If you’re looking to change storage provider, you might wonder if storage companies will run a credit check on you. But what is a credit check?
When you apply to borrow money (for example when you get a new credit card, take out a loan or get a mortgage) the organisation you’re borrowing from will conduct a search known as a credit check. They ask credit reference agencies to share data they’ve collected about your financial habits, for example, your regular payments, and whether you have any missed or late payments. They use this check – known as a credit score – to decide whether to give you credit, or lend you money.
People with a history of poor credit find it harder to access financial services, and may have to pay extra to use them.
How do I check my credit score?
Use a service like Experian to check your credit score.
Can I improve my credit score?
Experian explains what is good and bad for your credit score , and gives some tips on improving your credit score. There are some simple steps that will improve your credit score, such as getting on the electoral roll at your current address; and paying bills by direct debit.
Are you concerned about debt and your credit score?
Getting help with debt sooner rather than later is the way forward. Visit Gov.uk’s debt advice page for links to trustworthy debt services that will support you.
Which storage companies check credit?
It’s not common for a storage company to check credit; but not outside the realms of possibility. A storage company may check your credit to ensure that you will pay your bills on time. It would be reasonable to ask if they’re going to run a credit check when you get a quote from them.
But even if you do have a poor credit score, there should be plenty of storage companies that won’t check your credit before you start renting a storage locker.
Here are a few tips for renting a storage unit with bad credit:
- If you have poor credit, you may still be able to rent a storage unit, but you may have to pay a higher deposit. Ask about this option if it is not offered.
- Apply for a storage unit with a smaller company. Smaller storage companies may be less tied by company policies when it comes to credit checks and may be more willing to rent to people with bad credit.
- Get a co-signer. A co-signer is someone who has good credit and is willing to vouch for you. This can help you to get approved for a storage unit.
How can I make self-storage more affordable?
At the end of the day, storage companies want to offer affordable storage solutions to their customers, and the best storage companies will work with you to find an arrangement that you are both happy with. The quickest way to make your storage bill more affordable is to downsize to a smaller storage unit. You might be able to do this by decluttering and by packing efficiently – but our blogpost has some other ideas on keeping your storage costs down.
Is the contents of my storage unit protected by insurance?
Most storage companies will require you to insure your stored goods -- but did you know that it’s possible to make significant savings on your self-storage insurance by shopping around? Self-storage companies often have their own insurance offering, but it does not always represent best value. Get a quote from Store and Insure to see how we compare to your current self-storage insurance.
