A storage unit neighbor who blocks the aisle or leaves a mess can turn a quick trip into a real headache. It happens at every facility now and then. The good news? Most problems are easy to fix when you handle them the right way.
We’ve already shared our storage unit etiquette rules for being a great neighbor. This guide covers the other side. What should you do when someone else causes the trouble? In short, write down what happened, skip the confrontation, and call us.
Common Storage Unit Neighbor Problems
At Sid’s Self Storage in Pembroke, every unit is drive-up, ground-floor, and fully enclosed. That makes loading easy. However, it also means you share the drive aisle with the folks next door. Here are the issues renters run into most.
Blocked drive-up aisles
A truck parked across the lane is the classic complaint. Usually, the driver is just busy unloading. Still, it can leave you stuck or unable to reach your door.
Spillover and trash
Sometimes a neighbor’s boxes creep out of their unit. Other times, broken furniture or packing trash gets left in the aisle. Either way, it makes the whole row harder to use.
Strange smells
A bad smell near your door is worth a closer look. Industry magazine Inside Self Storage notes that rental agreements spell out what can’t be stored, “like gasoline, fireworks, illegal drugs, food, even plants.” It also lists other odor sources, such as smoke-damaged items, cigarette smoke, or a spilled bottle of perfume.
Pests
Food and clutter invite pests. According to the U.S. EPA, “Clutter provides places for pests to breed and hide and makes it hard to get rid of them.” Likewise, the National Pesticide Information Center says mice may use cardboard boxes and newspapers for nesting. It adds that chewing, nesting, or droppings are signs of a mouse problem.
Suspicious activity
Finally, some situations just feel wrong. Maybe someone is trying doors on other units. Or perhaps a car keeps circling the lot. Those moments call for a different response, which we cover below.
What to Do: A Calm 4-Step Plan
When a storage unit neighbor causes a problem, a simple plan keeps you safe and gets results. Follow these four steps.
Step 1: Put safety first
First, decide whether this is a nuisance or an emergency. A blocked lane is a nuisance. On the other hand, a threat, a break-in, or a fire is an emergency. In that case, leave the area and call 911 right away.
The same goes for a strong chemical or fuel smell. Ready.gov advises people outdoors to “move away immediately, in a direction upwind of the source.” Don’t try to find where the smell is coming from.
Step 2: Write down what happened
Next, take a minute to make notes. A few facts go a long way:
- The date and time
- The unit number or row
- What you saw, smelled, or heard
- Any vehicle description
- A photo of the aisle or spillover, if it’s safe to take one
This mirrors what officials ask for. The Department of Homeland Security asks for a brief description, the “date, time and location,” and “descriptions of vehicles.” Exact times help us, too.
Step 3: Skip the confrontation
It’s tempting to knock on the next door and say something. Instead, let it go for now. Tempers flare fast, especially on a hot moving day. As The Jed Foundation puts it, “The best option is always to walk away from a dangerous situation.” If someone does get heated, stay calm, keep your distance, and leave when you can.
Step 4: Call us at (912) 574-4473
Then, give us a call at (912) 574-4473 or email sid@sidwashere.com. Share your notes, and we’ll look into it. Sid’s Self Storage is locally owned by Sid, so you’re talking to a local business that cares about this place. Meanwhile, you can get back to your own move.
What Not to Do When a Storage Unit Neighbor Causes Trouble
A few common reactions can make things worse. So avoid these:
- Don’t argue in the aisle. A heated talk rarely fixes anything.
- Don’t move or touch their belongings. Even if items spill into your space, call us first.
- Don’t open, peek into, or enter another unit. That’s their private space, even if something smells.
- Don’t block them in to make a point. Two blocked cars are worse than one.
- Don’t judge by looks. DHS reminds the public to report behavior, not appearance. Factors like race, ethnicity, sex, or religion “are not suspicious.”
- Don’t let anyone follow you through the gate. Every tenant has a personal gate code, and access is logged per code.
Protect Your Unit From a Problem Next Door
You can’t control your neighbors. However, you can make your own space tougher for pests and messes to reach.
- Use sturdy plastic bins. They hold up better than cardboard, which pests like to nest in.
- Leave a small walkway. Then you can spot droppings, leaks, or chewed boxes early. Our guide on how to pack a storage unit shows you how.
- Store only what’s allowed. Review what not to store in a storage unit. Your rental agreement has the full rules.
- Lock up every time. Close and lock your door, even for a quick trip to the truck.
- Check in now and then. Thanks to 24/7 gate access, a quick visit fits any schedule.
Also, pick the right size so nothing spills into the aisle. Compare our 5×10, 10×10, and 10×20 guides. Or try the size calculator on our home page. As a result, your things stay inside your unit where they belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do about a problem storage neighbor?
Write down the date, time, unit, and what happened. Then skip the confrontation and call us at (912) 574-4473.
Can I move items that are blocking my unit?
Please don’t. Call us instead, and we’ll look into it. That way, nobody’s belongings get damaged or lost.
I smell something strange near my unit. What now?
Don’t open or enter another unit. Note the location and call us. If it smells like fuel or chemicals, move away and call 911.
Should I call the police or Sid’s?
Call 911 for any emergency, threat, or crime in progress. For everyday storage unit neighbor issues, like blocked aisles or trash, call us.
What counts as suspicious activity?
Focus on behavior. Someone trying doors, forcing a lock, or following cars through the gate is worth reporting.
How do I reach Sid’s Self Storage?
Call (912) 574-4473, email sid@sidwashere.com, or use our contact page. Our FAQ answers more questions.
Looking for a Friendly Place to Store? Rent Today
Sid’s Self Storage, formerly Bacon’s Self Storage, sits at 102 W Industrial Blvd in Pembroke. We’re just off GA-119 and about two minutes from I-16 Exit 143. Our gated, well-lit property offers 24/7 access and month-to-month rentals with no long-term contract. And if a storage unit neighbor ever gives you trouble, you know exactly who to call.
Rent online now in about five minutes, and use promo code MOVEINNOW for your first month. Have questions? Contact us or call (912) 574-4473.
Sources: Inside Self Storage, “Ewwwww, What’s That Smell?! What to Do When One of Your Self-Storage Units Begins to Stink” (July 24, 2024), https://www.insideselfstorage.com/site-maintenance-safety/ewwwww-what-s-that-smell-what-to-do-when-one-of-your-self-storage-units-begins-to-stink ; U.S. EPA, “Do’s and Don’ts of Pest Control,” https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/dos-and-donts-pest-control ; National Pesticide Information Center (Oregon State University), “Mice” (updated July 27, 2026), https://www.npic.orst.edu/pest/mice.html ; Ready.gov, “Hazardous Materials Incidents” (updated April 24, 2023), https://www.ready.gov/hazardous-materials-incidents ; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “Report Suspicious Activity,” https://www.dhs.gov/report-suspicious-activity ; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “Recognize Suspicious Activity” (updated July 24, 2025), https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/recognize-the-signs ; The Jed Foundation, “Staying Safe on Campus: Common Problems,” https://jedfoundation.org/resource/staying-safe-on-campus-common-problems/
