FAQs

• What Size Space do I need?

  If you have never used self storage in the past, you will want to carefully consider what you are planning to store in order to find the right size for your needs. We have many tools available to assist you in this process. You can look at descriptions of what will fit in our various sizes on our Size Guide page, or use this Space Estimator to help estimate the space you will need. If you are still unsure, simply give our experts a call and they can help you choose. You are also welcome to come by the facility and take a look at different sizes of units in person. How you pack your items, how often you will need to access them, and how high you are willing to stack them can also affect how much space you will need. Please keep in mind that all of our unit sizes are approximate and may vary from the advertised size by several inches in any direction.

• Should I choose a heated or an unheated unit?

  All of our units are in dry, well-maintained metal buildings with raised concrete floors and insulated ceilings. These types of buildings are great for storage because they are constructed of materials that do not collect or retain excess moisture. However, there are times when you may want or need extra heat during the winter to ensure sensitive items like plasma TVs, old photographs or books do not sit at temperatures below freezing. Our radiant floor heated units are ideal for storing items like these through the winter season. Heated units offer an additional level of protection against the cold.

• What is the difference between an indoor unit and a drive-up unit, and which should I choose?

  Our indoor units are located inside one-story buildings, with unit doors that open into a hallway. Entrances to the hallways are located at either side of these buildings through a three-foot wide doorway. These units provide an added level of protection against the elements and are nice for circumstances where you may need to access your unit periodically, as they allow you to look through your items while remaining out of the weather. We offer the free use of a dolly and a pushcart on-site during office hours, to assist customers with moving their items from their vehicles to their indoor units.
  
  Drive-up units have roll-up unit doors along the exterior of our one-story buildings, making it possible for customers to pull a vehicle right up to their unit's door. These units offer very convenient access and can make moving in and out of the unit easier.

• Do you have moving trucks?

  We are now a U-Haul dealer and we are able to offer a local U-Haul Cargo Van rental right here at our facility, based on availability. We can also make a reservation for customers and for the general public for other U-Haul truck sizes and equipment to be picked up and dropped off at another location. Give us a call to reserve your U-Haul rental today!

• Do you sell boxes and packing supplies?

  We have a select assortment of competitively priced, quality packing and moving supplies for sale including boxes, tape, mattress covers, newsprint for packing, and bubble wrap. We also have money-saving packing kits available. Give us a call for more information.

• Do I have to sign a contract?

  Our rental agreements are month-to-month and automatically renew each month until a ten (10) day written notice of intent to vacate is received. One month is the minimum rental allowed. There are no refunds of partial month's rent.

• Do you require a deposit?

  We require the first month's rent plus a $22 non-refundable admin fee to be paid prior to move-in at the time the rental agreement is signed. We have no additional security or cleaning deposit requirements. 

• What are your rental requirements?

  1. A $22 admin. fee, a disc style padlock (available at the office for $13), and storage insurance are required.
  2. Occupant must have a Valid U.S. or Canadian photo ID. No expired or suspended IDs allowed. Canadians must also provide a current passport.
  3. A credit or debit card in the occupant's name is required for payment. Autopay is required.
  4. Occupant name must be an individual's name only and must match occupant's ID. Business names, Nicknames and/or Multiple names are not allowed on the rental agreement.
  5. Occupant’s address must not be a General Delivery address. U.S. or Canadian Addresses only. P.O. Boxes are OK.
  6. An Alternate Contact’s name, telephone number and address are required. Alternate’s name and contact information must be different than Occupant’s.
  7. Occupant must own everything being stored and must complete a rental agreement.
  8. Stored vehicles must be preapproved and in good, working condition and a copy of current registration and liability insurance in the name of the occupant are required.

  If you have any questions or concerns about the above requirements, please contact our office for assistance.

• Can I reserve a unit?

  Due to high demand all of our units are first come, first served. When renting online, you can choose a rental date from the availability shown on the move-in calendar. However, you do have the option to rent and pay for a unit now and move in later if needed, so if you would like to guarantee availability on a future date, we recommend renting your unit early.

• What are my insurance options?

  Our rental agreements require that you carry insurance on your stored belongings. We have multiple affordable insurance options available from which you can choose starting at $13 per month.

• When can I access my unit?

  Customer's access hours are from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm, seven days a week, including holidays. Customers must exit the facility prior to 11pm. Emergency closures may occur due to power outages, snow or other hazardous conditions.

• How do I update my contact information?

  In order to protect your identity, we require that all requests to change account information (including addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses) must be made in writing accompanied by the customer's signature. Customers may print out this Change of Information Form, complete and sign it, and send it to us via email (by scanning the document or by taking a photo of the document) to: [email protected], via fax to: 360-756-6745, or via mail to: Carolina Self Storage, 1712 Carolina St., Bellingham, WA 98229. You are also welcome to stop by the office and update your information in person.

• How do I update my Autopay card information?

  You can update your autopay card through our Online Payments system by making a payment and selecting the option to have your card charged automatically when your rent is due. You may also print out this Autopay Form, complete and sign it, and send it to us via email (by scanning the document or by taking a photo of the document) to: [email protected], via fax to: 360-756-6745, or via mail to: Carolina Self Storage, 1712 Carolina St., Bellingham, WA 98229. You are also welcome to stop by the office and update your autopay information in person.

• Can I give someone else access to my unit?

  You may give someone access to your unit by escorting them or by giving them your gate access code and a copy of the key to your unit's disc-lock. You are responsible for the behavior of your guests while they are at the facility. Carolina Self Storage personnel do not allow facility access to anyone who does not have a working gate code and unit key, except for customers who are able to prove their identity with a valid photo ID.

• What do I do if I lose my Gate Code or my Key?

  We are able to help customers recover their gate code by having them come into the office and prove their identity with a valid photo ID. No gate codes will be given over the phone or via email. In the case of a lost unit key, we do not keep copies of customer's keys, but we are able to cut your lock off the unit for you. Please call our office for details on this procedure. We do not allow customers to cut their own locks.

• What do I need to do to close my account?

  We require a written notice of intent to vacate, received ten (10) days before your next due date. There are no refunds of partial months’ rent. Intent to Vacate forms are available at the office for your convenience. You can also email us a notice to vacate from the email address you provided on your rental agreement. When you vacate, you must completely empty your unit(s), remove your lock(s), and check out with the office. Unwanted items MUST be taken to the dump; we have no disposal services for customers.

• How much notice needs to be given before I move out?

  All contracts are month-to-month. However, we do require a 10-day written notice prior to your next due date.