Self-storage

A self-storage facility (also called "self storage", "mini storage", or other names) is a business which rents spaces to the general public for storage of items.

The facility will be divided into individual units of varying sizes (which may or may not have any sort of climate control from the elements); the most popular sizes (with width shown first and depth shown second) include:

• 5 x 10 feet, about the size of a large walk-in closet,
• 10 x 10 feet, about the size of a child's bedroom,
• 10 x 20 feet, about the size of a one-car garage,
• 15 x 20 feet, about the size of a large master bedroom, and
• 20 x 20 feet, about the size of a two-car garage.

Some facilities have space (covered and uncovered) for storing vehicles, including boats and recreational vehicles.

The common use of the facility is for what the industry calls the "4 D's of Life": death, divorce, downsizing, and dislocation. An individual, couple, or family may rent a unit due to a marriage (and thus a duplicate set of items) or a relocation (such as a Member of the Armed Forces being deployed). Businesses also rent units for storing excess inventory or to store business records, and in fact may operate out of the unit full time. However, both due to legal requirements and unsuitability, a unit cannot be used for living quarters.

Rent is usually due and payable monthly, though arrangements can be made to pay in advance (however, any unused portion is generally not refunded). The facility's insurance will NOT cover loss or damage to the stored items; an individual homeowner's or business policy MAY cover items stored, OR insurance can be purchased for an additional amount (and more commonly such purchase is being required as a condition of rent. The facility does not have access to the unit (and therefore is not liable for theft); the tenant is required to provide his/her own lock (the facility will lock the unit only if no lock is present).

If rent is not paid, the facility will overlock the unit until rent is paid. If rent continues not to be paid, the unit's contents will be advertised for sale (usually by placing a public notice in a local newspaper). Until the time of the auction, a tenant can pay all back rent and late fees and avoid the sale. Once sold, the items must be removed by the purchaser within a specified time; some jurisdictions require specific items to be turned over to the facility (such as personal effects, tax and business records, and firearms in some cases). The resale of abandoned storage unit items is a popular business activity and has been the subject of several reality television shows.