Moving belongings into self storage involves two arrangements: a place to keep them and transport to get them there. Confirm both before moving day, including who will open the unit and what needs to happen when the vehicle arrives.
It also helps to plan the eventual collection now. A box list and a usable layout can save you having to unpack half the unit when you need one item or arrange the next move.
Confirm the storage booking before the transport
Get written confirmation of the facility address, unit allocation and the date you can start using it. Ask what account setup or identification is needed before access is granted. A reservation email should not be treated as proof that someone can unload immediately.
Check access hours as well as reception hours. The Self Storage Association UK’s provider-selection guidance highlights differences in opening arrangements, loading facilities and unit sizes. It also distinguishes floor area from volume: a quoted capacity is not a promise that your furniture will fit through the doorway.
Ask the facility to help assess your actual load. Give dimensions for bulky pieces and explain whether you will need to retrieve items regularly. A tightly filled unit may leave little useful access.
Before confirming transport, establish:
- Where the vehicle can unload and whether there is a booking window.
- The route from the unloading point to the unit, including stairs, lifts and doorways.
- Whether any available trolley or lift is suitable for the items and permitted for your use.
- Who will attend, open the unit and secure it afterwards.
- What to do if arrival is delayed or reception is closed.
Share these answers with your mover. Do not assume facility staff will accept the delivery, carry furniture or provide access on your behalf.
Decide what goes into storage
Separate the load into belongings for storage, items going directly to your next address and things staying with you. Keep documents, medication, keys and anything you will need during the gap out of the storage load.
Read the facility’s prohibited-items list before packing. SSA UK’s customer advice recommends checking restrictions whenever items are added, including ordinary household products that may be unsuitable. Ask the facility about anything uncertain rather than hiding it inside a mixed box.
For furniture, check preparation and wrapping requirements with the facility and mover. Declare dismantling needs in advance and keep fittings identified with the correct item. Specialist, unusually heavy or fragile goods need an explicit suitability check.
Our packing preparation guide covers sorting, labelling and keeping essentials separate. Use it for the general packing work, then add a record specifically for storage.
Make a record you can use later
Number boxes and keep a separate contents list. Record individual furniture pieces too, including anything dismantled into several parts. Photograph the load and its condition before it leaves, without treating photographs as a substitute for agreed cover or reporting procedures.
A simple record can use these fields:
| Reference | Contents or item | Likely needed next | Position after unloading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box 01 | Everyday kitchen utensils | At the next home | Near the entrance |
| Box 02 | Seasonal decorations | Later in the year | Further inside |
| Item 03 | Dismantled desk and labelled fittings | At the next home | Agreed furniture area |
These are example entries, not packing or stacking specifications. Keep the actual list somewhere you can access without entering the unit. Update it when you remove or add belongings.
Agree the unloading order
Tell the people unloading which items you expect to need first. SSA UK advises leaving frequently needed goods accessible, allowing air circulation and taking care with stacked boxes whose strength can deteriorate over time. Follow your facility’s layout instructions and the limits of the packaging rather than building stacks solely to use every available space.
Keep the route into the unit usable and avoid blocking anything the facility requires to remain accessible. Do not climb furniture or boxes to retrieve items. If the load will not fit as planned, discuss a different unit or arrangement before forcing goods into an unsuitable space.
Once unloading is complete, check the item record, note where the main groups are and confirm that the unit is secured. Follow the facility’s rules for access credentials; arrange an authorised handover rather than circulating an account password or entry code casually.
Include the whole journey in the moving booking
Give your mover the storage address, complete inventory, access details and the person attending. Include any other collection or delivery stops. Confirm loading help, booked time and the arrangements if the facility cannot receive you as expected.
Find My Man and Van does not provide storage directly. Storage-related transport must be declared at booking and is subject to the allocated Driver’s availability and the confirmed booking scope. Reserve the unit with your chosen facility separately.
Keep the later collection in view too. Confirm the facility’s notice and checkout process, then arrange transport for the remaining load. The outward journey does not automatically include a return collection. When the details are ready, use the man and van booking route for the transport you need.
Before leaving the facility
Check that nothing intended for your immediate use has been stored by mistake. Save the facility contact details, account instructions and your item record together. Ask who to contact about access or the condition of the unit, and agree how you will check your belongings during a longer stay.
With access, the load and the later collection planned together, storage becomes a defined part of the move rather than an unresolved stop between addresses.
Liz
Liz is a content creator and digital marketing consultant. Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, she is now happily settled in the UK (after living in four different countries across 2 continents and moving house 10 times). Drawing on her experiences, Liz shares practical advice and insider tips to help others enjoy smoother, stress-free moves.
Our Moving House Guides support homeowners and renters through every stage of relocating to a new property. At Find My Man and Van, we provide step-by-step advice on planning timelines, organising utilities, preparing furniture, and coordinating your move day efficiently. Whether you’re moving locally or further afield, these guides are created to help make your house move smoother, more organised, and less stressful.