Student Storage – The Best Solution to Save Money

The end of the school year is coming, and college and university students are once again faced with the tough choice of what to do with their belongings. Dormitories need to be vacated during the summer break, and suddenly thousands of students have to move their belongings. Hiring a removal company can be pricey, especially, if you live at the other end of the country. Here is where renting a self-storage comes in handy.

1. Why Use Self-Storage as a Student?

Over the past few years, student storage has significantly grown in popularity in the UK. It is a convenient way to reduce your expenses and have enough free space. The benefits of using it are significant.

• Students can cut moving costs as they no longer have to transport their belonging across the country at the end of the school year.
• Self-storage is an ideal solution for international students who have to leave the country when the term finishes and come to the UK at the beginning of the next one.
• Student storage can provide you with the much-needed space to store your access luggage and items like sports gear, seasonal clothing and old books and papers.
• There are multiple short and long term options that can accommodate the different needs of each individual.
• Some companies can offer special deals like dormitory move with storage, in which case the company can come to the campus, pack your things, transport them to the storage unit and keep them safe until the student is ready to return.

2. How Much Does Self-Storage Cost?

As we discuss in our extensive storage guide, unit prices depend on many factors – from geographical location to size and inside conditions like temperature and humidity levels.

According to the 2022 industry report of the Self-Storage Association (SSA), the current average price for a self-storage in the UK is £26.13 per square foot, 9% higher than last year.

Source: SSA (Self-Storage Association)

Without a doubt, the London area is the priciest place in the UK since the average disposable income is also the highest in the country. But that also affects the moving costs, so if we compare renting a self-storage to a house removal service, the former will be a lot more budget-friendly for a low-income student.

3. What Size Storage Unit Is Best for Students?

Self-storages come in a lot of different sizes, and you need to think long and hard about how much space you actually need. Depending on what you want to store, you can choose from a couple of options. The popular storage-unit sizes in the UK are fourteen, and you can see them here. However, the average student doesn’t need a 500 sq. ft unit, so we will look only at the smallest three possibilities.

• 10 sq ft (1 m2) unit

If you live in a university dorm and don’t have a lot of furniture, but instead need a place o store your books and one or two boxes of winter clothes – this is the right choice for you. This size, known as a locker, is the most preferred type of storage by university students.

• 16 sq ft (1.4 m2) unit

The smallest size self-storage available can fit a suitcase, a couple of plastic crates, boxes and a flat TV. If you are an international student, this is the safest place to keep your belongings until the next school year starts. Not to mention the cost is significantly lower than what you would have to pay if you chose to bring everything with you.

• 25 sq ft (2.30 m2) or 5’x5’ unit

It is the ideal size for a student that has more than a few boxes. This storage unit can comfortably fit a mattress, a wardrobe or an armchair, a tea table and a couple of plastic crates. Or, if you have sports equipment, you can place your treadmill, bike and lifting gear.

Bonus tip: If you are not staying in a student dormitory and are instead renting a flat with a mate, opt for the next size –35 sq ft (3.30 m2). It can fit a queen-size bed mattress and has plenty of spare space. It is significantly cheaper than the 50 sq. ft. that most companies push for.

If you are unsure what unit you need, contact a reputable storage provider and ask for a consult. Don’t settle down with your first offer and call at least two or three places before you choose.

4. Money-Saving Tips with Student Storage Solutions

Calculate your expenses carefully and keep in mind that sometimes it will be more budget-friendly to book a dormitory move with a storage option than to transport everything by yourself with a rented van.

In addition, here are some expert tips on how to save money when renting a self-storage:

4.1 Organise everything

Don’t just throw your staff at random in the boxes. Carefully consider which items you actually want and which you can part with. The fewer boxes you have to transport, the better, so spend some time carefully organising everything.

4.2 Don’t hesitate to sell, donate or throw away

Why lose money when you can make some? Consider selling the items you don’t need and make some extra bucks. The things that are broken and unusable you can throw away. And if you have old blankets or clothes that you don’t wear but can’t sell, you can always donate to your local shelters.

4.3 Pack efficiently

Your free space is limited, so you need to pack smart, not fast. Different packing technics can be used depending on what you want to store in your unit. Look here for some professional advice.

4.4 Avoid fancy storage units unless you absolutely must rent one

You don’t need a temperature-controlled unit if you are going to store 4 boxes of books and a suitcase of clothes. Your bike doesn’t require a specific humidity level. Unless you have money to spare, stick to regular storage units and avoid the fancy ones.

4.5 Long-term contracts are better

Most storage companies offer two types of contracts – short and long-term ones. The former is suitable if you need a place to put your staff for a week or two. But if you need a unit for more than a month, consider renting long-term, as it is cheaper.

4.6 Get additional insurance if you are storing expensive items

This one is a must if you want to store valuable items like fitness and sports gear, or pricy electronics. Everything happens, and you need to be certain that your belongings are safe in case of a flood or fire.

We wish all of our current and future student clients a successful end of the school year. Hopefully, our team was able to help you decide whether or not you need to rent a self-storage. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comment section below.

Stephanie Cooper

Stephanie is a content marketing specialist for Top Removals for the past several years. She has extensive experience working with moving companies and knows her audience. Stephanie creates engaging and useful content helping the customers of Top Removals with their struggles and providing them with the most accurate insight.