What You Need to Know Before Renting a Storage Unit in Los Angeles

If you’ve never rented a storage unit before, there are some things you need to know before you put down a deposit and start hauling your stuff.

The best storage facilities provide a convenient and secure way to store your belongings whether you’re moving, need temporary storage, or need a full-time storage solution. With a range of sizes and services, it’s easy to find storage in Los Angeles to fit your needs if you know what to look for.

Renting Storage Los Angeles

There are nearly 100 different self-storage unit facilities in the LA area. How do you know which one is right for you?

Location will play a role in your decision. Nearby is nice. However, there’s more to think about that when you want to safely store your belongings.

The first decision you need to make is which type of storage you want.

Two Types of Storage Los Angeles Offers

Self-storage is the most popular option and most cost-efficient. Offering a safe, secure, and affordable place to store your items of varying sizes, it will be up to you to do the heavy lifting. While a storage company will manage the facility and security, you’ll be responsible for loading and unloading anything you want to put in or take out of storage.

A full-service storage company will pick up your belongings and put them into storage for you and document what’s inside your unit. These services are significantly more expensive.

What Size Storage Unit Do I Need?

Most facilities will have several different size units available from 5’ x 5’ up to 10’ x 20’ to store large items, such as boats or vehicles.

A 5 x 5 unit is about the size of a small walk-in closet. It can hold a piece of furniture if you can stand it upright and approximately 6-8 boxes comfortably. A 10 x 10 is roughly the size of a bedroom and can typically hold most or all of the furnishings from a small apartment of 750 sq. ft. A 10 x 20 is nearly the size of 3 bedrooms and can hold furnishings and appliances for an average 1500 sq. ft. residence.

Which size you choose will depend on how much stuff you have and how you want to pack it in. The tighter you pack, the more difficult it is to retrieve items later.

How Much Do Storage Units Cost?

Costs for a storage unit in Los Angeles can vary depending on:

• Size of unit
• Length of a rental agreement
• Availability

Most facilities will offer rentals on a month-to-month basis, but you may qualify for incentives or better rates if you’re willing to commit to longer periods.  As you navigate the costs, consider the potential benefits and features offered by WheeKeep to make a well-informed decision that aligns with your budget and storage needs.

How to Find A Storage Unit Near Me?

Finding a storage unit near you in the LA area is the easiest part of the process. Rather than searching for rates or calling different locations, you can use the Self Storage Finders website to compare Los Angeles storage units.

You can search by location, size, rates, and view special offers. Some facilities will offer a discount for new renters or offer the first month for free.

What Should I Look for in a Storage Unit?

There are some other important things to consider when checking out what type of storage Los Angeles facilities have to offer. Besides location, sizes, pricing, and contracts offered, you’ll also want to make sure you feel comfortable that your things are stored in a secure environment and access policies.

Here are some of the things that should be on your checklist. It’s up to you to decide how important each one of these items is. You’ll likely pay more for a facility that has in-person surveillance, for example, versus remote video monitoring.

Security

• Overall safety and security of the facility
• Video monitoring
• Number of locks
• Lighting after hours
• In-person surveillance

How and when you can access your belongings should also be on your checklist.

Accessibility

• Access points and how access is granted (card, bio scanner, key, key code, etc.)
• Weekend, holiday, and overnight hours

A big decision for you to make is whether you need climate control for your storage space.

Do I Need Climate-Controlled Storage?

Climate-controlled storage will help protect your belongings from extreme temperatures and humidity. If you’re storing furniture or clothing, your best option is to rent a climate-controlled storage unit to avoid damage and prevent mold or mildew.

If you’re storing yard items or things that normally sit outside, it may not be a problem. But things like important papers, wooden or upholstered furniture, mattresses, books, antiques, electronics, artwork, or musical instruments need the extra protection of a climate-controlled and humidity-controlled storage unit.

Do I Need to Insure My Storage Items?

If you have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance already, you’ll want to check to see if it will cover items you have in a storage unit. Even if it does, you’ll want to ensure you are comfortable with any limits, exclusion, and deductibles.

If your policy does not cover you — or you don’t have insurance — check with the rental facilities. Some facilities will offer free or low-cost insurance to cover damage or loss.