract. Always go through the whole contract before signing it. You can check the due dates for rent, initial security deposit amount, duration, terms for moving before the end of the contract, and other terms.
In addition to these, it is also better to check for conditions regarding doing business directly from the storage facility. Also, you can see if the facility offers damages and insurance for storage. If there is anything odd in your contract, discuss it with your handlers. Sign the contract only after you have gone through everything.
Hire Movers to Shift Your Storage
When you are done with signing a contract and get a moving date from the management of the storage facility, only then proceed to hire movers. Before actual moving, it is better to clean all the things you want to store. This will keep your things safe for a long time.
Another advisable thing is to accompany the movers. You can see where all your things are. This will help you not to lose track of your things. You can take a step further by taking photos of the store inventory.
