September 23 2024
Moving home should be one of life’s big, exciting moments. But the UK property market has a habit of getting in the way. Chains collapse. Surveys come back with problems. Buyers pull out. Solicitors go quiet. Completion dates shift by weeks, then months. What was supposed to be a straightforward move can quickly become a waiting game with no clear end in sight.
If your sale has delayed or your chain has collapsed, you’re not alone and you’re not stuck. Temporary self storage between homes is one of the most practical, stress-reducing things you can do when the property market doesn’t go to plan.
This guide covers everything you need to know about using self storage during a delayed house move, a collapsed chain, or an awkward gap between leaving one home and getting the keys to the next.
1. Why the UK Property Market Creates Storage Moments
The UK property market has always been prone to instability. Longer completion timelines, rising mortgage costs, last-minute buyer withdrawals and over-extended chains mean that even the most carefully planned moves can fall apart at short notice. When that happens, people find themselves in one of several difficult situations:
- You’ve sold your home but can’t complete on the purchase – you need to vacate but have nowhere to go yet
- Your buyer has pulled out -you’re back to square one, possibly with viewings to arrange while still living in the property
- Your chain has collapsed at another point – something above or below you in the chain has gone wrong, and everything is on hold
- Completion has been delayed by weeks or months – you’ve already arranged removals, handed in notice, or made plans you can’t easily reverse
- You need to move into temporary accommodation – a rented flat, a family member’s home, or a short-term let that can’t accommodate all your belongings
In every one of these scenarios, moving house temporary storage becomes far more than a nice-to-have. It becomes the thing that makes everything else manageable.
2. What Happens When a Sale Falls Through or a Chain Collapses?
A collapsed chain is one of the most common and most stressful events in the UK property market. Roughly one in three property sales falls through before completion – a significant number of people left in limbo every year, with packing already done, removal vans booked and nowhere confirmed to move into.
When this happens, most people face an immediate practical problem: what do you do with your belongings? You might need to:
- Vacate your property on a tight deadline if a buyer is waiting
- Move into temporary accommodation where there simply isn’t room for everything
- Keep your property looking clean and uncluttered for a fresh round of viewings
- Buy yourself time without committing to a new home in a rush
Temporary self storage gives you that time. Instead of being forced into a panic purchase, accepting a lower offer out of desperation, or cramming all your furniture into a short-term rental, you can move your belongings somewhere safe and secure, take a breath, and let the process continue at its proper pace.
3. How Temporary Self Storage Keeps Your Move on Track
Think of a self storage unit as a pause button for your move. When your home is in a state of flux – partly packed, waiting on solicitors, or ready to hand over but with nowhere confirmed to go to a storage unit gives you a fixed point. Your belongings are safe. Your home can look its best for viewings or hand-over. You’re not under pressure to rush a decision.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- Move out on time – even if your purchase hasn’t completed yet. You hand over the keys on schedule, your belongings go into storage, and you move into temporary accommodation without needing to fit everything in
- Keep your property market-ready -a decluttered, well-presented home sells faster. If you’re relisting after a fall-through, storage lets you stage your home properly without living surrounded by boxes
- Avoid rushed decisions – when you’re not under pressure to move immediately, you’re less likely to accept a lower offer or rush a purchase that isn’t right
- Bridge a completion date gap – when your sale and purchase aren’t completing on the same day, storage makes the gap between those two dates much less stressful
Top Tip: If you’re relisting your property after a fall-through, consider moving non-essential furniture and personal items into storage before viewings begin. A less cluttered home photographs better and tends to attract stronger offers.
4. What Can You Store Between Homes?
Pretty much everything from a family home. People using self storage during a delayed or disrupted house move commonly store:
- Furniture – sofas, beds, wardrobes, dining tables, cabinets and shelving units
- White goods – washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and fridge freezers
- Boxes and personal belongings – clothes, books, kitchen items, toys and homewares
- Garden furniture and equipment – outdoor sets, tools and lawnmowers
Top Tip: Before you pack, make a room-by-room inventory and photograph high-value items. This makes moving back in much smoother, and its good practice for your Contents Protection Plan too.
5. What Size Storage Unit Do You Need When Moving?
The right size depends on how much of your home you need to store. Here’s a simple guide:
Storage Unit Size Guide
Quick Reference
9–15
sq ft
Small Storage Unit
Secure storage for documents, boxes and smaller items you need to access occasionally.
25
sq ft
Studio / Small 1-bed
Conveniently fits the contents of a studio or small 1-bedroom flat, without bulky furniture.
⭐ Most popular
50
sq ft
1–2 Bedroom Flat
Reliably fits a sofa, double bed, wardrobe and around 20 boxes - our most-booked size.
75
sq ft
2–3 Bedroom House
Accessible storage for most contents of a family home, including larger furniture pieces.
100
sq ft
3–4 Bedroom House
Friendly, flexible storage for larger homes - white goods, garden furniture and full room sets.
Helpful tip: Most of our storage units are at least 8ft high - stack your items and furniture to make the most of the height and keep your costs down.
Not sure what size you need? Use the free Size Estimator it takes two minutes and means you only pay for the space you actually need.
6. How Long Do Most People Need Temporary Storage?
This varies enormously depending on the situation and that’s exactly why flexible self storage without long-term commitment makes so much sense for movers. Some people need storage for a matter of weeks, when a completion date slips but the deal is still alive. Others need it for several months, when a chain collapses, a new property needs to be found, and the whole process starts again.
Ready Steady Store doesn’t lock you into long-term contracts. You can store for as long as you need and when you’re ready to move into your new home, you simply collect your belongings and close the account. No fuss.
7. How Ready Steady Store Helps Distressed Movers
When your move has gone sideways, the last thing you need is additional hassle. Here’s what you can expect from Ready Steady Store:
- Flexibility with no long-term commitment – stay for a few weeks or several months. You’re in control
- 50% off for up to 12 weeks – great value for bridging a property gap, particularly if your move is delayed short term
- A range of unit sizes – from compact units for a few rooms of boxes to large units for full family homes
- 24/7 CCTV monitoring – your belongings are watched over around the clock across all our stores
- Extended access hours – access your unit at a time that suits you, including evenings and weekends
- Contents Protection -add a Contents Protection Plan for added peace of mind during what can be a stressful period
- Exclusive van hire with Enterprise – discount on van hire, helpful when you need to move belongings into storage at short notice
- Stores across the UK – Manchester, Leeds, Coventry, Northampton, Bournemouth, Bradford, Lincoln, Peterborough and many more
8. Tips for Moving Into Storage When the Market Turns Against You
If you find yourself needing to move into self storage during a delayed or collapsed chain, a few practical steps will make the process much less stressful:
- Book as early as you can once you know there’s a problem, don’t wait. Storage units get booked up, especially larger ones
- Get a Size Estimator quote before you book it takes two minutes, and means you get the right storage unit first time
- Pack and label clearly – you may need to retrieve specific items during your storage period, so label every box with its contents and the room it came from
- Disassemble furniture – flat-packed beds, wardrobes and shelves take up significantly less space and are easier to stack
- Use vacuum storage bags – particularly for bedding, duvets, cushions and clothing
- Take out a Contents Protection Plan – especially if storing for a longer period or storing high-value items
- Set up a direct debit so payments continue smoothly while you’re managing other moving-related admin
- Choose a store close to your temporary accommodation not where you’re moving from. You’ll want convenient access once you’re settled
Top Tip: Put the items you’re most likely to need during your storage period including seasonal clothes, work equipment, kitchen essentials at the front of the storage unit and label them clearly. It saves a lot of digging around on a busy day.
9. Find Your Nearest Ready Steady Store
Ready Steady Store has stores across the UK. Find a store close to your current home, your temporary accommodation, or your new property:
- Manchester Central and Worsley
- Leeds, Leeds Kirkstall Road, Leeds Ring Road and Leeds Roseville Road
- Bradford, Bradford Marrtree and Bradford Wharfedale
- Coventry, Coventry Aldermans and Coventry Middlemarch
- Northampton, Peterborough and Wellingborough
- Bournemouth, Eastleigh and Wokingham
- Lincoln, Doncaster, Corby, Rugby, Aylesbury and more
If you’re moving in Peterborough, our guide to using self storage when moving to Peterborough covers exactly how storage helps during a chain delay.
10. Moving Home Storage FAQs
What is temporary storage between homes and how does it work?
Temporary self storage between homes means renting a storage unit for the period between leaving one property and moving into another. You move your belongings into the unit and collect them when you’re ready. Ready Steady Store offers flexible rental with no long-term commitment, so you’re never locked into a fixed end date. Get an instant quote here.
What should I do if my house sale falls through in the UK?
First, try not to panic. A fallen sale is frustrating but common in the UK property market. If you need to vacate or are caught between homes, a temporary self storage unit gives you the breathing room to regroup, relist and restart without rushing. Get a quote online to understand your options quickly.
How much does storage while moving house typically cost?
It depends on the unit size and how long you need it. Ready Steady Store currently offers 50% off for up to 12 weeks. The fastest way to get a price is to use the online quote tool it gives you an instant price in under two minutes.
For a full breakdown of what self storage costs in Peterborough while you wait, read our Peterborough pricing guide.
How long can I store my belongings between homes?
For as long as you need. There’s no maximum period and Ready Steady Store doesn’t require long-term contracts. Whether your move is delayed by a few weeks or several months, you can keep your belongings in storage for exactly as long as the situation requires.
Is self storage secure enough for all my furniture and belongings?
Yes. All Ready Steady Store facilities are monitored by 24/7 CCTV and access is app-controlled, meaning only authorised users can enter. You can also add a Contents Protection Plan for added peace of mind.
Can I access my storage unit during my time between homes?
Yes. Ready Steady Store offers extended access hours, including evenings and weekends, so you can retrieve items whenever you need them.
What size storage unit do I need for a house move?
It depends on how much of your home you’re putting into storage. Use the free Size Estimator to get a personalised recommendation before you book.
