Understanding Your Rental Contract: 3 Terms & Conditions That Might Result in Fines if Violated
It's easy to find a storage unit close to your place of residence considering the fact that there are more than 48,000 primary self storage facilities in the US. Each self storage facility is privately-owned, and will have its own rules and policies. If you violate and break the set rules enforced by each self storage facility, you could find yourself facing some pretty hefty fines. The rules will be outlined in the terms and conditions of your rental contract, so be sure to pay attention and read the contract carefully before you sign.
This article will look at 3 of the most common terms and conditions might might get you fined if you are found to have violated them.
Type of Items that You're Allowed to Store in Your Unit
While renting a self storage unit basically entitled you to store as many of your personal belongings as you wish in it, most self storage facilities will actually have rules in place regarding the type of items that you can and cannot store. Some items, like flammables, are banned because they can cause serious damage to the facility whereas others are banned because they might not be covered under the storage facility's insurance policy. Some storage facilities will only allow you to store a certain number of specific items.
In the event that the facility finds out that you have stored any items that they have banned, you might get fined or you might even get your rental contract terminated immediately. It's definitely not worth the risk. Some facilities will allow you to store items that they have banned if you purchase independent insurance for your unit.
Whether You Can Stay the Night in Your Storage Unit
Do you have a lot of items to move and plan on spending a lot of time in your storage unit? Think again. To prevent people from renting and living in the self storage unit, some facilities actually have set a specific amount of time when you are allowed to be inside the unit.
For example, they might only allow you to stay within the unit for 4 hours each day. Others might restrict the hours in a day that you can access your unit. These rules are usually enforced to prevent renters from spending the night in their unit. If anything happens, the self storage facility's insurance policy simply will not cover any losses or injuries.
Check to see whether there are any restrictions in place. These storage facilities will have security guards patrol the facility. They also will generally install surveillance cameras to confirm your whereabouts.
Whether You Can Smoke, Drink, or Bring a Pet to the Facility
Just because you've rented a storage unit, it doesn't necessarily give you the right to get comfortable. Many self storage facilities will not allow you to smoke or drink on their premises. This includes inside your storage unit. If you are found to be intoxicated or if you smell of cigarettes, you could be asked to leave. If you have violated this rule several times, you could get fined and your rental contract may be terminated.
Some storage facilities also do not allow pets on their premises. Others do if the pets are leashed. You'll have to check your rental agreement to determine whether there are any terms and conditions outlined. If you know for sure that you're going to bring your pet with you occasionally, make sure that your rental contract specifically states that bringing a pet is okay.
Read the rental contract carefully before you sign it. You are legally responsible for following the terms and conditions outlined. If you don't, you could face hefty fines and penalties.