Is It a Good Idea to Share Your Storage Unit?

By John Doe

Published on April 15, 2020

If you have a self-storage unit, you might find yourself called upon to help other people with their storage needs. For example, your friend might ask you to store her furniture between apartment moves, or your mother might ask you to keep her fine china safe during a kitchen remodel. But before you say yes, think about these three very important factors.

You Never Really Know Just What Others Are Storing

As much as you trust your friends and family, you never really know what they're asking you to store... even when they have the best intentions. How do you know your friend's mattress isn't infested with bedbugs? Or that the boxes labeled "Kitchen" that your uncle asked you to store don't contain food that will lead to an ant infestation? Unless you packed it yourself, you can never be sure what others have given you.

Only You Can Access Your Storage Unit

Storing items for other people may seem simple, but your storage facility still considers you the only person with the right to access your storage unit. If you go on vacation for two months and your friend suddenly needs to access your unit, the storage facility will not open the unit for him or her unless they are named on the lease. The same goes for providing them with building access codes or other account information. If yours is the only name on the rental agreement, then the storage facility will not give access or information to anyone but you.

A Few Months Might Turn into Forever

Everyone plans for the best, but no one can predict the future. So, when a friend or family member asks you to store something, keep in mind that you might be giving up that space forever. If your friend moves to Florida to work at Disney World, chances are high that he's never coming back for the 'vintage' furniture he asked you to store for him. In the end, you'll have less storage space of your own.

Don't feel bad about turning down requests to share your storage unit. The truth is, it's usually easier for that person to rent a short-term unit of their own. At Bluebird Self Storage, we have convenient locations with units that can fit anyone's needs. Contact us today to learn about availability in your area.

Frequently Asked Self Storage Questions

What size storage unit is right for me?

Finding the right storage unit depends on the number of possessions you plan on storing at our facility. The more items you have, the more space you’ll need. At every Bluebird facility, we offer units ranging from below 5’ x 5’ to 10’ x 30’ or even larger, so you can find the right amount of storage space. To find the right unit size, explore our Storage Unit Size Guide or read this resource to see which unit fits your needs best.

Can I buy boxes and packing supplies at Bluebird?

Yes! If you’re about to move into a storage unit, our facility offers moving and storage supplies that help protect your belongings. Our supplies range from boxes, packing tape, mattress and furniture covers, and so much more!

How long can I rent a unit?

We don’t have any long-term agreements at Bluebird, so you can rent your unit for as little as a month or two or upwards of a year if you’d like! If circumstances change, we can always extend or shorten your storage stay with us.

How do I access my storage unit?

You, selected family, and any business associates can access your local facility by using our secure keypad entry using a personal security code. Individual units are protected by a lock that is only accessible by the customer. Only contacts you authorize will be able to access your unit.

Typical daily access hours are from 6AM - 11PM, so you can always access your stuff when you need it. Check with the location nearest you for more information about access hours.

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