Contact center and remote management provider XPS Solutions has integrated with Cubby self-storage facility management software. This new partnership with Cubby provides facility owners and operators greater flexibility in selecting their facility management software and contact center provider. The integration offers customers an efficient rental process, an enhanced customer experience, advanced technology, and more. For additional details, visit www.cubbystorage.com or www.xpsusa.com.

PropRise, an AI-powered commercial real estate analytics platform, now has Market Hot Spots, a new feature that transforms months of manual market research into minutes of data-driven decision-making. This new tool is primed to change how self-storage professionals identify prime investment opportunities. Market Hot Spots analyzes millions of data points, including 2024 census demographics, development pipelines, and market dynamics, to help investors and operators pinpoint optimal locations with unprecedented precision. Visit proprise.ai for more information.

QuickLink Collections is a new feature built and integrated into White Label Storage’s tenant communications. It searches tenant databases, identifies delinquent accounts, and sends follow-up emails and text messages to each tenant. QuickLink’s real value is in its streamlined checkout experience, which is designed to resemble a modern e-commerce experience. Instead of requiring tenants to log into their accounts, QuickLink provides a unique link that lets them enter payment details and settle their accounts with a few clicks. Learn more at www.whitelabelstorage.com.

A unit a tenant was renting at a self-storage facility was inadvertently cleaned out due to a clerical error caused by the property’s previous owners. Trisha Leach, the tenant, estimates she lost thousands of dollars in household items, including her daughter’s childhood belongings. The single mother had rented two units while she stayed with a friend and looked for a less expensive place. When she initially rented the units at the facility at 64 State Highway AA in Warrenton, Mo., it was called Best Box, but it was acquired by Extra Space Storage in November 2024. When Leach attempted to pay the December rental fees, she was told that the account for one of the two units had been closed. Then, when she visited the unit, she discovered it had been emptied out. While state law requires a facility to reach out to customers multiple times before unit belongings are disposed, there was no record of Leach as the renter of that unit. A spokesperson for Extra Space Storage told reporters that the Best Box owners had recorded the wrong number for her second rental unit. With no indication that a customer was renting the unit, it was emptied, and Leach’s belongings were discarded. Although Extra Space’s leadership team is attempting to remedy the situation, Leach is still considering her legal options.

Go Mini’s has introduced its new long-distance moving service: Go Mini’s Miles. With Go Mini’s Miles, customers can move their belongings in Go Mini’s 7.5-by-7.5 containers that are designed to protect their items during transport. With the launch of the Go Mini’s Miles program, Go Mini’s is now equipped to meet the growing demand for containerized moving services more effectively. This service extends the brand’s reach from coast to coast, providing customers with convenience and control over their moving process. Go Mini’s Miles offers a stress-free, flexible moving experience by allowing customers to pack at their own pace, secure their belongings, and utilize Go Mini’s all-metal containers. With transparent pricing, local support, and industry-leading construction, Go Mini’s ensures long-distance moves are both manageable and secure. For information on franchising with Go Mini’s, visit www.gominisfranchise.com.

Meathead Movers recently held a relief drive to benefit the victims of the devastating wildfires in L.A. Donations were collected at two Meathead Movers’ Mini Storage locations: South Higuera in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and Maulhardt Avenue in Oxnard, Calif. The items collected included soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, diapers, baby wipes, and bottled water.

By maintaining an optimization score of at least 70 percent, Storage Asset Management (SAM) has achieved Google Partner status. This status highlights SAM’s commitment to excellence in digital marketing, enabling its managed storage facilities to achieve superior online visibility and business growth. This partnership represents a significant milestone and offers numerous benefits for SAM’s clients, including advanced digital expertise, optimized marketing campaigns, and collaboration with Google experts. As a Google Partner, SAM’s team can leverage advanced tools and resources to enhance services and drive client success, such as advanced product training and certifications, customized recommendations from Google to optimize client campaigns for maximum performance, and eligibility for promotional offers that boost client advertising budgets.

In response to the devastating fires impacting residents across Greater Los Angeles, 92 U-Haul facilities in Southern California participated in the company’s disaster relief program, offering 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box containers to evacuees and families affected by the fires that destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands of people. The free storage offer applied to new self-storage and U-Box rentals and was based on availability at participating U-Haul locations in Bakersfield, Baldwin Park, City of Industry, Covina, El Monte, Glendora, Los Angeles, Pico Rivera, Rosemead, Whittier, Bellflower, Gardena, Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, Torrance, Cudahy, Hollywood, Huntington Park, Inglewood, Los Angeles, Lynwood, Santa Monica, Anaheim, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, Placentia, Santa Ana, Tustin, Westminster, Cathedral City, Corona, Hemet, Indio, Moreno Valley, Riverside, Apple Valley, Barstow, Fontana, Ontario, Pomona, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Victorville, Altadena, Burbank, Canyon Country, Glendale, Lancaster, Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Pasadena, Van Nuys, and San Luis Obispo.

National Storage Partners has launched a new brand and formed a leadership team dedicated to providing unparalleled brokerage and consulting services in the self-storage industry. Founding member Hans Hardisty, who’s well-known for his strategic vision, underwriting, and commitment to client services, has welcomed national directors Nicholas J. Malagisi, SIOR, and Connie Neville, JD, to the executive team. With 30-plus years of success in brokerage services, Malagisi began his career with Public Storage, where he was responsible for site acquisition and development of new properties. Since then, he has successfully transacted countless properties from single assets to large portfolio sales. Neville brings more than 20 years of experience, specializing in the sale of self-storage facilities across New England, where she is a board member of the Northeast Self Storage Association (NESSA), the Maine Self Storage Association (MeSSA), and the New Hampshire Self Storage Association (NHSSA). With more than $1 billion in transactions, this duo’s diverse background in the storage sector will play a crucial role in shaping the new brand’s identity.

Prorize, an AI-based revenue management technology, has announced its third consecutive year of record-breaking growth. The company has consistently exceeded 35 percent year-over-year growth and has expanded its client portfolio by onboarding over 60 new clients worldwide across key markets in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. The increasing adoption of revenue management among self-storage operators, especially in the U.S., is largely driven by challenging market conditions, such as declining move-ins, falling rental rates, and increasing vacancies. Prorize’s cloud-based Self Storage Revenue Optimizer™ (SSRO™) empowers operators to maximize revenue and streamline pricing processes. By leveraging AI and machine learning, Prorize is helping businesses stay ahead in a competitive landscape, ensuring their pricing strategies are effective and adaptive to dynamic market conditions. SSRO analyzes a vast array of data points, including prices, promotions, unit features, customer price sensitivity, and seasonal trends, to forecast demand and set optimal prices that maximize revenue per unit. Additional details can be found at www.prorize.com.

According to an email from the California Self Storage Association (CSSA), The Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (known as the Rosenthal Act), which was passed in 2020, is being used by some attorneys to file lawsuits against businesses that are non-compliant. The association reports that several lawsuits have been filed against California and Florida self-storage businesses regarding the violation of the Rosenthal Act. The Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a California law that governs debt collection agency practices for personal debts, including how and when a debt collector may contact an individual about money allegedly owed. Subject to limited exceptions, debt collectors, which may include self-storage managers and employees, in California must comply with both the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The Rosenthal Act includes several requirements, such as specific hours and methods for contacting debtor, language restrictions when attempting to collect a debt, avoiding misrepresentation, forbidden to communicate with debtor’s employer or family, non-disclosure (confidential) of debtor and debt, and notification of debt discharge to due bankruptcy or other issues. The CSSA recommends that owner-operators should review their policy and practices for contacting past-due accounts, immediately limit all electronic communications (text, email, robo-calls, and/or phone calls) to reasonable business hours (i.e., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily), and consult their attorney for further modifications to debt-collection practices to avoid lawsuits.

For the first time, South Carolina has topped the U-Haul Growth Index. Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee round out the five leading growth states. California experienced the greatest net loss of do-it-yourself movers in U-Haul equipment, ranking 50^th for the fifth consecutive year. New York, at No. 47 on the list, has its lowest growth ranking in a decade. Oklahoma (+30), Indiana (+19), and Maine (+18) are the biggest risers year over year on the U-Haul Growth Index. Colorado (-31), Nevada (-24), Wyoming (-22), and New Mexico (-21) saw the biggest slides in 2024. Growth rankings are configured by each state’s net gain (or loss) of customers utilizing one-way U-Haul equipment in a calendar year. The U-Haul Growth Index is compiled from well over 2.5 million one-way U-Haul truck, trailer, and U-Box^® moving container transactions that occur annually. To see the entire list, visit www.modernstoragemedia.com/news/u-haul-growth-states-of-2024-south-carolina-tops-list.

MSM has launched a new online Self-Storage Buyer’s Guide, a comprehensive listing of businesses and organizations that operate within the self-storage space. Previously maintained through a third-party website that offered limited flexibility, the guide’s listings have been moved to MSM’s website for better security, easier access, and new features, including a more dynamic “search” function that shuffles through listings as users look up companies by name, location, or service. The guide maintains the basic and premium listing structure, but the more exclusive premium listings are now prioritized on the site. Premium listings also have some exciting new benefits, such as a link to a dedicated MSM webpage featuring company branding/colors; the ability to add charts, graphics, and documents; access to new layouts with video and photo grids; and the ability to link to all social media accounts. Visit www.modernstoragemedia.com/buyers-guide to browse listings, update an existing listing, and create a new listing.

StoragePRO Management Inc. has acquired New York-based Storage Investment Management, Inc. (SIMI), expanding its national management footprint. The acquisition of the SIMI portfolio of 20 managed properties across four states adds one million square feet and over 8,700 units to the StoragePRO Management portfolio, bringing the company’s total managed assets to over $2 billion. For more information, visit www.storagepromanagement.com.

On Jan. 1, 2025, amendments to self-storage laws in California and Illinois took effect. With these amendments, both laws provide for the enforceability of unsigned rental agreements and establish processes for handling tenant property that remains at the facility following the termination or non-renewal of the tenant’s rental agreement. The Illinois amendments also recognize electronic contracting and expand the existing towing option to apply to non-monetary defaults such as failure to maintain insurance on the vehicle.

Tenant, Inc., along with Storelocal Storage, which leverages Tenant, Inc.’s technology at its 93 facilities in the U.S., led a successful donation drive to give back during the holiday season. The donation drive supported OC Rescue Mission, a Tustin, Calif.-based nonprofit organization with one of the most successful homeless charity programs in California. The organization supports people experiencing homelessness in the county with food, clothing, shelter, health care, and the resources necessary to help them become financially independent. The donation drive began on Nov. 1, 2024, and concluded on Dec. 31, 2024, when truckloads of goods were delivered to the rescue. The primary contributors to the donation drive were Tenant, Inc., its employees, and Storelocal Storage, which donated non-perishable food items, new and gently used clothing, baby and toddler products, bedding and towels, hygiene products, and more. It was the second year that Tenant, Inc., partnered with OC Rescue Mission to support local homeless relief efforts.

Electronic access solutions and mobile credentialing company Onity, which is part of the Honeywell brand, is expanding its partnership with Extra Space Storage, Inc. Together, the companies will be advancing storage unit access across the country with Onity’s DirectKey, allowing customers to enter storage units quickly and safely without a traditional lock and key. They have been working together to integrate Onity’s DirectKey technology into Extra Space Storage’s customer mobile app and to test Onity’s newly released Passport locking solution. Now, they’ve successfully completed field trials and expansion site installations at Extra Space Storage locations across the U.S. In its testing, Onity’s Passport solution facilitated nearly 5,000 door openings, with the locks demonstrating a reliability rate of 99.8 percent and overall system availability of 99.9 percent. Learn more at www.onity.com.

Central States Manufacturing has introduced a product line of roll-up doors and hallway systems. The Central States Sentry™ roll-up doors and hallway systems for self-storage applications are now in full production and available anywhere Central States products are sold, including Metal Central retail locations, as part of Building Works complete metal building systems and self-storage building packages, and as an addition to Elevate Structures’ offering. The new Sentry 6500 door design has a 26-gauge, double-seamed curtain and a high-carbon pre-galvanized steel alloy spring that’s pre-coated, adheres to ASTM 228 standards, and doesn’t require greasing. Additionally, Sentry 6500 doors are easy to install, come in 32 color options backed by a 40-year film integrity warranty, and feature stainless-steel latches with a punch pattern that integrates with various Bluetooth latches in the market. Visit Centralstatesco.com/Products for more details.

Following its marketing campaign focused on the presidential election, Manhattan Mini Storage (MMS) has launched another humorous marketing campaign. “A Storage Unit Has Never …” features situations that many Manhattanites can relate to, whether its dating drama or rude roommates. The moral: Even though life in New York can be full of annoyances, your storage unit doesn’t have to be one of them. The campaign also features digital videos that take a deeper dive into these relatable moments, available at the Manhattan Mini Storage YouTube Channel.

Prior to the holidays, Lock Stock Self-Storage restocked the shelves of a food bank in Buckley, Wales. The Buckley Centre, which is part of the Flintshire Foodbank’s network of nine centers throughout Wales, operates out of the Buckley Cross Methodist Church Hall and is run by a team of mainly retired volunteers. It hands out more than 10 food parcels a week to individuals, couples, and families. Lock Stock Self-Storage, which has been in business for 25 years, has a portfolio totaling 30 facilities and 4815 units.

A collection of cassettes and DAT tapes containing unreleased Michael Jackson tracks dating back to the late 1980s and early 1990s was discovered in an abandoned unit in Van Nuys, Calif. The unit had been rented by Bryan Loren, a music producer and songwriter who collaborated with Jackson but whose whereabouts are unknown. The recordings include snippets of conversations between Jackson and Loren, often with Jackson, who passed away in 2009, describing his creative process to the MIA music executive. They were presented to the Jackson estate by the finder, but the estate declined to purchase them, stating that the recordings were copies, not master tapes, and that the originals were already preserved in the estate’s vault. It’s unsure whether the tracks will ever be heard by the public.

The self-proclaimed “fraud God” of Irvine, Calif., was recently arrested. According to the Irvine Police Department, their Directed Enforcement Team (DET) made contact with Ryan John Hein, 44, of Yorba Linda outside a storage facility on Warner and found him carrying multiple fraudulent documents and narcotics. During a search of his storage unit, DET found credit card skimmers (devices that record credit card numbers), fraudulent DMV paperwork, card printers, and other “tools used by fraudulent trade.” Hein was arrested and booked into the Irvine jail on numerous charges, including narcotics and fraud.

In November, OpenTech Alliance, which assumed ownership of StorageTreasures.com in September 2024, acquired SelfStorageAuction.com, a U.S.-based online auction platform, and iBid4Storage.com, the leading online auction website in Canada. This new deal also includes licensed versions of iBidOnStorage in the U.K., Europe, South Africa, and Australia, which support over 150 self-storage brands in the U.K. alone. These platforms will continue to operate independently, with OpenTech expanding its support of these partnerships. The company will also explore opportunities to leverage its resources in these regions to drive further growth for the iBidOnStorage businesses. Per an OpenTech press release, users of all platforms can expect a seamless transition, with no immediate changes to their experience. OpenTech plans to integrate existing customer service teams into its auction operations to expand the number of representatives supporting customers of the new sites, increase marketing efforts to improve average sale prices, and leverage the combined resources of its engineering, accounting, and sales teams. OpenTech’s goal is to use its advanced data insights and marketing expertise to attract more bidders and boost auction visibility on both SelfStorageAuction.com and iBid4Storage.com. User feedback will guide the development of new services and features to benefit both sellers and buyers, helping to ensure that the platforms continue to evolve to meet the demands of the growing online auction market.

MakoRabco has expanded its product line with pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) solutions tailored for a wide range of building applications. MakoRabco is now making its PEMB expertise available for projects beyond self-storage, including commercial and industrial structures, with needs for clear span and rigid frame buildings. MakoRabco’s PEMB solutions are designed to offer flexibility and customization to meet the demands of various projects. With years of experience in delivering robust, cost-effective solutions for self-storage, the company’s PEMB packages offer durable construction options that can stand the test of time. By expanding its product range, MakoRabco aims to serve general contractors and developers looking for trusted, high-quality PEMB solutions and capitalize on the company’s expertise in metal building construction. Designed to help clients meet their project goals across different industries, the company’s PEMB offerings provide optimal cost-efficiency without compromising on quality. For more information about MakoRabco’s PEMB solutions, please visit makorabco.com or contact info@makorabco.com.

In the U.K., Access Self Storage’s 2025 Self-Storage Unit Calendar is raising money for Cancer Research UK (CRUK), an organization combatting cancer and funding life-saving research. All the proceeds from selling the calendar, which is available for just £5 (about $6.50 USD), will be donated to CRUK. They are available for purchase at all 58 Access Self Storage locations across the U.K. or www.accessstorage.com.

Vantiva Smart Storage™ V1.0 was recently named “Facilities Management Innovation of the Year” in the 4^th annual PropTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by PropTech Breakthrough, a leading independent market intelligence organization that evaluates and recognizes standout real estate technology companies, products, and services around the globe. Vantiva Smart Storage™ V1.0, part of Vantiva’s Smart Spaces solution suite, offers unified IoT management tailored specifically for self-storage facilities. The solution integrates IoT subsystems into a single, user-friendly platform serving as a “single pane of glass” that allows for real-time monitoring and control of diverse products and operational subsystems, including HVAC, access control, security cameras, and environmental sensors. The platform works seamlessly with both new and existing devices from various manufacturers, ensuring flexibility and future-proofing investments. With Vantiva Smart Storage™ V1.0, facility managers can oversee and optimize multiple sites from any location. The platform provides detailed data insights and remote management capabilities, allowing for proactive maintenance, energy savings, and immediate response to security or environmental alerts. Automating routine tasks such as lock checks and site walkthroughs reduces operational downtime. The platform ensures easy on-boarding and operation with a high-touch Software-as-a-Service model.