Owners and operators of self-storage businesses should know what tenants look for when choosing a self-storage facility. What was the reason they chose one facility over another? Was it security? Cleanliness? Climate-control? It’s important to ask and learn what brought a tenant in because it may also indicate what’s keeping them out.
Nothing replaces human interaction in a transaction. While most potential clients want a hassle-free, no sales approach to renting a unit, they also want to know that concerns and issues will be addressed quickly when they choose a self-storage facility. Owners and operators can streamline operations with that in mind, but must also balance the need for human contact wisely.
Facility maintenance must be a top priority in a well-run self-storage operation. The way a facility is managed can make or break a deal. Most potential clients are considering these questions when searching:
- Is it secure?
- Is it clean?
- Is there good lighting?
- Is it a good value?
Security
Potential tenants are searching for a secure facility. They want to store their personal belongings that they don’t have room for, but can’t bear to part with. Seasons of life have a way of shifting what we need today to what we may need tomorrow, and that is where self-storage comes into play. Rather than getting rid of items, they are stored for when we need them next. Tenants want to know their items are securely stored.
Regular maintenance of fences, gates, accessibility, cameras, lighting, and more is necessary to ensure that tenants know their items are secure.
Clean
Regular maintenance must include trash and debris removal, with strict rules for tenants about trash removal and dumping. Self-storage facilities must manage how items are disposed of to avoid facilities becoming dumping grounds. Furniture and bins left by the trash attract loitering and pillaging. Keep it clean. Keep it trash-free. Manage the existing tenants and the way they dispose of their unwanted items.
Lighting
A well-lit facility will always keep out people who don’t want to be seen. Tenants want to see that drive-up areas are well-lit and there’s no shadowy areas that would invite people who are up to no good. Inspection of lighting takes place at night, though, so that means regular inspections must happen after dark when it is easier to see that a light is not working. Quick repairs and replacements are necessary to keep a facility running.
Value
Finally, people are considering things like value. Comparatively, one facility is not likely to be much different in price than the closest competitor. Competition works that way. In theory, owners want to offer the best value to customers and attract them naturally rather than offering the low-ball price to attract tenants who may not be the best.
Is the place secure? Does it offer the size needed? Is the value for the price a good value?
Running a self-storage is not rocket science. It’s about providing a solution to a problem at the right price and keeping it well-maintained so that tenants don’t search for a better solution elsewhere.
Coastal Storage is the premier self-storage brokerage in Florida. We are the Argus Self-Storage Network Affiliate for the state of Florida (excluding the Panhandle) and Georgia. Call today at 904-591-0140 to partner with our team for your next self-storage project.