If you need somewhere to keep your things between tenancies, over the summer or during a year abroad, a small self storage unit or locker near your university is usually the simplest answer. Sharing a unit with friends can cut the cost a lot, and booking early gets you the best choice before end of term. Here's how to do it without hassle.
When students need storage
The most common situations are:
- Summer between tenancies. Your halls or house contract ends in June, the next one starts in September, and you don't want to take everything home.
- A year abroad or placement year. You are away for months and need somewhere safe for your things until you are back.
- Living far from home. International students and those from far away often can't easily ferry belongings back and forth.
- Graduating. You are finished with student life but haven't sorted your first flat or job yet.
How much space do you need?
Most students need much less space than they think. A single room's worth of stuff, such as boxes of clothes, books, a desk chair, kitchen bits and a bike, usually fits in a locker or a small unit. Small units (10-25 sq ft) generally cost around £20-£100 a month depending on location, according to MyBuilder's price guide, with city centres and London at the top end.
If you are not sure, our storage size guide shows what fits in each unit size. For more on prices, see how much self storage costs.
Sharing a unit with friends
Splitting a unit between housemates is one of the easiest ways to save money. A slightly bigger unit shared between three or four people is often cheaper each than separate small ones. To make it work:
- Agree who signs the contract. One person usually holds the account and is responsible for paying. Make sure everyone pays them their share on time, ideally up front for the whole summer.
- Label everything with names. Use different coloured tape or labels for each person.
- Pack in sections. Give each person a side or a row so you don't have to unload everyone's boxes to find yours.
- Agree on collection. Decide who will be around in September to open the unit, and whether anyone else needs to be added to the account for access.
- Check insurance. Find out what the store's cover includes, and whether it applies to everyone's things or just the account holder's.
What to pack and how
Good packing protects your things and helps you fit more in.
- Use sturdy boxes of the same size. They stack better than bags and odd-shaped crates.
- Wash and dry clothes and bedding before packing, to avoid smells and mould.
- Clean kitchen items and don't store any food, not even sealed snacks. Food attracts pests and most stores don't allow it.
- Back up laptops and consider taking expensive electronics home if you can.
- Clean and dry bikes and let tyres down a little if they will be stored for months.
- Keep anything flammable out, such as camping gas or aerosols. Check what you can't put in storage before you pack.
Timing around term dates
End of term is the busiest time for student storage, because thousands of people move out on the same few weekends. To avoid stress:
- Book a few weeks before term ends, especially if you want a small unit or locker close to campus.
- Check access hours so you can drop off on your moving day and collect when you get back.
- Look at the minimum term and notice period. If you only need it for a summer, pick a store with a rolling monthly contract.
- Plan transport. If no one in your group has a car, ask whether the store offers van hire or a collection service, or book a man and van together with friends.
- Give notice in good time before you move into your new place, so you aren't charged for an extra month.
Year abroad? Plan for longer
A year abroad needs a bit more thought. You won't be around to visit, so pack for the long term, keep an inventory, and make sure payment comes out automatically by card or direct debit. It also helps to add a parent or friend to the account so someone can get in if needed. Our guide to storage when moving abroad covers this in more detail.
Need student storage? Tell us your postcode and roughly how much you have, and every suitable store near you can send you a price - handy for comparing options with your housemates.
