Please don't be misled about what Self-Storage is or isn't.
Self-storage (sometimes called mini-storage or self-service storage) is an economical alternative to the traditional moving and storage warehouse option. In the traditional moving and storage experience, a moving company will come out to your residence or office, pack up your belongings and then take them to their warehouse to store them in a wooden crate(sometimes 3 to 4 high). Access to your goods is very limited and the cost to have someone pack and move your belongings can be very expensive.
Self-Storage came along around the mid to late 1960's in the Southwest part of the United States. Since then it as rapidly caught on and expanded through-out the US, Canada, (and now) the rest of the world. The basics are the same everywhere though.
If you were to hire a moving and storage company to store your goods, they become responsible for them. In legal terms, it is called "Bailment". That company takes care, custody, and control of your goods. If something happens to them while in their possession, they will reimburse you for the damage- typically based on the weight of the goods.
In contrast, a Self-Storage facility is renting a space to you for you to store your goods. The self-storage company is a landlord just like an apartment or office building landlord. They are renting a space which you determined is suitable for your needs in size, location, safety, and condition. A self-storage operator does not have Bailment on your goods. The operator does not take care, custody or control of your goods, that remains with you at all times while the contract is valid. That is why many self-storage operators strongly suggest or sometimes insist on you, the tenant, having insurance on you property when you store in a self-storage facility. A typical saying is "if it is worth keeping, it is worth insuring.
Tenants store many different type of items in self-storage facilities. This may include furniture, clothes, books, office equipment, office files, or retail goods. Some tenants may come to the facility everyday to pick up or deliver something to their unit. Other tenants may need to store their property and then be gone from the area for some extended time-maybe a year or more depending on their job or circumstances. If a problem develops during the tenants absence, the operator of the self-storage facility may only learn or know about it if the tenant calls it to the operators attention. The problem may include a leak in the roof, rodents (if another tenant stored food in a unit), a break-in or theft, or a door not working properly. The Owner/Operator will typically take care of any problem that arises as soon as possible upon being aware of a it since their reputation, and therefore livelihood, depends on the customer's good experience. But, as stated before, the operator is not legally responsible for any personal property stored in a self-storage facility. That is why a typical rental agreement will not recommend storing highly valuable or sentimental items in a self-storage unit. In these cases, a self-storage facility may not be right for you. In all cases, if you rent a self-storage unit from any company-large or small, it is highly recommended that you insure you personal property.
Self-Storage operators will typically ask you to come to the facility before you rent to look at the space you plan on renting. The reason for that is to verify with you, the customer, that the space fits your needs. Tenant's needs vary. For some, walking up one flight of steps or down a hall poses no problems. For others, the steps may present a major challenge. Also, all units typically are nominally called 5x10's or 10x10's for descriptive purposes only. A 10x10 is not exactly 10ft by 10ft in size. Self-storage units are smaller than the descriptive name. Real Estate industry standards will measure apartments, houses, offices, industrial properties, and self-storage spaces to the center lines of interior walls or to the outside of exterior walls. That is why you should visit the facility to determine the best size for you. Another example is when you buy lumber at the store. A 2x4 is actually only 1-1/2 inches x 3-1/2 inches in size. The 2x4 is the nominal dimension.
We have added this discussion to help you become an educated customer and to know what exactly you are renting when you come to a self-storage facility. For your additional information, we have added copies of the Self-Storage Lien Laws from the states that U-Store operates. We have also made available a copy of our Rental Agreements from those states. A Spanish version is also available to help those whose primary language is Spanish. We have attempted to an accurate translation made but, please note that the English version is the one that will be signed and governs the transaction.