Tenant Application
Business Application
Selecting a Storage Space
Self-Storage is a convenient, safe, and
inexpensive way to store your belongings. Ask
one of our storage consultants to help you
choose a space that fits your needs, because
rental of a storage space is determined by the
total size of the items being stored. An
efficiently-packed small space will cost you
less than a larger space. However, if you
frequently use the space, a larger space that is
well organized (racks and file boxes) may be
more convenient for you.
Estimating Space Requirements
At AmeriStor, we offer a variety of unit sizes
to choose from. Some suggestions for storing in
various sized units are listed below:
5 x 5:
Clothes and Personal Items
5 x 10: Studio to a Small One Bedroom Apartment
10 x 10: 1 or 2 Bedroom House or Apartment
10 x 15: 2 or 3 Bedroom House or Apartment
10 x 20: 3 or 4 Bedroom House or Apartment
10 x 25: 4 or 5 Bedroom House
Better Business Through Self-Storage
Self-Storage is a convenient, safe, and cost
effective way for businesses to expand
operations and maintain a competitive edge. A
business tenant can increase or decrease its
leased space as need dictates.
Businesses of all types, sizes, and maturity
are benefiting by using Self-Storage facilities.
When businesses are faced with expansion, they
often find themselves limited by lack of
appropriate space, availability of land, zoning
regulations, proximity to customers, and access.
Leasing storage space can provide easy access
and convenient “office hours” with no
appointment necessary. It also can help
businesses expand market share.
Storage Space Rental Agreement
For your protection, a storage facility provides
a written agreement. Read it thoroughly and ask
the storage consultant to answer your questions.
Make note of your payment date to see if the
agreement covers pro-rated rental periods. Also,
find out how and when your security deposit is
refunded or forfeited upon termination of the
agreement. If you change your address or phone
number, be sure to notify the storage facility
in writing.
Insure Your Goods In Storage
The goods you place in Self-Storage spaces are
the sole responsibility of you, their owner.
Goods are not insured by the storage facility.
If the space is for business use, check with
your company’s insurance provider to see if your
coverage already has a provision for items
stored outside your facility - you may already
be covered. Your storage consultant may be able
to give you the names of insurers who provide
low-cost insurance coverage for your goods. If a
policy is not included in your storage
information packet, just ask!
Business Storage Uses
Some common uses of storage units include:
office files, drop shipments, excess inventory,
manufacturers’ samples, hospital/legal records,
mobile equipment, retailers’ seasonal
decorations, theatrical scenery, campaign
materials, merchandise and supplies, and general
business raw materials. Some facilities will
make storage modifications to meet your specific
needs. For example, security vault operations
and postal boxes may be available upon request.
Talk to your storage consultant.
Prohibited Storage Goods
Common sense and state laws determine what may
be stored. You alone control access to your
storage space; therefore, never store live
animals, perishables, liquids, explosives,
flammable liquids and fuels, toxic materials, or
other items that need a controlled environment.
Disconnect the battery cables to your equipment.
Remember to drain the fuel from gasoline engines
before storage.
Helpful Storage Tips
Inspect your storage space. The space should be clean with a
door in good working order.
Determine the packing accessories you need: paper,
bubble-pack, tape, rope, drop cloths,
polyurethane sheeting, furniture covers,
pallets, skids, dehumidifiers, file boxes, and
storage cartons. Some or all of these items may
be available for purchase in the rental office.
Fill containers to capacity. Partially full or bulging
cartons may tip or collapse. Protect your
fragile goods with packing and place them near
the top of your storage space.
Label boxes. Keep a list of labeled boxes at your home or
office for easy reference when you need to
locate your goods.
Pack the storage space carefully. Leave air space around
the perimeter to aid ventilation. Place a pallet
on concrete floors and do not lean items against
walls. Leave a walkway to the rear of your space
for easy access. Use all the space available,
including the height, and place frequently used
goods near the door.
Specific Storage Tips
Appliances: A refrigerator or freezer should be thoroughly dry
and stored with its door slightly ajar. Some
goods can be stored inside large appliances, and
boxes can be stacked on top of stoves,
refrigerators, and freezers. Make sure that
stoves and cooking equipment are cleaned before
they are stored.
Bicycles and other metal items: To retard rust, wipe
all metal surfaces with a rag containing a few
drops of machine oil.
books, files, records, and documents: Pack books flat
to protect their spines. Do not place boxes
directly on concrete floors, but use pallets or
skids to prevent moisture absorption. Use
packing to fill out empty pockets in the boxes.
Do not pack fragile items in the same box with
books and documents, and do not overload.
Bedding, clothing, curtains, drapes, and linens:
Clothing, curtains, and drapes should be stored
on hangers. If hanging cartons are not
available, such items should be carefully folded
and stored in dresser drawers or cedar chests
along with bedding and linens. Some facilities
sell wardrobe style cardboard cartons, which
help protect your clothes. Food crumbs or stains
should be removed before storage, and avoid
storing anything that may attract pests.
Dishes and glassware: Place a layer of packing
inside the bottom and at the top of boxes
containing glassware. All glass items should be
individually wrapped; nest cups and bowls, and
stand plates, saucers, and platters on edge.
Wrapped glasses should be placed near the top of
cartons. Again, fill all pockets with packing.
Label all boxes containing glassware, and do not
place heavy items on boxes containing glassware.
Electrical equipment: All equipment should be
thoroughly cleaned and dry before it is stored.
Any equipment with sealing doors, such as a
refrigerator, should be stored with its door
slightly ajar.
Fragile items: Place a layer of packing inside the bottom and
at the top of boxes containing fragile items.
All items should be individually wrapped placing
the most fragile near the top of the cartons.
Again, fill all pockets with packing. When
stacking boxes that contain delicate items,
place these on top of those containing heavy
items. Label all boxes containing delicate items
“FRAGILE”.
Furniture: Place a pallet, corrugated cardboard mat, or
plastic sheet on the floor, and stand sofas and
mattresses on end. Disassemble beds, tables, and
other furniture and wrap table legs in paper. If
furniture, such as a table, will not
disassemble, place padding on the floor and
place the table on its top with the legs
pointing up. Use dresser tops for stacking
cartons and dresser drawers for linens or small,
delicate items. Keep upholstery off the floor.
Most lightweight chairs can be stacked “seat to
seat” or placed upside down on tables which
cannot be disassembled. Finally, place a light
cotton dust cover (e.g., a bed sheet) on your
furniture. Some facilities sell covers for your
convenience.
Holiday decorations: Save the original cartons
that contained delicate ornaments and pad the
ornaments with packing paper or news print. Wrap
strings of lights around a piece of cardboard
before placing in a carton lined with packing
paper.
Lamps: Wrap large lamp bases in padding, wrap smaller
lamps and place them in boxes, and pack delicate
lamp shades separately. Do not use newsprint to
wrap lamp shades or any other goods that may be
damaged by ink stains. Do not store heavy items
on cartons containing lamps or lamp shades.
Metal equipment, tools, and other metal items: All
equipment needs to be clean. To retard rust,
wipe all metal surfaces with a rag containing a
few drops of machine oil.
Mirrors, windows, and screens: These items should be stored
on edge, not flat.
Records and phonographs: Records should be stored on
edge to prevent warping. When moving a record
player, the tone arm and turntable should be
secured to prevent damage.
Tools: Metal tools should be cleaned and wiped with a
rag containing a few drops of machine oil to
retard rust. Long handled tools such as rakes,
shovels, and hoes should be cleaned, lightly
oiled, and tied in bundles.
Storage
Calculator has been provided to make your
determination of the size unit you need.