How to Choose a Storage Facility: Security, Access, and What Actually Matters

Not all storage facilities are the same. Some are clean, secure, and well-managed. Others are a padlock away from a junkyard. If you’re renting a storage unit in Tyndall, Springfield, Freeman, or anywhere in southeast South Dakota, here’s how to tell the difference — and what to look for before you sign anything.

Why Choosing the Right Facility Matters

Renting a storage unit isn’t like picking a restaurant. If a restaurant is bad, you leave and you’re out a meal. If a storage facility is bad, you might not find out until your furniture has water damage, mice have chewed through your boxes, or your lock has been tampered with.

The difference between a good facility and a bad one is the difference between peace of mind and a phone call you don’t want to get.

Here’s what to check — in order of importance.

1. Security Features

This is the big one. Your stuff is sitting in a building you’re not watching. You need to trust the facility’s security setup.

What to look for:

Gated access with individual codes. A facility with a coded gate means only renters get in, and the system logs who enters and when. If something goes wrong, there’s a record. A facility with no gate — or a gate that’s always propped open — is a red flag.

Security cameras. Look for cameras covering entry points, driveways, and unit rows. Ask if the footage is recorded and how long it’s kept. Cameras that aren’t actually recording are just decorations.

Lighting. A well-lit facility is a safer facility. Dark corners and unlit rows invite problems. Visit the facility at dusk or after dark if you can — that’s when lighting matters most.

Quality locks. Most facilities require you to bring your own lock. Skip the $5 padlock from the hardware store. Get a disc lock or a shrouded shackle lock — they’re significantly harder to cut. Some facilities offer locks for purchase. Spending $15-25 on a good lock is cheap insurance.

On-site management. A facility with someone on-site during business hours is better than one that’s completely unmanned. On-site managers notice things — an open gate, a suspicious vehicle, a unit door that’s been left up.

2. Facility Condition

Walk the property before you rent. Don’t just look at the office — look at the actual units.

Check for:

Clean, dry units. Step inside an empty unit. Look at the ceiling for stains that indicate leaks. Check the corners for moisture or mold. Sniff the air — a musty smell means moisture problems. Run your hand along the floor — it should be dry concrete, not damp.

Sealed doors and walls. Gaps under doors or between wall panels let in water, dirt, and pests. A well-built unit has weather seals on the roll-up door and tight construction throughout.

Pest control. In South Dakota, mice are a fact of life. Ask what the facility does for pest management. Bait stations, regular inspections, and sealed construction all help. If you see droppings in an empty unit, walk away.

Drainage. Water should flow away from units, not toward them. Check the grading around the building. After a rain, are there puddles near unit doors? A facility that floods is a facility that will ruin your stuff.

General upkeep. Is the grass mowed? Are the driveways in decent shape? Is trash picked up? A facility that doesn’t maintain its property probably doesn’t maintain its buildings either.

3. Access Hours

When can you get to your stuff? This matters more than you think.

Some facilities offer 24/7 access. Others have limited hours — maybe 6 AM to 9 PM, or even more restricted. A few only allow access during business hours.

Think about your actual use: - Moving day and you need to make one more run at 8 PM? You need evening access. - Grabbing hunting gear at 5 AM before heading to the field? You need early morning access. - Running a business and need inventory at odd hours? You need extended or 24/7 access.

If a facility’s hours don’t match your life, keep looking.

4. Unit Size Options

A good facility offers a range of sizes so you can rent what you actually need — not the only size they have available.

Common sizes and what they hold: - 5x5 — Closet-sized. Boxes, small furniture, seasonal items. - 5x10 — Half a bedroom. A couch, a mattress set, boxes. Good for one room’s worth of stuff. - 10x10 — A full bedroom. Most popular size. Fits a one-bedroom apartment’s contents. - 10x15 — One and a half bedrooms. Fits a small house or a vehicle plus boxes. - 10x20 — A one-car garage. Fits a car, a boat, or the contents of a two-bedroom home. - 10x30 — A large garage. Fits a vehicle plus a household, or multiple large items.

Read our full guide: What Size Storage Unit Do I Need?

If you’re between sizes, go one size up. The extra $10-20 per month is worth not having to play Tetris every time you need something from the back.

5. Climate Control Options

Not everything needs climate control. But some things do.

South Dakota temperatures swing from -20°F in winter to 100°F+ in summer. That’s hard on: - Wood furniture (cracks, warps) - Electronics (condensation from temperature swings) - Documents and photos (moisture damage, yellowing) - Leather goods (drying, cracking) - Musical instruments - Artwork

If you’re storing any of these items long-term, climate control is worth the premium — typically 20-30% more than a standard unit. Check our detailed comparison: Climate Controlled vs. Standard Storage

6. Pricing and Contracts

What’s fair?

Storage pricing in southeast South Dakota is generally reasonable compared to urban markets. Expect: - 5x5: $30–$55/month - 5x10: $50–$75/month - 10x10: $75–$120/month - 10x15: $100–$150/month - 10x20: $125–$175/month

Climate-controlled units run 20-30% higher.

Contract terms to understand:

Month-to-month vs. long-term. Month-to-month gives you flexibility. Long-term leases might offer a discount but lock you in. For most people, month-to-month is the way to go.

Move-out notice. Most facilities require 30 days’ notice before move-out. Understand this before you sign.

Late fees. Know the grace period and the penalty. Nobody plans to pay late, but life happens.

Insurance. Some facilities require you to have insurance on your stored items. Your homeowner’s or renter’s policy may cover items in storage — check with your insurance agent. If not, the facility usually offers a low-cost policy.

Rate increases. Ask if and when rates can increase. Some facilities lock your rate. Others increase annually. Know what you’re agreeing to.

7. Location and Convenience

The best storage facility in the world is useless if it’s an hour out of your way. Convenience matters because you’ll be more likely to use a unit that’s easy to get to — and less likely to let a unit sit untouched for months because the drive is a hassle.

For residents of southeast South Dakota, Lock N’ Leave It Storage has three locations positioned to serve the area: - Tyndall — Serving Bon Homme County and the surrounding area - Springfield — Close to Lewis & Clark Lake and the Missouri River corridor - Freeman — Serving Hutchinson County and the Freeman community

Being local means you’re never far from your stuff when you need it.

8. Reputation and Reviews

Check Google reviews, Facebook reviews, and ask around locally. In small-town South Dakota, reputation travels fast. A facility with consistently positive reviews and responsive management is a safe bet.

Red flags in reviews: - Multiple complaints about water damage or leaks - Reports of break-ins or security issues - Complaints about unresponsive management - Surprise fees or rate hikes - Pest problems

Green flags: - Owner/manager responds to reviews (positive and negative) - Mentions of clean, well-maintained units - Praise for helpful staff - Long-term customers who keep coming back

The Quick Checklist

Before you rent, confirm:

• [ ] Gated access with individual codes
• [ ] Security cameras that actually record
• [ ] Well-lit property
• [ ] Clean, dry, sealed units
• [ ] Access hours that work for your schedule
• [ ] Unit size that fits your needs (go up if between sizes)
• [ ] Climate control available if you need it
• [ ] Month-to-month lease option
• [ ] Clear pricing with no hidden fees
• [ ] Insurance options or acceptance of your existing policy
• [ ] Positive local reviews and responsive management
• [ ] Convenient location

Why Lock N’ Leave It Storage Checks Every Box

We built our facilities to be the kind of place we’d want to store our own stuff. That means real security, clean units, honest pricing, and people who actually answer the phone when you call.

Three locations across southeast South Dakota — Tyndall, Springfield, and Freeman — so you’ve got options close to home. Gated access, security cameras, a range of unit sizes, and month-to-month flexibility.

No surprises. No games. Just solid storage.

Check availability and pricing at your nearest location, or give us a call. We’ll walk you through your options and help you pick the right unit — no pressure, no upsell.