New to storage

If you are new to self storage, you might have some questions about getting started, the size unit you need and what it costs. The other important considerations are how to access, pack and organize your storage space.

You’ve come to the right place. The questions and answers below will step you through some of the basics and give you comprehensive information, to help take the stress out of storage and ensure you end up with the right solution.

Rent a Space has a wealth of information and experience that can help you. Our highly trained team members are storage experts and are happy to offer tips and advice to help you get the most out of your new storage unit.

Everyone’s situation is different, and people (and business owners) need storage for a variety of reasons.

At its heart, self storage provides extra space for personal, household and business needs. Often storage is needed during times of great change and life events. You may find yourself downsizing, upsizing, divorcing, renovating or moving and need a temporary or longer term storage solution.

Uni students may need a secure locker to store their items between semesters, especially if they are travelling, or living interstate or overseas and studying in Sydney.

For other people, the need to declutter and reclaim the spare room becomes urgent, especially if there is a change to the size of their family, whether through new baby or a (grand) parent moving in. People renovating a house often choose to store the contents of a room, as they repair and paint walls, re-carpet or sand floorboards, instead of hauling heavy furniture from room to room or losing their garage space.

Businesses may be going through rapid growth, stocking up on seasonal inventory, or outgrown their current premises and need extra storeroom or warehousing space.

Storage is not just for furniture, boxes, or inventory. Cars, motorcycles, boats and caravans also need space, to store them when not in use or when street parking is just not an option.

It's important to choose a reputable facility that offers secure, well-maintained units and good customer service. And with 365 day access, you can visit your storage space as often as you need to.

Self storage is a flexible and convenient option for storing items that you don't have room for at home or at your business. A self storage unit is just like having an extra garage or shed. It’s a clean, dry and secure space to stow your belongings for as long as necessary.

Rent a Space provides self storage on a month-to-month basis. There are no fixed contracts, so you only pay for the time you need.

Renting storage from Rent a Space is easy and convenient, for both long and short term periods. There are 8 simple steps.

1. Choose your preferred location
We currently have 17 storage centres in Sydney, the Macarthur region and the ACT:
● Bella Vista catering for storage needs of the Hills area
● Bexley in Sydney’s southern suburbs
● Caringbah and Miranda for storage in the Southerland shire
● Padstow and Casula in south-western Sydney
● Gregory Hills and oran Park for self storage in the Macarthur region
● Burwood for Inner West storage
● Girraween caters for Parramatta and Sydney’s west, and includes factory units
● West Ryde and Chatswood servicing the northern suburbs
● Brookvale, our new flagship facility, provides storage in the northern beaches
● Marsden Park for storage in Sydney’s north western suburbs
● Moore Park for convenient city and eastern suburbs self storage
● Queanbeyan for self storage in Canberra and the ACT

We’re planning on opening another 5 self-storage centres in the next few years.

2. Choose a Storage Unit Size
Rent a Space Self Storage units range from locker and cupboard size, all the way up to an oversized garage. Larger areas for business needs can be accommodated by combining two or more adjoining units (subject to availability).

To work out what size storage unit you need you can talk to our friendly call centre team, who are focused on finding you exactly the right size so that you don’t pay for more storage than you need, or not have enough space to fit everything inside! If you haven’t read the information under the “What size storage unit do I need” section, we suggest this is a great place to start.

You can also watch the videos on our website to get an idea of the dimensions of each type of unit and what can fit in them. The videos will also show you how to make the most of the space by packing the unit to make maximum use of its capacity.

The other option is to pop into your local Rent a Space store and have a look at the different sizes available. While you’re there, we can answer any questions you may have and show you a range of storage units in different sizes and prices.

If you know what size you need, either the square metre dimensions, the size compared to a single car garage, or the number of rooms that you need to store, head to our instant online pricing for the latest deals available at your chosen storage centre. This 24x7 self-service feature allows you to hold a unit at no charge for 24 hours and comes in handy if you are not 100% sure of the size you need.

3. Reserve Your Storage Unit
When you have decided on what size you need, the next step is to reserve your storage unit, either online or by calling one of our friendly team members on 8758 0000. A $20 deposit will secure your unit and is fully refundable if you decide not to go ahead.

4. Review and Sign Your Storage Agreement
Your storage agreement includes all the terms of your lease. Broadly speaking, it includes
● Description of the unit
● Length of the lease
● Tenant responsibilities (eg. you can’t live in your storage unit and keep animals in there)
● Cancellation terms
● Non-payment terms

Photo ID is required at the time of signing your rental agreement. This can be done in person or using our easy and convenient e-sign system. You will also receive your gate access code, which needs to be keyed in each time you enter and leave the premises.

Once you sign the agreement, you’ll need to pay for the first month’s rent. Or if you want to pay in advance for 6 or 12 months of storage, you will enjoy a discount off your monthly storage fees. For your convenience when paying month to month, future payments can be made online or we can put a direct debit or auto credit card payment in place to ensure that you always pay on time and prevent late fees.

It’s also a good idea to arrange storage insurance to protect your possessions at this point. At Rent a Space Self Storage, insurance is provided by a third-party. The Rent a Space manager can provide information about insurance if you don’t have your own insurance in place.

5. Pack Your Belongings
Make sure you have your boxes and packing materials organized in advance. Label the boxes with the contents as you pack them to make finding things so much easier. If you are packing heavy items, don’t completely fill the box, as you need to be able to lift it. It’s also a good idea to run tape vertically and horizontally across the bottom of the box to help stabilise the flaps against the weight of the items.

Rent a Space Self Storage sells a wide range of boxes and packing supplies. We also sell keyed and combination padlocks if you don’t bring one with you. The lock combination is known only to you and we do not keep copies of your keys. You store it, you lock it, you keep the key!

Click on the link to our Box Shop to browse the sizes and range of packing and moving items we offer.

6. Move In
Our friendly team will help make your move in as fast and easy as possible. The site manager can offer you expert advice including the most efficient way to pack your unit. If you rented a unit in person, the site manager will have provided an orientation tour and guided you to your unit.

To help with your move, we provide a complimentary trailer or a free truck and driver service (subject to availability). There are also trolleys on site to help with unloading and moving your possessions.

Our On-site Office Hours are generally:
● Monday - Friday 9.00 am – 5.30 pm
● Saturday 9.00am – 5.00 pm.
● Sunday Opening times vary depending on locations. Please check our website or Google listing, or call to confirm the office is open.

You can access your unit during the designated business hours, typically via a keypad or keycard system. Rent a Space has standard access hours of 6am to 9pm, 7 days a week. If you need 24/7 access that can be arranged.

7. Pay Your Rent
You'll need to pay your rent on time each month to keep your unit. Late payments may result in late fees or even eviction from the unit.

8. Move Out
When you're ready to move out, you'll need to remove all of your belongings and clean out the unit. You will need to provide us with 14 days notice prior to move out.

When you have signed the storage agreement, you will receive a personal pin code. This gives you access to the facility 365 days a year during the designated hours of 6am to 9pm, although 24-hour access can be arranged. Your pin must be keyed in at the gate, each time you enter and leave the facility to avoid triggering the alarm on your unit. And with 365 day access, you can visit your storage space as often as you need to.

There is a fine balance between too large, too small and just right.

The first thing to do is to consider how many rooms of furniture and belongings you need to store.
Is it one, two or three bedrooms or more? Is it a house or an apartment? Is it just furniture or are there going to be boxes and bags of items as well?

Now, try to think about the space you need as compared to a garage.

Would your items fill:
● a quarter of a garage,
● half a garage,
● three quarters of a garage or,
● a single garage?

Do you think you need more than a single garage? We have extra- large storage space about the size of one and a half garages for households of 4 or more bedrooms.

Lockers, as the name suggests, are generous cube-like spaces (usually 1.1 x 1.1 x 1.1m2) that are commonly used to store personal belongings, seasonal clothing or decorations, archive boxes, paperwork and files, and for students storing books and equipment between semesters.

As a general guide, cupboard-size storage units (up to 3.5m2) are about the size of a generous closet, a walk-in wardrobe, or a home office. Items commonly stored in this size unit include the contents of a one bedroom or studio apartment, a single size mattress, sporting equipment, bikes, skis and fishing and camping gear, a desk and chair, documents and files and small household items.

An extra small storage unit is about the size of a quarter of a single garage (or about 4.5 to 6.5m2). This equates to about the size of an average size room. It is ideal for storing the contents of a one-bedroom apartment, or the contents of a room in your home that you might be painting or renovating. This can generally fit a double size mattress, flat screen TV and stand, 2-seater couch or single armchair, bedside tables and some small items of furniture.

A small storage unit (6.75 - 8.1m2, or about a half a garage) is a space suitable for storing the contents of a 2-bedroom apartment including a king or queen bed and mattress, living room furniture, entertainment centre, appliances like washers, driers and refrigerators and several boxes of clothing and household items.

A medium storage unit (9-12m2 or about three quarters of a standard one-car garage) will comfortably store the contents of a 2-3 bedroom house including king and queen mattresses and beds, lounge, armchairs and dining room sets, major appliances, entertainment centre including TV and TV stand, musical equipment and piano, boxes of clothing, household items, mirrors and pictures.

A large storage unit (approx. 12.5 - 17.5m2 or the size of a single car garage) is ideal for a 3-4 bedroom house. It is spacious enough to store multiple sets of bedroom furniture, living room, dining room and outdoor furniture, exercise equipment, weights and treadmills, boxes and major appliances. Also suitable as garage space for a car, depending on the width of the vehicle and the configuration/width of the unit.

An extra-large storage unit is larger than a standard one car garage. About the size of one and half garages, they range in size from 18-27m2. These will comfortably hold the contents of 4 or more bedrooms, plus your home office furniture, family room lounges and furniture, kitchen table plus formal dining table and chairs. If it is located on a driveway, it can comfortably fit most cars, with space for some shelving behind.

If you need storage for business, the size is dependent on what you are storing, how many items you have and how you arrange the space. For example, installing shelves, cupboards and filing cabinets can increase the ease of stacking, packing and arranging your storeroom.

The size you need also depends on whether you are storing on pallets (and therefore you will need a larger unit with a roller door located on a driveway to ensure easy access) or if you have loose boxes and items that can be stacked.

Bulky goods like office furniture, IT items, products and inventory will take more space, or be unable to utilise the space as efficiently as items packed in boxes or paperwork and files packed in archives boxes.

Try to estimate how many pallets those items would equate to if they were able to be packed in pallets and then look at the equivalent estimated pallet quantities below that may fit into each category of storage.

Once you have an idea of the quantity, the next step is to work out if you need a storeroom, a mini warehouse or a factory unit?

Lockers, as the name suggests, are generous cube-like spaces (approximately 1.1m wide, 1.1m high and 1.1m deep) that are commonly used to store a small quantity of archive boxes, paperwork and files. A locker can also hold small items of IT equipment.

As a general guide, cupboard-size storerooms (up to 3.5m2 and usually with hinged doors) are about the size of a stationery or cleaning supply cupboard. Items commonly stored in this size unit include boxes of business documents and files, excess stationery, and office supplies.

An extra small storeroom is about the size of a quarter of a single garage (or about 4.5 to 6.5m2 and usually with hinged doors). This equates to about the size of an average sized office. We recommend this for businesses who need to store extra inventory and supplies equivalent to about 2 pallets of goods in boxes and small items of excess furniture.

A small storeroom (6.75 - 8.1m2, or about a half a garage and usually with hinged doors) is ideal for businesses needing to store the contents equivalent to 4 pallets of goods in boxes.

A medium storeroom (9-12m2 or about three quarters of a standard one-car garage) will comfortably store the equivalent of 6-8 pallets of items. This size is ideal for home businesses and small businesses needing a short or long term storage for seasonal stock in advance of Christmas, Back to School, Valentine’s Day and other key retail periods. Some of these units have roller doors but most are hinged (it depends on the location).

A large storeroom (approx 12.5 - 17.5m2 or the size of a single car garage) is ideal for 8 -16 pallets if they are stacked or the tools, equipment and supplies regularly used by tradesmen like plumbers, electricians and building contractors. Driveway locations with roller doors offer maximum convenience for loading and unloading. We have a range of pallet jacks and trolleys for your convenience. A standard roller door is 2.4 metres high.

An extra large storage unit is larger than a standard one car garage. About the size of one and half garages, this mini-warehouse ranges in size from 18-27m2. These will hold about 20 pallets, with space for a central aisle, but the configuration will depend on how you stack and organise your space. Install shelves and filing cabinets to make maximum use of the large space that pallets may not completely fill.

Our commercial warehouses are conveniently located on the Great Western Highway in Girraween’s industrial precinct, handy to the M4 and M7 motorways, the Cumberland Highway and the Parramatta and Western Sydney corridors.

These range in size from 146m2 to 300m2 with high clearance roller doors (4.5m wide x 5.5m high). There is plenty of onsite parking and access for trucks, containers and delivery vehicles, with a designated container zone for pick up and drop off convenience.

Well-presented with generous space, some of our warehouses have 2 levels and are suitable for import/export businesses, and retail and wholesale businesses needing a separate showroom/office configuration. Others will suit office and warehouse configurations, offices only and other commercial applications that only require a single level. All are complete with kitchenette and bathroom amenities.

The storage units at Rent a Space are located in one of three positions in the facility - Driveway, Ground Floor or Upper Floor.

Ground floor units may be either outside (on the driveway) or inside the building on the lower level. Upper floor units are always first floor or higher, with access via stairs and a goods lift.

As the name suggests, driveway units are street level units offering maximum loading and unloading convenience as they allow you to drive right up and park outside your unit.

Please keep in mind that not every one of our locations has the same options, space configurations and layout. If you’re not sure about the location of the unit, please call or pop into your preferred Rent a Space branch for a site tour.

Every Rent a Space storage facility features:
● Digital surveillance system in the form of CCTV monitoring.
● Password protected access - customers and employees entering the property must enter a unique access code at gates and/or doors. This ensures that access to the storage facility can be limited and reviewed if necessary.
● Lighting - bright exterior perimeter lighting and good lighting in the interior aisles for your safety.
● Individual locks - you are the only person to have access to the key or code to your unit (we do not keep keys and combination codes on file).
● A well maintained property, with fences and gates in good order and a neat and tidy appearance.
● Safety and Security protocol - daily visual inspections to ensure all units are locked and the site is orderly and secure.

If you are using a furniture removalist, they have the knowledge and expertise to efficiently pack your storage unit to ensure the maximum use of space.

If you are packing it yourself, the main thing to remember is to utilise the vertical space. In other words, take full advantage of the height of the storage unit by stacking furniture and items on top of each other.

Old sheets, blankets and towels are invaluable to place on top of furniture to prevent scratches and damage from anything you are going to stack on top. We also sell heavy duty moving blankets and 100m rolls of bubble wrap if you need to protect valuable pieces of furniture, while in transit or in storage.

Organisation, labelling and access are the keys to finding things quickly. Label each box as you pack it, by room or use and item. The last thing you want to do is pull everything out of your storage unit and dig through boxes looking for something. Plan ahead to prevent a headache or wasted time later. Leave a centre aisle if possible so you have access to everything and can search and remove with ease.
Pack the things you are likely to need (or need more often) into a few boxes and place these last in your storage unit, just inside the door. That way, you don’t need to embark on a search and pull everything out to locate the boxes you need. Consider what you may need access to, especially for seasonal items and clothing, toys, sporting equipment, tools and documents.

Try to use groups of the same size boxes, so they will stack neatly and evenly. Put the heaviest on the bottom of the stack and boxes with lightweight or fragile things on top (making sure they are steady and won’t tumble down).

Create a master contents list and a sketch of where it is located. Divide your unit into 4 quadrants and label the areas with what’s stored there. This will be invaluable when you need to locate something quickly, especially if it is not in your immediate view.

We understand that circumstances can change quickly. Rent a Space Self Storage requires a minimum 14 days’ notice if you wish to move out, but please give us a call as early as possible. Any unused rent will be refunded to your bank account once you have moved out. Just speak to your self storage facility manager and they'll ensure it is a smooth process. Please ensure the unit is cleared of all goods and you remove your lock when you move out.

You cannot store anything that is explosive, flammable, illegal, perishable or environmentally harmful. You cannot sleep or live in your storage unit. Nor can you keep animals inside it. If you’re not sure, please don’t hesitate to give us a call - we are here to help!

Yes, vehicle storage is available at selected Rent a Space locations.

Our vehicle storage is an indoor or outdoor storage space specifically for storing cars, RVs, boats, caravans or motor bikes that you don’t want to or can’t store at your property. Please call 8758 0000 to enquire about availability.

No, we don’t. You pack your unit with your goods, you lock the unit with your own padlock (one you have either brought with you or purchased from us) and you hold the key or the combination code.