How Does Self Storage Work?

Nesta Storage|

March 4, 2026

What is a self-storage facility?

A self-storage unit is a space rented to both individuals and businesses. These are people who may need to keep something but do not have adequate space in their property to do so.

Renters or tenants can rent different sizes of units according to their needs and they can also lease these facilities for short or long periods of time.

Why should I use a self-storage unit?

You should rent a storage unit if you have items that no longer fit in your home but you don’t want to throw or give them away. Renting a self-storage space may also be better than leaving your things with a friend because:

There is increased security for all your items
Having a unit offers you more freedom (no need to call your friends or bother them!)
You can indicate the time frame of your rent
Most facilities provide insurance for your items as an additional service
Some facilities also offer routine cleaning or upkeep of units

What can I store in a self-storage unit?

You can store all types of things in a storage facility!

Pieces of furniture, clothes, books, and more. There are also special types of storage units that can store bottles of alcohol or other forms of collectibles. Shed-type of units allow some owners to store vehicles like cars or bikes.

What can I not store in a self-storage unit?

It is not advisable to store anything perishable such as food and medicine. Living things such as plants or pets should also not be left inside storage units as well.

To avoid accidents, flammable and toxic materials like petrol, diesel, kerosene, motor oil, and fertilisers are not allowed in storage units.

Is it legal to live in a storage unit?

No, it is not legal to live in a storage unit in Ireland. Self-storage units are designed strictly for storing belongings and cannot be used as residential accommodation.

Under Irish planning regulations and health and safety standards, storage facilities are not approved for human habitation. Attempting to live in a storage unit would also breach the licence agreement with the storage provider, including those at Nesta facilities.

If a storage provider discovers that a unit is being used for living purposes, the agreement can be terminated immediately and the customer may be required to vacate the unit. For safety and legal reasons, storage units should only ever be used for storing personal or business items.

Another question connected to this is: Can the Gardai search your storage unit? The answer is yes, if they have a warrant and probable cause to search your unit in aid of an investigation. Check your local legislation on the specifics or the conditions that would allow authorities to search your unit.

Who uses self storage?

Self-storage facilities are growing in popularity, especially in densely-populated counties like Dublin where rent is high and people are highly mobile.

People who use self-storage facilities are usually:

Movers who are staging their house or in between houses
Families renovating their homes and don’t have anywhere to store their belongings
Collectors who need a special place to store their items
Business owners who need a place to store inventory or archives
Holidaymakers who are renting out their apartment or house
People who are moving to a smaller unit or apartment

What are my rights as a storage owner?

As an owner of a unit at a self-storage facility, you do have rights that are dependent on your license agreement with your storage provider and the laws of the city where it is located.

For example, not all storage facilities offer insurance but most of them do it as an add-on service. Of course, the most basic right to privacy and protection of your personal belongings is a given (in Ireland, at least).

Here are several things you must consider when reviewing your license agreement with your storage provider:

How many days do I have to give notice when I have to move my belongings?
What is the coverage of the insurance policy? And additionally, what kind of compensation do I receive when something happens to my items?
What are the security features of the facility?
What happens to my belongings when I fail to pay on time and I cannot physically claim them? (Do they have a holding period?)

What are the different types of self-storage units?

Storage units differ in terms of size, license agreement, and purpose.

Outdoor storage: As the name suggests, these are units located outdoors and are used to store cars, bikes, tractors, boats, etc. These facilities are usually not climate-controlled.
Drive-up storage: These storage units look like garage areas and. Users can easily drive up next to the entrance of their unit, roll up the door like a normal garage, and drop off their items.
Indoor storage: Sometimes, these are climate-controlled facilities located inside a building.
Commercial storage: These are units where you can store business files, inventory, or other operational equipment.
Specialised storage: Some facilities cater to specific objects such as wine or collectables.

How safe are self-storage units?

Self-storage spaces are safer compared to leaving precious things in your house or another friend’s house while you’re away.

Here are the most common safety features of self-storage units:

24/7 security
Password-protected units
CCTV coverage of units and the whole facility itself
Restricted access
Climate or temperature control (for some facilities)

What facilities are available in storage units?

Storage unit providers have varied amenities in their respective facilities. Most storage facilities provide locks for the units, moving apparatus, as well as other security tools.

Some storage places like Nesta also provide moving trolleys, lifts, and even a canteen so you can have a cup of tea in between moving your boxes.

What size storage unit do I need?

Choosing the correct unit size is one of the most important decisions when renting storage.

If the unit is too small, your items may not fit properly. If it is too large, you may end up paying for unused space.

As a general guide:

25 sq ft unit – ideal for boxes, small furniture, or student storage
50 sq ft unit – suitable for the contents of a studio or small apartment
100 sq ft unit – can store the contents of a two or three-bedroom home
150+ sq ft unit – ideal for larger homes or business storage

If you are unsure, most storage providers can help estimate the correct unit size based on the number of rooms or items you need to store.

How much is a self-storage unit?

Now, for the question on everyone’s mind – what is the cost of self storage? To know how much self-storage units cost, we must consider a few factors:

Where the facility is located
Where your unit is located inside the facility itself
How much space do you need
How long do you need it
What kind of features or add-ons do you want your unit to have

How much do storage units cost per month? Per week?

According to the most recent (2024) GetMover survey, these are the average monthly and weekly rental prices of storage units in Ireland:

Storage size	Monthly rental fee, exclusive of VAT	Weekly rental fee, exclusive of VAT
25 SQ FT	€100	€35
50 SQ FT	€160	€70
80 SQ FT	€300	€95
100 SQ FT	€350	€110
160 SQ FT	€450	€150
320 SQ FT	€900	€280

You can keep tabs on our current storage unit prices here.

Are self-storage units worth it?

This depends on how you plan to utilise and maximise the use of your storage. And this starts with knowing the correct size of storage you need. Some people may get a bigger space than what they need and this is something you want to avoid. Remember, unused space equals wasted money.

Wondering how many cardboard boxes can fit in a 5×5 or 10×10 storage unit? Or do you want to know if a car can fit in a 10×10?

You may use this table as a guide:

Dimensions	Boxes it can fill	No. of rooms
3 feet by 3 feet	2 large, 2 medium or 5 small boxes	Very small room or ½ studio room
5 feet by 5 feet	84 small or 45 medium or 27 large boxes	Studio or one-bedroom apartment
5 feet by 7 feet	140 small or 60 medium or 36 large boxes	A large one-bedroom apartment
5 feet by 10 feet	189 small or 90 medium or 54 large boxes	Two-bedroom apartment
7.5 feet by 10 feet	273 small or 135 medium or 81 large boxes	Two-bedroom house
10 feet by 10 feet	378 small or 180 medium or 108 large boxes	Three-bedroom house
10 feet by 15 feet	546 small or 270 medium or 162 large boxes	A large three-bedroom house or a small four-bedroom house
15 feet by 20 feet	1092 small or 540 medium or 324 large boxes	Four to five-bedroom house

How do I rent a storage unit?

Booking a self-storage unit is a straightforward process. Most facilities in Dublin follow a simple step-by-step system that allows you to find a space, move your belongings in, and access them whenever you need.

Here’s how self storage typically works:

1. Find your nearest storage facility

Start by choosing a storage provider that is convenient for you to access. Many people prefer a facility located close to home, work, or along a regular commuting route.

Nesta has storage locations across Dublin, making it easy to find a facility nearby when you need extra space.

2. Choose the right storage unit size

Storage facilities offer a range of unit sizes, from small lockers for a few boxes to larger rooms capable of holding the contents of an entire house.

If you are unsure what size you need, many providers offer online size guides or can recommend the most suitable unit based on the number of items you plan to store.

3. Book your storage space

Once you know the size you need, you can reserve your unit online, by phone, or by visiting the facility.

Many modern storage providers offer flexible rental agreements, meaning you only pay for the time you need and can extend your rental if required.

4. Pack your belongings for storage

Before moving items into storage, it is important to pack them carefully. Using sturdy boxes, protective covers, and proper labelling can help keep your belongings organised and protected.

Packing efficiently also helps maximise the space inside your storage unit.

5. Move your items into the storage facility

Once everything is packed, you can transport your belongings to the storage facility. Some customers prefer to move items themselves, while others choose to use a van or professional movers.

Some providers, including Nesta, offer convenient transport options such as a storage taxi service to make moving items into storage easier.

6. Store your belongings with confidence

After moving your items into your unit, you simply lock the space and keep the key. Most storage facilities provide strong security features such as CCTV monitoring, secure access systems, and well-maintained premises.

You can then access your belongings whenever you need them during the facility’s opening hours.

Read our guide about long-term storage if you’re unsure whether to rent units temporarily or for a longer period of time.

Facilities like Nesta also allow you to add something extra to your storage plan. These may be packing boxes or shelves for your unit. Other facilities also provide routine cleaning services.

How do I choose the right storage facility?

Before renting a storage unit, make sure to do some research.

Make sure to ask these questions:

How long have they been operating in the market?
What are the terms of their license agreement or lease?
What kind of facility do they have?
What are their security features?
What are you storing?
How often do you need to check up on your things?
Do they offer extra services such as van rentals or packing materials?

When should I consider self storage?

Self storage is useful in many everyday situations.

Some of the most common reasons people rent storage include:

Moving between homes
Renovating or redecorating a house
Decluttering to create more living space
Storing seasonal items such as holiday decorations
Downsizing to a smaller home
Storing furniture during a long trip abroad
Keeping business inventory or equipment
Archiving important documents

Because storage contracts are flexible, many people use storage units for both short-term and long-term needs.

Do I need insurance for a storage unit?

Many storage facilities offer insurance as an optional add-on. Insurance protects your belongings in the unlikely event of damage, theft, or other incidents.

Some customers may already have coverage through their home insurance policy, but it is always best to check with your storage provider.

How long can you rent a storage unit for?

Most self storage facilities offer flexible rental agreements.

You can typically rent a unit:

For a few weeks
For several months
For long-term storage lasting years

Many facilities operate on rolling monthly contracts so customers can change or cancel their storage when needed.

Can businesses use self storage?

Yes. Self storage is widely used by businesses for a variety of purposes, including:

Inventory storage
Document archiving
Equipment storage
Temporary storage during office moves
Storing promotional materials or event equipment

For small businesses, storage units can be a cost-effective alternative to renting larger commercial premises.

Where can I find self-storage units near me?

If you are looking for secure and flexible storage in Dublin, Nesta offers modern self-storage units in convenient locations across the city.

If you’re based in and around North or South Dublin and are looking for self-storage near Churchtown, Sandyford, Deansgrange, Kylemore, Santry or Kilbarrack then Nesta is your best bet.

We won’t be beaten on quality or price – guaranteed.

Customers can choose from a range of unit sizes, benefit from strong security features, and even take advantage of services like the free storage taxi to make moving items into storage simple.

Need more help on your self-storage journey?

We’ve got even more storage FAQs answered in our help centre if you’d like more support, or feel free to contact our helpful team for bespoke support today.

Self storage is a practical solution for anyone who needs extra space without the commitment of moving to a larger property. With flexible rental terms, a wide range of unit sizes, and modern security features, storage facilities provide a convenient way to keep belongings safe and accessible.

Whether you are moving home, decluttering, renovating, or managing business inventory, choosing the right storage provider can make the process much easier.

Request a free quote today to find the right storage solution for your needs.

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