Self-storage units are a simple and flexible solution to keep important belongings without having them in the way all the time in your home or apartment. Think of it as more like a convenient extension of your own home. Unlike full-service storage arrangements where clients have limited access and rely on the storage provider to store and manage their stuff – self-storage facilities in Kenya give you much more control.
Renting a self-storage unit in Kenya is straightforward; visit a reputable storage facility and request a unit that suits your storage needs. The rental duration could be weeks or months or even years – it’s up to you.
Unit sizes range from 5 feet by 5 feet for small items such as boxes, books, and small pieces of furniture to 10 feet x 20 feet suitable for storing the contents of a three-bedroom house, large appliances, and furniture.
What Can I Store in a Self-Storage Unit?
You can keep many different household and office items in self-storage, as long as they’re legal and safe for other customers, their units, and personnel at the facility. However, there are certain items you should never keep in a storage unit, and they include;
- Perishable food
- Flammable and corrosive items such as chemicals, gas cylinders, and fertilizer
- Live animals and plants
- Drugs
- Stolen or illegal items
- Guns and ammunition
It’s advisable to consult with your storage provider beforehand to get a glimpse of what is and what is not allowed at the storage facility.
Advantage of Self Storage
Self-storage can be a great solution for decluttering your home or business, college storage, home renovations, and temporary life transitions such as residential house moving. Beyond the extra space, self-storage offers several advantages;
- Security – Self-storage unit facilities have modern security systems with security locks, 24-hour camera surveillance, and guarded entrances to keep your valuables safe. There’s no safer place to stow away furniture and important documents.
- Accessibility – Once you’ve rented a unit, you can access it at any time during the facility’s business hours to add, retrieve, or organize your belongings.
- Flexibility – You can rent exactly as much space as you need on a short or long-term storage basis. Remember, you can always adapt the rental period to your storage needs.
- Cost savings – For most Nairobi homes and businesses, self-storage is significantly more cost-effective compared to buying or renting extra commercial or home space. You also get to tidy your spaces at the same time.
- A tidy home or office – With self-storage, you get to free up space in your home and put it to more efficient use. By stowing away items you rarely use, such as seasonal gear and decorations, furniture, or business stock, you create space for what’s more important.
- All-weather protection – You can protect valuable items such as pianos, antique furniture, or electronics from extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations in climate-controlled self-storage.
Different Types of Self Storage Units
Climate Controlled Self Storage
Climate-controlled self-storage units are temperature and humidity regulated to protect your belongings from extreme conditions. This is ideal for storing items sensitive to temperature and humidity changes, such as electronics, musical instruments, and important documents.
Non-Climate Controlled Self Storage
This is a standard, budget-friendly option where inside temperatures and humidity mirror the outside weather. These traditional units cost significantly less than climate-controlled storage. They are ideal for durable, non-sensitive items such as clothing, furniture, and appliances.
How to Pack and Move Your Belongings to a Self-Storage Unit
How you pack and move your belongings is just as important as what you store in your unit. Without the proper packing materials and skill, you might expose your property to loss or damage. This is why it’s advisable to work with a full-service moving and storage company in Kenya that also offers professional packing services and supplies.
Here are a few self-storage packing tips to keep in mind;
- Write and keep a list of everything you’re storing to keep track and quickly find them whenever you need them
- Disassemble large furniture whenever possible to conserve space and make them easier to move. Keep the dismantled parts, screws, and other small parts in labeled bags and fasten them to the matching furniture.
- Use professional-grade packing supplies such as sturdy cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, and furniture covers.
- Label each box with its contents for easy identification. To guarantee stability during transit and storage, stack heavier boxes at the bottom of the stack and lighter ones on top.
- In your self-storage unit, start with the heavier and bulkier items at the back and the lighter, more fragile ones nearer the entrance. Whenever possible, stack boxes and furniture vertically to make the most of the space in your storage container.
- Remember to leave access points for all of the unit’s components. Don’t block the self-storage unit door so it doesn’t close properly.
How to Choose the Right Self Storage Provider
While your goods may already be insured under a home insurance policy, it’s recommended to check with your storage provider if they provide insurance covers for your goods against theft, fires, or accidents. When you partner with a reputable company such as Nellions for storage in transit services, your belongings may be insured under our comprehensive Goods in Transit insurance cover, depending on the arrangement.
Always examine their levels of preparedness in terms of security, fire safety, and other protections once you settle on a facility. Do they have smoke alarms, fire alarms, and fire extinguishers? How clean are the premises?
When searching for self storage near you, consider the cleanliness of the facilities you will tour. Storage facilities that take measures to keep their facilities clean show you that they care about you and your belongings.
Make sure your unit is conveniently situated near your home or work. Also, review the facility features available at your chosen location, such as climate control, 24-hour video surveillance, and gated access.
Before committing to a storage contract, request storage quotes so you can compare prices. However, remember to compare units of the same size and with the same features.
Additionally, keep in mind that the cheapest self-storage unit isn’t always the best deal. Instead of just focusing on price, consider the reputation, location, security features, and access hours the provider allows.
By following the tips in this article and our guide to picking the best storage service provider in Kenya, you can avoid common mistakes and secure flexible self-storage services for your needs.
Nellions: Kenya’s Most Trusted Self Storage Provider
Nellions provides flexible self-storage contracts, insurance options, and professional packing services in Nairobi. We also give tours of the storage facilities, which span 14000 square feet so you can be confident your property will be well preserved. Our facilities are conveniently accessible from across the city;
- Westlands, Upperhill, and Parklands – Quick access for CBD and Westlands residents
- Karen, Kileleshwa, and Lavington – Ideal for households storing furniture during renovation
- Kilimani and Kileleshwa – Central Nairobi’s go-to storage solution
- Gigiri, Runda, and Muthaiga – Trusted by expats and diplomatic households
- Lang’ata, Syokimau, Ruiru, and South C/B – Affordable storage for southern Nairobi estates
If you’re in the middle of a home move, you can have both moving and storage services handled by the same provider to save time and money and have a single point of accountability. Nellions offers storage in transit in Nairobi, meaning your goods are safely held between your old and new location as you get ready to settle in.
Book your unit today.
Call us on +254700000002 or email move@nellions.co.ke
