Thinking about renting a storage unit in SC? Here are 5 things to know
With more and more people setting their sights on moving south and the Lowcountry area continuing to grow, it seems that many people are coming with more stuff than their new homes can handle.
From houses to apartments to condos, there sometimes just isn’t enough space, meaning many turn to storage units for help.
The Lowcountry region has a handful of facilities to choose from and more seem to pop up every day as demand continues to grow, with over 40 facilities across Beaufort County.
But how do you know which unit is right for you?
From cost, unit types and state law for late payments, here are five things storage unit renters should know.
How much do units cost?
Unit price varies by facility and the type of unit you opt to store your items in.
Prices are typically per month and can fall anywhere from $20 up to $200.
When renting a storage unit, insurance is a key consideration to protect your belongings from unexpected loss or damage.
Existing homeowners, renters or condo insurance policies often include what’s called “off-premises” personal property coverage, which can extend to items kept in a storage unit and usually covers damage from fires, theft and vandalism. If this isn’t already included in your coverage, you can have it added.
There is also specialized storage insurance, which is designed specifically for stored property. It is often purchased through your storage facility.
Most storage facilities will require you to have some form of insurance, so always ensure to ask the storage facility about their policies and review the coverage limits and exclusions from your provider.
Are the units climate-controlled?
Price is often determined by the kind of unit you wish to store your items in.
Some facilities offer climate-controlled units, meaning that your items will be kept in a unit that is controlled by an air system to regulate the unit temperature. Climate-controlled units aim to ensure your belongings won’t be impacted by external elements like heat and cold.
Other units do not offer climate control. These kinds of units often rely on natural ventilation or insulation.
Depending on what you store, deciding between a climate-controlled unit or a standard unit can help keep your items looking their best.
What are the most common sizes?
Storage facilities will often offer a variety of sizes, from small, medium and large units. Some of the standard sizes you can find are:
Storage lockers: Holds small collectibles and personal storage.
5x5 unit: Holds a dresser, small mattress set and several boxes.
5x10 or 5x15 unit: Holds a bedroom, including a queen-sized bed, dresser, TV and boxes.
10x10 unit: Holds entire family room or two full bedrooms, and boxes.
10x15 unit: Holds items of a two-bedroom apartment, including larger items such as a piano, couches, tables, TVs and boxes.
10x20 or 10x30 unit: Holds items of a multi-bedroom house, including a couch, refrigerator, washer/dryer, dining room set, several boxes and a car.
Are there apps to help me?
Some storage facilities, like Extra Space Storage and Public Storage, provide mobile apps for renters to keep track of their payments and manage their accounts.
Other apps are also available to help you keep track of what you’ve put in your storage unit (so you can avoid shuffling around the basement or attic looking for those Christmas decorations).
These apps often allow you to take photos of the items you store or import a PDF or spreadsheet of the items you’ve packed, providing an easy and mobile way to keep track of your things.
A few apps providing this service include:
Home Contents (Free with in-app purchases; best for Apple)
iCollect Everything (Free with in-app purchases; best for Apple)
Nest Egg ($3.99; both Apple and Android compatible)
Magic Home Inventory (Free; best for Android)
Encircle (Free; best for Android)
Other than keeping track of your belongings, these apps can help you price and value your items in the event of fire or other damage to your storage unit facility.
What happens if I miss a payment?
If you rent a storage unit in South Carolina and miss a payment, the Self-Service Storage Facilities law gives the facility owner certain rights after a specific timeline, so it’s important to keep track of your payments.
Here’s what happens if you do miss a payment:
If your rent is 7 calendar days past due or if your payment bounced, you are “in default.”
If in default, the storage facility can legally deny you access to your unit, even if your belongings are still inside.
If you remain in default and no payment is received for 50 consecutive days, the facility owner can sell or dispose of the items in your unit to recover the costs.
By missing payments after this period, the storage facility has a legal claim on everything in your unit once you’re in default, according to the South Carolina Self-Service Storage Facility Act.
This story was originally published May 31, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
