Student storage in the summer: what to do with your belongings between terms
When you moved into your student accommodation at the start of the academic year, you probably brought everything with you that you and your parents thought you'd need. In fact, you probably brought all that and more, "just in case". Since then, you've probably acquired even more belongings because you can never have too many plushies, blankets, stationery, books, clothes or wall art!
So, what's your plan for what to do with it all over the summer holiday? With the end of term approaching, now is a great time to start thinking ahead. Whether you're heading home, travelling or moving from one student accommodation to another, renting a student storage unit is a flexible, practical option for what to do with all your belongings at the end of term.
Why summer storage is useful for students
There are two main reasons why so many students use self storage units over summer.
Lectures and exams at university usually end in May, June or July and the new academic year doesn't start until September or October. There is almost always a gap of at least a week or two (and often several weeks) between one year's accommodation contract ending and the new one beginning — the landlord who rented out to last year's students needs that time to assess, clean and prepare their property for next year's tenants.
This means that it's not usually possible to move your belongings straight from one student house to another.
Burglaries of student accommodation peak over the summer holidays (as well as over Christmas and Easter) because burglars know that those properties are usually empty. It's not a great idea to move all your belongings into a property that's going to be unoccupied for several weeks over summer.
How does self storage work for students?
Rather than leaving your belongings in an empty house, or carting all your stuff to your parents' house then back to your new student digs days, weeks or months later, you could rent a self storage unit near your university.
To do this, find a Safestore closest to your university using your postcode on our store locator. Then choose a unit size, the best date for you to start moving your belongings in, and the date you're confident you'll be able to move out by.
What size self storage unit will you need?
We have some useful walk-through guides and descriptions to help you choose the best size for your student storage unit. Most students use lockers (about the size of a car boot) or our 15 or 16 sq ft units, but some students opt for a larger unit that they can share with their flatmates, splitting the cost. If you're unsure, please get in touch and one of our friendly team can offer advice on what size would be best for whatever you intend to store.
When should you book your self storage unit?
There's no deposit to reserve a unit with Safestore, and we recommend reserving your unit early because smaller units in locations close to universities get booked up quickly by local students.
We'd suggest choosing a start date a couple of days before you're due to leave your student accommodation for the summer because:
- This will give you time to pack and transport your belongings gradually, to avoid rushing around on your last day at uni. Most of our stores are close to public transport links, so you could make a few trips on the bus or train with some pull-along suitcases if you don't have access to a car.
- Your student accommodation will need to be cleaned and in good condition when you leave — emptying it before your last day will make that so much easier, and you'll be more likely to get your deposit back.
How long will you need your self storage unit?
When you reserve your unit, you'll need to confirm both your move-in and move-out dates upfront, as payment covers your entire stay. The good news is that there's no notice period required — and you can put things in and take things out whenever you like during that time.
Your university website will have next year's start date published already, so have a look at when your lectures will start. You might want to go back a bit early, to enjoy the Freshers' Week activities that first years and returning students can access, or you might plan to move in over the weekend before your lectures start.
Again, it's worth keeping your unit for a few days after you're planning to return to university so that you can move your belongings out gradually or at a time that suits you.
How do you access your self storage unit?
Our stores have long opening hours, including late night opening on Thursdays at the majority of our locations. Extended hours are also available at many of our stores, though these need to be arranged in advance. Opening hours vary slightly by location, so we'd recommend checking your local store before your first visit — but whenever we're open, you're welcome to visit and access your unit as often as you like.
When you arrive to move things into your unit for the first time, you will be shown where it is and how to open and lock your unit. Some of our units are locked with keypads, for which you alone will have the code. Others will need a padlock — you can either bring your own, or buy one from reception. Either way, you will be the only person who can enter your unit, unless you authorise someone else to do so. If you're planning to share your unit with flatmates, it's worth using a combination padlock that you all know the code for.
You don't need to make an appointment to access your unit during your stay, just turn up during our opening hours whenever it suits you. At the end of your contract, you don't need to cancel — it will lapse automatically unless you choose to extend your stay.
What can you store in your student self storage unit?
You can store anything you'll need for the next academic year but won't need over the summer holidays. These could include:
- Seasonal or extra clothing you won't need over summer
- Bedding, pillows and duvets
- Books and stationery
- Kitchen equipment — pots, pans, crockery, cutlery, kettles and toasters
- Small pieces of furniture — side tables, storage units, chairs and lamps
- Sports or hobby equipment — bikes, musical instruments, sports gear or art supplies
Keeping these in a storage unit will keep them safe, clean and dry until you're ready to move them into next year's accommodation. You can find out more about protecting your goods at Safestore.
Tips for packing your storage unit
Use boxes
Use strong boxes to keep your belongings safe and organised — label the boxes to make it easier for you to find what you're looking for when you unpack next year! You can browse our range of boxes and packing supplies if you need them.
Clean your belongings
Make sure everything is clean and dry before you store it, to avoid mould or mildew damaging your belongings. This is particularly important if you're planning to store your bike or sports gear, since those items are likely to be muddy or damp. For more advice, take a look at our storage unit packing tips.
Pack up furniture
If you have any furniture to store, disassemble it to store it flat to save space. Keep screws in plastic bags taped securely to the furniture they've been taken out of, to make reassembly stress free. Chests of drawers can be kept intact with their drawers filled (carry the drawers separately to avoid injuring your back!).
Protect fragile items
Use towels or bedding to wrap delicate or electrical items.
Can we help?
Using self storage can be a really useful bridge between terms, keeping everything safe until you're ready to return to university life and reducing the stress of moving in and out. It also means that if you're living at home over summer, you will have room to move as your bedroom won't be crammed full of your uni gear!
If you would like to know more about the costs or availability of student storage near you, or would like help reserving a unit within your budget, please get in touch. Remember to mention that you're a student and we'll apply a 50% discount for the first 8 weeks of your stay.
FAQs
How much does student storage cost?
Student storage units start from around £3 per week with our student discount. We offer a 50% discount for student storage for the first 8 weeks. The cost of our units depends on how big they are, and which store they're located in, so it's worth getting in touch to find our best deal if you're looking for the cheapest option.
Are there any other costs involved?
You'll need to bring your own padlock, or you can purchase one from reception when you arrive. Our stores are safe and secure, with CCTV, fire, intruder and pest prevention systems in place, but we always recommend that you take out a contents insurance policy to cover the cost of replacing your belongings just in case. Find out more about protecting your goods — we can help you set up a policy or you can set one up on your own.
Can parents pay for the storage unit?
Yes, it's common for parents or guardians to pay for student storage, particularly for first-year students.
Is short-term storage available?
Absolutely. Our minimum stay is 2 weeks, and payment is made upfront for your chosen period. Many students rent units for the first couple of weeks of summer before their next accommodation is ready to move into; others rent for two or three months while they travel or live at home. You can add items or remove them at any time during your stay, and if you find you need your unit for longer, you can extend your contract with us subject to availability.
What should students avoid storing in self storage?
Important documents, such as certificates and passports, as well as items you'll need regularly should stay with you. Perishable goods and various other prohibited items are not allowed to be kept in self storage for safety and hygiene reasons.
