I rented a storage unit with Shurgard (now Public Storage) from August 2003 up to Saturday, October 14, 2006. The movers showed up at 10:00 a.m. and I was moved out by 10:30 a.m. The manager was on site during the move-out; however, the move-out date is listed as Monday, October 16, 2006, per the manager.

I found out that the date of move-out doesn't even matter now because they do not pro-rate the rent for that month -after- the rent is paid. Unless you make a pro-rated payment at the -beginning- of your rental month, knowing that you will move out on a specific date, you are not entitled to a pro-rated refund.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to secure the movers before I paid the monthly rent of $146.00. I had the rental on auto-pay each month, so it was never late. When I initially moved in, I paid a pro-rated amount because it was a partial month. It never occured to me that I wouldn't get a refund upon moving out.

M.

South Suburbs, Illinois
U.S.A.

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7 Updates & Rebuttals

Mary

Orland Park,
Illinois,
U.S.A.

It's not in the contract: Final Advice

#2Author of original report

Sun, November 19, 2006

My advice for those considering vacating their storage units is to know/estimate the vacate date prior to making the final month's payment. Let the storage facility know so that s/he can pay a prorated final month and save a few bucks. It is an option not spelled out in the contract. Jennifer wrote: "You weren't exactly ripped off by Public Storage, you just didn't review your contract thoroughly, which most people don't do." The contract (by Shurgard) was thoroughly read both prior to rental and again upon move-out. Reread my posts. There is nothing in the contract regarding the ability to pay a prorated rent if one -knows- the move-out date prior to paying the last month's rental charges. However, that is exactly what people can do if they know their move-out date. It is not in the contract; it is told to the customer who asks. If you do not know your move-out date prior to paying the final month's rent, you pay the full month's rent. Neither scenario is stated in the contract. There is nothing to "review." It's just not in the contract. I could not be more clear in my statements, so the above advice in the first paragraph is what I will leave with, hoping I saved someone a few bucks who really needed the money, either to tip the movers or buy their friends pizza, whatever. There's nothing here for further debate.

Jennifer

Great Mills,
Maryland,
U.S.A.

Steve isn't being rude

#3Consumer Comment

Sun, November 19, 2006

He is just trying to help you understand. You weren't exactly ripped off by Public Storage, you just didn't review your contract thoroughly, which most people don't do.

Mary

Orland Park,
Illinois,
U.S.A.

Some get a prorated final month, while others do not

#4Author of original report

Sun, November 19, 2006

I have written my statements carefully; there is no need to reread what I wrote. I thought trivial and insulting comments were not allowed to be posted here. It is Shurgard/Public Storage -unwritten- policy, according to the manager and his manager. If the client is aware of their move-out date at the start of the month, they have the option to pay a pro-rated rental amount. If you do not know the date of move-out when your final month's payment is made, you are not allowed a pro-rated option. I can't explain it more simple than that for those who may not have had a similar situation. It is my opinion that this is an unfair practice, since it penalizes some customers, and it is -not- spelled out in my former rental agreement one way or the other. While I can live without the $70, many cannot afford to just lose that money because they were not informed of their options in regards to this policy. At least I'm not bragging about having dozens of storage units over 20 years' time. Get a real place and save some money. (grin)

Steve

Bradenton,
Florida,
U.S.A.

Mary, re-read what you just wrote, and think about it!

#5Consumer Suggestion

Mon, October 30, 2006

Mary, You just stated that your contract said nothing about pro-rated rent upon move out. With this said, why would you feel that you were entitled to it? Simply put, if it is not specified in a written contract, you don't get it. Very simple concept. Verbal agreements or comments do not supercede a written contract. And, how do you know for a fact other people got it?

Mary

Orland Park,
Illinois,
U.S.A.

Steve

#6Author of original report

Sun, October 29, 2006

Steve, I went over my rental agreement and there is nothing that addresses pro-rated rent upon move out. In any case, if you read my post, I stated that a pro-rated amount is available to those who know what date they will be moving out, and they pay that pro-rated (reduced) amount at the start of the month. The store manager told me this. So, some get the break and others do not. I had my fee paid out automatically each month; I did not send in payments. When I secured the movers for the townhome I was to move into, I did not have an idea of the move-in date by the time the October payment was made. So, I could not have made a pro-rated payment in advance, as others have the luxury of doing. I am aware that extended storage costs can exceed the value of items in storage; I am not stupid and I did not store junk. If I were able to avoid storage, I would have. Over 3 years, the rent increased substantially, so it was not $146 from the start. I'm not even complaining about the rental cost; I chose to pay it. My choice is not for you to judge. This is a "heads up" that people need to be aware of the rules and not assume (as I did) that their rent would be pro-rated upon move-out. Only if you know the exact date and pay the smaller pro-rated amount at the start of the month, do you get a discounted final month. Some get a pro-rated amount while others do not. That is the discrepancy in their rules that does not give all customers equal consideration. I consider this a rip-off.

Steve

Bradenton,
Florida,
U.S.A.

Pro-Rate of rent is not common practice

#7Consumer Suggestion

Sat, October 28, 2006

"M", I have rented dozens of storage units over the last 20 years and have never had one pro-rated on move out. This is usually spelled out in the rental contract. The only pro rated rent I have seen is on move in as some allow you to pick your due date, and some go only from the first of each month, or other fixed due date. FYI.. Long term storage is usually a very bad investment as the cost usually exceeds the value of what is being stored! For example, you rented for 38 months at $146.00, which is $5,548.00 in storage fees. I don't see the rip off here.

Steve

Bradenton,
Florida,
U.S.A.