Storage units are great. They allow you to declutter your home without having to throw away the things you want to keep. Just because you don’t want something in your home doesn’t mean you want to get rid of it. Just think about all those photo albums, valuable collectibles, and old home videos that you have yet to convert from VHS to DVD. These are all things that can go in storage units.
However, there are some items that are not permitted in your storage unit to ensure the safety of your belongings, your safety when in the unit, as well as the safety of other tenants and their belongings, and the property as a whole. Failure to comply with these rules could result in some hefty fines. So, it’s crucial to be aware of what you can’t store in a storage unit.
Perishable Items
Perishable items are at the top list of things you want to keep out of your storage unit. After all, they perish and you want to have them in your home so you can use them before they go bad.
When perishable items such as food gets stored in a storage unit, insects and rodents will take full advantage of the opportunity. Unfortunately, they won’t just eat the food and will often times get into the other items, boxes, and containers you have in your storage unit. The mess – and damage they leave behind can be irreplaceable. That’s also not to mention that an infestation throughout the entire storage facility can occur, which poses health risks for everyone.
So, keep your perishable items at home. Putting them in a storage unit isn’t going to ‘save them’ by any means.
Dead or Alive Animals or People
Animal cruelty is illegal and unethical. As such, storing any living creature within a storage unit is strictly prohibited.
Now, even if an animal isn’t alive it still can’t be stored in a storage unit. Whether you’re interested in taxidermy or are waiting to bury a deceased family pet, a storage unit is not the place to keep them. This can attract all kinds of vermin, mold, insects and even diseases.
Additionally, people are not permitted to live or work in storage units.
Hazardous Material
Similar to a moving truck, you cannot store hazardous materials in a storage unit. This includes any chemicals, gases, corrosive materials, gasoline, propane lamps, kerosene, motor oils, cleaners, paints, fertilizers or anything flammable, toxic or contain asbestos. If you’re unsure as to whether or not something can be stored in your unit, it’s always best to ask. Otherwise, you risk being held liable for any fires, explosions or health risks that stem from your storage unit.
Explosives, Firearms and Ammunition
Similar to the prior, explosives, such as fireworks, firearms and ammunition are not permitted in storage units. Doing so can result in damages to both belongings and human safety, which you can be held responsible for if these items were to go off.
Unregistered Vehicles
Storage units seem like a great place to store unregistered vehicles, boats, trailers, motorcycles and trucks, but it is strictly prohibited. You also cannot store someone else’s vehicle in your storage unit, even if it’s registered.
If you intend on storing motor vehicles in your storage unit, you will need to provide proof of ownership and good working condition.
The good news is, most things that aren’t on this list can be stored in a storage unit. So, in the grand scheme of things, the things you can’t store are minuscule in comparison.
