Whoever it was that first came up with the idea of self storage certainly showed his capacity for ingenuity
. The need was there and someone recognized it and turned it into a multi-million dollar venture. Over thirty thousand companies and individuals have jumped on the bandwagon and built numerous facilities wherever zoning laws permitted their construction. With over fifty thousand of these units available, the demand still far exceeds the supply.
Storage facilities are simply connected units or if space is limited they can be built in stories of five or six levels. The individual wanting space pays a monthly rental amount, and he holds the lock and key. As long as you continue to pay your rent, the owner of the facility can take no interest in the articles that you have stored there. The owner would have access to all the units for safety purposes such as fire, but only non-payment over a considerable amount of time would allow the owner to place a lien on your property and be allowed to take possession of it in lieu of unpaid rent.
Normally items that are stored in these facilities are stored at your own risk. An operator may supply some insurance coverage, but it would be minimal at best. What is usually included in your rent are things like limited access where the grounds would be protected by chain link fencing and only renters would hold a security code to get on site. Security cameras and interior lighting, and in some cases unit door alarms are more likely some of the benefits you get. Some high end facilities will provide on site guards, but these extras are reflected in the price you pay.
Public storage is available in nearly every size imaginable. They can be as small as a walk in closet or as large as a two car garage. Most of the units are constructed of corrugated metal and have no windows through which anyone can see what you have stored. Entrance to the units are usually a roll up door that is also constructed of metal and only the renter has a key or key card that will open the door.