When using a commercial storage unit to keep things in for your business, there are restricted items you are not allowed to keep in the storage unit. You must adhere to the rules about prohibited items, or you may get into trouble. You will find that all storage facilities throughout the UK have the same or similar restrictions, and some of these are under UK law. When your company is looking to use a commercial storage unit to store items, below are some things you are not allowed to keep in your commercial storage unit.
Perishable Goods
Whether using commercial storage in the Cotswolds or anywhere else in the country, you are not allowed to store perishable items in the unit, which includes food. Perishable goods cannot only cause foul odours in the storage unit, but they can also become a health hazard. They can also attract vermin, including rats and mice, which is why these items are usually banned unless specific criteria are met.
Flammable Items
You are also not allowed to keep combustible and flammable items and liquids in your storage unit, which can be a fire hazard. Some of the things that fall in this category include:
- Petrol
- Gas Bottles
- Paint
- Solvents
- Oil
If you store these items in a unit and a fire starts, it can quickly get out of control and put the surrounding storage units at risk, which is why these items are banned.
Anything Living
You are also not allowed to keep living animals in the storage unit or the dead bodies of animals. There have been instances where people have tried to live in storage units, which is also not allowed, and you can lose access to the storage unit if found storing these types of items to trying to live in the storage unit.
Items Illegal Under UK Law
You are also not allowed to store items in the storage unit that are illegal under UK law, which can cover various items. These include drugs, firearms, stolen items, unlicensed or unsafe goods, illicit tobacco, and counterfeit and smuggled goods. If you are found storing these items, you will also be reported to the police, so it is not worth taking the risk.
Firearms, Ammunition, Weapons & Explosives
There are also controls on keeping firearms and ammunition, other weapons, and explosives in a commercial storage unit, which can prove lethal should an accident happen. You will also find yourself in a lot of trouble with the police if these items are reported in your storage unit, and in most cases, you will face prosecution for having these items in your possession.
Currencies, Valuables, & Important Paperwork
You will also not want to keep currency, highly valuable items, or important documents and paperwork in your storage unit. Although keeping these in your unit is not strictly against the rules, there are much better places to keep these items, such as a safety deposit box.
You must also ensure that all items you keep in storage are fully insured under the regulatory body guidelines for the storage industry. Some storage facilities allow you to take out your own insurance policy, and there are options available for storage unit insurance
