spaceseeker guidelines

If you are looking for Self Storage, SpaceOut’s Storage Search provides a quick and easy way for you to identify what storage spaces are available in the area you are looking for.  To help narrow down your search, and locate a storage space that is most suitable for your needs, we suggest the following :

• What area are you looking for space in? Typically this would be your own local area, or the area where the items to be stored are currently located. You can use a postcode, suburb name, town/city or even street name as the basis of your search.  
• You can specify the radius field, to identify spaces within a specified search radius.  If there are too many entries, decrease the radius, and if there aren’t enough, increase the radius and try another search.
• Think about location. Are you going to need to access your storage space frequently? If so, aim for a location nearby.
  
• Consider how much space you really need. Storage Spaces are often available in all different sizes. It’s best to opt for a smaller storage space and pack it to the ceiling rather than pay for space you’re not using.  
• You can also carry out an advanced search to further pinpoint the types of spaces you are looking for – based on storage type, security and price.  
• Once you’ve identified a space that may be suitable, cicking its marker on the map will provide more information about the space.  
• Once you have found a space that seems to meet yourneeds – as long as you are registered and logged in (you can register for free), you can anonymously send a message to the SpaceOwner – either asking for more information or requesting that they contact you to arange an inspection of their space.
   

If there are no (or not many) spaces matching your needs that show up in the space search results, you can (for a small fee) register a “Space Wanted” listing.   Some registered SpaceOwners keep their listing private if they don't want it listed in the search results. Other SpaceOwners might be encouraged to register their space and get in touch with you on the basis of your Space Wanted Listing.

This checklist provides some tips for creating your Space Wanted Listing or finding the right space for you :

• Decide what area you want to rent a space in – we usually suggest a specific street, suburb and/or postcode.  
• Determine how much space you will need – try the space calculator, or see the “how much space do I need?” page for more information on this.  
• Decide what type of storage and what type of access you prefer.  In the description that you enter, try to provide a reasonably accurate outline of what you wish to store, and any specific conditions you may need to store your stuff.  
• Once you have entered and activated your Space Wanted Listing, you will be notified via email if any SpaceOwners would like to contact you.

As a registered SpaceOut user, you will be able to anonymously send a message asking for more details, or request contact details from a SpaceOwner. If you have a Space Wanted Listing, SpaceOwners may send you a message or request your contact details to find out more about your specific requirements. 

The information below provides guidelines for the initial contact, sharing contact details, and arranging a meeting for you to check the space :

• Your initial contact with your potential SpaceOwner will be to get a ‘feel' for them and their storage space. This contact should ideally be light and only disclose basic and general details such as your storage needs and preferred location. You will also be able to view the details of the SpaceOwners space.  
• You can send a message to the SpaceOwner asking for more details about the space, or you can request an exchange of contact details.  If the SpaceOwner agrees then you will both be sent each other's contact details and can then exchange information via email or phone.  
• Once you are both satisfied that the space is a match for what you are looking for, we recommend that you arrange to meet with the SpaceOwner and inspect the space.
  

Meeting your SpaceOwner marks the start of a mutually beneficial agreement. As a part of the initial meeting with the SpaceOwner, we suggest that you:

• Arrange a mutually appropriate time to view the storage space and meet the SpaceOwner face to face.  
• Satisfy yourself that the space meets all your requirements.  
• Satisfy yourself that the SpaceOwner is trustworthy and someone you would be willing to leave your stuff with.  
•  Try to get a ‘feel’ for the SpaceOwner, their needs and their profile in person.  
• Keep in mind a ‘win-win’ solution for both yourself and the SpaceOwner.

Entering into any agreement is an important step and a number of issues should be considered before signing the storage space agreement and storing your stuff. We suggest that you:

• Make sure you have read, understood and are happy with all aspects of the Space Rental Agreement (seek legal advice if necessary).  
• When you agree on and sign the Space Rental Agreement it is a legal agreement and the terms and conditions agreed upon by you both, need to be adhered to.  
• Remember to keep things simple and easy for both yourself and the SpaceOwner - keeping in mind a 'win-win' situation for all - making sure both of you are completely satisfied with the agreement and storage conditions.  
• Review payment options and ensure that you are both very clear on payment amount and conditions.  
• Once an agreement has been made, we recommend updating your Space Wanted Listing (if you have one) to indicate that it is no longer available – this will stop your Ad from being displayed on SpaceOut searches, and prevent you from being bothered by extra enquiries.  
• We have more information about the Space Rental Agreement, and a sample Space Rental Agreement that you could use as the basis of your agreement with the SpaceOwner. 

One of the most important things you will need to do to prepare your stuff for storage, for both yourself and the SpaceOwner, is to pack your stuff correctly and efficiently. We suggest that you:  

• Review our Packing Tips page.  
• Be fully prepared by having your stuff clean, organised and ready in plenty of time before the commencement of the storage agreement.  
• Make sure your stuff is stored safely and securely.  
• Do not pack any items that are dangerous, illegal, flammable, corrosive, explosive or perishable.  
• Plan on how you are going to transport the items form their current location to the storage space (book a removalist, trailer, or line up some friends to help with the move – as appropriate)
  

The day you move your stuff into the SpaceOwner’s storage space should be smooth and easy if you are both prepared well and all the recommended and agreed conditions are in place. We recommend that you:  

• Contact the SpaceOwner by phone before the moving date to confirm everything is OK and ready.  
• Make sure you are ready and turn up at the storage space at the agreed time, on the agreed date.  
• Keep things simple, easy and stress-free for both yourself and the SpaceOwner.  
• Ensure that any deposit or payment of rent has been made.  
• Review our Storage Tips page to ensure that you pack your space as efficiently as possible  

Once the space rental agreement is finalised and signed, and your stuff is stored safely and securely, the storage period should be smooth and without incident. To ensure this we suggest that you: 

• Make sure the SpaceOwner has your full contact details and if your details change, remember to notify the SpaceOwner.  
• Make sure you have the SpaceOwner’s full contact details.  
• Ensure that all contact details are current and up to date.  
• Ensure that both you and the SpaceOwner have a nominated reliable 'contact person' and their full contact details should one or both of you be non-contactable for any period of time, eg. on holidays, business, sick, etc.  
• Ensure that all rent payments are made on time, and if there are any issues, that you contact the SpaceOwner ASAP.  
• Ensure that your stuff remains stored as agreed - safe and secure – and that you follow all access and other agreement rules and guidelines.
• Give the SpaceOwner adequate notice (as per agreement) before accessing your stored stuff, should you wish to access it during the agreed storage period.  
• If you wish to reduce or extend the space rental period, or change any terms of the agreement at all, notify the SpaceOwner as soon as possible and re-negotiate the storage agreement (if necessary).
  

As your agreement term gets closer, we recommend being prepared by following a few simple steps to ensure a smooth exit process. We suggest that you:  

• Mark on your calendar or in your diary a date about 2 weeks before the agreement end date to contact the SpaceOwner to confirm the end of the agreement and to arrange an exit plan.  
• Review the Renaal Space Agreement and make sure all agreed conditions are still OK.  
• Check with the SpaceOwner that there were no incidents or changes during the storage period.  
• Confirm with the SpaceOwner the agreement conditions and exit date and plan.  
• Check with the SpaceOwner to arrange any possible cleaning or tidying of the space.  
• Make arrangements as necessary for moving/transporting your items to their new location.  

At the completion of the space rental agreement we recommend being prepared by following a few simple steps to ensure a smooth exit process:

• Confirm with the SpaceOwner when you will be moving out and finalising the space rental agreement.
• Ensure that all rent has been paid in full.  
• Arrange a time with the SpaceOwner for you to move all your stuff out.  
• Once the space is empty, check that it is clean, and that there is no damage to the space, eg. floor or walls (if there is a mess or damage, you may incur cleaning costs).