What Can’t You Store in a Self Storage Unit? A Plain Guide to What’s Not Allowed

Self storage is about as flexible as it gets. You can store the contents of a whole house, your business stock, tools, furniture, seasonal gear, almost anything. But there is a short list of things that can’t go in a unit, and it pays to know it before move-in day rather than at the counter.

The rules aren’t red tape. Every one of them comes back to the same few things: keeping the building safe, protecting everyone else’s belongings, and staying on the right side of the law. Here is the straight version.

The short list of what you can’t store

If you keep that list in mind, you’ll be fine for the vast majority of what people actually store.

A closer look at the big ones

Anything flammable or hazardous is the firm one. A single leaking fuel container or a forgotten gas bottle puts every unit in the building at risk, so fuels, gas, fireworks, paint, solvents and garden and pool chemicals all stay out. This is standard across the storage industry, and it is the rule we are least flexible on for obvious reasons.

Food and plants seem harmless, but they are the fastest way to attract pests. Perishables rot and smell, dry goods draw in insects and rodents, and live plants bring soil, moisture and bugs. We run a professional pest control programme with routine checks across our facilities, and keeping food and plants out is a big part of what keeps that working for everyone.

Living things should go without saying, but it comes up: a storage unit is sealed, unlit for long stretches and not climate-controlled in the way an animal needs, so no pets or livestock, ever.

Weapons and anything illegal are governed by law, not just our policy. Firearms and ammunition are subject to strict storage and licensing rules, and stolen or unlawful goods breach both the law and your agreement.

The grey areas people ask about

Some things are fine to store, with a catch worth knowing:

Machines that run on fuel, like mowers, whipper-snippers, motorbikes and cars, are fine once the fuel is drained and tanks and gas bottles are emptied or removed. If you are storing a vehicle itself, our vehicle storage page covers the specifics, including keeping it in running condition and arranging your own cover.

Batteries and e-bikes deserve a mention on their own. Lithium batteries are a growing fire risk, so if you are storing anything with a large battery, have a quick word with your facility first.

Truly irreplaceable things, like cash, fine jewellery and original documents, aren’t banned, but a storage unit isn’t the ideal home for them. Keep those somewhere you can insure properly, or store copies and keep the originals with you.

Anything damp. Make sure whatever you pack is clean and completely dry. Moisture trapped in a sealed unit is how you end up with mould, and it can spread to nearby items too.

Why the rules exist

None of this is about making storage harder. It is about the fact that your unit shares a building with a lot of other people’s belongings. One hazardous item, one bag of food or one damp mattress doesn’t just affect your unit, it can affect your neighbours’ too. The prohibited list is really a promise to every customer that the facility stays safe, clean and secure.

That is the same reason our units are individually alarmed, the site is monitored, and access is controlled. The rules and the security work toward the same thing: your goods come out in the same condition they went in.

Not sure about something? Just ask

If you are looking at an item and you honestly aren’t sure, ask the team before you pack it. A thirty-second question at personal storage or business storage sign-up is a lot easier than sorting it out later, and you can find the common ones answered on our FAQs page. We have storage facilities based around Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Northern NSW.

Once you know what is going in, you can book a unit online in a few minutes, and the team will help you with anything you are unsure about.

Written by the KeepSafe team.