My husband and I are complete opposites. While I’m extremely organized, my spouse isn’t. He regularly scatters important documents such as credit card statements, car insurance bills, and pay stubs around our home. Because I worry about losing important papers, I’m constantly developing smart storage solutions for our documents. I keep some of our papers in a safe. I keep other items in a handy storage folder complete with tabs. I’ve labeled some of the tabs with the types of mail my husband and I receive regularly such as bills, retirement information, healthcare documentation, and sales papers. Another great option for storing mountains of paperwork is a rented storage unit. By housing important documentation in this type of storage facility, you can keep it out of your home. On this blog, I hope you will discover some ingenious ways to store your pertinent documents.
Storage Solutions for Important Documents
How To Examine A Self-Storage Contract
Alicia Rodriguez
The terms and conditions of renting a self-storage unit are captured in a lease agreement. However, the lease agreement may differ across storage facilities. Thus, it is important to familiarize yourself with the terms provided before signing the contract. The following clauses in a self-storage contract are crucial for any tenant.
Rental Payments
The lease agreement outlines the payment conditions for a self-storage unit. Primarily, the contract indicates the amount someone has to pay for security deposit and monthly rent. More so, the contract specifies the due date for monthly rent. Again, the contract usually explains what happens when rental payments are late. For instance, storage facilities may require the customer to pay an extra late fee as a penalty. Besides the rent, the contract also lists additional charges for the storage unit. A typical example would be a lock-cut fee when the landlord has to access the unit because the tenant no longer pays rent. Having clarity on payments will help you to plan accordingly and avoid conflicts.
Storage Unit Rules
A contract also spells out the rules and regulations of using a self-storage unit. Typically, a self-storage facility may restrict some materials and activities. In addition, the contract states what happens to a tenant who breaches the set rules.
Rules on materials: A self-storage unit facility will ordinarily allow clients to store normal household or business items. However, the rules forbid the storage of dangerous and illegal substances. For instance, a person cannot keep toxic waste, explosives, and flammable liquids in a storage unit. Again, it is usually prohibited to keep guns and ammunition in the storage unit. More so, illegal drugs and substances are often not permitted. In some cases, the law may dictate the maximum value of things you can keep in the self-storage unit.
Rule on activities: In addition to materials, a self-storage facility usually regulates the activities a person can conduct with the storage unit. Fundamentally, the self-storage facilities forbid a tenant from living and sleeping in a storage unit. Notably, a person also not allowed to use a storage unit as a business premise or office. There are also rules on sub-letting a unit to third parties. Thus, contravening these rules may lead to penalties and eviction.
Vacating the Storage Unit
Every self-storage unit contract outlines the procedure for clearing out. Ordinarily, the storage facilities require you to give a written notice before the vacating date. Therefore, you have to plan well in advance to avoid paying extra rent. In addition, clearing out can also involve cleaning the storage unit and ensuring it is in proper condition.
A lease agreement for a self-storage unit regulates the relationship between the landlord and the tenant. Ensure that you read through the contract and seek clarification for fulfilling the lease experience.
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