What do you need to know about self-storage? If you're a first-time renter, take a look at the facts and fiction that can help you to choose and use storage units.

Fact: You Don't Always Have To Rent Long-Term

Are you unsure about how much time you'll need to rent a unit? Do you only want to store items during a home renovation project or while you're in-between apartments? You don't necessarily need to sign a 12-month lease for a rental unit. If you only need a short-term rental, ask the facility's manager or a staff member about the options. Some facilities offer shorter terms or monthly rentals. These types of arrangements can save you money and eliminate the need to pay for months of storage that you won't use. 

Fiction: You Can Store Anything In A Rental Unit

Some items are prohibited by many rental facilities. These typically include perishables (such as food), live plants, live animals, hazardous or flammable chemicals (including solvents, household cleaners, and gasoline), equipment or appliances that include hazardous or flammable materials (such as a gas-powered lawn mower with a full tank), weapons/ammunition, toxic materials, unregistered motor vehicles, or illegal drugs. 

Even though there are prohibited items, you can still store plenty of common household belongings in a rental unit. Popular for-storage picks include clothing, bed linens, towels, furniture, children's toys, baby gear, dishware, instruments, photos, documents, holiday decorations, sports equipment, electronics, some types of appliances, books, magazines, and jewelry. 

Fact: You Have Different Size Rental Unit Options

Rental units are not all the same. Some facilities offer a mix of small, medium, and large-sized units. This provides the consumer with options to fit their self-storage needs. In general, smaller units cost less to rent than larger ones. But the specific price you pay depends on the facility's charges, the lease terms, and extras or add-ons (such as increased security or climate controls). 

To choose the best-sized unit for your needs, take an inventory of and measure everything that you need to store. Include the length, width, and depth or height of these items. If you can stack items or place some belongings inside of others, you will need less overall space. Add the measurements and discuss the square footage options with the facility's staff. The storage pro can help you to choose a unit that best meets your individual size needs. 

For more information, contact a company like EZ Storage.