Storage Unit And The Law

People often ask for advice on what they should NOT do while using a self storage unit. This is a great question, and here are just a few answers. It is against the law in every state to put anything hazardous in a self storage unit. The reasons for this law are fairly obvious. No one wants to store his or her items in a facility that might blow up or catch fire!
Items that are combustible or flammable are not permitted in a self storage unit. This will include stuff like nail polish remover, charcoal lighter fluid, and kerosene. The gasoline needs to be removed from lawnmowers and snow blowers before they can be put away in a self storage unit. The propane tank needs to be detached from the barbeque grill before stowing it away.
Things that are corrosive are not allowed in a self storage unit. This includes car batteries, pesticides, and poisons such as weed killer. Household chemicals can be brought to the new house or given to neighbors, but they are not permitted in a self storage unit.
Anything explosive needs to be packed away somewhere other than a self storage unit. Fireworks, ammunition, and chemistry sets cannot be put into the space.
Perishables are not allowed in a self storage unit. Frozen or refrigerated food cannot be stored, along with any containers of food that have been opened. These will spoil, and will attract rodents and other unwanted critters.
Anything living is not permitted in a self storage unit. This obviously includes people and animals, but it also pertains to things such as plants. The plants attract pests while they are alive, and will rot when they die.
Anything illegal is not permitted in a self storage unit. This clearly includes the manufacturing of drugs such as meth labs and marijuana cultivating. This rule also includes things like stolen property. This is one reason why a storage facility wants to see proof of ownership and insurance when renting a self storage unit to someone parking a car or a truck.
There are things that are not against the law to put into a self storage unit, but it is recommended that these items not be stored in one if at all possible.
Anything that has a great deal of sentimental value to you and that cannot be replaced should not be put into a self storage unit. Although most storage facilities are as safe as possible, just like with anything else there is always the chance that something might go wrong. There is always the possibility of a fire or windstorm or water problems.
Avoid storing important documents such as passports, medical and dental records, and insurance and financial papers. There are always the stories of people being unable to get to their passport for the ski trip to Austria on Christmas Day or of not being able to get their childs birth certificate in time for the first day of school or not being able to get to their car title to sell the auto. Most storage facilities have limited access hours, so tenants should keep all important papers with them, and not in a self storage unit.
Family photographs, wedding albums, and address books want to be kept somewhere besides a self storage unit. And remember to keep all prescription medications with you, and not inadvertently in a box that winds up packed away.
Storing your items in a self storage facility where the manager actually lives on the property will give you the peace of mind that this employee is able to keep a better eye on things. The manager will notice if anything peculiar is going on.
By: Self-Storage-Owner
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