Volumize Your Value
process (i.e., lock cut, inventory, advertis- ing, conducting the lien sale, disposition of the goods, etc.). However, we have chosen to charge only the sale fee on the 6th of the month following default of nonpay- ment for 30 days and necessitating lien sale processing. This way we charge the fee for just having to process them for sale whether they actually go through the whole sale process or not. Currently, we are charging $100 to $150 for this service, but we have seen operators charge $250 for it. Just ensure your rental agreement clearly outlines when the fee is due and the amount.
Cleaning Fee (or Deposit) - As stated earlier, under the admin fee section, most of us don’t charge deposits anymore. Instead, we include paragraphs in our agreements that allow for charging the customer a cleaning fee or charge if things are not left in a “broom swept” condition as the lease states.
“Upon move-out, abandonment, or
termination, a Clean-Up Fee of no less than $100 will be assessed for the disposal and/ or cleaning of any unit not left in a broom swept condition.”
Transfer Fee - This is the fee charged to move a customer from one unit to another, called a transfer fee. It involves ensuring the customer has in fact vacated one unit and taken possession of the new unit; managers have to make sure it does not overlap or take several days to complete.
After-Hours Access Fee - Sometimes we will give customers access outside of normal access hours, for example, during move-in if they have a moving truck arriv- ing after hours or if they are a commercial client needing access 24/7 or beyond normal access hours. Most of us have access hours from 6 or 7 a.m. till 10 or 11 p.m. If they are contractors and need to be on the job before 6 a.m., this can be a lucrative way to allow such access. Charg- ing for this privilege can keep people from visiting in the middle of the night when untoward activities can take place. We find fees for this service average $25 per month or more. Whatever stipulations you make
for this service have to be applied evenhandedly and not in a discrimina- tory way. Some require a copy of the business license, for example.
Package Delivery Fees - Many consumers love this service to thwart porch pirates! For those of us who receive packages for our customers while they are away or working, a fee can and should be charged. You do not want to be in possession of the package(s) or have any liability for them. Instead, use a Key Release and
“See Manager for Dumpster Use.” Fees can range from $25 for a partial load to $100 or more for a full load. Contact your refuse company for pricing on your costs for extra loads and add a mark up for this service.
Other Fees And Charges - Some operators charge the customer a fee to use credit cards. We include this in our rental rate structure, as it does cost us to process payments this way; instead, it is a cost of doing business that’s factored into our rates.
Some self-storage facilities offer a free
move-in truck to customers; that service is provided at no charge, but some stipulations should apply.
Package Delivery Acceptance Agree- ment that outlines how this will be handled. We have the delivery driver sign for the key (with the date and time), place the package(s) in the unit, and then sign the key back to us.
Fees for this service vary, but here’s
one example: Elmwood Self Stor- age and Wine Cellar in New Orleans charges $20 per month for unlimited packages delivered to their private room for packages only. For customers who want to continue delivery to their unit, a $10 charge is levied. Check out their website at www.elmwoodself
storage.com/luxer-one.
Keycard, Remote, Or Lost Key Fee - For specialty unit types, such as safe deposit boxes, wine cellars, and motor- ized oversized doors like those used for RVs, we sometimes collect a depos- it or charge a fee to replace those lost keys, key fobs, or remotes. Fees can range from $100 deposits to $150-plus per key or fob.
Dumpster Use Fee - Trash is not free anymore. For this reason, we recom- mend enclosing and locking trash dumpsters and posting signs saying,
Add-On Services - If you charge concierge fees to order lunches or flow- ers for a group using your conference and meeting room, then these should also be delineated in your agreement. Typically, we add 15 percent to the costs of the goods for facilitating these services for our clients. RV-focused facilities may offer other services that should also be defined. Prepping the RV or motorhome for the client, clean- ing, washing, stocking up, and more are common services for which fees are charged.
Free Move-In Truck (other uses and fees) - Some self-storage facilities offer a free move-in truck to customers; that service is provided at no charge, but some stipulations should apply. At USG, we require the customer to replace the gasoline and buy the insurance we provide. Spell out the charge for not replacing the gas in your free move-in truck agreement.
If you allow them to rent the truck
for move-outs or other uses, spell out in detail all charges involved (gas, insurance requirements and costs, damages, hourly rate, and any other specifics).
MiniStorageMessenger.com • September 2022 41
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