Is Living in a Storage Unit Legal?

Are you considering if you can safely and legally live in a storage unit? If you have found yourself in a situation where you are experiencing hardship, or something similar, and are looking for a place to go, you may have many questions regarding a storage unit. For many, it could mean living temporarily with friends or family. For others, it could mean living in a storage unit.

Is it Legal to Live in a Storage Unit?

The simple answer to this question is no. Many local and federal housing laws prohibit people from living in storage units. Storage facilities must also evict any individual that they find living in one.

One of the biggest reasons why it is illegal is because it is unsafe to live in a storage unit. Additionally, police have discovered many people living in storage units and due to health concerns had to make them vacate the premises. Storage units are not zoned for residential use.

What Makes Storage Units Unsafe?

There are various reasons why storage units are deemed unsafe to live in.

One of the biggest reasons for this is that the doors lock from the outside. For security reasons, the majority of storage units roll up and lock from the outside. Management normally walks through to make sure that all doors are locked and closed during their shifts. If you are living inside your unit, it is possible that you could get locked inside.

Also, there is no natural light or windows for you to look out of. Natural light is essential for your well-being. You may find yourself lethargic and claustrophobic.

Storage units do not have any running water. You will likely have to spend the majority of your day outside your unit or inside quietly. Either way, your options will be limited when it comes to using the bathroom and having access to any running water.

You won’t be able to cook inside a unit due to it being a fire hazard. Not only should you avoid living in a storage unit, but you should also avoid using a grill or stove without adequate ventilation.

Finally, you will get caught eventually. It is going to be extremely challenging to remain invisible while living in a storage unit for a long time, especially with the increase in technology. Many storage facilities have cameras and various other security procedures in place, so it’s highly unlikely you will get away with hiding in your storage unit too long. Additionally, if you are ever caught, you could face civil charges and lose access to your belongings and unit.

Final Word

If you or someone you know has no place to go, you should avoid living in your storage unit. Instead, you can talk directly to the staff at the storage facility. They usually have local resources that they can share that supply food and shelter. They can be a big help when it comes to helping you get back on your feet.

Categorised in: Storage Rental