What Not To Store In Self-Storage Units
Self-storage solutions can be a cheap and easy way to free up space in your home and store your belongings. The demand for self-storage in London has increased over the years as more and more people require a solution to make space in their home; without having to get rid of items, they would potentially need at a later time.
While self-storage units are built to be a secure and safe environment for your items to be kept, there are some things that should not be stored in them.
Read on as we outline some of the items that should not be stored in self-storage and why:
Humans
Under any circumstance, humans should not be kept (dead or alive) at self-storage units. Although most storage sites have 24-hour access, seven days a week, it does not permit people to use their storage units as permanent residences. Not only are storage units not equipped to accommodate humans, but the temperatures in the outdoor units can get close to freezing, so it is never safe to stay in a storage unit for long periods of time. Not to mention, it is a very illegal thing to do!
Animals
Quite similar to humans being kept in storage units, animals should never be kept in self-storage. The conditions are not suitable for temporary housing your pets or to be used as a ‘holiday unit’ for animals.
Perishable food items
Any foods that will spoil (including pet food) is not allowed to be stored in self-storage as it can lead to rotting. This will also attract pests and rodents; potentially causing a much bigger problem for all the storage units. In most cases, canned foods are permitted to be stored.
Live Plants
Live plants are not allowed as they attract insects and vermin. The climate is also not ideal for keeping any plant alive as there is a lack of sunlight, water, fresh air and temperatures can get really low.
Flammable and hazardous materials
Any materials that will be somewhat explosive, cause a fire or have devastating repercussions are not permitted to be self-stored. For the safety of your belongings and the belongings of everyone else using the storage facilities, you are not allowed to store materials such as; gasoline, kerosene, compressed gas, propane tanks, acid, corrosives, chemicals, toxic or biological waste, and any products that contain asbestos. Anything that poses a risk to the environment or health should never be left in self-storage.
Tyres
Tyres are prohibited items as s they require expensive disposal if they have been left in storage units for too long. If they are abandoned, this can be costly for the storage units and for that reason, they are generally not permitted to be left in your storage unit.
Stolen/Illegal goods
If you don’t legally own the items in your storage unit (or they are stolen) then they cannot legally be stored in self-storage premises. Unless you have explicit consent from the true owner to keep them there, you are not allowed to store them in the unit as it is very illegal.
Valuables (i.e. cash and jewellery)
Although self-storage facilities offer round the clock security and are equipped with CCTV to safeguard your personal belongings, we would still strongly advise against keeping valuable items such as cash, jewellery and any irreplaceable family heirlooms in your storage unit. The best and most secure alternative would be to opt to store it in a bank, a safe or a safety deposit box.
It is important to read the rules of the self-storage facility you use as there can be many more items specified that should not be stored in your self-storage unit. Here at Matthew James Removals, our self-storage warehouse is secure, clean and installed with the latest and highly sophisticated alarm systems. Contact us today to discuss suitable self-storage solutions for you.