If your house chain breaks or completion slips, the quickest fix is usually to put your belongings into a self storage unit or container on a rolling monthly contract, and move yourself into temporary accommodation with just the essentials. Most stores can offer a unit within a day or two, often sooner, so you can still move out on time even if you can't move in. Here is how to sort it quickly without overpaying.
First, work out how long you might need storage
You rarely know an exact date when a chain wobbles, so plan for a range rather than a single figure. Ask your solicitor or conveyancer for a realistic view of what is holding things up. A missing search result might mean a couple of weeks. A buyer pulling out further down the chain could mean months while a new one is found.
This matters because it changes what you book:
- A few days to a couple of weeks: your removals firm may be able to hold everything on their lorry or in their own warehouse. Ask them first, as it saves a second load and unload.
- A few weeks to a few months: a self storage unit or container on a monthly rolling contract is usually the most flexible option.
- Unknown or open-ended: pick a store with a short minimum term and a clear notice period, so you can leave as soon as you get the keys.
Short-notice storage options
You have three main choices, and each suits a slightly different situation.
| Option | Good for | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Removals company storage | Short delays where the same firm will deliver to your new home | Daily or weekly charges, whether you can access your things, insurance cover |
| Self storage unit | Delays of weeks or months, when you might need to get at items | Minimum term, notice period, access hours, availability of your size |
| Container storage | Bulky furniture, drive-up access, often lower cost per square foot | Whether the site is staffed, access hours, how dry and secure it is |
If you are torn between a unit and a container, our guide to container vs indoor storage goes through the differences.
How to book storage fast
When the clock is ticking, speed comes from having your details ready before you ring round.
- Estimate the size. Your removals quote often lists the volume of your load, which makes picking a unit much easier. If not, use our storage size guide. A typical two or three bedroom home often fits in somewhere around 100 to 200 sq ft, but go by your own inventory.
- Know your dates. Give the store your moving-out date and say clearly that the end date is uncertain.
- Get several prices at once. Ringing stores one by one eats up a day you don't have. A single request to every suitable local store gets the replies coming to you.
- Tell your removals firm. They need the store address and access details, and may need to rebook the van for two drops instead of one.
- Bring ID. Most stores ask for photo ID and proof of address when you sign up, so have these to hand on the day.
Keep the essentials out of storage
Before anything goes into a unit, set aside what you will need while you are in limbo. Think about where you are staying, how long for, and what you would struggle to replace in a hurry.
- Clothes for a few weeks, including for a change in season if the delay could drag on
- Passports, birth certificates, mortgage and conveyancing paperwork
- Laptops, chargers and anything you need for work or school
- Medication and a basic first aid kit
- Children's favourite toys, and pet supplies
Pack the things you might need to fetch, such as a winter coat box, near the front of the unit. Also check the items you can't put in storage so nothing gets turned away at the door, such as gas bottles or perishable food.
Costs and contracts to watch
A delayed move is already expensive, so keep storage costs under control:
- Ask about the minimum term. Some stores charge for a set number of weeks even if you leave sooner.
- Check the notice period. A short notice period means you are not paying for weeks after you have collected everything.
- Look at insurance. Your home contents policy may not cover items in storage, and the store will usually require some cover. Check both before you sign.
- Don't over-size. Paying for a bigger unit "just in case" adds up over months. Most stores will let you move to a larger unit if needed.
For a sense of typical prices by size and region, see how much self storage costs. If you are mainly worried about protecting sofas, beds and wardrobes, our guide to storing furniture during a house move covers wrapping and loading.
When the chain moves again
Once you have a completion date, give the store notice straight away and book your removals firm for the collection. If you are downsizing as part of the move, this can be a good moment to sort what goes to the new home and what doesn't. Our guide to using storage when downsizing can help.
Need storage at short notice? Tell us your postcode, rough size and moving date, and every suitable store near you can send you a price - free, with no obligation.
