| The owner of the facility has decided to add vehicle | | | | contract stating the vehicle is currently registered and |
| storage to their services they offer. There is a | | | | licensed. |
| vacant lot located next door that would be perfect. | | | | Customers often store high valued vehicles in vehicle |
| Before you jump into anything, cars, recreational | | | | storage . It is not uncommon for a customer to |
| vehicles and boats all have unique needs when | | | | store a motor home worth more than two hundred |
| storing. Do some research before taking the leap. | | | | fifty thousand dollars. |
| Probably the first question to ask yourself is, if there | | | | Other times customers want to store their junk and |
| is a need for vehicle storage in your area? Do your | | | | your facility ends up being a high cost disposal yard. |
| customers show an interest and need in a place for | | | | Use your own judgment about what you allow |
| storing their vehicles? | | | | parked at your facility. |
| Check other facilities in your area to determine if | | | | Owners often keep all sorts of things inside their |
| others offer this service. | | | | vehicles. Everything from clothing and sports |
| Vehicles will require a great deal of land. You should | | | | equipment to food can be found in vehicles. Some |
| have at least 10 acres for 350 vehicles. The facility | | | | vehicles also carry big fuel and propane tanks, water |
| itself should be paved with some covered parking for | | | | tanks, and satellite, television and ATVs or jet skis. |
| all types of vehicles. | | | | You will need to decide on the amount of value you |
| You will need to include a free dump station, full time | | | | wish to place on these things. |
| access, separate entrances and exits for vehicles | | | | You should consult your lawyer and insurance agent |
| from the regular facility, security and surveillance, and | | | | about developing a clear agreement that is specific |
| electrical outlets in the covered parking areas. | | | | about what a vehicle can contain. |
| What happens if you need to move them? Vehicles | | | | You should ask yourself what the state statute is on |
| can take up a lot of room and you may need to | | | | conducting a lien sale on vehicles. Find out if the lien |
| move them occasionally. You want to be able to do | | | | holder has precedence over your claim and the |
| this with ease. Your rental agreement should have a | | | | procedures involved for notifying owners. |
| provision to allow you to do so. | | | | Do not allow the owner of the vehicle to stay at the |
| You will also need to insist all vehicles have a key and | | | | facility if they find themselves without a place to live. |
| are functioning. | | | | Your agreement should clearly state there is no |
| Another concern is what will happen if the vehicle | | | | maintenance performed and no overnight stays. |
| gets damaged. You will need insurance that covers | | | | Competition is growing rapidly in the vehicle storage |
| the vehicles if they need to be moved while in your | | | | market. Some facilities are offering covered and |
| facility. | | | | indoor spaces and offering minor maintenance and |
| You will need your rental contract to state who | | | | cleaning services as well. Another option to add might |
| owns the vehicles. Vehicles and boats require titles | | | | be the selling of retail products. |
| that state names of the owners and lenders. You | | | | Weigh your options before making a decision on |
| may have to deal with the lender in the case of | | | | adding vehicle storage to your operation and you |
| repossession or an owner who wants to take their | | | | could be cashing in on the profits. |
| car out for a ride. You should have a provision in your | | | | |