Rental Industry News Today

Residents of highly populated areas like Houston, Texas might be cautious regarding rental of a self storage unit because they are concerned about how secure their belongings will be if they are stored off site. It is true that security measures do vary from one self storage location to another, and it is important to know what to look for when deciding where to rent a Houston storage unit.

News stories about Houston area self storage break ins occasionally make the news. These stories usually relate how crooks hack the lock off the door of a storage unit and steal its contents. Closer scrutiny of these crimes shows they tend to happen at self storage facilities that do not offer security measures beyond a fence and a lock that is placed on the unit by the renter of the storage space.

These stories are very much the exception. The vast majority of Houston self storage facilities are very concerned about the security of their customers’ belongings. They are very aware that their business and reputation are dependent upon maintaining a very secure environment. They also know that a fence and a lock on the door are only two of many important considerations to deter theft.

What To Look For

So what do you need to examine when evaluating a facility for self storage?
The best thing you can do is to visit the prospective location after dark. You’ll want to see how well lit the facility is as this is a prime deterrent to would be thieves.

The fence around the storage facility you are evaluating should be well maintained and build to a height which will deter both two and four legged intruders. The access point into the facility should feature a very secure door or gate which requires a pass code to gain entry.

Look for coverage by security cameras not only of the access point, but of the grounds which comprise the facility as well. If a criminal knows he is being video recorded, he is much more inclined to seek another target.

Some self storage providers offer units which have individual alarms in addition to the aforementioned measures. If an intruder gets into the facility and removes the lock on your unit, an alarm will still go off when the door to your unit is opened.

Resident Managers Are A Strong Deterrent

As much as all the above will deter thieves, there is one security facet which is not offered at all self storage businesses: a resident who lives on the grounds and is part of a 24 hour a day human presence. Managers who live on the premises of the storage facility are a major deterrent to thieves, as they can respond quickly to any alarm and notify law enforcement the alarm is genuine. They also are aware of any suspicious goings on and act as first responders in any security related situation. Word that a storage business has a resident manager travels around the community and has a tendency to decrease criminal activity.

Storing your personal possessions or business inventory at a Houston area self storage facility which incorporates all the security measures mentioned herein means you can rest assured your items are safe and sound. Nevertheless, don’t lose sight of this: Houston is not immune to natural disasters, especially tornadoes, so get insurance on valuables or irreplaceable possessions. The combination of a secure location and proper renters insurance adds up to peace of mind.