Can You Live In A Storage Unit?

26 March 2020/General

Can You Live In A Storage Unit?

1. Storage Units Aren’t Climate-controlled for Human Habitation

While U•STORE•IT does have climate-controlled units, they are not on the level that would be required for people to live in the space full time. We live in Alberta and the temperatures can fluctuate from -30°C in winter to +30°C in the summer. A self-storage unit would not protect you properly from the elements and changing seasonal temperatures.

2. Self-Storage Facilities Lack Sanitation Requirements

Regular access to a bathroom and water is essential to keep our bodies clean and healthy. A storage unit does not provide 24/7 access to sanitation and running water and can lead to very dirty living conditions.

3. Storage Units Create Uncomfortable Living Environments

You will be incredibly uncomfortable living in a storage unit! Electricity is not readily available, there is limited natural light because there are no windows inside the unit, and you can even suffer psychological effects from living in such a small, enclosed space.

4. Secure Storage Solutions Prioritize Property Not People

Storage units are designed to be opened from the outside and there is the possibility you could become trapped inside the unit if you lived in one. This could be incredibly dangerous if it got extremely cold or there was a fire or other emergency requiring immediate evacuation.

5. Legal Restrictions Prohibit Storage Unit Residency

Yes, It’s almost always illegal to live in a storage unit due to security and safety concerns. Self-storage business are responsible for keeping the belongings of all of customers secure. If you are found on our property outside of business hours, that could be considered trespassing and and we would be within rights to call the police.
U•STORE•IT would not allow anyone to live in one of our rental units for the risks highlighted above. If you do require access to affordable housing, we highly recommend you check out the City of Edmonton website or the City of Red Deer website for assistance. For those needing temporary storage solutions during housing transitions, we offer a variety of affordable storage options to meet your needs.

Key Takeaways about Living in Storage Units

Storage units lack proper climate control for human habitation, especially in Alberta where temperatures can range from -30°C in winter to +30°C in summer, making them unsuitable living environments despite some units having basic climate control features.
Living in storage units creates unsanitary conditions because they lack 24/7 access to bathrooms and running water, which are essential for maintaining personal hygiene and health.
U•STORE•IT explicitly prohibits customers from using storage units for residential purposes due to serious safety concerns and legal restrictions.
Storage units present significant discomfort for inhabitants because they have limited electricity, no natural light from windows, and confined spaces that can cause psychological effects.
Safety hazards exist in storage units designed to open only from the outside, creating dangerous situations where occupants could become trapped during extreme cold or fire emergencies.
Living in a storage unit violates the law and may result in trespassing charges, especially if you are found on the property outside of regular business hours.
People seeking affordable housing should visit official resources like the City of Edmonton or Red Deer websites instead of considering storage units as living spaces.
The question “can I live in a storage unit?” is frequently asked to U•STORE•IT, indicating widespread consideration of this dangerous option during economic hardship.