Renting a storage unit is the perfect solution to increase your storage space in a short time. People rent storage units for various reasons, including decluttering, moving, and storing seasonal items.
Even though the rules of storage companies are flexible, you can store practically everything in them, including clothes, furniture, appliances, and seasonal decorations. Still, some items are strictly prohibited from storing in a storage unit.
We recommend you contact your storage provider to have a clear idea about their rules, but for your ease, we have listed some of the things you CAN NOT put in a storage unit.
Perishable Items
Perishable items are strictly prohibited when it comes to storage units. An average storage unit does not have a ventilation or climate-controlled storage system unless you pay separately. Perishable items, including pulses, rice, and flour, should not be stored in a storage unit. You cannot put any kind of food or pet food bags in a storage unit.
Food will attract bugs and insects of all kinds and risk contamination of pests, mildew, and mould. Some storage facilities allow canned food, but you can check with your storage provider beforehand.
Weapons
Ammunition, firearms, and other hazardous weapons are not allowed to be stored in a storage unit in any case. By storing these weapons, you may increase the liability and risk the safety of the whole storage facility. Firearms are notorious for going off accidentally, and in a confined space like a storage unit, they can cause a lot of damage.
If you have registered firearms and wish to store them securely, we recommend storing them in a secure gun container or cabinet.
Combustible Items
You would be surprised to learn that many people think storing paint, petrol, and cleaning agents are entirely safe. The rule of thumb is items that can catch fire easily and have an explosive reaction to fire should never be stored in a storage unit. Below is a list of some combustible items that should not be stored in a storage unit.
- Fertilizers
- Gas tanks
- Propane tanks
- Motor oil
- Acids
- Paints
- Cleaning agents
- Fireworks
If you find yourself second-guessing whether it is safe to store or not, contact the representative of your storage provider. Be thoughtful while packing up boxes for storage; remember any combustible items will pose a threat to your stuff as well as others.
Illegal or Stolen Items
This should go without saying; any stolen and illegal item should not be stored in a storage unit. If you don’t possess ownership of something, it should not be stored under your name. Storage facilities have strict rules regarding stolen and illegal items, and they are known to report it to the authorities if they become aware.
Some people make the grave mistake of storing illegal items in a storage unit like tobacco, alcoholics, counterfeit items, and unlicensed drugs. If the storage unit’s staff catches you, there is a strong chance that you will be reported.
Jewellery and Expensive Items
Storage units are generally considered safe and secure; you can place all your belongings without concern. Still, there have been unfortunate incidents in the past where break-ins were reported, or incidents of arson took place. We advise against storing jewellery and expensive items in a storage unit.
If you have to store your valuables in a storage unit and have no other option, you can use a high-security storage facility or safe deposit boxes. Storage facilities cater to people with diverse needs and requirements; if you wish to store stuff of high value, you can rent an exclusive storage unit with dual security features and a CCTV surveillance facility.
Unregistered Vehicles
Many storage companies offer vehicle storage options for people without space to store their vehicles. No matter what type of vehicle you have, storage companies will gladly allow you to store them at their premises. One thing that they do not allow is an unregistered vehicle since it can give rise to complexities.
If you want to store your vehicle, whether it is a car, boat, or RV, you will have to provide proof of registration before storing it in a storage unit. Storage facilities also advise getting your vehicle insured before storage.
Plants
Unless you rent a climate-controlled storage unit, average storage units are dark, hot, and humid. Some people tend to transfer all their domestic stuff when moving or renovating, including live plants.
Sadly, plants cannot thrive in such an environment and wilt within hours. The rotten plants may attract all sorts of bugs, vermin, and insects and create an unpleasant odour. You will have to look for a temporary home for your live plants, as keeping them in a storage unit is not an option.
Storage facilities allow you to keep artificial plants and pots in storage units so your artificial plants can stay.
Animals and Humans
Will you believe some people have mistakenly put their pet hamsters and rats in a storage unit? Sadly it’s true. Any animal, whether caged, in a box, or in a tank, should not be put in a storage unit. Whether you have a friendly lizard, fish, parrot, or hamster, a storage unit is not a place where they can survive.
Even though you have rented the storage unit, the guidelines strictly advise against staying in them. Storage units are designed to keep domestic belongings, all kinds of furniture, books, clothing, sports equipment, and electronics, but they are not designed so humans can survive in them.
Final Words
Thinking of renting a storage unit? We say go for it. It is the cheapest and most convenient way of increasing storage space in less time. You can free up so much space in your house by renting a storage unit and transferring all the stuff you don’t use in it.
Just keep track of the above list and never store anything that is on the list. You can also check your storage provider’s website, which usually lists items prohibited from storing in a storage unit.
