Can You Run a Business from a Storage Unit? (What’s Allowed in the UK)

19th February 2025

For many small businesses, storage space can quickly become challenging, especially for those operating from home or in limited office spaces. Whether you’re an e-commerce seller with a growing inventory, a tradesperson with bulky equipment, or a business owner needing secure document storage, finding an affordable and flexible solution is crucial. This is where self-storage units come into play. Offering a cost-effective way to manage stock, supplies, or important files, self-storage can help businesses stay organised without the expense of renting a larger commercial space. However, while these units provide valuable benefits, there are also key limitations and legal considerations to keep in mind.

In this guide, we’ll explore the advantages, challenges, and best-use cases for businesses considering self-storage as a solution. In most cases, you can use a storage unit for business storage, but you cannot work from it as a full-time office or workspace.

Key Takeaways

You can use a storage unit for business storage, but not as a full workspace
Most facilities do not allow working inside storage units
Storage is ideal for inventory, tools, and document storage
Running a business from a unit depends on facility policies
Always check rules, insurance, and local regulations before using storage for business

Why Consider a Storage Unit for Business?

There are clear advantages to using a self-storage unit for your business making it a very appealing option, but there may be some pitfalls you will need to be aware of. Using a self-storage unit can offer a cost-effective solution for small businesses looking for extra space, especially if you work from home and you do not want everything taking over your house.

This can be particularly important for businesses who need to hold stock or equipment, rather than this being stored at home or in your garage you can use a self storage unit to store these items, keeping them secure and organised. Although the possibility of actually working and running your business from a storage unit is far more complicated and can depend on the individual self-storage facility and the type of business you run.

Can You Work from a Storage Unit in the UK?

UK Regulations and Facility Policies

Working from a self storage unit in the UK falls into a bit of a legal and practical grey area. While there are no specific laws prohibiting you from running a business from a self storage unit, whether you can or not largely depends on the storage provider and the facilities they offer.

Some self storage companies in the UK provide additional services, such as the option to rent office space or workshops alongside your storage unit. These setups are ideal for small businesses or startups that need both storage and a workspace. However, many self storage providers strictly prohibit working directly from inside the storage units themselves.

Local Zoning and Business Rates

Some councils may consider working from a storage unit as “commercial use,” which could entail business rates or require special permissions.

The main reason why a lot of self storage facilities will not allow for a self storage unit to be used for business use is due to local authority laws and restrictions. Many councils would see this as commercial use of the storage unit and therefore would require business rates to be paid on the individual units.

Insurance Considerations

Many self storage facilities will require you to insure the contents of the unit, but this does not cover any insurance you may have as a business. Often on business insurance, you will have to state the premises where the business is being run from and if business activities are undertaken outside of this location they will not be covered.

Can You Use a Storage Unit as an Office?

In most cases, no. Storage units are not designed to be used as office spaces.

They typically do not have electricity, heating, or internet access, and most facilities prohibit using units for day-to-day work activities. Some providers offer separate office or workspace units, but standard storage units are intended for storage only.

Types of Businesses That Can Operate from a Storage Unit

Inventory-Based Businesses

There are many types of businesses that can benefit from using a self storage facility, this can mainly be used for storage of stock for companies, such as eCommerce sellers, vintage resellers and event planners. They can all benefit from using a for stock and therefore inventory management, but without operating their business on-site.

Service-Based Businesses

Another type of business that can benefit from using a self storage facility for their business is service-based businesses, such as builders, landscapers or fitness/outdoor training they can all store tools and equipment in a self storage unit without conducting on-site business activities.

Document and Archive Storage

One of the other types of companies that use self storage for their business is people who need to store significant amounts of paperwork or documents. As this can take up a lot of space and need to be kept for a long period of time. Document storage can be for legal or tax records and a self storage unit can offer a secure, safe and accessible option for document archive storage.

Benefits of Using a Self-Storage Unit for Business

Cost Savings

There can be a lot of benefits to businesses for using a self storage unit, cost can be a big benefit. Depending on the area you are looking to rent the unit, the cost difference between a commercial premises and a self storage unit can be significant.

Flexibility

Using self storage unit for your business can offer a greater deal of flexibility as you are not tied into a long commercial lease. When renting a self storage unit, you are not restricted and can upscale or downscale your storage needs quickly and conveniently without any hassle.

Enhanced Security

You need to know that your business assets are going to be safe and secure while you are storing them. Self storage facilities often offer high levels of security, with monitored CCTV, only allowing access to self storage tenants, there may be staff on site and security guards. This can offer peace of mind that valuable business assets will be safe and secure while in storage.

Limitations and Challenges of Working in a Storage Unit

No On-Site Utilities

There are some limitations to using a self storage unit for a business, many units do not have utilities within their units. Such as the basics of electricity and water and of course Internet which would mean the unit would not be suitable for full office use, only for storage.

Limited Accessibility for Work

You can be limited on the access, many storage facilities allow for 24/7 access to tenants but they do restrict access to anyone who is not a tenant. They can also stop the use of the unit for anything other than for storage purposes and by not obeying to this you can be in breach of your license agreement.

Restrictions on Customer and Staff Visits

Many facilities prohibit public visits and limit the number of individuals accessing a unit, which can be restrictive for businesses needing customer interaction.

If your business relies on customer interaction this may be limited by being at a self storage facility, as they can restrict the access to anyone who is not a tenant. Therefore this can impact your business if you rely on customer interaction and staff visiting.

Can You Use a Storage Unit as a Workshop?

Some facilities allow light use of storage units for tasks such as packing or organising stock, but most do not allow mechanical work, manufacturing, or noisy activities.

It’s always important to check the facility’s rules before using a unit in this way.

Key Considerations Before Setting Up a Business in a Storage Unit

Checking Facility Policies

If you are looking to take out a self storage unit for your business there may be some considerations you need to make before signing up for a unit. It is important to check the facilities’ policies and if they will allow you to use the unit in the way in which you need. Do you need to have active use for the unit or will it just be used for storage and do you comply with the facility’s policies?

Insurance Coverage

Many self storage facilities will offer a level of insurance for you while you are using their units, but it is important to establish if this will cover what you need. It might be better to seek advice from an insurance provider to see if you need some additional cover to make sure your items are covered for what you need while they are in storage, as there may be some limitations that apply.

Logistics and Accessibility

One main consideration will be location and accessibility, is the storage facility you are looking to use for business storage conveniently located for you. It will need to be within proximity to the main business and ensure the access times work for you, this will mean you are able to make the most of the use of the storage unit, by keeping on top for inventory management and order fulfilment.

Is a Self-Storage Unit Right for Your Business?

Summarise that while self-storage units offer affordable solutions for inventory and equipment storage, they are not typically suited for businesses needing operational workspace. Conclude with advice to carefully evaluate policies, costs, and business needs before choosing this option.

Using self storage for business can be invaluable if the facility and unit work for what you need. It can be an affordable solution for businesses looking for storage of, equipment, stock and inventory freeing up space in the office or home. However they are not suitable for a business looking for an operational workspace, as this can be in breach of the facilities policies and not offer a suitable space to work. If you are looking to use self storage for your business you will need to undertake some research to ensure the facility offers what you are looking for. Do their policies allow you to use the unit in the manner you wish, will this provide a cost benefit to your business, will the facility benefit your business, all this will need to be assessed before choosing and committing to using self storage for your business.

Frequently Asked Questions