How Does Self Storage Work?
Whether you’re new to self storage in general or curious about how things work at StorageMart, you can find answers to the most commonly asked questions about general self storage and procedures at StorageMart below.
General Storage Questions
HOW DO I RENT A STORAGE UNIT?
24/7 online or over the phone. In person during normal business hours. Our self-service portal is an easy way to set up and manage your account with ease from the comfort of your favorite smart device. You can also visit our helpful storage managers during business hours if that’s what works for you.
WHAT DO I NEED TO RENT A UNIT ONLINE?
A credit or debit card for payment and your personal information are needed to rent your storage unit online. You will also need to provide proof of insurance or purchase our Value Coverage plan before you can move into your storage unit.
HOW DO I RESERVE A STORAGE UNIT?
24/7 online or over the phone or by stopping by our office during normal business hours. We recommend reserving your unit as early as possible to make sure you get the right size and features for your needs. Students are especially encouraged to reserve their summer storage unit ahead of time, as this time of year can get very busy.
DOES RESERVING ONLINE SAVE TIME?
Yes, it can save time, but mostly it’s to ensure that the unit you want is available on move-in day. The rental process is the same whether you reserve a unit or not, either online or in person, but if you have a moving day in mind, it’s best to reserve ahead of time to stay on schedule.
CAN I RENT STORAGE ONLINE WITHOUT GOING IN PERSON?
Yes, most locations do not require a physical check-in process. That said, you will need to make sure you carefully read your specific facility’s requirements for a no-contact check in, so you can be sure to have everything you need on move-in day.
DO I NEED A CREDIT CARD TO RESERVE A UNIT?
Yes, we accept debit and credit cards, as well as ACH bank transfers in the US. While you’re setting up your account, we always recommend taking advantage of our autopay option to ensure that you never miss a monthly payment. This keeps your account in good standing and takes one more chore off your to-do list.
CAN I RESERVE NOW AND PAY LATER?
No, full payment is required at the time of reservation to lock-in the online discount. New customers have access to some great discounts that make our everyday prices even more budget friendly, and we don’twant you to miss out!
CAN I SET UP AUTOPAY?
Yes, you can enroll in auto-pay immediately. Save time and stress by knowing that your payments are always on time and in full without having to lift a finger. You can use our self service portal to enroll in autopay or request autopay when you lease in person.
HOW DO I CANCEL A RESERVATION?
Via the customer portal, over the phone, or in person. We understand things change, so we don’t make a big deal of it. Just go ahead and cancel your reservation as early as possible. If you just need to change units, call the onsite manager, and they’ll help you get into the right space as soon as it’s available.
HOW DO I MOVE OUT?
15 days notice to vacate is standard. You can easily do this via the customer portal, over the phone, or in person. All of our leases are month to month, so you are not locked into a long-term contract. All you need to do is give proper notice and clean out your unit on time, and we’ll close your account the day your unit is cleared.
CAN I SWITCH UNITS?
Yes, you can move within the same facility if you need a different unit. Our onsite managers can help you make the switch in-person during normal business hours. We recommend making arrangements to change as soon as possible, as we cannot guarantee availability of other units.
CAN I MOVE TO A DIFFERENT LOCATION?
Yes, but please note that your current rate is not guaranteed at other locations. If you want to move to a different facility, you will want to reserve your unit at that facility or contact the store manager ahead of time, as this will be the end of your current lease and the start of a new lease at the new location.
DO YOU REQUIRE INSURANCE?
Yes, you can use private insurance or our Value Coverage option. Many of our customers choose to use both their private insurance and Value Coverage as gap coverage since there are no deductibles with us. Plus, our plans are free for your move-in month.
WHAT IS VALUE COVERAGE?
Value Coverage is an affordable alternative to or additional to private coverage. There are no deductibles and your move-in month is free. What’s Covered: Fire, forced entry theft, falling water. What’s Not Covered: Vehicles, jewelry, gems, cash, flooding, insects, rodents, mold, mildew.
HOW MUCH DOES VALUE COVERAGE COST?
Prices range from $15.97 per month to $50.97 per month, with available options depending on the size of the unit you are renting and how much coverage you choose. Our most popular plan costs only $30.97 per month for $8,000 worth of coverage. There are no deductibles with any of our plans, and your first month is always free.
WHAT IF WATER GETS IN MY UNIT?
Contact the facility manager or customer service immediately. We know this would be a very stressful experience for anyone, which is why we are here to help. Our team will document, photograph, and begin the claims process with you, so you won’t have to navigate the process entirely on your own.
CAN I LIVE IN A STORAGE UNIT?
No, by law, you cannot live in a storage unit. We also do not allow animal storage in any of our facilities, as they are designed to protect non-living items only, and are not made to house humans or animals.
IS STORAGEMART A GOOD COMPANY?
Yes, we are proud to say that StorageMart has a solid track record for both customer and community service. We offer clean, well-lit facilities and 24-hour customer service. We also partner with national and local charities, including Sleep in Heavenly Peace, as a way to give back to the neighborhoods, families, and communities we serve.
CAN I BOOK SHORT-TERM STORAGE?
Yes, all leases are month-to-month, so you don’t have to lock into an inflexible lease and pay for more time than you need. All leases renew on the 1st of the month, so be sure to plan ahead for your move out, and don’t forget about the 15-day notice to vacate that is asked of all renters.
WHAT’S THE MINIMUM LEASE TERM?
One month is the minimum lease term for all leases. The first of the month is when all leases renew, and we do require a 15-day notice to vacate, so make sure your facility knows as soon as possible when you plan to move out.
HOW DO I LEAVE A REVIEW?
On Google or Yelp. We always appreciate customer feedback, so we can continue to tailor our services to the people who need them. If you’d like to make a friendly suggestion about your specific location, please contact your store manager directly.
ARE ALL UNITS PRICED THE SAME?
No, unit prices vary based on ease of access, location, size, and features. We all know the penthouse isn’t the same price as the basement, and that’s for good reason. The good news is that we are committed to offering competitive prices, new customer discounts, and exceptional service at every location, regardless of which unit you choose.
HOW DO I REPORT AN INCIDENT?
Contact the store manager immediately or dial 911 for emergency situations. We would never expect you or want you to intervene in any situation that could result in risk to you or your property. For this reason, we ask that you simply report any incident as soon as you are made aware of it.