Renting Your First Storage Unit: What Happens Before You Move In?

If you have never rented a storage unit before, the practical questions can be more confusing than choosing where to store. When should you book? What happens after you enquire? How do you get access, and what should you bring on your first visit?

This guide takes you through the steps from checking availability to moving your belongings into a container at Accrington Container Storage.

At ACS, the first step is an enquiry. Submitting a form does not by itself confirm that a container has been reserved or that you can arrive and start unloading.

1. Work Out What You Need Before Enquiring

You do not need a perfect inventory to start a conversation, but a rough list helps the team understand your requirements.

Make a note of:

• Your main items: furniture, boxes, tools, equipment or business stock.
• Bulky or awkward pieces: measure large items and note whether they can be dismantled.
• Your preferred start date: include any fixed moving or renovation dates.
• Your expected stay: give an estimate even if the end date is uncertain.
• Access needs: consider whether you will visit regularly or mostly leave items in place.

ACS offers full-size 20ft containers. If you are unsure whether that suits your load, read our guide to whether you need a full 20ft storage container.

Check unusual items before booking. Vehicles, potentially hazardous materials and belongings needing specific storage conditions should be discussed with the team. Our guide to what you can and cannot store is a useful starting point.

2. Contact ACS to Check Availability

Use the storage enquiry form, call 01254 301731, or use the WhatsApp option on the enquiry page.

Explain what you need to store, when you would like to start and roughly how long you expect to need the unit.

If your move depends on storage being ready, confirm availability before committing to van hire or a removal booking. Ask the team what is needed to secure your unit.

3. Confirm the Terms, Payment and Insurance

ACS’s published price is £150 per month including VAT. The website states that no deposit is required and that you pay the first month upfront. Rentals are available from one month upwards.

Before proceeding, confirm:

• The agreed rental start date
• How the first payment and ongoing payments will be arranged
• Any information or documents the team needs from you
• The rental conditions and permitted items
• The notice required when you want to leave
• How the final rental period will be charged

Do not assume you can leave without notice or receive a refund for unused days. Ask how the arrangement works before paying.

For rental calculations and budgeting, see our Accrington storage cost guide.

Check Insurance Before Moving Items In

Confirm whether your existing insurance covers belongings kept away from home or your business. If it does not, arrange suitable cover before your rental starts.

Give your insurer the storage address and explain what you intend to store. Read our storage insurance guide for questions to ask.

4. Arrange Your First Visit and Access

The ACS facility is at The Stoneyard, Coach Road, Accrington, BB5 0ED.

Customers have 24/7 drive-up access once their rental and access arrangements are in place. That is different from arriving for the first time and needing help from staff.

Before travelling, confirm:

• When you should arrive for your first visit
• Whether you need to meet a member of the team
• How to enter and leave the site
• Which container you will use
• How the supplied padlock and lockbox work
• Who to contact if you have an access problem

The office’s published hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays. Arrange visits requiring staff assistance in advance.

If you are bringing a removal company or asking someone else to help, check the visitor and access arrangements with ACS first.

5. Prepare for Moving Your Belongings In

Pack before your arrival so you can use the loading time efficiently. Bring suitable help for heavy furniture and plan how you will move awkward items safely.

• Make sure belongings are clean and dry.
• Label boxes clearly, including anything fragile.
• Keep furniture fixings in labelled bags.
• Separate items you expect to collect soon.
• Keep essential documents, medication and everyday necessities with you.

For furniture, follow our furniture preparation guide. For layout and loading, see how to pack and organise a storage container.

Before You Leave the Site

Check that boxes are stable, nothing obstructs the doors and you can reach anything you expect to retrieve. Follow the team’s instructions for securing the container and leaving the site.

Keep a simple inventory or photographs of your stored belongings. Save the team’s contact details somewhere you can access without entering the unit.

First-Time Storage Move-In Checklist

First-Time Storage Rental FAQs

Does submitting a storage enquiry reserve a unit?

Do not assume an enquiry reserves a unit. Ask ACS to confirm availability and explain what is required to secure your container before arranging your move.

What information should I include in my storage enquiry?

Explain what you need to store, your preferred start date, roughly how long you need the unit and any unusual items or access requirements.

Can I move into a storage unit on the same day?

Ask the team before making plans. Same-day move-in depends on availability and completing the required rental, payment and access arrangements.

Can I arrive outside office hours for my first visit?

Arrange your first visit with the team. Existing customer access and a first visit requiring staff help are different, so confirm access instructions before travelling.

What should I confirm before paying for storage?

Confirm the price, start date, payment arrangements, permitted items, insurance requirements, notice period and how the final rental period is charged.

Can someone help me unload my belongings?

Check the visitor and access arrangements with ACS before bringing helpers or a removal company. Arrange suitable assistance for heavy or awkward items.