How Secure Is Self Storage in Toronto? The 2026 Guide

Handing your belongings over to a storage facility is an important decision. At XYZ Storage, we understand that you want to know your belongings are in a safe and secure place. That’s why our facilities use multiple ways to help protect your belongings 24/7.

From controlled entry and security cameras to fire and smoke alarms and temperature-controlled storage, our state-of-the-art facilities are designed with your belongings in mind. In 2026, all XYZ Storage locations across Toronto, Etobicoke, and Scarborough have security features in place, with staff on site during operating hours and temperature-controlled storage available.

It’s also important to understand that storage security and insurance are two different things. Contents insurance is arranged separately from the unit, because a facility’s insurance covers the building. Insurance for what’s inside is either your own policy or insurance bought with the unit.

What does a secure storage unit actually mean?

When choosing a storage facility, it’s important to understand the security features that help protect your belongings. Here are six worth asking about: 

1. Controlled entry: A gate or door that opens with a code issued to you, rather than one code shared across the building. 
2. Layers around the unit: Gated access and security cameras provide added protection around your belongings, while indoor units benefit from the additional security of a locked and alarmed building.
3. A lock you own: You provide the lock and keep the keys, giving you control over who can access your unit. 
4. Cameras and staff: Video coverage of the common areas, and a team on site during business hours.
5. Fire, smoke, and temperature controlled: Alarmed buildings and temperature-controlled units for anything sensitive to damp conditions or a Toronto winter.
6. Content insurance: Held either on your own policy or bought with the unit.

If you only get two answers in writing before you sign, make them these: who holds a key to the unit, and who carries the risk on the contents.

If you’re considering XYZ Storage, don’t be afraid to ask about the security features at the location you’re interested in. Our team is happy to walk you through our security measures and answer any questions you may have about keeping your belongings secure.

What security does XYZ Storage have at each building?

As of late 2026, security features can vary between storage facilities, so it’s helpful to understand what’s available at the location you choose. 

Six of our seven self-storage facilities run the PTI gate system with the StorID app, so entry there is tied to your phone rather than to a code that can be passed around. At Etobicoke Lakeshore, your keypad code is issued to you by the team at that building.

Every self-storage location has video security cameras, fire and smoke alarms, and keypad entry, and every one is staffed 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. If you’d rather speak with one of our storage experts, there will be someone to assist you at the front.

Who has the key to my storage unit?

You do, and only you. At XYZ Storage, you provide your own key for your unit door, and you keep the key. Our team does not hold a copy of your key, giving you control over access to your unit. However, if you would like our team to hold a copy of your key for you, we are more than happy to. If you lose your keys, contact the team at the facility, and we’ll help you with the next steps.

It’s worth asking this question of any self-storage provider you’re considering because where a facility issues the padlock or keeps a spare, its staffing policy quietly becomes part of your security. 

Why does indoor access matter for security?

Every XYZ Storage unit benefits from the same core security features, including controlled entry, security cameras, fire and smoke alarms, and a lock that you provide and control. That holds whether your unit is inside one of our buildings or a drive-up unit you park beside.

An indoor unit adds one more layer, because the building itself is locked and alarmed, and it keeps your things in a temperature-controlled hallway. An outdoor unit gives you something plenty of people prize just as much: you pull your vehicle right up to your own door.

Toronto Downtown, Toronto West, Toronto Dundas, Etobicoke Kipling, and Etobicoke Lakeshore are indoor buildings throughout, and Toronto Midtown and Scarborough give you the choice of both. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, our team can help you choose based on what you’re storing and how often you plan to access your unit.

Does temperature control protect my belongings?

Yes, temperature-controlled storage units do protect your belongings. These types of storage units can help protect belongings that may be affected by changes in temperature and humidity. Toronto’s seasonal weather can bring significant changes throughout the year, which may affect materials such as wood, leather, upholstery, electronics, paper, and photographs.

Temperature-controlled storage is available at all seven XYZ Storage locations, with six facilities being temperature-controlled throughout. At our Scarborough location, be sure to request a temperature-controlled unit when booking.

All XYZ Storage facilities also have fire and smoke alarms, and packing and protective supplies are available at each location.

Will my furniture get damaged if it sits in storage over the winter?

In a temperature-controlled unit, no. A temperature-controlled storage unit can help provide a more stable environment for items.

Do I need to pack my furniture a certain way before it goes into storage?

Yes, a little preparation can go a long way toward keeping your furniture and belongings protected while they’re in storage. Before moving your furniture into your unit, clean and dry each piece, cover it to protect it from dust and scratches, and raise it off the floor where possible.

We stock a variety of packing and protective supplies at our XYZ Storage facilities to help you prepare your belongings for storage, including:

• Mattress and box-spring bags: Available in single, full, queen, and king sizes. Made from heavy-grade 2.0 mil polyethylene and designed for mattresses stored on their side for extended periods. A box spring should have its own bag.
• Sofa covers: 136 in by 60 in, suitable for a three-seater sofa. Larger sectionals may require two or more.
• Chair covers: 72 in by 60 in, suitable for armchairs and dining chairs.
• Furniture pads: 72 in by 80 in, reusable and washable, for protecting tabletops, headboards and appliance faces from rubbing.
• Dust covers and plastic drop sheets: 8 ft by 12 ft, useful for lamps, rugs and other oddly shaped items.
• Wrapping paper: Acid- and ink-free, for glassware, ceramics and silver that could be marked by newsprint.
• Bubble roll: Perforated every 12 in, for framed pictures, mirrors and figurines.

With the right preparation and packing materials, you can help keep your furniture protected while it’s in storage and make it easier to access when you need it.

What cannot be stored in a storage unit?

There are five categories that are excluded for the safety of everyone in the building, and this list is posted in every one of our facilities.

If you’re clearing a garage and you’re not sure about something, make sure to ask our storage experts at your self-storage location before you load the truck. We care most about protecting what you store, and they’ll be happy to check an item for you.

Who is liable if something happens to my things?

Contents insurance is arranged separately from the unit. A storage facility’s insurance covers the building, while protection for your belongings is either your own policy or insurance bought with the unit. That’s standard right across the category, not something unique to XYZ Storage.

Our insurance starts at $22.60 a month, including HST, for $5,000 of protection, and it covers fire, water damage, and theft.

Your existing home or tenant insurance policy may already provide some coverage for belongings stored off-site. However, many policies that include off-site coverage have a 30-day storage limit, so it’s important to check your policy and make sure it covers your belongings for the full length of time you plan to store them.

What should I ask any storage operator before renting?

Before choosing a storage facility, it’s worth asking a few questions to understand how your belongings will be protected. Whether you’re considering XYZ Storage or another provider, ask: 

• Who holds a key to my unit? With us, you provide and keep your own lock and keys.
• Is entry logged against me personally? Ask whether your individual access is tracked or if customers use a shared gate code.
• What layers sit around my unit? Ask about the facility’s gates, cameras, alarms, and building security.
• Is my unit temperature controlled? Ask about the specific unit you’re renting, rather than assuming the entire building has the same conditions.
• Are staff on site, and when? Find out when storage experts are available rather than relying on terms like “monitored.”
• What does your insurance cover, and what does mine have to? Ask about the coverage amount, what is included, and any exclusions.
• What happens if a payment is missed? Every storage operator has its own process, so make sure you understand the terms before signing.

Can I look around before I rent?

Yes, and we’d much rather you did. Ask to see the hallway your unit is on, where the cameras point, and the lock you’ll be fitting, and someone will walk you through the building.

Call the XYZ Storage facility you’re interested in, or reach customer service at 1-866-310-1999. You can find our addresses and direct numbers in the locations directory, and you can reserve a unit online for free and pay when you move in.

Frequently asked questions

How secure are storage units?

The security of a storage unit comes down to several factors, including who can access the property, what security features surround your unit, who holds the key to your unit, whether staff and cameras are present, how the site manages fire and moisture, and who carries the risk on the contents. 

At XYZ Storage, you fit your own lock and keep the keys. Entry is controlled by keypad access at all seven buildings and by app at six. Every facility also has cameras, fire alarms, and smoke alarms.

Which storage facility near me is the most secure?

Judge a facility on six things: entry by a code issued to you, a gated site with cameras and alarms, a lock you own with keys nobody else holds, cameras and staff on site, fire alarms and temperature control, and contents insurance. 

XYZ Storage facilities across Toronto, Etobicoke, and Scarborough offer these features to help provide multiple layers of protection for your belongings.

Does the storage facility have a key to my unit?

No. You fit your own lock on your own unit door, and you keep the keys, and nobody here holds a copy. If you lose yours, contact our storage experts at your location, and they’ll help you get back in.

Are my belongings insured by the storage company?

No. Your personal property isn’t insured by the storage facility for loss or damage, with us or anywhere else, because the building’s insurance covers the building. Insurance for your contents starts at $22.60 a month, including HST, for $5,000 and includes fire, water damage, and theft.

What is the best lock for a storage unit?

A closed-shackle padlock or a disc lock, because both give bolt cutters very little to grip. It’s worth avoiding luggage-sized padlocks and anything with a long exposed shackle. Bring your own or buy one at the counter, and it’s included on our Premium plan.

Are XYZ Storage buildings temperature controlled?

Temperature-controlled storage is available at all seven. Six are temperature-controlled throughout, and if you book at Scarborough, make sure to request a temperature-controlled unit.

Which storage facilities near me offer climate-controlled units?

All seven of ours, across Toronto, Etobicoke and Scarborough. Six are temperature-controlled throughout, and if you book at Scarborough, make sure to request a temperature-controlled unit.

Will my furniture get damaged if it sits in storage over the winter?

Not in a temperature-controlled unit. Repeated freezing and thawing is what loosens wood joints, lifts veneer, cracks leather and grows mould in upholstery, so while the right packing materials are important, choosing the right storage environment can be just as important.

Do I need to pack my furniture a certain way before it goes into storage?

Yes, cover it, raise it off the floor, and store it dry. Mattress bags, sofa and chair covers, furniture pads, dust sheets, wrapping paper, and bubble wrap are available for purchase at any of our self-storage locations. 

What cannot be stored in a storage unit?

For the safety of our customers, staff, and guests, five categories of items cannot be stored at any of our self-storage facilities, including: flammable or explosive items, including fuel and fireworks; toxic items and chemicals; firearms and weapons; anything that is or was alive; and anything illegal. If you’re unsure about something, just ask our facility staff before you load the truck.

Is entry to the building recorded?

Yes, entry is by a personal keypad code at all seven buildings, and six of the seven also use the PTI gate system with the StorID app, so entry there is tied to your phone rather than to a code that can be shared.

Is self storage safe for valuables?

For most household belongings, self-storage can be a safe and convenient option. When you’re storing high-value or especially important items, however, the right combination of security, storage conditions and insurance matters.

For high-value items like jewellery or important documents, the setup is what matters: an indoor unit in a temperature-controlled building, a good lock you own, insurance that matches what the contents would cost to replace, and a photo of every wall of the unit before you shut the door.

Tell the team what you’re storing, and they’ll help you choose the right unit and the right insurance level.

Last updated 1 September 2026. Security features are listed per building, and the excluded-items list is the one posted in every facility. For arrangements at a specific building, call it directly or reach customer service at 1-866-310-1999.