Allentown Storage Units
Allentown storage units offer various features and a wide range of sizes to suit the storage needs of every Allentown resident and business. Some people imagine the storage units of old: poorly insulated, one size fits all, and somewhat seedy facilities. Today, self storage is a booming business, thanks in part to clean, secure units with features like climate controls and mobility that allow renters to essentially customize their self storage experience. It is estimated that nearly 10 percent of American households retain rental units, so they must be doing something right.
Allentown is a rapidly growing city in eastern Pennsylvania. The third largest city in PA, Allentown was once a steel hub of the American Rust Belt. It lies adjacent to Bethlehem, PA, to the east, home of Bethlehem Steel, and the blue collar, ethnic profile of this area of Pennsylvania has shaped the vibrant community and economy of modern Allentown.
Storage units have many more uses than simply being dumping grounds for old furniture. One of the most common uses for Allentown storage units is during moves. New homeowners or renters can get settled into the new place before surrounding themselves with boxes of knickknacks. Homeowners can also move the furniture out of rooms during a remodel, painting, carpet cleaning or any other involved home improvement project.
Businesses can also improve productivity with the help of Allentown storage units. Copies of documents and records can be archived in secure, climate-controlled units where they aren't taking up office space. Retailers can keep excess merchandise, seasonal displays and large equipment in accessible units so those things can be retrieved when needed. Merchants can even stock merchandise for distribution in Allentown storage units whether they have a store front or operate solely online or by catalog.
Evaluating Accessibility
One of the greatest draws of traditional storage facilities is accessibility. Most are available to renters 24/7: a key to the unit and perhaps a gate code are all you need to access your belongings. But some people are finding that unlimited access also provides more opportunities for break-ins and vandalism. While these incidents are not terribly common, all renters want to be sure their goods are as secure as possible.
Allentown facilities with interior rental space are often more secure but less accessible than traditional Allentown storage units. In these multi-story buildings, a unit is accessed from a hallway. Like an office, the building is open during regular operating hours and closed at night. This set-up can deter would-be intruders, but it also restricts the renter's ability to access his belongings.
A new trend in Allentown storage units is mobile facilities. The company brings a container of varying sizes to the renter's home or office where he can load it at his convenience. The company then either picks it up to return to the facility or leaves it on the property to serve as a second garage. Homeowners with plenty of extra space on their property can benefit from the unlimited accessibility of these containers, but they may violate PA ordinances or homeowners association covenants.
The containers taken back to the facility are stacked in a warehouse. They are usually quite secure, but access may be restricted. Renters may have to call ahead to have their container retrieved, and they may even have to pay a restocking fee. Some facilities even limit the number of times you can access a unit per month.
Weigh how much you value accessibility versus security to determine which set-up suits your needs. Most facilities are adequately secure, but people storing things of monetary or sentimental value may find peace of mind with high-security, low-accessibility Allentown storage units. Try to avoid any facility that charges access fees, with the exception of mobile rentals that require heavy equipment to retrieve.
Restrictions on Stored Goods
Allentown storage units can house virtually everything imaginable, but there are some restrictions that are meant to protect other renters' belongings. Many of the prohibited items are common sense, but check the company's policies to be sure you are not violating your contract. Pennsylvania is a great state for hunting, but firearms and ammunition are prohibited. Other combustible and flammable goods like fertilizer, fireworks, and chemicals are also restricted.
Plants are not allowed in Allentown facilities because they attract insects and rodents. For the same reasons, all food items are also prohibited. Animals cannot be stored for any length of time.
Many Allentown storage units also restrict items of high monetary value. Cash, fine jewelry, antiques and collectibles may not be allowed due to the liability to the company and the enticement for theft. Some facilities allow renters to store vehicles with empty fuel tanks, but always check the policies or ask a manager to be sure.