What Happens If You Cancel A Storage Unit With Stuff In It?
If you cancel a storage unit with stuff in it, you’ll need to take responsibility for removing the stuff and paying any cancellation fees or outstanding debts.
When you rent out a storage unit, you’ll sign a contract that will lay out the specific cancellation process. Some traditional storage companies will require a notice period and will potentially have additional fees for cancelling the contract before the specified end date.
If you’re not sure how long you’ll need your storage unit for, or want total flexibility, consider storage by-the-box. At The Box Co., you only pay for as long as you store.
Whether you’re looking for short-term storage or something more long-term, you can end your contract with us whenever you need to - no cancellation fees, no inflexible contracts.
Get in touch today to find the most affordable storage solution for your needs!
How Can You Cancel A Storage Unit With Stuff In It
If you want to cancel a storage unit with stuff in it, you’ll need to follow these steps:
Check The Cancellation Process
You’ll need to review your storage rental contract to see what the terms are regarding cancelling your storage unit. For example, it will likely lay out if there are any cancellation fees, a specific notice period, any deadlines and what will happen in the event of an abandoned storage unit.
Arrange Collection Of Stuff
To cancel your account with the storage company, you’ll need to make sure that the storage unit is completely empty.
You’ll be responsible for clearing out the unit so make sure to check access or any restrictions (e.g. closed for bank holidays or certain hours). With some self-storage like The Box Co., this step is easier as they can drop your belongings right to your door on a requested date.
If you don’t collect your stuff, the storage company will usually be entitled to restrict access to your items and maybe even put them in auction.
Check Outstanding Payments
You’ll be responsible for covering any cancellation fees or outstanding fees. It’s important that you pay these as soon as possible so you’re not left with mounting debt or negatively impacting your credit score.
Choosing a flexible storage solution from the start means that there are no cancellation fees – you simply choose to end the contract when you no longer need to store your items. Just give us 48 hours' notice and we can have your items delivered directly back to you.
What Happens If You Leave Your Stuff In A Storage Unit?
If you do leave your stuff in a storage unit, there are certain consequences including:
Additional Fees
You might be charged added fees for leaving your items beyond a certain date. The exact terms of this will be laid out in your initial rental agreement.
Auctioned Items
If you leave your stuff in a storage unit, the storage facility has the legal right to dispose of your items or auction them off to cover unpaid debts.
Hurt Credit Score
Leaving your items in a storage unit and leaving outstanding debts means that the storage facility could report it to a credit bureau. If they do this, it could negatively impact your credit score, potentially making it harder to get a job, loan or mortgage in the future.
What’s The Legal Process If You Cancel A Storage Unit With Stuff In It?
Once things go legal, it becomes a little more complicated. Here is what usually happens:
Written Notice
The first step is a written notice from the storage unit letting you know that the contents of your storage unit is at risk.
Legal Waiting Period
There is a legal period that storage facilities must wait before they can sell any of your belongings. This ranges from 30 to 90 days and will depend on the specific storage company.
Auction Or Disposal
After this period is over, if your unit still has stuff in it the storage company could take your items to auction for public bidding or dispose of any items that don’t have value.
Pay Off Any Debts
If after the auction the outstanding balance is still not fully paid off, you’ll be responsible for paying the rest.
Do You Need To Give Notice Before You Cancel Your Storage?
Sometimes. Many traditional storage companies request notice before you cancel your contract. The exact terms of this will be outlined in the storage agreement but will usually vary between 1 week and thirty days.
Following the correct protocol when it comes to the notice period can help you stay out of debt or avoid additional charges. If you cancel without the correct notice, you may be charged for extra days.
Notice usually must be given in writing, via email or a signed letter. They should lay out exactly when you will be leaving and removing your belongings.
What Happens To Your Belongings If You Cancel A Storage Unit?
If you cancel a storage unit, you are responsible for removing your belongings. This can be done by arranging a day to collect them and move out of the unit, for certain self-storage companies, by arranging a day for them to deliver your items back to you.
Professional movers can be hired to help you transport your items safely and efficiently or you could opt to do it yourself.
However you choose to clear your belongings, you should make sure that the storage unit is completely empty before the specified deadline so that you don’t get hit with any extra charges.
For maximum convenience, you could opt for a storage by-the-box solution so you’ll only pay for what you store for as long as you store and your items can be delivered straight back to you whenever you need.
Flexible Storage Cancellations With The Box Co.
At The Box Co., we believe in maximum flexibility for our clients.
That’s why you only pay for storage for as long as you need it. We don’t have cancellation fees or a fixed notice period - just fill out our return form and we'll deliver your stuff back to you as soon as you need it!
Get a quote today!
