living in a "storage" space - trouble? (apartment, evict, rental)

[nickjbor]

I've heard roumers that some people rent a public storage space and live out of it (because it's cheaper then getting an apartment in some places). I know that this has to be illigal somehow (if it was not, everyone would be doing it!)

I'm wondering what kind of trouble you could get into by doing this?

[Radek]

If the storage place found out, they'd probably evict you from it for breach of contract.

Im sure there are other ramifications for them if they allow it.

[Paula Lynn]

Originally Posted by nickjbor

I've heard roumers that some people rent a public storage space and live out of it (because it's cheaper then getting an apartment in some places). I know that this has to be illigal somehow (if it was not, everyone would be doing it!)

I'm wondering what kind of trouble you could get into by doing this?

You're serious????????

[ESFP]

OOPS! Got off on the wrong planet again. Sorry... But, while I'm here. Commercial and residential facilities are zoned differently. A storage unit would be commercial only, and as such would be illegal to reside there. You could box yourself up and get mailed to a country where they wouldn't mind you're living like that, though.

[nickjbor]

thanks but these are just the obvious things. I'm wondering if anyone has specifics?

[RoaminRed]

Originally Posted by nickjbor

thanks but these are just the obvious things. I'm wondering if anyone has specifics?

If you look at the contract you sign when you rent a storage space, it specifically will prohibit inhabiting the space. Aside from that, you'd have other problems trying to do this. Many storage facilities these days have locked and coded gates that track the times you enter and exit. So it would be pretty obvious to anyone looking at those logs that you were living in the space.

Not only that, but a vast majority of storage spaces do not have electricity. They wouldn't have water or bathroom facilities either, so you'd have to figure out how to cope with that. And where would you park your vehicle while you were in the space? Going to be pretty obvious you're staying there at night if your car is parked in front of your door. What about heat in the winter and cooling in the summer? Going to get pretty uncomfortable in that uninsulated room with the big metal door...

So really -- more hassle than it's worth. Cheaper to buy yourself an old used RV and just live in it, if you don't want to rent a house or an apartment.

[pghquest]

Originally Posted by nickjbor

I've heard roumers that some people rent a public storage space and live out of it (because it's cheaper then getting an apartment in some places). I know that this has to be illigal somehow (if it was not, everyone would be doing it!)

I'm wondering what kind of trouble you could get into by doing this?

I've seen people do this (well not in person, stories of them), and it tends to be illegal in most states missing the most necessary items like water, and heat.

That being said, I'm unsure if once you take possession if squaters rights take place and if they have to evict you as a rental tenant, or commercial tenant. Would be interesting to find out.

[sskkc]

If you don't follow the rules of a storage unit contract they can do better than "evict" you... they can put a lock on your unit and refuse you entrance. If you were there "after hours", for instance, that would be considered trespassing, and you could be removed by police or arrested. If they report to the police that you are living in the unit, you could be arrested for vagrancy. Meanwhile, the fees are piling up on the storage unit and if you can't pay and don't have a place to move them to, the storage unit has the right to sell your stuff (usually after 3-6 months, depending on local laws). You will not have access to anything inside until the unit's rent and fees are up to date and if the charge is vagrancy, you'd be lucky if they didn't require a police escort to watch you pack up and remove your belongings from the premises.

It's been awhile since I've worked for a storage place, but the rules generally get tighter, not looser, especially on this stuff. If you're living in a unit, you're worse than dirt to the owner... you're a thief... and they'll treat as such.

BTW... no such thing as "squatter's rights" for a place not zoned for residential living... otherwise you'd be traipsing over the homeless as you perused the aisles of Pier One or Mattress World.