When your house has become cluttered because you just have too much stuff, or if you're downsizing to a smaller home, renting a storage unit can be the ideal solution. Storage facilities offer a safe and secure place for you to store your belongings, and many facilities offer affordable rates for both long-term and short-term storage. Before renting a storage unit, consider the following things:

Make Sure Your Items are Insured

While storage units are generally safe places for your stuff, theft or damage can occur, the same way that there is a possibility that your home could be broken into or suffer damage from vandalism or theft. For this reason, it is important to ensure that your belongings are insured in case anything unexpected happens. Before buying an insurance policy, call your insurance agent to see if your renters or homeowners insurance policy covers your personal belongings that are secured in a storage unit. If your insurance policy does not cover items in storage, arrange to obtain a policy prior to putting your items in storage.

Size Matters

Renting the right sized storage unit is essential-- if you rent one that is too big you're just wasting money, and a unit that is too small will make it difficult to store your items properly and you may be left with many belongings that won't fit in the unit. Consider making a list of all of the items that you plan to store, including the number of boxes. Than visit the storage facility that you plan to rent a unit from and look at the different sized units so you can get an idea of exactly how big they are. If you have your list or what items you plan to store with you, there is a good chance that an employee from the storage facility will be able to help you choose a unit that is the right size.

Purchase a Secure Lock

In most cases, when you rent a storage unit a lock is not provided. So it is up to you to buy a lock that will keep your unit secure and prevent others from gaining access to it. When purchasing a lock, it is important to buy one that is heavy-duty, can't be cut with bolt cutters, and can't be shattered with a hammer or other type of tool. Many people recommend disc locks for storage units due to their strength, durability,and the level of security they provide.