What to Know Before Renting a Self-Storage Unit in New York City

Renting a storage facility is something most people will do at least once in their lifetime. People that are having new carpet installed may rent one on a short-term basis while someone moving across the country may need one for a longer period of time. No matter what the reason or the time duration there are some things that you will need to know before renting a storage unit in New York.

Knowing the Facts Before Renting a Storage Unit

There is nothing worse than getting into a contract and finding out that there are conditions or extra fees that you are responsible for. Here are some things that you will want to know before signing on the dotted line.

• Shop around before renting. Sometimes location demands that the storage facility charge a higher price. You may find a same sized unit another mile down the road for a lot less money.
• Rent the right size. If you are only storing a few pieces of furniture for a few days, then you will not need to rent a full-size unit. Get a quote on smaller units to save a lot of money.
• An inside unit versus an outside unit. In some areas of the country, mold can grow fairly quickly. If you have items of great value that you are trying to store, then an inside air-conditioned unit will be right for you. Just keep in mind that an inside unit will cost more than an outside unit.
• Utilize the truck. Some storage facilities let renters use the moving truck for free. You may have to book use of the truck weeks ahead of time so make sure to plan accordingly.
• Check your insurance policy. You will find that the storage facility is quick to remind you that they will not cover any items in your unit should there be damage to the area. The facility may offer a policy for you to purchase, but it comes at a high price. Check with your home or renter’s insurance carrier to see if they offer some kind of coverage for your belongings while in the storage unit.
• If you’re going to be moving already, you might get better rates from the moving company. Storage is expensive in Manhattan and many moving companies offer a consolidated type of storage solution that is more cost-effective. This works great when you will already be moving and you do not need to access your storage regularly. If this happens to be your situation, speak with your Manhattan moving company about storage options to get pricing estimates.
• Take pictures before moving in and after moving out of the unit. This helps everyone know what kind of damage or markings were present in the unit before you started renting it. After all you do not want to get stuck paying for someone else that damaged the unit.

If you are looking to rent a unit in the near future, then make sure to do your research before renting the unit. Make sure to pay you bill each month by the due date. You will find that the facility will lock you out of your unit until you have paid. Once you are settled on a facility, then feel free to sign the contract. Storage facilities are a great benefit to people that need them the most.