Student storage in the summer: what to do with your belongings between terms

End of term means one thing everyone forgets to plan for: what happens to all your stuff. Your tenancy's up, halls are closing for the summer, and you've somehow acquired three times as much as you moved in with. Whether this is your first house move or your final year out, here's what you need to know about storing your belongings with us between terms.

Do you actually need storage?

Before you book anything, it's worth ruling out the free options first:

• Going home for summer with a car (or willing parents)? You might just be able to take everything with you, so check what actually fits before assuming you need a unit.
• Staying in the same house next year? Some landlords will let you leave furniture in situ over a short gap, especially if it's already there. Worth a polite email before you pay for anything.
• Only got a few boxes? A locker might do the job instead of a full unit: cheaper, and still secure.

If none of those apply, whether you've got a gap between tenancies, you're not going home, or you've simply got more stuff than fits in a car, storage is the practical option, and it's worth understanding how it works before you commit.

Why students end up needing storage

Most student tenancies don't line up neatly with term dates. You might move out in June but not move into next year's place until September, leaving a two to three month gap with nowhere for your things to go. Leaving belongings in an empty student house over summer also isn't ideal from a security point of view: empty properties are a more obvious target, and landlords often don't want tenants' possessions left behind anyway.

Storage bridges that gap. Pack up at the end of term, collect when your new place is ready, and you're not stuck relying on a friend's parents' garage.

What are your options: units, cages and pallets

There's more than one way to store your belongings with us, and which suits you best comes down to how much you've got.

Standard units, typically 10, 16 or 25 sq ft, are a popular choice for anyone with a fuller room's worth of boxes, furniture or bulkier items. A locker works well if you've genuinely just got a handful of boxes.

A lot of students also opt for cage or pallet storage, which suits smaller loads well and can work out as a cost-effective option if you don't need a full unit. Availability varies by store, so check what's on offer near you.

There's no single "right" answer here: some students prefer the flexibility of a standard unit they can walk into, others prefer a cage or pallet for a smaller, simpler load. Our size guide can help you work out what fits your situation.

How it actually works, start to finish

1. Find your nearest store and check availability and prices online.
2. Choose your option, whether that's a unit size, a locker, or a cage or pallet where available.
3. Reserve online. We don't require a deposit to hold your booking.
4. Move in, bringing your own padlock or buying one on site, and pack in whenever suits you.
5. Access your belongings as often as you like during normal trading hours. Extended access hours are also available at many of our stores, if you need to grab something outside the usual times.
6. Set your end date upfront. Rather than a rolling contract with a notice period, you tell us when your storage period ends and pay for that period in advance, so you know the cost from the start.

What you can (and can't) store

Storage is well suited to the things that take up space but you don't need day to day:

• Clothes and bedding
• Books and folders
• Kitchenware
• Small furniture: desks, chairs, shelving
• Sports and hobby equipment (bikes, instruments, etc.)

A few things shouldn't go into storage at all: important documents and ID (keep these with you, not in storage), perishable food, and anything flammable, hazardous, or illegal. If you're not sure whether something's allowed, ask your store before you turn up with it.

Packing tips that actually save you time (and money)

• Use proper boxes, not bin bags. They stack, they protect your things, and they don't tear halfway up a flight of stairs.
• Clean things before you store them, especially anything textile or kitchen-related. Storing dirty items for months is how you end up with a smell (or worse) come collection day.
• Disassemble furniture where you can. A flat-packed desk takes up a fraction of the space of an assembled one, and it can be the difference between a smaller unit and needing to size up.
• Protect anything fragile with bubble wrap, or even just towels and clothes you're storing anyway.
• Label boxes by room or category. Future you, unpacking in September, will be grateful.

Cost and the student discount

Pricing depends on the option you choose (unit, locker, cage or pallet) and which store you're closest to, but student storage is generally one of the more affordable ways to bridge a summer gap compared to, say, an extra month's rent on an empty room. If you're curious how self storage pricing works more generally, from unit size to location to time of year, see how self storage pricing works covers the main factors.  See current student storage pricing and offers for the exact rate at your nearest store, including the student discount.

Security

However long you're storing for, it should feel like a non-issue, not a worry. Look for CCTV coverage, individually alarmed or keypad-locked units, and controlled access so only you (or whoever you name on the account) can get in. Ask your local store what's in place if you want the specifics before booking.

Find a store near your university

Find a store near your university

With stores in most major university cities, there's usually one within easy reach of your accommodation, including:

• London
• Manchester
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Leeds
• Glasgow
• Edinburgh
• Cardiff
• Newcastle
• Nottingham
• Sheffield
• Liverpool
• Southampton
• Portsmouth

See all stores nationwide if your university city isn't listed here.

FAQs

How much does student storage cost? It depends on the option you choose and your location. Check current pricing here for the exact rate near you, including the student discount.

Should I get a unit, a locker, or a cage or pallet? It comes down to how much you've got. A locker or cage/pallet suits a smaller load and can be more cost-effective; a standard unit (10, 16 or 25 sq ft) gives you more space and easier walk-in access. Availability varies by store, so check what's on offer near you.

Can I store for just the summer, or a shorter or longer period? Yes. You set your own end date when you book and pay upfront for that period, so there's no rolling contract or notice period to worry about.

Can my parents pay for the unit? Yes, this can usually be arranged. Ask your local store when booking.

Do you offer cages or pallets? Yes, at many of our stores. A lot of students choose this option for smaller loads, though it's not available everywhere, so check with your nearest store.

What can't I store in a self storage unit? Important documents, ID, perishable food, and anything flammable or hazardous shouldn't go into storage. Keep documents with you and check with your store if you're unsure about anything else.

When can I access my belongings? As often as you like during normal trading hours. Many of our stores also offer extended access hours, so check what's available near you.