Mobile Storage

Self storage is the service of providing cargo containers which are divided into storage space which are rented to consumers on a monthly basis. These facilities are used by individuals for storing household goods, and by small business for storing excess inventory or any other purpose. The storage spaces referred to as a unit are secured by the customers own lock and key for its safety.

The possession of the unit is completely with the tenant and the service provider does not have a right of entrance once the tenant has taken possession of the unit. The only way an operator can get possession of a rented space is through a right of lien provided for non payment of rent under self storage laws. There are around 52,000 storage facilities which have been developed on industrial land in a property ranging from three to seven acres in the U.S. The storage facilities cover a total size roughly three times the size of the island of Manhattan.

The self storage industry which was considered the lowest common denominator of the real estate industry, generates around $20 Billion in a year. These spaces which are windowless walled and lockable are available in many different sizes ranging from the size of a walk in closet to the size of a two car garage. The facilities which have control access generally employ state of the art security which includes security guards, cameras and individual door alarms as well. Your access to your unit might be controlled by a keypad or a biometric thumbprint scanner as well.

These containers might bed climate controlled which would be compensated with a higher rent for belongings which require a specific temperature. One in ten families in the United States use self storage for extra storage for remodeling of your house or for a more general purpose. Tenants are not allowed to store non perishable, non hazardous and non toxic items in there storage space. Customers are not allowed to live or sleep in their units, it is essentially only a storage space.

If in a self storage the tenant refuses or cannot pay the rent for the storage space, the service provider can take possession of his belongings and auction them to recover the rent. The auctions of these items are open for all and are considered a good chance to buy inexpensive second hand goods.

In rural and suburban regions most self storage facilities are multiple single storied buildings and thus are well ventilated. Storage spaces which are climate controlled are generally more concerned with humidity control than temperature as issues of mold, mildew and moisture can destroy belongings.

Sometimes public storage such as lockers on railways, clubs etc. is considered ancillary to the self storage industry though it is at a smaller level and serves a different purpose altogether.