For students, the end of the academic year is a time to relax and look forward to having a break over the summer. However, this time also comes with a question: what are you going to do with your belongings over the summer? It’s often amazing how much can accumulate over the year, all of which requires keeping somewhere. Self-storage can be one answer to this problem.
Why might you want self-storage?
Most students change house from year to year, frequently with a gap of a month or two between tenancies over the summer. This means clearing out one house, storing your possessions over the gap, then moving everything back a month later. Self-storage can help, by giving you a local place to temporarily store everything. This can be particularly useful for international students, who are unable to easily bring their belongings with them back home.
Self-storage can also be useful when you anticipate being away for an extended time, and don’t have anywhere to store belongings in the meantime. If you do a semester or year abroad, or travel during the break, having all your possessions safe in one place can be one less thing to worry about.
Finally, some students may find a self-storage unit useful during term-time as well as when they are away. The majority of student accommodation is limited in space – bedrooms are often small, and living areas may be shared with multiple people. If you’re bringing a large musical instrument, or substantial sports equipment, a small self-storage unit can give you a place to store these items safely.
What kind of storage?
What kind of storage is right for you depends on what you will be using it for.
The main factor to consider is the size of the storage facility. There are various options for the size of the storage unit. If you’re only storing a few items, a locker rather than a large unit will be more cost effective. Some companies will also offer box storage, where you pay by the box rather than for a dedicated space. This is ideal if you only want to store some kitchen items and clothing while you move from one house to another.
At the other end, if you’re intending on storing furniture, a larger unit will ensure you can fit it all in. Even here, most students won’t need the largest size storage units. In most cases, a 5’ x 10’ unit is enough to comfortably fit the contents of the average student room.
The length of time may also have an effect. A short-term rental is great if you’re moving from one house to another, and want somewhere to temporarily store your items. The minimum period varies between providers so look around to see which fits your needs best. Long-term units are better if you’re expecting to be away for a significant amount of time. Many companies offer a discount for extended storage.
A final factor to consider is the accessibility of the facility. If you’re a student, you may not have access to a car or van to move items. This is less of an issue if you’re putting items in for the long-term, and only expecting to access them infrequently. However, if you want regular access – for musical instruments, for example – then making sure you can easily get to the unit is important. While facilities outside of the city centre will often be cheaper, this price difference may disappear if the cost of accessing the unit is significant.
Checkout our guide on Self storage for Students which can provide some great tips and advice.
Lastly, don’t forget to insure your posessions whilst they’re in storage. Your home insurance policy probably won’t cover your items so make sure you get insurance cover before you store them. Store Insure offer excellent value for money storage insurance with instant cover online.