Farm Building & Container Storage
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
Q. What Type of Space Is Available To Rent ?
There is a mix of converted farm buildings, storage Containers and a small amount of rentable outside space.
Q. What Size of Space Is Available To Rent ?
Spaces range from 80 square foot to approximately 1685 square foot. Note: the largest number of units are 160 square feet (20ft x 8ft containers)
Q. Where are You Located ?
The farm is situated up a private drive in the village of Fairfield, near Bromsgrove.
Q. What is The Location Like ?
It is a multi-use site comprising of residences, storage units and canine activities. It is within easy reach of the major road network (A roads, M5, M40, M42 & M6) and has a semi-rural / countryside / community feel.
Q. What are the opening hours?
The site is open all year round from 7am – 8pm (Monday to Saturday) and between 8am – 8pm on Sundays or Bank Holidays. Access outside of these times is possible by arrangement.
Q. What is Access Like ?
Storage is situated up a tarmac private drive with speed humps. Access is suitable for most vehicles EXCEPT FOR articulated lorries. There is insufficient manoeuvring space at the entrance of the site for vehicles that do not have a rigid axle.
Q. Are There Any Usage Restrictions ?
Yes. The site is classified for storage / warehouse. This is defined as being a use which can be carried out in any residential area without detriment to the amenity of that area by reason of noise, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, soot, ash, dust or grit.
Non-storage enquiries are not able to be accommodated.
Q. What Can Be Stored In A Container ?
Containers offer a secure, rodent and vandal proof storage option that is ideal for garage overspill; trade equipment (e.g. landscape gardening tools, pipes, cables, ladders etc); excess stock / inventory or furniture and household items.
Due to their steel nature, the air inside can become hot in the summer and damp in the winter. For this reason, inflammable liquids or expandable gases are not permitted to be stored inside and unless anti-condensation sticks (or similar) are used alongside air-tight boxes, containers are not recommended for the storage of papers or similar material.
Q. What Is The Space Like ?
Farm Buildings: – All buildings have lights and electrical sockets. They are clean and dry, but not guaranteed to be free from rodents or small birds. There is no heating.
Containers: – The containers are either one-trip (new) or refurbished. All have ply-lined floors and are fitted with container lock boxes. The 20ft one-trip ones are vented.
Q. What Does It Cost ?
Please see the Prices page for the latest information.
Q. Is There A Minimum Rental Cost ?
Yes. Priority is given to tenants looking for longer term storage (e.g. 6+ months for Farm Building Storage and 3+ months for Container Storage)
Farm Buildings: – The equivalent of 1 month’s rent cost
Containers: – The equivalent of 1 month’s rent cost
Q. What Notice Period is Required ?
Farm Buildings: – Notice period of 1 month (from the Tenant)
Containers: – Notice period of 1 week (from the Tenant & Landlord)
Q. Is There A Waiting List ?
Yes – most of the time. Unfortunately demand often exceeds availability, so waiting is usually inevitable.
Q. How Do I Get Added To The Waiting List ?
Get in touch
Q. How Long Is The Waiting List ?
It varies. There are different lists for the various spaces available (as not everyone is looking for the same size etc). The wait for a container is usually much shorter than for space in a permanent building.
As priority is given to long-stay tenants, turnover is relatively low. That said, tenants can give notice at any time and situations are dynamic.
Q. Is There An ‘Admissions Priority’ ?
Yes. Priority is given first to existing tenants and their associates on site; then space is offered out to those on the waiting list before finally being advertised openly if still available.
Q. Is a Deposit Required ?
Yes. Deposits are required in cash and are fully refundable at the end of your tenancy providing that none of the terms of the rental agreement have been broken and there are no amounts outstanding.
Farm Buildings: – Equivalent of 1 month’s rent. This can be paid as a lump sum or in (agreed) monthly instalments for the first 6 months.
Containers: – £40 cash deposit
Q. Is There Parking ?
Yes. Farm Buildings: have an allocated parking space(s) and a vehicle may left during normal working hours.
Containers: have direct loading / unloading access. Vehicles may not be left on site
In addition to the above, there are also communal parking spaces for visitors.
Q. What Security Measures are in Place ?
The site is up a private drive and not visible from the main road. Management live on site (in one of the residences) and there has been significant investment in security /sensor lighting, gates and locks. Whilst there are no lack of theft or security guarantees, the location and measures in place have meant that historically, there have been very few issues or concerns.
Q. Can I Have A Postal Address At The Site ?
No
Q. Is There 3-Phase Electricity ?
No
Q. Can I Make Alterations To The Space I Rent ?
No
Q. Does The Rent Include VAT / Other Costs ?
Rent charges are all inclusive EXCEPT for use of electricity in the farm buildings, which is charged for separately and in addition to the monthly rental cost.
All farm buildings have individual electricity sub-meters that are read on a regular basis. Payment to the electricity supplier is made from a central source, with tenants billed individually for the amount that they use.
Q. Do You Offer Caravan Storage ?
No sorry. There is insufficient outside space.
Q. Is There A Rental Agreement ?
Yes. Tenants are required to sign a rental agreement prior to taking up occupancy.
Q. What Is The Basis of Tenure in The Farm Buildings ?
Units in the permanent buildings are let out on a short-term commercial lease agreement without security of tenure. In short, this means that when a rental agreement is terminated (by either the Tenant or Landlord), the Tenant does not have a legal right to apply to a Court for a new tenancy.
Q. Do You Provide a Lock ?
Most of the time. All Container Tenants are given a purpose-made, high security padlock that must be returned at the end of their occupancy. Some Unit doors have built in locks, others have exterior locking mechanisms fitted for Tenants’ own locks.
Q. Will I Have To Pay Business Rates ?
Not unless you also rent other units in the County. All of the rental spaces are below the rateable value for non-domestic rates. However Bromsgrove Council are notified of farm building occupants and tenants are responsible for applying for small business rate relief if eligible.