Storage between house moves is short-term storage for furniture and belongings when the sale of one home and the purchase of the next do not line up. Most people who move house with a gap use a self storage unit or a removal company’s containerised storage, typically for a few weeks to a few months, while they stay in temporary accommodation or wait for a chain to complete. With more than a quarter of agreed sales falling through before completion in 2025, planning for a gap is now a sensible part of any moving plan, not a last resort.
This guide to storage when moving house explains when it makes sense, how the main options compare, what drives the storage cost, and how to plan the logistics so moving day runs smoothly. Figures were checked in October 2026.
Why Do So Many House Moves Need Storage?
Storage is needed because completion dates rarely match. A seller might have to vacate before their onward purchase is ready, a buyer might break the chain by selling first, or a renovation might delay the move into the new home. Each of these leaves furniture and boxes with nowhere to go, and a gap between properties that has to be filled somehow.
Transaction risk adds to the pressure. Data from cash buyer Quickmovenow, reported by The Intermediary, found that 26% of agreed sales did not reach completion in 2025. Buyer withdrawals accounted for 36% of those collapses, mortgage difficulties for 33%, survey issues for 18% and chain breaks for 13%. When a link fails, sellers who have already committed to leaving often need storage while they find another property.
Timing is also tight in autumn. Analysis reported by Property Wire shows a mid-October cut-off for pre-Christmas sales, with the average time from listing to an agreed offer at 68 days. Conveyancing then runs on, so many sales agreed this autumn will complete in the new year, and some sellers will choose to move out and store their belongings rather than wait.
When Should You Use Moving House Storage?
You should consider storage during a house move whenever there is a gap of more than a day or two between leaving one property and moving into the next, or when you want to declutter before selling. Common scenarios include:
- Breaking the chain: selling first and renting or staying with family, so you can move quickly when the right home appears.
- Delayed completion: the new home is not ready on the date you have to leave.
- Renovation before moving in: building work, flooring or decorating that is easier in an empty house.
- Downsizing: a place to store furniture you have not yet decided to sell or pass on.
- Preparing a home for sale: clearing excess furniture and boxes so rooms photograph and view better.
- Relocating for work: holding belongings while you live in temporary accommodation in a new area.
House Storage Solutions: Self Storage vs Containerised Storage vs Friends and Family
The three main storage solutions are a self storage unit, containerised storage through a removals and storage company, or space offered by friends and family. Each has trade-offs in cost, access and risk.
| Option | How it works | Access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self storage unit | You rent a unit by size and load it yourself or with your removal company | Usually during set access hours, without booking | Moves where you may need items before the move-in date |
| Containerised storage | A removal company packs your belongings into a sealed storage container kept at its warehouse | Restricted; access often needs notice and may cost extra | Longer gaps where you will not need anything until the new home is ready |
| Friends and family | Garage, loft or spare room space | Depends on goodwill | Small loads for very short periods |
Self storage gives you the most control. You keep the key, can collect a winter coat or a paperwork file when you need it, and can switch unit sizes if plans change. Containerised storage reduces handling because items go into containers once and come out at the new property, which suits people who want one company, a professional removals and storage firm, to manage the whole moving process.
How Much Does Storage Between House Moves Cost?
Storage cost depends mainly on unit size, location and how long you need it, plus insurance. The Self Storage Association UK’s 2026 annual industry report, produced with Cushman & Wakefield, puts sector revenue at £27.40 per square foot (ex-VAT), with occupancy at 74.5%, so space is generally available but pricing varies widely by site. Many operators run introductory offers, so compare the full cost over your likely storage period, not just the first month.
It helps to see storage in the context of the move as a whole. Reallymoving data published by Property Wire puts the typical upfront cost of buying and selling a home at £17,413 in 2026, with removals for moves under 30 miles averaging £624. A few months of storage is usually a small share of that total, and it can prevent far bigger costs if a chain wobbles.
What size storage unit do you need?
Choosing the right unit size is the biggest lever on price, so it is worth measuring large items before you get a quote. As a rough guide:
| Home size | Typical unit size | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or one-bedroom flat | 25 to 50 sq ft | Bed, sofa, a few boxes and small furniture |
| Two-bedroom home | 50 to 100 sq ft | Main furniture, white goods and boxed belongings |
| Three-bedroom house | Around 110 sq ft | A full family home of furniture and boxes |
| Four-bedroom house or larger | 110 sq ft and above | Large furniture, garden items and extra boxes |
The three- and four-bedroom guidance reflects advice from Sentry Self Storage; smaller sizes are typical industry ranges. Use an operator’s size estimator; stacking packed boxes to the ceiling saves floor space.
Choosing Storage Facilities and a Storage Company
Look for secure storage at a well-run facility close to either your old or new home, offering flexible storage terms and access hours that suit your moving plan. Useful checks include:
- CCTV, alarm monitoring and individual unit locks or access control.
- Access hours, and whether you can reach the unit at weekends.
- Drive-up units or trolleys and lifts for heavy furniture.
- The notice period, so you are not paying for weeks you do not need.
- Insurance requirements and what the quote includes.
Long-established local operators are often a good fit for moves within a region. In the south of England, for example, Sentry Self Storage is a family-run business established in 1988, with sites across Hampshire, Surrey, West Sussex, Dorset, Wiltshire and Devon. It offers home, business and archive storage, lets customers reserve a unit without payment, and requires insurance cover for stored belongings, which is worth budgeting for whichever company you use.
How to Plan Storage Around Moving Day
Good planning will reduce pressure on moving day and make it quicker to unpack when you move into your new home. Book storage as soon as your moving dates look likely, because demand rises at popular times of year.
- Sort before you pack. Decide what goes to the new home, what goes into storage and what goes to charity or recycling. There is no point paying to store things you will not keep.
- Pack for storage. Use sturdy cardboard boxes of similar sizes, label every box by room and contents, and keep a simple inventory.
- Load in reverse order. Put items you will not need at the back and essentials at the front.
- Protect furniture. Wrap sofas and mattresses, empty and clean white goods, and leave fridge and freezer doors slightly open.
- Coordinate with your moving company. Many will deliver straight to the storage facility and collect again when the new home is ready and you are ready to move.
- Keep a moving-day bag. Documents, chargers, medication and a change of clothes should travel with you, not into storage.
What should not go into storage?
Most storage agreements exclude perishable food, plants, flammable or hazardous materials, and anything illegal. Keep cash, jewellery, passports and important documents with you, and check the operator’s list of prohibited items before you pack.
Storage Checklist for a House Move
- Estimate the gap between leaving your current home and moving into the new one, and add a buffer.
- Choose self storage or containerised storage based on how often you will need access.
- Pick the right unit size using a size estimator.
- Compare total costs, including insurance and any introductory offers.
- Check access hours, security and notice periods.
- Book early and confirm dates with your removal company.
- Label and list all items in storage so you can find anything quickly.
- Keep valuables and essential documents with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you keep belongings in storage between moves?
Most self storage is flexible, with rolling agreements and a short notice period, so you can arrange storage for a few weeks or several months and keep your belongings there until you are settled. Containerised storage through removal firms often suits longer gaps.
Is it cheaper to use storage or rent a bigger temporary home?
Storage is usually far cheaper than renting extra space, and it lets you choose smaller, cheaper temporary accommodation while your furniture stays safe.
Do I need insurance for storage?
Most operators require your belongings to be insured, either through their own cover or a suitable home insurance policy. Check before you move in.
Can my removal company move items straight into storage?
Yes. Many removal firms offer home storage themselves or will deliver to and collect from a self storage facility you choose.
Storage between house moves turns an awkward gap into a manageable one and makes moving home far less stressful. With completion dates hard to predict and a meaningful share of sales collapsing before completion, buyers and sellers who plan for storage early keep more control over their move. Work out how long you might need it, choose the right type and size, and build the cost into your moving budget from the start.
