Self-storage facilities are designed to store belongings—not serve as housing. However, operators occasionally encounter situations where tenants attempt to use storage units as living spaces. Beyond violating lease agreements, this practice can create serious safety, legal, insurance, and liability concerns for facility owners. Living in a storage unit can increase the risk of fire, property damage, criminal activity, health hazards, and injuries, all of which can expose own

The self-storage industry continues to evolve as operators, investors, and developers navigate changing market conditions. Following several years of significant new construction activity, rising interest rates, and increased competition in certain markets, many industry participants are closely monitoring supply, rental rates, and investment activity. Below are several trends worth watching as we move through 2026. Development Activity Remains Elevated but Is Moderating One

When evaluating a self-storage investment, one of the most important questions to ask is: How far are customers willing to travel to access their storage unit? Understanding tenant travel patterns can help owners, operators, and investors make better decisions about site selection, marketing strategies, facility amenities, and pricing. While convenience remains a major factor for most renters, customer behavior shows that many are willing to travel farther when a facility off

A 1031 exchange can preserve significant capital gains taxes — but mistakes can become very expensive. Here are five common mistakes investors should avoid when purchasing self-storage during a 1031 exchange. ❌ Mistake #1: Waiting Too Long Many investors underestimate how quickly deadlines arrive. Remember: 45 days to identify property 180 days to close Preparation matters. ❌ Mistake #2: Focusing Only on Occupancy A 95% occupied facility may still have: weak rents deferred ma

Not every self-storage facility performs as expected. Whether occupancy has stalled, expenses are rising, or revenue growth has slowed, an underperforming property doesn't have to stay that way. The good news is that many struggling facilities can be improved with a few strategic changes. By focusing on operations, revenue management, marketing, and customer experience, owners can often increase Net Operating Income (NOI) and significantly improve property value. Here are six

Why a 92% Occupied Storage Facility May Actually Be Underperforming Many self-storage owners assume high occupancy automatically means the facility is optimized. In reality, some of the most underperforming facilities we review are sitting between 90%–98% occupied. Why? Because occupancy alone does not determine value. Net operating income does. A facility running at 95% occupancy with below-market rates may actually be leaving hundreds of thousands — or even millions — of do

Many storage operators assume increasing occupancy requires expensive advertising campaigns. In reality, small operational and marketing improvements can often create meaningful leasing momentum. ✅ Improve Google Reviews Facilities with strong reviews often generate more calls and online rentals. Simple strategy: ask happy tenants for reviews respond professionally to feedback keep listings updated ✅ Use Facebook Marketplace Consistently Many operators underestimate how effec