If you are in the National Guard or Reserves and are opting to end the lease on your apartment because you are getting ready to deploy soon, you'll need to determine what to do with your personal possessions. Opting to end a lease agreement due to a deployment can save you money since you won't be paying rent on a place where you won't be. Storage fees are generally a lot lower than rent and utilities.
Here are a few pieces of advice for finding a storage unit for your personal belongings while you are deployed.
Rent a Heated Storage Unit
It's a good idea to rent a heated storage unit for your belongings, particularly if you have electronics and other costly items such as wood furniture and musical instruments that could be damaged due to cold temperatures. Cold temperatures can damage sensitive electronic components and materials, so having the items stored in a heated storage facility will prevent this damage from occurring.
A heated storage unit will not have any air conditioning or climate control for the hotter months of the year. However, typical temperatures of the summer months aren't as damaging as extreme cold, particularly in storage facilities that provide protection from harsh, direct sunlight. According to Carnegie Mellon University, electronics can withstand temperatures of up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make Sure the Storage Facility Knows You're Deploying
While you're deployed, your belongings will be protected not only by the heated storage but also by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. This law provides you with legal protections due to your deployment status. For this reason, you'll want to be sure the storage facility knows that you are a member of the military and will be on deployment. You'll still need to pay the storage fees, of course, but the law protects you and your items from being sold.
It's a good idea to set your payments up to be taken automatically from your bank account or pay in full when you begin using the storage facility. However, you'll still want to inform the storage facility of your deployment status in case there is a delay in your return.
When looking for a storage facility that offers heated units, be sure to find out where the heater vents are located within the unit so you do not accidentally block them when you move your items into the storage unit.