Living in Storage Units: Real-Life Accounts
🚫 The Law Says No.
Self-storage units are strictly zoned for storage, not habitation. Across the world this is the standard rules. They typically lack essential utilities like plumbing, proper ventilation, and legal access to heating or air conditioning. Some storage facilities have upgraded themselves to have lovely temperature controlled climates. Living in one is a code violation at best, and a health and safety hazard at worst. Storage companies include this in their lease agreements very strongly, and most monitor for suspicious activity with regular checks to every unit and also with CCTV.
But that hasn’t stopped people from trying around the world. These stories are from the U.S - the home of storage..
Viral TikTok Couple Evicted
In early 2024, a Philadelphia couple, Leland Brown and Breanna Hubbard, documented their experience living in a storage unit on TikTok. They had mattresses, a small heater, even a makeshift kitchen setup. Their video showed them brushing their teeth and watching Netflix. Their video garnered over 12 million views. This ended up being their downfall - like most things with social media. However, once the storage facility became aware of their situation, they were asked to vacate the premises immediately due to lease violations.
Las Vegas Residents Found Quite Comfortable
In 2016, Las Vegas police found six people and a dog living in storage units near Swenson and Twain. The discovery was made after firefighters responded to a fire at the storage facility. The units contained signs of habitation, including air mattresses, small utensils & clothing.
Tragic Incident in Michigan
In November 2023, a woman named Corinne Abosamra was found deceased in a storage unit in Kentwood, Michigan. She had been living there for three days before a fire broke out within the storage facility. Authorities determined that she died from a drug overdose, not the fire. Which later lead to more questions.. how long had she actually been there?
Boston Facility Shut Down
In 2018, officials in Boston discovered several individuals illegally residing in storage units at a facility on Massachusetts Avenue. The units were equipped with beds, curtains, and coolers. The place looked like it was an apartment block with studio apartments. It seems the owners of the storage facility were aware of the situation. Due to safety and health concerns, the facility was closed, and all occupants were instructed to clear out & leave.
Utah Families Evicted
Back in 2012, authorities were called to a facility in South Salt Lake, Utah, evicted numerous homeless families found living in at least five storage units. The units had been converted into makeshift mini homes with food, clothing, and other living essentials you would find in a studio apartment. The living conditions were deemed unsafe and unsanitary.
Californian Mystery Man
A man was discovered living inside a unit packed with everything from an air mattress to a mini fridge. He’d been there for months, coming and going at odd hours to avoid detection. The staff only discovered him after someone noticed an unusual power cord leading into the unit. Local police called it “a fire hazard waiting to happen” after discovering the electrical set up.
In both Australia and Europe, residing in a storage unit violates zoning laws and building regulations. Such actions result in eviction, legal penalties, and endangerment of personal health and safety. Storage units are intended solely for the storage of goods, not as living spaces. No stories have been recorded but the general rule is that almost every storage facility at some stage across the world has had someone try to live within their storage unit.