We are here for you with the answers to the most commonly asked questions we receive from our customers and tenants.
Self Storage is an industry in which space is rented to tenants on a monthly basis. Self storage facilities provide rooms, lockers, containers and/or outdoor parking spaces in which tenants can store and access their belongings. Self storage tenants may include businesses and individuals.
A drive-up unit typically has a roll-up door and its own loading area. Drive-up units are very handy because they have convenient access, just drive up to it and load your belongings in or out. These are the most common unit types in suburban and rural areas.
Office hours are the hours when your Property Manager is in the office. They are there ready and available to provide customer service and answer any questions you may have.
Access hours are the actual hours in which you may access your storage unit. All Simply Self Storage locations offer 24/7 access hours.
A valid driver’s license or federal photo ID is required to rent a unit.
You may carry your own insurance (check your homeowner’s or renter’s policy to see if you are already covered) or apply for insurance coverage from a company that specializes in self storage insurance. Some facilities require that you provide verification that you carry your own insurance or purchase insurance from a third-party insurance company. Most storage properties can provide new tenants with a brochure from one of these companies. Insurance is the tenant’s responsibility. We require that all tenants carry insurance on their belongings at all of our locations.
This is a standard practice in the self storage industry and is used to protect you and your belongings if an unfortunate event happens that causes damage or loss of your stored items. The facility only has coverage on the buildings and property, so you are required to have insurance to cover what is stored inside your storage unit or in your parking space. You can use your homeowner’s or renter’s policy, or you can purchase an affordable policy at our locations, which we offer through a third-party provider.
The minimum rental period is 1 month. Rental agreements are month-to-month, and you can rent as long as you want with no long-term contracts.
We offer online bill pay and convenient monthly automatic credit card withdrawal. We also allow check deposits at any Wells Fargo Bank branch.
No, we do not accept payments over the phone.
We provide a FREE Disc lock to all new tenants which comes with two keys. You are the only one who has access to these keys and your storage unit.
What are temperature controlled units?
Temperature controlled storage units, also known as climate controlled units, use heating and air conditioning systems to maintain temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees year round. Maintaining a controlled environment is an extra step toward preventing warping, cracking, rust, corrosion, mold, mildew and infestation that can occur in severely hot or cold weather. Using temperature controlled storage is recommended if you are storing important documentation, computer equipment and electronics, photographs, books, wood or leather furniture, artwork, clothing or other valuable possessions.
Temperature controlled storage is a great option if you are storing important items that you want an extra measure of protection. Some examples of these items are documents, antiques and heirlooms, furs, computer equipment and electronics, photographs, books, wood or leather furniture, artwork, clothing, draft supplies, tools and machines, cameras, pharmaceutical samples and medical supplies, seasonal inventory or other valuable possessions.
Should I make a reservation?
Availability often changes on a daily basis. It is recommended that you make a reservation in order to secure the space you need, if you are not ready to rent online immediately.
Tenants often disregard the property manager’s warning against storing food items in their storage unit. Doing so attracts unwanted pests like mice and insects.
Using free boxes from a grocery store or other places seems like a great idea. In reality, these boxes are not designed for long-term use. They eventually break down and can cause mold to grow.
Packing your unit incorrectly is a common mistake. Begin on one side in the back corner and work your way up one side, then down another, making sure to leave a space large enough to walk through down the center. If you just fill up your unit with no plan or organization, accessing your items later can be difficult and frustrating, possibly requiring you to move things out of your unit to reach other items you need in the back.
Packing a smaller unit to the top with no room just to save money. This can cause damage to your property if you stack too many things on top of one another. It can also be frustrating when trying to find a specific item that may be buried underneath heavy boxes, and even dangerous because the stack of boxes could topple over on you. Make sure to talk to the property manager for help on which unit size will work best for what you need to store inside. Be sure to rent a unit that fits your needs instead of picking the least expensive one.
To follow the guidelines set forth in our rental agreement and to make your monthly rental payments on time. It is important to maintain cleanliness in and out of your storage unit. You also need to notify the property manager if you have any changes to your account information (address, phone, credit card info, etc.) and give proper written notice if you want to vacate the unit. Be respectful of other tenants and the property manager.
Once a tenant places a lock on the unit door correctly, the property manager has no access to the storage unit. Only you have keys to the lock. However, you can sign a consent form to receive deliveries and for others to pick up your keys. That is normally only the case for commercial or business tenants.
Call the property phone number and report it to the property manager immediately. If necessary, call the police or fire department (911 if it is of an urgent nature) and fill out a report.
No, we cannot receive packages or mail on your behalf.
We recommend storing your items in the boxes we sell at our storage properties, as they are designed and specially treated to resist moisture and mold.
You can also use a product called Damp-Rid®, which helps remove moisture from the air.
It is also important that you do not bring wet items to your unit for storage.
If you are pro-active and check on your unit, there is little to worry about.
Storage auctions are held when someone fails to pay their rent or abandons their unit, and we auction off what was in them. Only 1-2% of all the rented storage units in the country ever go to auction.
It is important to make payments on time. If you do so, there is no risk of auction for your unit. However, after payment is 5 days late, the account begins to accrue late fees and access to the storage unit is barred. Late fees will continue to accrue until payment is made in full.
After two months of non-payment (may vary by state, check with your property manager), the unit can be sent to auction. Once the unit goes to auction, the tenant will most likely receive nothing back from the unit. Any proceeds from the auction will be applied to the account balance, and the remainder will be sent to the original lessee. If the proceeds are less than what is owed on the account, the account is sent to collections.
Is the Storage Wars show for real?
The short answer is yes. Every state has different but similar guidelines on how the auction process works. Terms of buying an auction unit “where is, as is” from the show is basically how it works in most states. Just like portrayed in the show, units are opened for viewing purposes only and no one is permitted to touch any items or enter the storage unit. The bidding process is also very similar, and cash is the only allowed form of payment. While sometimes an amazing or unrealistic find can occur in an auctioned unit, it is very unlikely. Plus, there is normally much less fanfare than depicted by the “characters” on the television show.
Give verbal or written notice to the property manager at least 7-10 days prior to the day you are vacating. We need 30 days written notice if your account is set up for autopay. Make sure to empty all of your contents, sweep out and clean the storage unit and remove your lock. Notify the property manager that the unit is ready for an inspection so your account can be closed. We also ask that you fill out a quick testimonial and survey with the property manager. If you give notice and then decide that you are going to continue renting and not vacate, simply notify the property manager.