I provide no-frills, gently used fridges, stoves, and windows AC units for my rentals that don't have central HVAC. I've though of renting a small storage space so I can keep 1 of everything in stock and not in my garage. This would cut down on delays getting items delivered when they die on the weekend and the used appliance store isn't open and/or they're out of stock of whatever I need which seems to be about half the time. Could also store other leftovers (plumbing fixtures, shingles, lumber, etc) from projects vs. cramming them into my garage.

I've weighed out the costs, and they are feasible. So the purpose of this post is just to see who else has tried this and to hear about your successes and/or mistakes.

Pluses, minuses?

Sid I've been doing this for years. Have a 20 X 40 storage unit with double doors-- one door on one drive and another on a second. We not only stock one of a kind-- when there's specials -- like dishwashers 179.00 ea we buy 5. Same for water heaters-- see a second at H-depot we buy it. We also store lights (some from yard sales) by the 6 or 7 pack. We LOVE it.

I use an old mobile home on a lot I picked up for almost nothing.

We have a 900-sf house that we picked up for about $3k. The former owner had been gutting it and then using guys from the local halfway house to renovate the inside, before he ended up needing to sell. Rather than put $20k into its proper renovation (no, I don't trust your wiring!), we use it as our storage house: tile, plumbing, lumber, flooring, shingles, paintbrushes, stain, poly, light fixtures, that sort of thing. It wouldn't be so good for paint or for drywall, since we don't run electricity or use climate control.

We have a 24 x 24 garage at one of our rental houses. Attached to the back of it is a 7 x 24 storage room, which we exclude from the lease as landlord's storage (kind of like what you see at beach vacation houses). It has a padlock on it.

I have a couple garages at rentals. I have also considered renting a storage space and including the garages with the rentals for increased rent, but haven't done it yet.

Considering a small commercial space from tax sale to use for storage. It would be nice to have a place I could send my handyman to switch out an appliance as needed.

We built a large storage space in the basement of a duplex- inaccessible to tenants.

We store extra appliances there amongst other things.

Pluses? We can get an appliance out of storage when needed. Weekends, holidays, after hours,ie. We pay nothing for the storage.

Minuses? It can be a pain to get those appliances out of a basement.(problem specific to our storage setup) We need to use a dehumidifier. They often need a good dusting off. You still need to buy another to replenish the one that you used, if the other one is completely trashed.

If you are thinking of trading the old appliance out and storing it until you can get around to fixing it/having a repair guy look at it, make sure you have your electrical/gas connection setup so you can test your stove there. Water supply for cleaning is also helpful.

So, yes, it works. I would not say it necessarily makes life easier, but it saves some money. Having it delivered with old one hauled away may save time and money if you are sure it is trashed.

Sid, I have had a few houses with old garages that I would store my extras in.

Siding, lumber, doors, trim, condensers.

I, like Amy, return everything now. I don't buy appliances when they are on sale. I wait till I need them and then make the purchase.

Whats happens is you walk down the isle at Lowe's and HD and buy stuff you think you might need because its' on sale.

My recommendation is to buy it when you need it.

I keep for myself the garages at my sfh's. Until a few months ago, I rented a secured storage space for things that have monetary value such as tools and good appliances.

I've been slowing down the past year so I consolidated and got rid of A LOT of stuff. you can only use a certain number of small pieces of vinyl flooring, carpet for about 1/2 a bedroom, shower pans, extra windows, etc.

Why would you NOT do this?

I would build a shed or garage somewhere before renting. My shed is 10 x 20. I just moved my inventory there from my other house. I built this one to suit before I moved anything into it.

It's SWEET MAN!!

A separate room with just pegboard and cabinets that has everything on hooks.

The main room has a floor to ceiling shelf rack with 3 shelves that are 2' deep.

The center has a workbench that is built to hold plywood and drywall standing up on the one half and 12" length boards, trim and pipes. Also nice.

I used to have a house full, however I keep an appliance shed going now.

I have lots and lots of parts in there on shelving. Easy to spot and easy to reach. I have a 220 test plug as well.

I also collect the 11 square foot fridges and old hard wheel dolly. I find it important to have a small manageable fridge that can be moved in a hurry.

All these appliances come to me for free. Most times the repairs are very simple and fun when you are set up to do them

I have no idea how much other people pay for used appliances but I changed out three appliances in May...soon four and five will be done...and they cost me nothing.

I change them out faster than an appliance company can get our with replacements. This is key for me.

Not worth it. I have my entire business on two steel racks plus a closet in my garage.

Storage areas fill up with crap unless your militant about them which few are.

I also don't buy extra of anything unless I have an immediate use for it. All extra does is tie up money and most of the time you forget you have it and it sits for years in the corner than when you find it, its no good.

And also going to builders materials auctions.