A self-storage unit always saves the day when you see how clumsy and stuffed your home is.
You might think that within it, you can place literally everything you don’t want to see on your property. Though, there are some concrete limits to this specific service.
The law and all self-storage companies don’t accept any particular items. It’s good to know them in advance, especially if you plan for some downsizing soon.
Any Food Items
Practically, in a storage unit, it is not allowed to bring any perishable items. This ban was introduced in the industry mainly because many British people tried to store even foods inside their facilities.
Yet, if there are bean cans or marmalade jars inside your cardboard boxes, the company’s employees will ask you to remove them immediately.
You shouldn’t put any food in the storage units because these products are like magnets for pests and the “healthiest” zones for spreading bacteria. If you run a small food-related family business, you should keep your goods in a warehouse but not in a private storage unit.
All Types of Hazardous Materials
In the storage unit, people bring different items, including delicate, expensive, antique, rare, and pretty valuable.
The company does everything possible to protect and keep them intact. That’s why having any flammable or toxic items are forbidden to exist here.
Even though you are a customer, it’s not allowed to store hazardous materials, either. If you are unsure if your item refers to this term, don’t hesitate to ask for a consultation.
As a whole, though, usually, these are the materials you should avoid in the plastic bins set for self-storage:
- Paint;
- Kerosene;
- Compressed gas;
- Grease;
- Turpentine;
- Fertiliser;
- Fireworks;
- Oil;
- Radioactive items;
- Gasoline;
- Chlorine bleach;
- Acids;
- Propane tanks;
- And many more.
Living or Dead Things
Weirdly, storage company representatives should say it, but indeed, inside the facilities, you cannot keep either a human or an animal.
By the way, plants are not ok to be taken here, either, even if you find climate-control storage to be an excellent idea. Any living creatures or organisms should be out where they belong, in the real world.
Keeping a living or dead thing inside a storage unit will get you quite a more serious penalty than losing your rented space. The company has all the right to call the police if you don’t obey this rule.
Unregistered or Uninsured Vehicles
You probably know you can store your own car in such a unit, right?
Yes, it’s a very convenient option when going on a vacation without your automobile to store it in a facility and not pay for a monthly parking space.
The workers there, though, will require you to show some legal documents. The reason is to prove that your vehicle is both – insured and registered.
Here’s where we must mention that self-storage services include insurance, but sometimes, they don’t cover any risks related to your car’s condition.
By the way, some vehicle replacement parts shouldn’t be taken to the storage facility, either. For instance, note that you cannot store any tires here. Of course, mainly because they are toxic and pretty flammable!
Money
Storage unities are made for things, not for money. Cash, like always, should be kept in your local bank.
If you think that your cash can be in a safer place in a storage unit, we don’t know how to answer you. Yet, it’s for sure that in a storage unit, no one will allow you to bring any currency.
Speaking of which, if by any chance you have forgotten money in your autumn-winter denim jeans and you don’t find it when the cold days start, you have no room for inquiries. Since money is not allowed in the storage unit, you have no right to look for any lost cash.
On mandatory, check out all of your pockets before you bring your clothing items to the storage facility.
Fur Clothing
Clothing is one of the most common baggage we take to the storage facility.
Whether because we have no place for all seasonal wardrobes or because we want to have our luxurious designs stored safely, you have only one limit to consider.
According to the new instructions in the self-storage industry, no genuine fur is welcome here. That means that all your fur coats remain at home. Yet, you can have more space for them by storing the other coats, jackets, blazers, and heavy winter outwear.
Any Type of Weapons
Not just a gun, but all ammunition packs, for it is not ok to be self-stored. Please, don’t bring any weapons to the storage unit.
This rule was introduced in the name of safety. And let’s admit it: the companies in the sphere have the entire right to limit you with such a ban.
Self-Storage Service Laws
SSA UK is the official British administrative agency regulating the self-storage industry.
Most of the introduced laws in Britain are very similar to those for the entire EU and North America.
Yet, no matter what your country of residence is when you are about to use a storage unit, please, make sure to visit the SSA UK official website for more information. It’s where you can meet other rules, limits, and bans.
Conversely, there is nothing wrong with skipping this legal research and getting consulted by the company’s employees.
Conclusion
All illegal storage items should be avoided and removed from your boxes. If you don’t obey this rule, it’s like not obeying any other British law.
In your rental contract, you can even read about the possible penalties for storing non-allowed items. It’s not worth it to get yourself in trouble or meet your local police officer, right?