Renting Self Storage? 7 Types of Discounts You Could Access to Save

Whether you’re living the digital nomad lifestyle, you’re moving or you simply wish to keep a breezy and clutter-free home, self storage is a great service that can help you make better use of living space. Regardless of the reasons you turn to the service, discounts can help you save when you rent a storage unit on a budget. We’ve done the legwork for you, so you don’t have to look them up.

Here is a list of the most common types of self storage discounts:

1. First month off and other giveaways

One of the most common types of discounts is getting the first month free or the first month’s rent for $1. Ask your self storage provider if they offer this special or if they have any sort of discounts on self storage rates when you use their website to complete the booking of your unit. Sometimes, when you sign a contract with a new self storage provider, they may offer you a lock, boxes or free use of a dolly to help you get your storage unit started.

2. Referral discounts

You might also get a discount when you refer someone to the business you’re already renting from. The discount usually applies when the person you referred signs their new rental agreement.

3. Long-term discounts

Feel free to negotiate your rate with your storage provider if you intend to rent long-term, meaning a year or longer. It’s a win-win situation: You get a better deal on the rent, and the facility continues to have your business for a longer period.

4. Lifestyle-related discounts

Many of us know that self storage facilities cut down their rates for people of certain social groups and statuses, such as:

• Military personnel

If you’re in the military, you could take advantage of the military discount that many facilities offer. And since deployment is usually a couple of months to at least one year, you could be making significant savings with this special. Offering a military discount benefits the self storage facilities because they’re guaranteed to have long-term business. Even if you’re not an active military member, you can still qualify for this discount as a veteran or a military retiree.

• College students and teachers

Since college students typically move home for the summer, self storage is a great solution to help you keep your belongings in town. It basically saves you the hassle of a costly move. To help you cut down on expenses, self storage facilities offer a student discount. Make sure to ask about it if you’re a student.

Some storage companies extend the same discount to teachers as well, as they also deserve recognition for their hard work. Make sure to check if they offer this perk before you rent a unit.

• Senior citizens

If you’re a senior citizen, make sure to inquire about a special discount when you’re about to rent a self storage unit, as it’s a frequent perk that self storage facilities offer.

5. Group discounts

Group discounts apply to companies or groups who rent multiple units. For instance, pharmaceutical representatives often need to rent self storage units to keep their samples. Or it could be useful for an office-based business that needs to store paper records outside the office.

6. Organization-related discounts

This is a type of discount that applies to  AAA or AARP members. Look for self storage facilities that partner with either of these organizations if you’re already a customer. You could get reduced rent thanks to this membership, either in the shape of a free first month or a percentage discount.

7. Savings related to service bundles

This isn’t a traditional discount, but you get the same benefit: It helps you save some money. Go for a bundled service which includes a self storage unit and moving trucks. When you deduct the cost of moving with a moving company, you could save a significant amount. Eventually, you reap the same benefits that you normally would if the provider labeled it “discount.”

Now that you know how to get a discount on your self storage services, you’re ready to rent your unit. While a self storage unit rents at around $130/month nationally, rates vary based on location. For instance, self storage rent is a little higher in big cities such as New York City ($253/month), Los Angeles ($259/month) or Seattle ($203/month). These are also places where apartment space comes at a premium, which makes self storage an excellent service that helps you save on living costs.