You rent a storage unit and now you're free to store anything you like. Right? Not quite. The limits are mostly common sense — but people do ask, and some of the answers might surprise you. Here's what's off the list.
Flammable and hazardous materials
No spare gas cylinders, half-full paint tins, petrol in a lawnmower (empty the tank first), fireworks, or aerosols. Pressurised items can explode; flammable materials can turn a small incident into a serious fire. This category also covers insect repellent, weed killer, drain cleaner, and anything corrosive. If in doubt, ask your provider about specific items before you bring them in.
Perishable food and plants
Tinned goods are fine. Fresh produce — potatoes, cheese, herbs, anything that rots — is not. It will decay, smell, and attract vermin, which will then affect everyone else's units too.
Live or dead animals
This one comes up more often than you'd expect. Live animals are not permitted — waste matter attracts vermin, and animals risk dying from asphyxiation, heat, or lack of water. Dead animals carry the same problems plus disease risk. Neither is acceptable.
People
Your storage unit is not accommodation. You cannot sleep there, and neither can your friend who's between flats. It's not a grey area.
Weapons, explosives, and ammunition
Handguns, automatic weapons, grenades, explosives, crossbows, and ammunition are all prohibited. No exceptions.
Anything illegal
That includes goods that are legal to own but were illegally obtained. Storage facilities cooperate with the police — don't put yourself in that position.
Non-operational vehicles
You can store a car or motorbike you use regularly. You cannot store a vehicle that's up on blocks awaiting spare parts — it's a fire risk and most providers explicitly prohibit it. Check with your facility if you're unsure.
When in doubt, ask
Most storage providers supply a list of prohibited items when you sign up. Read it, keep a copy, and ask if anything on your list isn't clearly covered. Being on the wrong side of the rules isn't just a contract issue — for some items, it's a legal one.
Storing prohibited items can invalidate your insurance cover. If you're unsure about a specific item, ask your storage provider first. Get a quote →
For the full list of what is and isn't covered, see our What's Covered page.