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Self-Storage for Landlords: Managing Property Between Tenants

9 August 2024

Managing a rental property between tenants can be a challenging and time-consuming task for landlords. From ensuring the property is ready for the next tenant to safeguarding valuable items, there are numerous responsibilities to juggle. One effective solution that can make this transition period smoother is the use of self-storage facilities. Self-storage provides landlords with a secure, flexible, and practical way to manage their properties, protect valuable belongings, and maintain a tidy, presentable space.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into why self-storage is essential for landlords, explore the benefits it offers, and provide tips on choosing the right facility for your needs.

Why Self-Storage is Important for Landlords

As a landlord, maintaining your property in pristine condition is vital to securing quality tenants and ensuring your investment continues to generate income. The period between tenancies presents both an opportunity and a challenge. It’s a time when you can address maintenance issues, redecorate, or even upgrade certain aspects of the property. However, it’s also a period where unoccupied properties can become vulnerable to damage, theft, or general neglect.

This is where self-storage comes into play. It allows landlords to move items that might clutter the property or be at risk of damage into a secure location. For example, if the previous tenants have left behind furniture or other belongings, you can store these items safely until you decide what to do with them—whether it’s disposing of them, selling them, or reusing them in the property.

Moreover, self-storage is invaluable when you need to clear out a property to carry out essential maintenance work. By storing items off-site, you can create a clean, uncluttered space that’s easier to work in and more appealing to potential tenants during viewings.

Benefits of Using Self-Storage Facilities

Protecting Valuables and Furniture

One of the most significant advantages of using self-storage is its protection for valuable items and furniture. Whether it’s expensive furnishings, appliances, or personal items left behind by tenants, keeping these in a self-storage unit ensures they are safe from theft, damage, or exposure to the elements.

Leaving valuable items in a vacant property can be risky. Unoccupied properties are often more vulnerable to break-ins even in the safest of neighbourhoods. Furthermore, items left in situ can hinder necessary repairs or cleaning, as workmen might have to navigate around furniture, leading to potential damage or delays.

Self-storage provides a secure environment where these items can be kept until they’re needed again. This safeguards your assets and makes managing the property more straightforward.

Ensuring Property Remains in Good Condition

A property in good condition is far more attractive to potential tenants, and maintaining this condition is easier when the space is free of unnecessary clutter. Between tenancies is the perfect time to address any maintenance issues, carry out repairs, or even redecorate. However, doing so can be challenging if the property is filled with items left behind by the previous tenants.

By relocating these items to a self-storage facility, you can free up space, making it easier to carry out maintenance tasks. This ensures that your property remains in excellent condition, ready to be viewed by prospective tenants. A well-maintained, clutter-free property not only looks better but also sends a message to potential tenants that you are a responsible and attentive landlord, which can help attract high-quality tenants more quickly.

Moreover, a tidy property reduces the risk of accidental damage during the turnover period. For example, large items like sofas or beds can leave marks on the floor or walls if they’re moved around frequently. Storing these items securely off-site eliminates this risk, helping to keep your property in top shape.

Avoiding Clutter and Potential Damage

Clutter isn’t just an eyesore; it can also lead to unintentional damage, especially when large items like furniture are involved. For instance, a bulky wardrobe left in a room might scratch the floor or leave dents in the carpet. Boxes stacked haphazardly could cause paint to chip or, worse, might topple over and damage the walls or other items.

Using self-storage allows you to remove these potential hazards from the property. By keeping the space clear, you reduce the likelihood of damage occurring, which in turn helps maintain the property’s value and appeal. Additionally, a clutter-free property is much easier to clean and prepare for the next tenant, saving you time and effort during the transition.

Beyond preventing physical damage, reducing clutter also has aesthetic benefits. A clean, organised property is far more appealing to prospective tenants during viewings. It allows them to envision how they might use the space, making it easier for them to imagine themselves living there. This can significantly increase the chances of securing a new tenant quickly, reducing the vacancy period and maximising your rental income.

Choosing the Right Self-Storage Facility

With the clear benefits of self-storage established, the next step is selecting the right facility to meet your needs as a landlord. Not all self-storage facilities are the same, so it’s important to consider several factors before making a decision.

Location and Accessibility

The location of the self-storage facility is one of the most critical factors to consider. Ideally, you want a facility that is conveniently located near your rental property. This proximity makes it easier to transport items to and from the storage unit, especially if you need to do so frequently.

Accessibility is another key consideration. Look for a facility that offers flexible access hours, allowing you to retrieve or store items at times that suit your schedule. Some facilities provide 24/7 access, which can be particularly useful during busy periods or if you need to move items outside of regular business hours.

When assessing a facility’s location, also consider its accessibility in terms of vehicle access. If you’re moving large items like furniture, you’ll want to ensure that the facility has wide corridors, large lifts (if it’s multi-storey), and ample parking spaces close to your unit. This can make the process of moving items in and out much smoother and less time-consuming.

To help make the process of finding storage facilities in your area easy, check out our website for storage companies in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, and many other locations across the UK.

Security Features

Security should be a top priority when choosing a self-storage facility. After all, the primary reason for using storage is to keep your items safe. Look for facilities that offer robust security measures, such as:

• CCTV Surveillance: A good facility should have comprehensive CCTV coverage that monitors the premises 24/7. This deters potential thieves and ensures that any suspicious activity is recorded.
• Controlled Access: Choose a facility with secure access controls, such as individual keycodes, swipe cards, or biometric systems. This ensures that only authorised individuals can enter the facility, reducing the risk of theft.
• On-Site Management: Facilities with on-site management or security personnel provide an additional layer of protection. These staff members can monitor activity within the facility, respond to any issues promptly, and offer assistance when needed
• Alarms and Insurance: Some facilities offer individually alarmed units, which add an extra layer of security. Additionally, check whether the facility offers insurance or requires you to provide your own, ensuring your items are covered in case of theft, fire, or other incidents.

Climate Control Options

Depending on what you’re storing, climate control might be an essential feature. Items such as wooden furniture, electronics, artwork, and important documents are particularly susceptible to damage from temperature fluctuations and humidity. In a climate-controlled unit, the temperature and humidity levels are kept constant, protecting these items from potential damage.

In regions with extreme weather conditions, such as very hot summers or cold winters, climate-controlled storage can be crucial in preserving the integrity of your belongings. While these units may come at a higher cost, they offer peace of mind, knowing that your valuable items are protected from environmental factors that could otherwise cause significant damage.

When choosing a storage facility, consider the types of items you’ll be storing and whether they would benefit from a climate-controlled environment. This feature is especially important if you plan to store items for an extended period, as prolonged exposure to extreme conditions can lead to irreversible damage.

Conclusion

Utilising self-storage facilities can be an invaluable tool for landlords managing properties between tenants. By protecting valuables, ensuring the property remains in good condition, and avoiding clutter and potential damage, self-storage can make the transition between tenancies smoother and more efficient. Additionally, choosing the right storage facility—one that offers a convenient location, strong security features, and climate control options—ensures that your items are safe and accessible whenever you need them.

Incorporating self-storage into your property management strategy can help maintain the appeal and value of your rental property, attract high-quality tenants, and ultimately protect your investment. Whether you’re storing furniture, appliances, or personal belongings, a well-chosen self-storage facility can provide the security, flexibility, and convenience you need during the often-challenging transition between tenants.