A career break, a gap year, a work contract overseas, or a long stretch of travelling after graduation: whatever the reason, leaving the UK for an extended period raises the same question a few weeks before departure. What happens to everything you own?
Most people don't want to sell the sofa they'll need again in a year, or pay rent on a flat they won't be living in. But a house full of furniture doesn't disappear just because you've left the country. If you're planning a long trip from Leeds, this guide covers the practical options and what to get right before you fly.
People tend to reach for the same few solutions first:
• Leaving things with family or friends. It's cheap and it works for a few boxes, but a whole flat's worth of furniture quickly outstays its welcome, and damp garages or crowded spare rooms are hard on belongings over many months.
• Selling everything. This is sensible for items that are cheap to replace, but rebuying a bed, sofa, desk and kitchen equipment on your return can cost far more than a few months of storage.
• Paying rent on an empty home. Safe, but expensive for something you aren't using.
For a trip of three months or more, none of these is ideal. That's where self storage gives you a middle option: your belongings stay yours, in one place, for exactly as long as you need.
When you're going to be away for a long time, a few things matter more than they would for a quick house move:
• Flexible contract length. Plans change. A work contract gets extended or a trip gets cut short, so you don't want to be tied to a rigid term.
• Security you can trust from a distance. If you can't pop in to check, CCTV, controlled access and a supervised site count for a lot.
• Easy access on your return. Your first day back is the worst time to be locked out, so round-the-clock access and drive-up loading make settling in far easier.
• A dry, stable space. Furniture, books, electronics and clothing all suffer over many months in damp conditions.
A little care up front means everything comes out in the condition it went in.
• Clean everything first. Dust, food residue and moisture left on items are what cause problems over a long period.
• Empty and defrost appliances. Fridges, freezers and washing machines should be dry, with doors left slightly open to avoid mould and odours.
• Dismantle large furniture where you can. Beds, wardrobes and tables take up much less room in pieces, and you can fit more into a smaller unit.
• Use proper boxes and label them clearly. Note the room and contents, so you aren't opening everything when you return.
• Leave a small gap along the walls and keep heavier items at the bottom, so air can circulate and nothing gets crushed.
• Photograph what goes in. A quick record of your belongings is useful for your own reference and for any insurance conversation.
• Check your insurance. Home contents policies often change or reduce cover once items leave your address, so confirm what applies to goods in storage before you go.
Keep passports, important documents, valuables and anything you'll need abroad with you rather than in storage.
Two quick admin jobs make life easier while you're away. First, choose a trusted person who can get to the unit in an emergency, and make sure they know how to contact the storage team. Second, set up mail redirection and keep your payment details current, so your unit stays in good standing without you having to think about it from another time zone.
At Pickups Self Storage in Pudsey, we're a family-run business with over 20 years of experience, and we offer secure units on both short and long contracts. The site is manned, covered by CCTV and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so your belongings are looked after while you're away and easy to reach when you get back.
You can see the unit sizes available on our website, and if you already know you'll be away for a while, ask our team about long-term storage and we'll help you choose a storage unit that fits what you're leaving behind, with no obligation to book.
10 months ago