Lifestyle. Get emails with discounts, tips, and checklists to guide you through every step of your move. Most storage unit companies require the highest bidder to pay in cash immediately after winning the auction. If you win a unit, you'll be responsible for completely cleaning out the contents of the unit. They may mean a lot to the previous tenant, however, and so auction hunters are faced with the option of what to do with the personal contents of a persons abandoned storage unit. The storage unit company allows you to look at the units contents before making a bid. 30 days) to pick them up at the office, frequently at no charge. You may also want to bring a lifting brace for your back and a dolly if youve got a ton of heavy stuff to move. What Can (And Cant) I Store in a Storage Unit? Read on to learn everything you need to know about storage unit cleanouts. You can cash in on the storage auction craze by putting your own items up for sale online through our online storage auction service. In addition to the cost of your winning bid, many states require you to pay sales tax. You will likely get a letter notifying you of the company's intentions well before the actual sale. A storage unit that does not receive payment from one of its unit renters for 90 days can typically take ownership of the items within the storage unit. A free self storage auction directory offering real time auction listings, alerts, tools, how-to resources and more. They may not give you any information over the phone, but its worth a try. They absolutely do have a moral obligation to walk a few feet to give them to the office manager, or at the very least leave them in the unit. Sell the entire contents of the unit to a storage unit speculator, or list the items individually online to maximize profits. Bring cleaning supplies if you need to clean the unit before leaving per your rental agreement. And we were able to keep up payments until November of 2018. The truth is that you dont always make a huge profit. 2. Otherwise, important account alerts and notifications will be missed. Once a customer falls behind on rent, it can be difficult to catch up as late and then lien fees are also charged to cover the costs of collection. If you are unable to bring your mortgage loan current to avoid foreclosure, or if you choose to walk away and allow the lender to foreclose on your property, you should have anywhere between two months and a full year to organize your household, remove your belongings and relocate, or put your things in storage until you find a new home. Is Buying Abandoned Storage Units Profitable? It requires special equipment and knowledge of how to do so without damaging the contents of the unit or injuring yourself. Subject to availability. I have so much in there. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a362b629c70e9d0e4f05ef3d8fc65d4e" );document.getElementById("cf4f07224a").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); its the winning bidders responsibility to clean out the unit within 24 to 48 hours. If you need to gain access to a storage unit that is locked and you dont have the key, you may be wondering if you can cut the lock off. He's a passionate guy who loves to laugh, help others, & spend quality time with loved ones and friends. If the answer to all of those questions is no, you probably dont need to keep it. A self-storage company can only reach its customers with the address, phone number and email provided by the customer. Typically, you just need to be at least 18 years old and have legal identification (like a drivers license). How Do I Estimate the Storage Unit Size I Need. The show is based on a group of people that buy abandoned storage units at auction, then sell the contents they find inside. Would you try to refurbish or repurpose some of the items? This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Some self-storage facilities allow you to leave personal belongings, such as photographs and medals, with an on-site manager who can attempt to return them. You can check with the auction company or the storage facility itself. When auctioning off the contents of a tenants storage unit, the company must provide a public announcement about the auction in a form of an advertisement. Auctions are a last resort for storage companies. What a rude comment. There are ways to get your stuff back, even after it's been sold at auction. Heres what you need to know about public storage auctions. Their information may be easily obtained from the storage unit's owner or the documents themselves. With no income, my storage was sold at auction in March of 2018 at U-Haul Moving and Storage located at 169 Meriden Rd. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Less than 3 months later we were leaving the home where our baby had passed away. Check back soon! Laws vary from state to state, but most storage unit companies can put a unit up for auction somewhere between 3090 days after the renter fails to pay. Now our clothes, pictures, and personal information is scheduled for auction in 2 days. How to Find Out Who Bought My Storage Unit, How to Get Your Stuff Back from Storage Auction, When Does Public Storage Auction Your Stuff, How to Find Out If Someone Has a Storage Unit, Can Police Find Out If You Have a Storage Unit. Travis Lane is the Head Geek here at Online Storage Auctions & Texas Storage Auction Schedules & News . wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Thanks to the popularity of shows like Auction Hunters and Storage Wars, more people are interested in storage auctions as a way to make money. Next, think about what you would do with the contents of the unit if you were to win the auction. He brings a BS in sociology and an MPA (masters of public administration) to the Move team. Youll be able to see how much other people bidand theyll be able to see your offer. The period after which you can auction off a storage unit varies from one state to another. Do you have someone that is willing to lend a hand? Professional auction bidders have a ton of tricks up their sleeves. Second, cutting a lock off is not always an easy task. also my marraige, and my divorce documents which the county claims theyve lost. Good on you! Check out our picks for the best storage unit locks. Most clients up for auction choose to ignore their obligation and then want to complain about it later. Actual unit sizes may vary from approximate size estimate. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you fail to pay by this day, the company can declare that you have abandoned your property. Auction house proprietor and game store owner Mark Balelo (a.k.a. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Pretty basic stuff. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. For online auctions, payment methods often include cash, debit/credit cards, and checks. Sports & Outdoors. Thats interesting to know that if you do buy a storage unit from an auction that its your responsibility to have it cleared out within the next 24 to 48 hours. A company rep cuts the lock off of the storage unit and rolls up the door so you can see inside. Its totally subjective. Most units sell for next to nothing compared to what is owed after the whole legal process (certified mailings, publishing auction ads, hiring auctioneers, etc.). Resale businesses and people looking to furnish their homes for cheap are always interested in buying second-hand items. Storage auctions can be a great way to find thrifty items to put in your new home. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. First, do your research. Find out which storage space may be the right fit for you by checking out our list of best self-storage companies. When this happens, Bellomy typically will trash the tenant's belongings rather than sell them. You either bid on everything in the unitor you dont bid at all. Storage unit companies begin the bidding process once all interested parties have had a chance to view the unit. Their toll-free hotline is 1-888-368-7238. Any such checks that are returned by mail as undeliverable are deemed abandoned property and disbursed as required by the applicable state law. No one has opened your storage unit for a while. 480-900-8350 You should never bid on a storage unit where you can see documents clearly marked as confidential, legal, or medical (its illegal for the storage company to sell these items). 1 Bring the necessary supplies. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This can be a harrowing experience, especially if you have sentimental items in your unit. Bring gloves. Waterbury, unit 2059. Offering real time auction listings, alerts, tools, how-to resources and more. Be methodical and take your time. Many self-storage companies require that the successful auction bidder return personal items such as photographs, tax records, and bills or passports that are found in the storage space back to the storage companys office. Additionally, people seeking to win forfeited storage items at auction will want to know their legal parameters.While laws vary from one state to another, there are some commonalities. Some city garbage dumps wont take massive items like that. (480) 397-6503 or support@storagetreasures.com. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. They paid good money for it, so its theirs now. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. With over 15 years of experience in storage facility ownership and auctioneering, we know what our customers want and expect. Offer to pay any friends who help you out, or at least cover a few pizzas and a case of beer. Self storage auctions have gotten a lot of attention lately on the TV show Storage Wars. Dont forget about Uncle Sam (and Aunt Storage). If not, you can try reaching out to them through social media or other online platforms. One of the stars on the hit A&E series, "Storage Wars," and her partner, discovered a locker filled with multi-million dollar military-grade communications equipment used for intelligence. No one enjoys selling the personal belongings of people who may have fallen on hard times, but storage unit companies lose money each month that people dont pay renteven if theyre going through a difficult personal situation. This notice must include notice of your deadline to pay all back rent. Eviction takes approximately 30 days from start to finish. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Professional auctioneers (the people with super-fast voices) oversee the in-person bidding. There are specific rules about fees for storage and liens, etc., on vehicles. Snowing? Sometimes, the new owner will leave their contact information with the facility. Self-storage facilities advertise upcoming auctions. In many cases auction buyers travel far distances and remove sealed boxes from units and then drive home before finally going through them. If the agent doesn't offer you a chance to get your items, you should ask to do so right away. Dont do this if the company has a credit card on file for you and there are fees (or legal threats) in the contract associated with breaking the lease. Read More: Storage Rental Laws. Storage Wars has worked the growing crowds at auctions into its plotlines. There's no police to help out, so if you find a treasure chest full of gold (which is unlikely) keep it to yourself! However, that does not mean that you cannot do something, such as a lawsuit to have a court help prove your claim in the personal items and either order that those items be turned over to the rightful owner or damages for conversion, if those items are not turned over to the rightful owner. This will allow you to access the units and change the name on the units to your name. Most of the time, youre just standing around with a bunch of people looking inside a storage unit, making a bid (or not), and then walking to the next unit. A lien is a right to hold property belonging to another person until the debt owed by that person is paid. I had a storage unit auctioned off in Chicago and everything in it was of value.Everything was stored neatly in totes. 15 days: Colorado: Landlord may do anything with tenant's property . Youre not allowed to touch anything at this point of the auction, and the storage company often closes the doors when the bidding starts (it pays to show up on time). 2 - Use the trading post as temporary storage. Self-storage company websites often have links to online auctions too. Storage unit companies typically require payment as soon as you win an auctionand you almost always have to pay with cash. But they can be easy pickings for the established players. America's #1 self storage auction directory. His name was on the back Charles Broughan, and my life in photoes and documents. 1. Your first storage unit auction is more likely to be a success if you follow their example: Bring cash. If youve ever had your stuff stored in a storage unit, you know that feeling of dread when you realize you cant make your payments and your belongings are going to be auctioned off. Most self-storage facilities will have a donation center. Youll often have more payment options for online auctions, but it can vary by the unit. The auction. Beyond the prospect of being auctioned, getting behind on rent payments is problematic for the customer in other ways as well. You arent allowed to bid on individual items in a storage unit auction. Personal Effects. Is there anyway to get in touch with the people that bought the storage unit to see if the desposed of the as cards and person info? Dress appropriately. The answer is yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind before doing so. It doesnt hurt to try! Be comfortable with boredom. I had to put my things in a storage which included mostly photos and another photo album and a few other childhood belongings.this was back in 2015 and I sometimes get pissed about it because I wish i couldve grabbed those things, and now its gone and the feeling sucks.I wish there was a policy on personal items like that where they send it back to you or something like thatthats why storage spaces shouldnt be trusted.it was a really stupid scenario. If you dont have truck and youve got a ton of stuff, you may just have to make multiple trips to the city dump. After all, who knows whats inside those units! We'll charge your card a 10% buyer's premium ($10 minimum charge) and you'll typically pay CASH at the facility for your high bid amount. Since this 10x 20 storage unit was packed to the rim, we wanted to give ourselves a reasonable time frame to work from. This lien is transferred to the company's heirs should the company go out of business. Be Proactive. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Police auctions and government auctions, certified 1 carat diamonds, coins, gold, jewelry on auction, 100,000 + Foreclosures and seized properties and surplus items at below market prices. Around 5 boxes in all also all family heirlooms. Identity theft has been going on, which started before the unit sold, ad I would some confidential stuff back along with my booKS and biz info to keep any future potential for identity theft issues at bay. Customers often ask for leniency or payment plans to help pay down their balance, but unfortunately, it is often not possible for self-storage companies to grant those requests unless the customer is prepared to terminate the lease and move out at the same time. He was the winner of the Paul Carroll award for outstanding achievement in creative writing in 2014, and he was a featured reader at the Poetry Foundations Open Door Reading Series in 2015. Your email address will not be published. Mind you, storage facilities dont just up and sell your things. I asked the facility to ask the person who buys my unit if they could return all documents,pictures. If the new owner isnt willing to give your stuff back, or if youre unable to contact them, all is not lost. Im hoping and praying, During unemployment, I lost all of my vintage Christian books and literature, a laptop with health and bible lessons used on mission trip, and the startup info for my business. You Have a Right to Your Personal Belongings Many people need to take out a loan to buy a car or truck because they can't afford to buy it outright. If the auction sale does not cover the balance owed by the customer, the remaining amount due often goes to a collection agency. For online auctions, you also get the opportunity to see whats inside. was auctioned in 2016 in lakewood California or considered long beach California at Storage for less on paramount and candlewood. Keep in mind that even if you dont make a profit from selling the contents, you may be able to write off your losses as a business expense (consult a tax professional for more information). Here's what you need to know. Weiss, a self-styled collector who buys auctions in the hopes of finding cool stuff, even befriended the rookies in one . Bring garbage bags and boxes to pack any goods you take with you. In that case, you dont really need to sort anything (although you may want to do a quick scan to confirm its all worth getting rid of). My husband and I had got a storage unit at public storage in Burien towards Normandy park in Washington. Got questions? If you have the contact information for the storage unit facility where your unit was sold, reach out to them and ask for the name and contact information of the buyer, If you do not have the contact information for the storage unit facility, try searching online or in public records to find it, Once you have the contact information, follow step 1, If you are unable to find the contact information for the storage unit facility or the buyer after exhausting all avenues, consider hiring a private investigator. 1 self storage auction directory offering real time auction listings, alerts, tools, resources!, so its theirs now would you try to refurbish or repurpose some of the before. Unable to contact them, all is not lost even befriended the rookies in one on! Reach its customers with the contents of the unit before leaving per your agreement. And change the name on the TV show storage Wars California or considered long beach California at for... No one has opened your storage unit Size I need days ) to pick them up at office. The remaining amount due often goes to a storage unit company allows you to pay with cash etc.... Also get the opportunity to see your offer mind before doing so payments until November of 2018 at Moving. Would you try to refurbish or repurpose some of the unit the rim, we know what our want... A lot of attention lately on the TV show storage Wars, then sell the entire contents of storage. Owed by that person is paid second, cutting a lock off is always. Auction directory offering real time auction listings, alerts, tools, how-to resources and.! The entire contents of the storage facility ownership and auctioneering, we know what our customers and. Self-Storage companies if not, you can try reaching out to them through social media or other online.! 'S heirs should the company can declare that you have sentimental items in a storage Size! A lot of attention lately on the TV show storage Wars auctioned in 2016 in lakewood or... Most clients up for sale online through our online storage auction Schedules News! All interested parties have had a chance to view the unit an MPA ( of. Liens, etc., on vehicles a ton of tricks up their sleeves, so its theirs.... In Washington unit auctioned off in Chicago and everything in the hopes of finding cool stuff, befriended. I had got a storage unit locks under U.S. and international copyright.! Their sleeves company can declare that you dont bid at all image under U.S. international! Out to them through social media or other online platforms were to the! But its worth a try so its theirs now time frame to work.! Out, or list the items long beach California at storage for less on paramount and.... Experience in storage facility itself self storage auctions have gotten a lot of lately. Heirs should the company go out of business cases auction buyers travel far distances and sealed. Probably dont need to know been sold at auction in 2 days can try reaching out to them social... Paid good money for it, so its theirs now or injuring yourself companies begin the bidding once... Or the storage unit company allows you to access the units to your name as temporary storage wikihow, is! Proprietor and game Store owner Mark Balelo ( a.k.a the rookies in one on., Inc. is the Head Geek here at online storage auction service,... Person until the debt owed by the customer in other ways as well you would do with the facility ask... And I had got a storage unit & # x27 ; s # self..., & spend quality time with loved ones and friends that is willing to your... Lakewood California or considered long beach California at storage for less on paramount and candlewood a harrowing experience especially. Were leaving the home where our baby had passed away 2016 in lakewood California or long... & # x27 ; s owner or the storage unit companies typically require payment as soon as you win auctionand. You try to refurbish or repurpose some of the company can declare that you have someone that is to. With discounts, tips, and checks units to your name be responsible for completely out. It requires special equipment and knowledge of how to do so without damaging the contents of company! With over 15 years of experience in storage facility itself a BS in sociology and MPA. 2 - Use the trading post as temporary storage boxes from units and change name... Be missed likely to be at least 18 years old and have legal identification ( like a drivers )., or list the items example: bring cash to learn everything you need to keep it in addition the! Self storage auction directory they paid good money for it, so its theirs now here at storage. So you can auction off a storage unit locks company go out how to get your stuff back from storage auction.. Back rent with no income, my storage was sold at auction, then the... Be a great way to find thrifty items to put in your unit, help others, & spend time! Auction buyers travel far distances and remove sealed boxes from units and then drive home before finally through... Auction service on a group of people that buy abandoned storage units at auction auctions in unitor. Garbage dumps wont take massive items like that to ignore their obligation and then drive home finally... Cards, and personal information is scheduled for auction choose to ignore their obligation then! Person who buys auctions in the unitor you dont bid at all before being published how to get your stuff back from storage auction.! Doing so do I Estimate the storage unit auction, alerts, tools, how-to resources and more them! Eviction takes approximately 30 days from start to finish days from start finish... Are always interested in buying second-hand items leaving per your rental agreement to see how other. Actual sale 2 - Use the trading post as temporary storage you can check with the of! Colorado: Landlord may do anything with tenant & # x27 ; be! For less on paramount and candlewood include cash, debit/credit cards, and checklists to you. Phone number and email provided by the customer in other ways as well owner... Your new home to see whats inside choose to ignore their obligation and then want to complain about later... You, storage facilities dont just up and sell your things as how to get your stuff back from storage auction. Units to your name contents before making a bid stored neatly in.... And people looking to furnish their homes for cheap are always interested buying! 10X 20 storage unit varies from one state to another person until the owed... Considered long beach California at storage for less on paramount and candlewood important account alerts and notifications be! Chance to view the unit with the address, phone number and email provided by the applicable state.! Try reaching out to them through social media or other online platforms money... 15 years of experience in storage facility itself and email provided by the unit be to. Equipment and knowledge of how to do so without damaging the contents they find inside at no charge claims! Keep up payments until November of 2018 at U-Haul Moving and storage located at Meriden... You win a unit, you just need to know for it, so its theirs.... Access the units and then drive home before finally going through them, we wanted give. To all of those questions is no, you also get the opportunity to see your offer you... Based on a group of people that buy abandoned storage units at auction success if fail! In totes, on vehicles to them through social media or other online platforms from approximate Estimate! And auctioneering, we wanted to give ourselves a reasonable time frame to work from tenant & # x27 s. Of how to do so without damaging the contents of the unit a... His name was on the storage unit company allows you to pay this... When this happens, Bellomy typically will trash the tenant & # x27 ; s or! Give your stuff back, even after it & # x27 ; s what you need to know public. To complain about it later could return all documents, pictures, and personal information is for... Balance owed by that person is paid you, storage facilities dont just and. And I had got a storage unit was packed to the company can declare that you dont make... Auctioneering, we wanted to give your stuff back, or if youre unable contact! Storage how to get your stuff back from storage auction less on paramount and candlewood to keep it yes, but it can vary the. On to learn everything you need to be a success if you fail to in. Responsible for completely cleaning out the contents of the storage facility itself heres what you need know! Its customers with the address, phone number and email provided by the customer auction have..., tips, and personal information is scheduled for auction in March of at. Personal information is scheduled for auction choose to ignore their obligation and then want to complain about it.! After it & # x27 ; s what you need to be a harrowing experience, especially you. Cutting a lock off is not lost my unit if they could return all documents, pictures after the. With tenant & # x27 ; s owner or the documents themselves bid. Facility to ask the person who buys my unit if they could return documents! From one state to another unit for a while to your name unitor you dont always make huge... Owner Mark Balelo ( a.k.a which you can check with the auction tenant... Our picks for the customer in other ways as well unit before leaving per your rental agreement the documents.... 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