Not everything you own can go into a storage unit. Turn up with the wrong items on the day and a storage provider can turn you away on the spot, leaving you scrambling for a plan B. This guide is for anyone using storage during a London move, and it covers exactly what's off-limits, what needs special care, and where those items should go instead.
Why Storage Facilities Have Rules
Storage rules aren't red tape for its own sake. Facilities restrict certain items to protect the building, the other tenants' belongings and their own insurance cover. A single gas canister left in a unit can breach a facility's fire policy and get the whole block emptied without warning. Most bans come down to three things: fire risk, pests, and liability. Know the categories below and you won't get caught out on moving day. It only takes five minutes to check your boxes properly before the van turns up.
Flammable, Hazardous and Explosive Items
These are banned everywhere, without exception. Petrol, paraffin, paint thinners and aerosol cans all count, along with fireworks, gas bottles and most cleaning chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. A full 13kg gas bottle from a barbecue is one of the most common items a removals crew has to leave behind on move day, so check your shed and garage well before your van arrives. Old tins of paint and varnish belong at a household waste centre, not a storage unit. If you're not sure whether something counts as hazardous, read the label. It usually tells you plainly, and if it doesn't, leave it out of the storage load altogether.
Perishables, Plants and Living Things
Food attracts pests fast. Tinned goods, dry pasta and anything else edible should stay out of storage, since even sealed packaging doesn't stop mice finding a way in over a few weeks. Houseplants don't fare much better. Without light or water, most won't survive a fortnight in a dark unit, so rehome them or take them with you on the day. Pets, obviously, can never be left in storage under any circumstances, and no reputable facility would ever allow it.
Cash, Documents and Irreplaceable Valuables
Passports, birth certificates, wills and family jewellery deserve better than a storage unit. Most facilities won't cover high-value or sentimental items as part of their standard policy, so a loss can leave you badly out of pocket with no way to claim it back. Keep these with you on move day instead of packing them into the van. If you're using house removals or man and van cover for the rest of your belongings, that goods-in-transit protection applies while items are moving, not once they're sitting in long-term storage, so it's worth checking the facility's own cover before you commit.
What You Can Store Safely
Most household items are perfectly fine. Furniture, books, clothing, boxed kitchenware and seasonal items like Christmas decorations all store well when they're packed properly. Wardrobes and beds should be dismantled first to save space and protect the joints, and sofas and mattresses need a proper cover to keep off dust and damp. Our packing and unpacking service includes free wrapping and floor coverings, so furniture going into secure storage arrives protected rather than scuffed from the move, and it comes back out just as it went in.
Getting Ready for Storage Day
A bit of sorting saves a lot of hassle later. Go through sheds, garages and under-stairs cupboards a few days before your move and set aside anything hazardous, perishable or irreplaceable so it never reaches the van. Label every box with its contents and the room it's headed for, and keep an inventory if you're storing for more than a few months. For a smaller load, a man and van crew can usually handle a single room's worth of storage items in an afternoon, while a full house move is better suited to a larger crew and vehicle working to a fixed price with no surprises on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store food in a storage unit?
No. Tinned and dried food should stay out of storage because it attracts pests, even when it's sealed. Take perishables and long-life food with you or dispose of what you don't need before moving day.
Will a storage facility accept paint, batteries or gas bottles?
No. These fall under hazardous and flammable materials, which every UK storage facility bans for fire safety reasons. Take them to a household waste and recycling centre instead.
How long can I leave belongings in storage?
Most facilities have no fixed maximum, and people commonly store items for anywhere from a few weeks to over a year during a chain of moves. Check the minimum term and rolling notice period before you sign up, since these vary by provider.
Is my furniture insured while it's in storage?
Cover depends on the facility, not your removals company. Goods-in-transit and public liability cover protect your belongings while they're being moved, so always ask the storage provider directly what their own policy covers once items are in the unit.
Sorting out what can and can't go into storage is one less thing to worry about before moving day. If you'd rather hand the whole job to a crew that already knows the rules, we're happy to help. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote and we'll talk you through the best way to store, move or pack your belongings.