safe and secure - lockaway self storage london nw8

Any first time self storage customer needs to know the answers to a few questions before giving over their belongings to a firm they don’t know.

It’s not unusual for some back street storage and removal companies to have unsuitable damp and dirty premises with little or no security that can ruin fragile items.

So here are a few key pointers that will sort the self storage experts from the cowboys:

Climate control

It may seem stupid to ask if stored belongings are kept in air-conditioned rooms, but damp is the number one cause of damage to fragile items. Self storage rooms without climate control are subject to extremes of hot and cold, which causes condensation.

If the air is not circulating in a storage room and condensation forms, this causes damp in clothes, upholstery and documents. Damp also warps heavy furniture like wooden table tops.

Tight security

The customer is the only person who should have a key to a self storage room. Good self storage centres have state-of-the art alarm systems with PIN access and 24/7 CCTV. Most have sophisticated fire and smoke alarms as well.

Easy access

Squeezing too many units in to a self storage facility leads to accidents and poor access. Corridors should be well lit and wide. Corners should have room to turn a trolley. Drive up access for vehicles and plenty of parking if the loading bays are busy is a must.

Long opening hours and staff on site

Most busineses can arrange 24/7 access to external containers, but householders and students really need day time and early evening access every day, including weekends. Having staff available in case of problems is also helpful.

Insuring belongings

Cheap, comprehensive insurance is vital in case belongings get damaged in self storage. Most good self storage firms can arrange insurance or personal cover can be obtained from a broker.

Any self storage centre that ticks the ‘yes’ box for these pointers is showing the needs of customers are considered and the staff care about looking after the belongings left with them.