FAQ

At HOMEBOX, our aim is to provide you with a solution that is perfectly suited to your needs, and to how they evolve over time. As a user of a HOMEBOX self-storage unit, you can upgrade to a larger or smaller storage unit by simply making a request to our teams.

The HOMEBOX self-storage solution offers:

• Flexibility: Life is eventful and tends to bring its share of surprises, and this may impact your storage needs. If you want to store more stuff or less, you can always ask for a larger or smaller unit.
• At the right price: If you decide to change your storage unit, your monthly payments will increase or decrease depending on the size of your new space.
• Free of charge: There are no extra costs for changing storage units during the term of your contract.

Renting a HOMEBOX self-storage unit couldn't be easier! 

Here are the 5 main steps:

1. . Choose the right size for your storage unit with the help of your HOMEBOX expert.

HOMEBOX facilities provide storage units ranging from 0.5 sqm to over 60 sqm. To find out the right size for your needs, simply select the HOMEBOX facility of your choice after entering your town or postcode in the search bar on the homepage. Then send a request for a quote (or booking request) from the ""Pricing and bookings"" section. An expert will contact you as soon as possible to make you an offer at a competitive price. 

2. Signing your rental contract.

Once you've chosen your storage unit and accepted the offer, you can sign your contract with our teams at the facility.

3. Set up your unit and store your belongings.

Your storage unit is a bit like an extension of your home or office. You can arrange the layout and store your belongings as you wish. To make it easier for you to move in, we can provide you with handling equipment (trolleys, hand trucks, pallet trucks, etc.) free of charge.

Once you're all sorted, you can rest easy: our video surveillance cameras, intruder alarms connected to a remote surveillance centre, fire detection systems and strict access controls ensure the safety of your belongings 24/7.

4. Access your self-storage unit whenever you want.

Nearly 9 out of 10 HOMEBOX facilities offer 24/7 access to units. Thanks to a unique personal code, each tenant can access their belongings whenever they want (at night, on Sundays, public holidays, etc.), without any additional cost or constraint. 

5. Want to cancel your rental? It's only goodbye!

Note that when your rental contract expires, it is automatically renewed. If you wish to terminate your contract, you must inform us at least 8 days before the end of the current month. For more information, please contact our teams.

The belongings you wish to store may be useful, precious or have a strong sentimental value.

HOMEBOX strives to safekeep your belongings by relying on high-quality installations and equipment: alarms, anti-intrusion devices, fire detection, 24/7 video surveillance, ventilated units, etc. Everything is done to ensure complete peace of mind.

Only you have access to your storage unit!

HOMEBOX relies on a wide range of systems to ensure the security of your storage unit and the goods in it.

• With access control (via a personal code): you are the only person who can access your storage unit.
• With intrusion detection systems, alarms and 24/7 video surveillance to prevent any intrusion.
• And finally, your storage unit is protected by a padlock (that you need to provide) and for which you alone have the combination or key.

This way, HOMEBOX makes sure that only you have access to your storage unit and the goods in it.

No risk of damage

HOMEBOX facilities have numerous security features that other storage solutions simply do not have (like cellars, attics, garages, etc.), thus providing a high level of protection for your belongings:

• Our premises are clean and ventilated.
• Our premises are equipped with fire detection systems.
• 24/7 video surveillance, linked to a remote surveillance company that intervenes if needed.

Our general terms and conditions prohibit the storage of flammable, explosive or corrosive products, etc. for maximum safety and to prevent potential risks.

Safety is a shared responsibility

HOMEBOX also expects its customers to comply with the terms of use of storage units as well as the internal regulations of the facilities, which have been designed with your safety and that of your belongings in mind.

• For instance, in case your storage unit is accessible 24/7, you will be given an access code. You must not share this access code with any third party. Remember that it is as confidential as your credit card pin code!
• Your storage space can be accessed with one key, which only you have in your possession.
• Do not plug in any electrical appliance in your storage unit.
• Smoking is not permitted on the premises of HOMEBOX facilities.

Finally, to guarantee a clean and safe space, you must keep your box clean and above all, comply with storage prohibitions. You must not store perishable products or waste for instance, which might deteriorate. Do not store raw plant fibres, which could attract pests (insects, mice, etc.). Dangerous products, aerosol cans and other flammable products are also prohibited to avoid any risk of explosion, fire, corrosion, pollution, etc.

Here is some information on the subject.

At the end of the first month, your HOMEBOX rental contract is automatically renewed so you can continue to use your storage unit with complete peace of mind. If you wish to cancel your rental, you must inform our team within a certain timeframe.

Please notify the HOMEBOX team at least 8 days before the end of the current month. This way, they can manage the availability of storage units for future users. You must give at least 8 days' notice before the end of the current month. Failing to do so, the rental contract will be automatically renewed and an invoice will be issued for the following month's rental.

To cancel your rental, please send a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt to your HOMEBOX facility. You can also send your request via the dedicated online form available in the "Your online formalities, I'm leaving my storage unit" section.

HOMEBOX provides a storage solution that adapts to users' needs.

The cost of renting a storage unit depends on various criteria that we can discuss and define together, including: 

• The surface area of the storage unit: our facilities offer a wide range of storage spaces, from 0.5 to 60 sqm (excluding bulk – a non-partitioned storage area intended for businesses);
  
• The HOMEBOX facility and its location;
  
• The date and duration of the rental period.
  

The offer is exclusive of insurance* and includes, among other things:

• Unlimited free access to the storage unit at all times: you can access your belongings 24/7 in most of our facilities, even at night or on Sundays.

• Handling equipment: storage unit renters can use the dollies, hand trolleys, hand pallet trucks, etc. that are available on the premises free of charge to carry their belongings.

*Insurance for belongings in storage is compulsory. It's up to you: you can choose HOMEBOX's own insurance (€12 for €3,000 of guaranteed capital, €16 for €5,000 of guaranteed capital and €32 for €10,000 of guaranteed capital). For more information, please contact our teams."

One of the main benefits of the HOMEBOX self-storage solution is that you can access your belongings independently, whenever you want and at no extra cost. Our teams are available to advise and help you during reception opening hours. The vast majority of our storage facilities also offer 24/7 access to storage units. So don't hesitate to ask our teams for more information!

Assessing the surface area required to store your belongings is no easy task if you're not already an expert on this matter. Thankfully at HOMEBOX, we happen to be storage specialists! Our teams are here to help and advise you to find the most suitable solution. So don't hesitate to contact us!

In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you estimate your needs.

Create an inventory

Start off by listing everything you need to store. If they are small items, put them in cardboard boxes rather than on shelves. Boxes come in standard sizes, so they can easily be organised and stacked to maximise efficiency and reduce the space needed.

Note: you can easily store around 20 boxes in a 1 sqm space for instance.

If you mostly have large items (furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, etc.), which cannot be disassembled, take their measurements so you can share them with our experts. Also take into account maximum lengths (if you want to store an antique solid wood table that is 4 metres long for instance, you'll need a storage unit that can accommodate such length, even if the table is your only item to be stored...).

Storage unit adapted to use

You can also plan how you will use your storage space. If you're moving for instance, you can afford to stack your boxes and furniture in a small space. But if you want to use your unit as a permanent storage and store clothes or documents that you might need to access regularly, you'll certainly need a bit more space.

But don't worry: at HOMEBOX you can change for a smaller or larger unit and transfer your belongings free of charge, depending on how your needs evolve and how your space is used.

It's all a matter of organisation

Homebox storage units are about as high as your home ceiling (2.70 m). To optimise your rented storage space, our teams will advise you on how to use height optimally to store your belongings. As far as possible, try to store your belongings vertically (furniture that can't be disassembled, mattresses, bicycles, etc.). Be creative and organise your belongings to maximise efficiency. Cardboard boxes or crates are perfect for this. Disassembling your furniture will save you a lot of space, but if that's not possible, you can use them to organise your storage. Put boxes in the wardrobe for instance, papers in the drawers, or even a cardboard box in the stove!

A simple calculation

Once you've observed these good practices, how to choose the right size for your storage unit?

On average, you can store the contents of a 30/40 sqm home in a 3/4 sqm unit, the contents of a 50/70 sqm home in a 5/7 sqm unit, etc. It's an easy rule of thumb: divide by 10 the surface area of your home to calculate the size of the unit you need to rent. If you have a lot of furniture and belongings, you might want to be sage and go for something a little bigger.

To help you, HOMEBOX provides a simple and useful tool: an online calculator, which can suggest a storage unit size according to the size of your home and how densely furnished it is. To use this tool, click on "Calculate the size of your storage unit" at the bottom of the page, in the "Our services" column.

 A HOMEBOX expert will help you determine the ideal size for your storage unit. You can also visit us at our self-storage facilities: we'll be delighted to meet you and give you all the information you need.

HOMEBOX facilities offer a wide range of storage unit sizes and surface areas to meet the needs of all customers: private individuals who are moving house, looking for extra space or currently carrying out renovations as well as professionals who want to store their merchandise, archives or point-of-sale advertising material.

• Depending on the facility, the available surface areas can range from 0.5 to 60 sqm for private partitioned storage units.
  
• Non-partitioned storage areas (bulk), with much larger dimensions, are also available for professionals wishing to store their inventory.

Our boxes are generally 2.7 m high, so we can typically offer storage volumes ranging from 1.5 to over 160 m3..

Use our online tool

To estimate the storage space you might need, you can use our online tool available in the "Pricing and bookings" section featured on the dedicated web page of each HOMEBOX facility. By specifying the surface area of the home (or room) and its "profile" (lightly, moderately, or densely furnished), you will get a better idea of the storage space you might need.

Don't hesitate to ask our teams for more information by requesting a quote, discussing your needs over the phone or visiting one of our facilities, to find out the most suitable storage solution for you.

Professionals, self-employed, craftsmen as well as small, medium-sized or large companies may also need to store goods for short or long periods of time: archives, furniture, tools, merchandise, point-of-sale advertising material, etc.

HOMEBOX provides self-storage services and solutions that perfectly match the needs of businesses.

Permanent or temporary storage

As a professional or business, you may be short on space.

Are you an accountant or architect who needs to store years of archives (as you are legally required to) and don't have access to a well-ventilated space to do so?

Is your company carrying out renovation works on its premises and you need to store furniture and office equipment?

Do you run a small business from a strategic city-centre location but don't have a dedicated space to store your inventory?

In all these situations, renting a storage unit is a valuable option!

With no fixed-term commitment, our self-storage solutions provide professionals with the flexibility they need, whether they are looking for long-term or temporary storage. Furthermore, it's very easy to switch to a larger or smaller unit if, for instance, your inventory fluctuates throughout the year.

Solutions tailored to your needs

HOMEBOX provides services that are tailored to the needs of professionals:

• A simple, no-commitment, turnkey offer, with a wide range of storage units up to 50 sqm in size, and even bulk storage in a warehouse.
• Convenient facilities for your business: with unloading docks at some facilities, vehicle access routes and large car parks in the immediate vicinity.
• Comprehensive service, with the option of handling deliveries for you (conditions apply).
• Full traceability and transparency regarding access to your unit. 
  
• Easy and unlimited access: HOMEBOX facilities are accessible 24/7. Accessing your belongings (even at night) has never been easier.
• Hand trucks, trolleys and pallet trucks at your disposal to help you move boxes and crates.
  
• Optimum security (fire, intrusion, video surveillance and access control).
  

We also provide specific services for key accounts (large companies with multi-site requirements) with a dedicated team and access to:

• - a national network of HOMEBOX facilities (over 100 HOMEBOX facilities and over 200 partners in France).
• - centralised management: a single point of contact with a single email address ([email protected] or +33 (0)1 41 27 46 48)
  
• a single invoice for all storage units rented.

• we handle deliveries for you (pallets, parcels). No need to make an appointment, HOMEBOX team members are available to receive deliveries and users are alerted by text message when their parcels have arrived (e.g. point-of-sale advertising material, samples).
• ... and so much more!

Have you decided to rent out a space that you don't use via the HOMEBOX peer-to-peer storage platform? 

We'll give you all the advice you need to make the most out of this space: learn how to make it practical and attractive so you can rent it out more easily.

Prepare your space

Start by checking that your space is clean and tidy. A thorough clean is always advisable: dust and cobwebs are not very attractive! A lick of white paint on the walls can also give it a dapper look at little expense. A great way to make your listing stand out.

Why not place some racks on the wall where angle brackets can be fitted, so they can be installed at the desired height? A few racks, brackets and boards, and you've got a converted modular space that will undoubtedly appeal to potential tenants. They'll be able to store boxes, items, archives, etc., and access them easily. Of course, this isn't compulsory, but it can make all the difference if there are several spaces on offer in your area!

Secure your space

If you're offering a private space that your tenant can access independently, you need to make it as secure as possible. You might want to change or reinforce the door, install an angle iron and a strong lock!

Contact your insurance company and landlord if necessary.

Check with your insurance company that you do have multi-risk insurance coverage.

If you are not a property owner, you will also need written authorisation from your landlord to rent out your space.

Create your account on the HOMEBOX platform

Creating an account is quick and easy. You will be asked for various details about you and your space. Make sure these are accurate so that everything goes smoothly. We recommend measuring your space accurately rather than guessing, for instance.

Bear in mind that potential tenants will be able to contact you via the platform without access to your full contact details: your privacy is protected.

Write your listing

This is a very important stage: the listing often makes the difference between two similar spaces. A good listing feels professional, includes as many details as possible, and answers potential questions future tenants may have. Make it more inviting by adding polite turns of phrase, and of course, proofread to avoid spelling mistakes.

Finally, photos are essential. Don't just take a quick shot with your smartphone: work on the lighting, take time to frame your shots properly, etc. Take a photo of the space, but also of all relevant details: equipment, door, access. The space should feel neat and inspire confidence!