Self Storage Glossary

Below are a list of Self Storage terms and definitions.

Access Hours: The timeframe during which customers can access their storage unit.

Amenities: Features that a storage facility offers, such as climate control, 24/7 access, security cameras, etc.

 

Auction: A public sale in which goods are sold to the highest bidder. In self-storage, this is usually a last resort when a tenant defaults on their payment.

 

Bubble Wrap: A plastic packaging material with air-filled bubbles used to protect items from damage.

 

Climate-Controlled Unit: A storage unit that maintains a constant temperature and humidity level to protect sensitive items.

 

Commercial Storage: Storage services used by businesses to store excess inventory, equipment, records, and more.

 

Deposit: An upfront payment to ensure the unit is kept in good condition, typically refunded upon move-out unless there is damage.

 

Drive-Up Access: A feature that allows you to drive a vehicle directly up to the storage unit for easy loading and unloading.

 

Dust Cover: A lightweight plastic or fabric sheet used to protect items from dust and debris.

 

Facility: The physical location of the storage units.

 

Indoor Storage: Storage units that are located inside a building.

 

Inventory: A list of items being stored in the unit, often required by insurance companies.

 

Key Code Access: A security feature where tenants enter a unique code to access the facility or their individual unit.

 

Lease: A legally binding agreement between the tenant and the storage facility outlining terms and conditions.

 

Lock: A device used to secure a storage unit. Tenants typically provide their own lock and keep the key.

 

Mobile Storage: A portable storage container that can be delivered to your location, filled, and then transported to a storage facility or another location.

 

Monthly Rate: The cost of renting a storage unit for a month.

 

Move-In Special: A promotional deal offered by storage facilities to attract new tenants, often including discounts for the first month.

 

Outdoor Storage: Storage units that are not located inside a building. Often used for vehicles, boats, and RVs.

 

Packing Supplies: Items like boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and other materials used to pack and protect items for storage.

 

Padlock: A removable lock with a U-shaped bar hinged at one end and designed to secure a storage unit.

 

Pro-Rated Rent: Adjusted rent amount based on the number of days the unit is used.

 

Roll-Up Door: A door that rolls up to open, maximizing the usable space in the storage unit.

 

Security Deposit: A sum of money held by the storage facility as insurance against potential damage to the unit or default on payment.

 

Self-Storage Insurance: An insurance policy that covers the contents of a storage unit in case of damage or loss.

 

Shelving: Structures inside a storage unit used to organize and protect stored items.

 

Storage Auction: A public sale of the contents of a storage unit when the tenant has defaulted on payment.

 

Storage Unit: A rented space, usually within a facility, used to store items.

 

Tenant: A person or business that rents a storage unit.

 

Unit Size: The dimensions of a storage unit, often expressed in feet (e.g., 5×5, 10×10, 10×20).

 

Vehicle Storage: A service offered by many facilities where tenants can store cars, boats, RVs, and other vehicles.

 

Warehouse Storage: Large, often commercial-scale storage units for business inventory, equipment, or large-scale storage needs.

 

24/7 Access: A feature that allows tenants to access their storage unit at any time of the day or night.