The Children Have left Home but Their Stuff Hasn't. Renting Self storage Space is the Answer

Copyright (c) 2010 Alison Withers

Space in the home can come under great pressure as children grow and their possessions expand.

Even long after they have grown out of using their belongings children are also very attached to them. Sometimes, of course, classic toys appreciate in value, especially if they are still in their original packaging and become collectors' items.

Certain toys seem to have an enduring appeal and are worth keeping for the next generation to get pleasure from.

More often they are hung onto for some less fathomable sentimental region even though their owner seldom even looks at them, but any suggestion of getting rid of them provokes cries of anguish.

Even when young people move out from home - either for college terms or more permanently - parents often find themselves looking after their offspring's collections until, in theory, their owners move into a large enough space to be able to take them away.

In practice these days with property prices too high for a first time buyer and space in flats limited the chances are the parental home remains the storage facility!

At a time when perhaps retirement is approaching and parents are looking for a smaller, lower-maintenance home this can be a problem.

Renting self storage space can be a useful and affordable solution.

According to a Self Storage company we spoke to it's possible to affordably rent a small locker or space either short'term, for example during university and college vacations or longer term perhaps for a year out travelling on a gap-year.

A locker, capacity one cubic metre for example, will take roughly eight plastic crates or a few suitcases. a small amount of furniture, roughly a roomful, will fit into 200 cubic feet.

Students can often get a special discount if they only need the space during vacation times.

A flexible self storage facility should be able to offer you a range of options so you only need to rent the actual area you really need.

In addition to reassuring yourself that the location of the facility is secure, well lit and easy to reach, it's worth asking about 24-hour access with, for example, your own security code to be able to get in when there are no staff on site.

Many offer minimum storage periods of just a couple of weeks, as well as discounts or special rates for periods of more than a year and can also advise on affordable insurance cover. In addition you should check whether your home contents insurance can be extended to cover storage in a secure facility.

You can get a good idea of any facility you're considering going and looking at the options available and consulting the staff, most of whom will be experienced at advising customers.

We all have different circumstances and discussing the options with helpful, experienced staff, as well as being able to look around the premises will help you decide exactly what you need and give you the peace of mind that your property's well cared for.