Pros and cons of shared storage units
Storage preparationOctober 10, 2019
An organized life begins with a storage unit. The use of storage units helps households to free up space. Also, you can use them to temporarily keep your items if you are moving to Columbus Ohio. So, when you need a storage unit, there are a couple of options. One of them is to use shared storage units. This would be a good option if you have a friend that is in a similar situation. Logically, this option is beneficial to your budget, as well. Paying half of the monthly rent is highly tempting. Still, sharing a storage unit isn’t so simple. In this article, we explore all the pros and cons of shared storage units.
Let us begin with exploring the pros of shared storage units
The price is convenient for many budgets
When renting a storage unit, the price depends on its location or the amount of time you reserve. In general, full-service facilities are more expensive than self-service. For example, the pricing is between $12 to $50 per unit, per month. The insurance is included in the cost of the rent. You have to protect your belongings, especially if you rent a shared storage unit. Therefore, if you decide to rent storage units Reynoldsburg Ohio, that will financially be extremely affordable for your household. That is also the main advantage of shared storage units.
Shared storage units offer convenience
A storage unit offers time-restricted commitments that everyone should meet. On the other hand, a shared storage unit gives a little bit different perspective. You can have access to a shared storage unit anytime to maintain your items until they’re ready for use.

It is easier to manage than owning a storage unit
Managing a storage unit with a friend or a colleague is much easier. It won’t be only up to you to watch out for molds and pests. So, by sharing a storage unit, not only you’ll be sharing a bill, but you’ll be sharing the responsibilities.
There are many reasons to share a storage unit
Sometimes, owning or renting a storage unit on your own doesn’t suit you. There are a couple of reasons why shared storage units are such a good choice.
- An entire storage unit offers too much space.
In case you don’t have too many things you want to store, you don’t need an entire storage unit. So, why pay a full price for using only half of the storage unit’s space? You can share it with someone. That is such a great solution.
- If you need the storage unit for a short amount of time.
In case both you and your friend are moving, you’ll need only short-term storage. Therefore, it is cheaper to rent a storage unit for a whole month and use it when needed.
The cons of shared storage units
As there are many advantages to sharing a storage unit, there are also some negative aspects.
It can be hard to split the bill
As splitting the bill is a great way to save money, it can be a strain on your relationship. There is always a possibility that you get into an argument and put your relationship in danger.

You won’t have complete freedom
If you rent your storage unit, things are pretty simple. You get to decide how are you going to use it. That’s the case if you own your storage unit. But, if you share it with someone else, things are different. You have to consider their opinion. Also, you might not be on the same page when it comes to the level of cleanness. As you figured out, this can also lead to an argument.
Only one name is on the lease
Most of the storage facilities rent their units to individuals. Hence, just one name will be on the lease. Therefore, the person whose name’s on the lease will be the one responsible for fulfilling the terms of the agreement. That can be a great burden on one person in case the other person doesn’t pay their share of the rent.
Be careful with whom you’re sharing the storage units
In case your name isn’t on the lease, you’ll have restricted access to your belongings. Especially if there’s only one key per unit. If someone else’s name is on the contract, legally, all the items in the unit belong to that person. That’s why it is crucial to share a storage unit with someone you trust. Don’t ever rent a storage unit with a stranger or with a person you don’t have full confidence in.
The bottom line is trust
After all the pros and cons listed, you’ve made a conclusion. It all revolves around trust. You have to be completely certain in the other person. But, we advise you to have some kind of personal legal agreement. Put all the conditions and terms of using a storage unit in writing. That way, both parties will be protected and legally obliged to respect the terms of renting a shared storage unit. Not just a person that is going to sign the lease. Although this agreement may cost a little, it guarantees the safety of your belongings and can also save your friendship.

Let’s sum it up with a few logistics when renting shared storage units
Before renting a shared storage unit, there are some questions you need to have the answers to.
- Who will be the key holder?
If there is only one key to a storage unit, you are not allowed to duplicate it. You will have to make a sort of schedule for holding the key to the storage unit.
- How will you share the cost?
This is not an issue if you’re sharing a storage unit with only one person. Logically, you’ll divide the cost into two. Still, if you’re sharing a storage unit with several persons, you have to make a deal to divide it fairly.
Conclusion
We hope that by reading this article, the details about shared storage units became more clear. We wish you good luck with this endeavor.