Garaging & Lock-ups | Local Services

Not all of us have easy access to a garage or lock-up and it is becoming increasingly common for people to rent, lease or buy these premises away from their own homes. After all, it's always useful to have somewhere secure to leave your car (and it keeps your insurance company happy which could see a reduction in your insurance costs!) if you own one. Many people also use garaging and lock-up services to store stuff. It may be that they don't have room at home or in the garden or garage or they may simply prefer to use external storage space to do the job for them. This is also a useful option for people who run their own businesses -- especially those that work from home -- as it gives them a secure environment in which to store their stock. Who can forget Del Boy's lockup? But they are not all shabby backstreet examples!

Things to consider before choosing a garaging or lock-up service
The first thing you need to do is to decide what kind of garaging or lock-up service you want. Then you'll have to work out what is the best way of getting the space you need in both the long and short term. Bear in mind that some of these services are designed for a quick short term solution whilst others offer longer term options.

In garaging terms you could rent, lease or buy space depending on the options on offer in your locality. Some businesses, for example, will offer secure garaging rental services where you can park your car when you are not using it. In some cases you may rent or lease a specific garage whilst in others you may rent or lease a space in a car park facility. If you are looking at this as an option then make sure you check on the security measures that the company has in place and that they meet the terms and conditions of your car insurance provider. Obviously, if you are renting a garage from them then you can make sure that it is locked up when you park your car. But, if you are simply renting a parking space then you need to know about security issues in general. So, check if the facility is manned and, if so, does it get constant 24 hour coverage? Ask about the security that the company has in place such as secured access and CCTV cameras and so on and check that they are fully insured for any problems that might occur on their part.

In some cases you may find that an individual or a landlord offers garages that you can use. This will generally be on a rental basis although it is possible to lease or buy garages from some individuals and local councils on a long term basis. If going down this route then make sure you have a contract that outlines the rights of both parties -- if the person that has the garage already has a contract then read the terms and conditions carefully. It's also wise here to find out who holds keys to the garage and whether you can have new locks fitted to give you some added security.

Again, lock-up space can be rented, leased or purchased from individuals who may not use it themselves or from companies that run storage businesses. Some companies will offer lock-up units whilst others will offer locked space in a general storage facility. It's becoming very popular nowadays to use self-storage companies. Here, you simply rent the space you need and use it store your stuff. One of the advantages to this route is that the company will have its own security measures in place and you can rent virtually any size of self-storage space for both short and long periods of time.

Again, remember to read through the terms and conditions of any contract before agreeing to it. Also ask the storage company about how they handle security and who will be given access to your storage space. Finally, don't forget to check opening times as these vary widely from firm to firm. Some will give 24 hour access 7 days a week whereas others may restrict opening times to office hours.

The advantages of using garaging and lock-up services
Most people will find it easier to get cheaper car insurance if they can tell their insurance company that their vehicle is stored in a garage when not in use. Having a secure place to park your car can avoid issues such as vandalism, car theft and general wear and tear due to the elements. Lock-up storage is extremely useful if you have a lot of stuff to store but don't have space at home or prefer to use an external space to store things. Some people use this option to simply keep their home clear of clutter -- they store winter clothes in lock-up storage in the winter and summer clothes in the summer. Others may simply need more space to store goods, equipment or other items in connection with a business. Whatever your requirements, you are almost certain to find a suitable service in your locale but it pays to shop around in what is becoming an increasingly competitive market.