Self-Storage Glossary

The following terms are often-used when booking a storage unit or speaking with a manager of a facility. Our self-storage glossary is by no means complete, but we believe we cover 90% of the essential terminology.

Access Gate
Usually called the gate to enter the fenced premises on which the storage facility is located.

 

Access Hours
The opening hours of a self-storage provider, varies from facility to facility. For our business hours, please check our contact us page.

 

Access Pin
A 6-digit number customers get to enter the storage facility.

 

Access-Controlled
Self-storage facilities can only be entered by customers with access pins. Non-customers are not allowed to enter the actual facility, but only the reception area.

 

Auto-Billing
Self-storage fees that are automatically paid via bank transfer, or charged by credit card.

 

Business Storage
When a company rents a storage unit, it’s called business storage. Check out our business storage page to learn more.

 

CCTV
Stands for Closed Circuit Television, describing a TV and monitor system, recording all relevant areas for security purposes.

 

Climate-Controlled
Self-storage facilities are typically climate-controlled, meaning the facility has industrial-type dehumidifiers, strong air circulation through ceiling fans and a lot of natural daylight. This prevents mold.

 

Document Storage
Different to self-storage, document storage describes the handling, retrieval, processing, printing, routing, and distribution of paper documents in a secure and efficient manner by a service provider. Please note we at Kingkho do not offer document storage.

 

Facility Manager
Also called on-site manager. Usually the manager in charge, and present on the premises during business hours to sign agreements, handle move-ins and outs, manage extensions, etc. See also resident manager.

 

Furniture Storage
When a customer stores household items such as furniture, it’s called furniture storage.

 

Lease Terms
In self-storage, customers usually rent units by the week, meaning they can, for example, pay for exactly 8 weeks, and only need to pay for this period.

 

Lock
A lock, or security device, used in self-storage to close and lock the customer’s unit.

 

Long Term Storage
The average storage period of self-storage customers is 4-6 months, but many customers rent their unit for much longer (12months+).

 

Mezzanine
A mezzanine is an additional floor, built between two floors. The aim is to add additional space.

 

Mini Storage
A different term for self-storage, or “mini self storage”.

 

Permitted Items
Those items you may store in your unit.

 

Personal Storage
When individuals use self-storage, it’s called personal storage, sometimes also private storage (check out our page on Personal Storage). Besides, there is also Business Storage.

 

Prohibited Items
Items you may not store in your unit. Best is to always ask the facility manager for each facility’s specific requirements. Learn which items you may or may not store at one of our facilities here.

 

Public Sector Storage
Besides individuals and companies using storage, also public sector entities use self-storage. Entities vary, but can include embassies, consulates, notaries, tax bureaus or customs duty offices, all having a need to store items as well.

 

Rental Agreement
Also called rental lease, ir rental contract, describing the legal contract detailing the terms, conditions and entitlements of the rent agreement.

 

Resident Manager
If a facility/on-site manager actually lives on the premise, it’s called a resident manager.

 

Roll-Up Door
A door you can simply roll up from the ground to the ceiling, saving a good amount of space.

 

RV Storage
RV stands for recreational vehicle, and describes a certain type of domestic vehicles.

 

Self-Storage
Also called mini storage, allows you to rent individually lockable storage units, housed in a clean, well-lit, climate-controlled and secure self-storage facility.

 

Storage Facility
Describes the actual building in which customers can go and rent individually-lockable storage units of various sizes.

 

Storage Locker
Same as storage unit, storage room just a different terminology. Each facility has usually 4-5 different storage unit sizes. Check out which unit sizes we offer.

 

Storage Unit
An individually-lockable, secluded unit you can rent at a self-storage facility. Only you will know what’s in your unit, only you can see its contents, and only you will have the keys!

 

Student Storage
When students use self-storage, it’s called student storage. Students can always make use of additional storage space, be it for their books and documents, their hobbies, or simply to store their stuff while they are away for summer.

 

Trolley
Also called a handcart or dolly. A free moving trolley on wheels to safely move several items at once.

 

Unit Mix
Each storage facility has a different unit mix, meaning a different combination of available self-storage unit sizes and quantities.

 

Unit Size
Each facility has different storage unit sizes, typically ranging from S (1-3m2), like a large washing machine, M (3-6m2), like a walk-in shelf, L (6-9m2), like a garage, and XL (10+m2).

 

Walk-in Unit
Walk-in units have doors and you can literally enter them as you’d enter a walk-in shelf or closet. S units usually are just 1m high, and typically 2-3 units are put on top of each other (see 2L or 3L).

 

Warehousing
Self-storage is different from regular warehousing in a way that each self-storage unit is secluded and individually-lockable, meaning no one can see or access the content of your unit.

 

Wine Storage
Some mini storage providers offer wine storage as a separate service. Typically temperature- and light-controlled. Always ask for power back up generators when inquiring for this type of service!

 

2L / 3L / 4L
2L stands for two levels, 3L for three levels, and 4L for four levels. This describes how many S units are on top of each other. The unit in the middle is usually the most convenient one.