Abandoned Storage Unit Auctions

Renting a self storage unit is always an excellent option for storing personal items and decluttering your home, garage or office. Unfortunately, thousands of these units are abandoned by their renters each year. A renter may fail to keep up with payments due to financial hardship, or the unit may become abandoned due to the renter's untimely death, incarceration or due to an oversight.

What to expect when a storage unit is abandoned

Before renting a storage unit, evaluate your budget and make sure you can keep up with payments. Be realistic. Do you really want to spend that extra monthly payment on storage, or would you rather spend the money on other bills or for a night out? If you really need the unit temporarily but can afford it for only a short time, set up a timeline for removing the items and stick to it. To fit your belongings into the smallest and least expensive unit possible, sell, toss or donate anything that you do not need. Then, check with management periodically to ensure that they have received your payments. At the first signs of trouble, remove your items, even if you cannot cancel the contract until you pay. You do not want your items trapped inside the unit when management changes the locks. Unless you pay all outstanding fees, anything in the unit will be auctioned. With a little planning, you should be able to avoid losing your valuables and keepsakes to a self-storage auction.

The advice on this website is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only. “Storage Tips” are offered as-is and no warranty is expressed or implied. For more information, see StorageFront’s Terms and Conditions.