Self‐service mini‐storage facilities: An American property phenomenon

Summary

Self‐service mini‐storage facilities normally occupy two or three acres and contain about 500 or 600 small independent units totalling about 50 000 ft². They are a profitable and widespread investment in the US and fulfill small‐scale community needs. Users, who rent on a monthly basis, are households and businesses with small scale storage needs. Main road locations, in above average income areas, and tight security are keys to success. Management is effected by a live‐in on‐site manager and by a simple tenancy agreement. The main planning problems are access, visual intrusion and the control of undesirable uses. The author speculates on the success of this property concept on its transfer to Britain.

Keywords:

• Warehouse
• storage
• small business
• depository