Many storage unit companies have rather strict policies regarding what you can and cannot keep in a storage unit for reasons of safety, cleanliness, and liability. Whether you are needing long-term or short-term storage, double-check to make sure that you aren’t storing any of these commonly prohibited items:
Food
Storage facilities do not allow any perishable items to be stored in a storage unit since they could attract unwanted pests, mold, and mildew.
Firearms
Typically, it is illegal to store firearms in a storage unit because of liability issues and the problems it may create if your storage unit goes up for auction. No one wants a firearm to end up in the hands of someone who shouldn’t have one.
Fur clothing
Some storage companies have strict policies against storing fur clothing because it can molt at high temperatures if it is not in a climate-controlled environment.
Living and/or deceased things
It is illegal to store any of the following items: animals, ashes, dead organisms, plants, flowers, or people.
Hazardous materials
Self-storage companies prohibit almost every kind of hazardous substance that you can think of such as acid, fireworks, gasoline, grease, kerosene, fertilizer, paint, and compressed gas.
It is often not permitted nor advised to keep any money in a storage unit for reasons of safety for the person storing it and those around them.
Never store anything in a storage unit that has a great deal of value both financially and personally. With that said, it is not recommended to store antiques, scrapbooks, yearbooks, family photos, heirlooms, gifts, jewelry, wedding dresses, silverware, China, legal documents, or medical bills.
Some storage companies may approve of keeping tires in a storage unit, but most places won’t allow them due to disposal fees and potential fires. Tire fires are difficult to put out and control and are also horrible for the environment.
In general, you can store anything that is not on a list of prohibited items but be sure to check with your storage company’s policies as this can vary depending on the company.