As the cost of living rises, so does homelessness. For self storage owners, this economic trend can lead to live-in tenants, or customers who use a storage unit as a temporary residence.
While it’s natural to want to help people who have fallen on hard times, live-in tenants create a multitude of problems.
First and foremost, self storage units are not safe for human occupation. They can easily become fire hazards if someone smokes or cooks inside them. It’s also illegal, and you are liable for anyone living in one of your units.
Finally, live-in tenants can damage the reputation and condition of your facility. Cooking and eating in a unit can quickly lead to a rodent problem. And live-in tenants will often loiter on the premises, creating an awkward environment for other customers.
While it’s important to approach this issue with compassion, there are proven steps you can take to protect your facility and its customers.
Make sure your facility rules are clearly displayed. Let customers know what’s allowed and what isn’t, particularly regarding the use of storage units. Setting clear expectations helps everyone understand the boundaries and reduces the likelihood of misuse.
Even though your facility isn’t staffed, regular property checks are essential. Consider hiring a service to inspect the premises periodically. Prevention is the best solution to this problem, and regularly inspecting every unit will catch violations early on and ensure they don’t grow into bigger problems.
Regular inspections can also identify problems beyond homelessness, so it’s a good idea to make them part of your management process.
Enhance security at your facility with self storage technology: high-quality surveillance cameras, bright lighting, and secure access systems like keypad entry or mobile access. Visible security measures not only protect your property but also deter unwanted activity, ensuring the safety of all customers.
If you have to evict a live-in tenant, you’ll need to present evidence from your security system to law enforcement.
Make sure your lease agreements are crystal clear that living in a unit is against the rules. The less ambiguity in your contracts, the less likely people are to try and bend the rules. Most states and local jurisdictions have laws against living in a storage unit, so strict lease agreements also shield your business from liability.
Providing live-in tenants with resources they can use to find housing is the best way to help people in need and prevent them from trying to reside in your facility again.
Find local shelters and direct live-in tenants to these support services. Reach out to local nonprofits and learn more about programs in your community. These organizations could also be valuable resources for the unhoused.
If you want to go the extra mile, you could even host community events or workshops that cover local issues, like homelessness. You could also host a charity drive for non-perishable food, clothing, and other essential goods.
If you already have live-in tenants, you need to be cautious in your approach so things don’t get out of hand.
Never try to evict a live-in tenant alone. This is a delicate situation, and emotions will probably run high. Call the police, inform them of the situation, and schedule a time when they can meet you at the facility to remove the tenant.
Make sure you have security camera footage, payment records, gate log records, and other data points that prove the tenant has been living on the property. Presenting this information builds your case and makes law enforcement more comfortable helping with the process.
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Homelessness is increasing, and self storage owners will likely have to deal with live-in tenants more and more in the coming years.
Addressing homelessness at your unmanned self-storage facility doesn’t have to be daunting. By following these tips, you can create a welcoming environment for all while making a positive impact on your community. A little compassion and some smart planning can go a long way!
