The self storage industry has really taken off in the UK, and continues to grow as an important sub-sector of the property market.
It's an industry which appears to prosper in any climate. In property market boom times, people moving onwards and upwards use storage for those cluttering items which don't yet have a designated place. In times of hardship and recession, self storage is utilised by those forced to downsize their property.
Some people find it beneficial for de-cluttering whilst still being able to hoard their belongings, and situations such as marriage, divorce or a death in the family can all create demand for storage facilities.
The concept came from the United States, where there is now an estimated 52,000 individual storage facility centres, and was brought to the UK in the early 1980s.
Facility centres quickly spread from London to all over the South East of England, and today there are over 600 centres all over the UK. Many are in prominent, highly-visible locations such as major roads close to retail parks and highly populated areas. It's likely the industry has further growth to achieve before it reaches a plateau.
So whether you decide to use self storage facilities because you're moving house, or just de-cluttering in order to redecorate, it's up to you what you store, and for how long you store it. It's wise, though, to consider how objects will fare over the length of time you're looking to store them for. Large metal objects such as filing cabinets and lawnmowers are often stored because they take up so much room, but are also prone to rust.
It's pointless paying for storage for items, only to have them ruined by rust. Treat metal objects destined for storage with rust protector, or wipe down with a rag soaked in general purpose oil.
Electronic equipment such as computers, stereos and televisions are fine to store wrapped in foam and plastic, providing it you aren't planning to store them for a very long time. Left too long wrapped this way; mildew can grow under the plastic and ruin the equipment.
It's important to protect anything fragile extremely well; wrap glass in layers of bubble wrap and label as fragile.
Facility staff will be on hand to help you work out the amount of space you need to rent for your belongings. An added bonus is that many storage companies will either loan you a van to move your belongings into the facilities, or even collect them for free.
Thomas Pretty is an industry analyst with many years of experience examining different industry sectors. Find out more about self storage at http://www.safestore.co.uk/
