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Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about storing with Standby — from booking and pricing through to access, security and what you can keep with us. Can’t see what you’re looking for? Get in touch with the team.

Booking & moving in

Yes. You can book and pay online in a few minutes, and once that’s done you’ll get your unit number and gate access code by email — so you can move straight in.
Yes — you can reserve a unit in advance to make sure it’s waiting for you when you need it. You can book online in a few minutes, or call the team and we’ll hold the right unit for you for up to 14 days in advance.
Just photo ID (e.g. passport or driving licence) and your payment details — we’ll sort the rest when you arrive. If you book online, ID verification is handled by a third-party system instead. It’s very simple: all you need is your passport or driving licence and a smartphone with a camera.
Yes — you’ll need to be 18 or over to store with us, and you’ll be asked for photo ID when you move in.
No long contracts and no minimum term. Your storage renews automatically each month and you simply cancel when you’re done. Stay for a few weeks or a few years — it’s up to you.
None. Just cancel before your next monthly renewal and that’s it.

Pricing & payment

Prices depend on the unit size and location, and we usually run an introductory offer. The quickest way to see live prices is to choose your location and unit size online.
Payments are taken automatically each month by credit or debit card through our secure online system. We accept all major credit and debit cards.
No deposit and no hidden fees — the price you see is the price you pay.
No problem. Just let us know and, subject to availability, we’ll move you to a unit that fits. You’re never locked into the wrong size.
We understand things can happen, so if a payment is missed we’ll get in touch to help you get it sorted. Your belongings aren’t at risk straight away — but if an account stays unpaid, access may be suspended and, after a period of time and further reminders, our standard terms allow us to recover the amount owed. The easiest way to avoid any of this is our automatic monthly card payments. If money’s tight, talk to us early — we’d always rather help than let things build up.

Access & security

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Your storage is ready when you are.
Every customer gets their own unique access code for the gate, so you can come and go whenever suits you.
You can access your unit 24/7 using your own gate code, and our team are on hand to help during office hours, Monday–Friday 8:30am–5pm and Saturday 8:30am–4:30pm. You can reach us by phone or email any time, and we’ll always get back to you as quickly as we can.
Every site has 24/7 CCTV, ANPR number-plate recording at the gate, and PTI access control that logs every entry and exit. Units are individually secured and only you hold the key.
Yes — you secure your own unit and keep the only key, so no one else can get in. Lock arrangements vary slightly by site:
  • All sites except Reading: We sell padlocks on site (subject to availability). Please call to purchase your padlock before you arrive, and you can collect it from our collection point.
  • Reading: A padlock is included with every unit, kept in the key safe on the front of the unit. You’ll find the code for the key safe in your welcome email.
Don’t worry, it happens. Get in touch with the team and we’ll arrange to have the padlock removed and replaced so you can get back into your unit. Please note this is subject to a lead time and there may be a charge for cutting and replacing the padlock, and ID verification will be required.
Yes, you can authorise additional people. Just let the team know and we’ll set them up.

Units & sizes

Our online storage calculator suggests the right size in seconds, based on a list of your items. If you’d rather talk it through, the team are happy to help.
As a rough guide:
  • Smaller units (around 10–25 sq ft) suit boxes, files, seasonal items or the contents of a small room.
  • Medium units (around 50 sq ft) hold roughly the contents of a one-bedroom flat.
  • Larger units (around 75–100 sq ft) suit a two- to three-bedroom home, or business stock and equipment.
  • Our largest units and containers (160 sq ft and up) comfortably take the contents of a larger family home or sizeable business inventory.
These are guides rather than exact figures, so for a tailored suggestion try our online storage calculator, or have a chat with the team.
Yes. We offer a range of unit options, and our premium units are ground-floor, drive-up containers — so you can load and unload straight from your vehicle.
In most cases, yes. Our drive-up sites are designed so you can bring a van right up to your unit and unload directly. If you’re planning to arrive in a Luton van, removal lorry or anything particularly large, it’s worth a quick call first — we’ll let you know about access, turning space and any height limits at your chosen site.
Lighting is available across our sites, and powered units can be arranged subject to availability — handy if you need to charge tools or run equipment. There’s good mobile signal across our sites, so business customers can stay connected while they’re working from their unit. Just let us know what you need and we’ll point you to the right unit.

Looking after your belongings

Yes — all units are clean, dry and secure, purpose-built for self-storage, so your belongings stay in good condition.
Yes — keeping your things in good condition is exactly what our units are built for. Our containers are weatherproof, ventilated and raised off the ground, which helps air circulate and keeps damp at bay. As with any storage, it’s worth taking a couple of simple precautions for anything sensitive: leave a small gap around boxes for airflow, pop a few moisture-absorbing sachets in with electronics or documents, and cover mattresses and soft furnishings. If you have any concerns about a particular item, just ask the team — we’re happy to advise.
Yes. Our sites are kept clean and are regularly maintained to keep pests away, which is also why we don’t allow food or perishables to be stored. If you ever spot anything that doesn’t look right, let the team know straight away so we can deal with it.

What you can (and can't) store

To keep every unit and everyone’s belongings safe, a few things can’t be stored with us:
  • Illegal or stolen goods
  • Living things: animals, livestock or plants
  • Food and perishables that could attract pests
  • Flammable or hazardous liquids such as petrol, diesel, paraffin, oils, paint and solvents
  • Gas cylinders, compressed gases and pressurised aerosols
  • Explosives, fireworks and ammunition
  • Firearms and weapons
  • Toxic, corrosive or hazardous waste, including asbestos
  • Cash, jewellery and irreplaceable valuables (these aren’t usually covered by contents protection, so they’re best kept elsewhere)
  • Anything that gives off fumes or odours, or that needs a special licence to store
Almost everything else is welcome — household furniture, business stock, archives, vehicles and more. If you’re ever unsure whether something’s allowed, just ask: our team are happy to help, and the full list is on our Terms & Conditions page.
No. Tyres are flammable, so they’re one of the items we’re unable to store.
Absolutely. Lots of our customers are local businesses using us for stock, equipment, tools and document archives — with 24/7 access so you can get to it whenever you need.
Lots of our customers are local businesses, and you’re very welcome to store stock, tools, equipment and archives and to come and go as you need with 24/7 access. Units are for storage rather than for working from full-time, so trading or running machinery from inside a unit isn’t permitted — but if you tell us what you’re planning, we’ll happily help you find a setup that works.
Yes, business deliveries can sometimes be accepted by prior arrangement with the site team.

Vehicles, caravans & motorbikes

Can I store a vehicle, caravan or motorbike?

Vehicle storage availability and the type of space vary by site, so it’s best to speak to a member of the team for details and pricing. Please note that our standard policy doesn’t cover vehicles, so you’ll need to arrange your own insurance to store a vehicle with us. Please note: we do not offer storage for caravans or motorbikes.

Protection & peace of mind

We offer contents protection so your belongings are covered while they’re with us, and we’re happy to explain the options when you book.
Contents protection is based on the total value of the items you’re storing, so the cost depends on how much cover you need. Cover is available and the team will help you pick the right level when you book. If you’d prefer to use your own insurance instead, that’s fine too — just provide a certificate showing your goods are covered at our site address.
Yes — though you’re welcome to use your own cover instead. To do this, just give us your insurance certificate showing that your insurer acknowledges the goods are stored at our site. Our site address must be listed on the certificate to meet this requirement.

Site safety & weather

We choose and maintain our sites with the weather in mind, and units are raised and weatherproofed to protect against the wet. In winter we keep access routes as clear and safe as we can, so you can still reach your unit. If conditions are ever severe, check in with the team before travelling.
Safety is a priority across all our sites. We have fire alarms, extinguishers, clearly signed fire exits on site and our rules on storing flammable and hazardous items are there to keep everyone and everything safe. If you’re ever unsure whether something’s suitable to store, just ask.

Handy extras

Yes — we stock boxes, tape, bubble wrap and other packing essentials at our Molesey and Horsham sites, so you can pick up everything you need in one trip.
Yes — trolleys and sack trucks are available to help you move your things to and from your unit. If you’re moving something especially heavy or awkward, give us a call ahead of time and we’ll make sure everything’s ready for you.
We currently only offer van hire at our Horsham facility — ask the team for more details. At our other locations we don’t hire out vans ourselves, but the team are always happy to point you towards trusted local removal and man-and-van firms who know our sites well.
Yes — there are customer toilets at all our sites except Epsom (our micro site). Storage runs often take longer than you’d think.

Where to find us

We have sites in Aylesbury, Croydon, Epsom, Horsham, Molesey, Reading, Reigate and Worthing, with Crawley opening soon.

Still got questions?

Our team is happy to talk it through. Book online in a couple of minutes, or get in touch and we’ll find the right setup for you.

View prices & book now Contact the team