What you should know before renting a garage box

Renting a garage box usually means you get an enclosed, private space on a secured site where you can safely store goods, vehicles, or materials. A garage box is intended for storage, parking, or light work, but may never function as a home. Most locations are well-secured and equipped with lighting, cameras, and an access system.

There are three common uses:

Storage space for furniture, archives, or household goods
Parking for a car, van, motorcycle, or trailer
Workspace for light DIY or hobby activities

Before you rent a self storage garage box, it’s smart to pay attention to things like the available space, costs, facilities (such as power, lighting, and a mailing address), accessibility, security, the rental agreement, and location.

Checklist before renting:

Check dimensions (m²/m³ and door height)
Ask for the all-in monthly price, including deposit, VAT, and service costs
Check if you have 24/7 access and how you get in (PIN code, app, pass)
Read the notice period and terms and conditions carefully
Ask about insurance and consider scheduling a viewing

Who is renting a garage box suitable for?

Renting a garage box is interesting for both private individuals and businesses.

Private individuals often rent a garage box as extra storage during a move or renovation, or for seasonal items like motorcycles, bicycles, garden furniture, or camping equipment. Note: Residence is always strictly prohibited.

Businesses often use garage boxes as secure storage for tools, stock, or promotional materials. Small business owners also use a box as a micro-warehouse or light workshop, provided the park rules allow it.

Noise pollution, emissions, and safety rules are always laid out in the rental agreement and the park’s house rules. Read these carefully so you know what is and isn’t permitted.

Will you use the garage box for storage, parking or workspace?

A garage box can be used for three main purposes:

Storage: furniture, boxes, or stock. Here, the volume (m³) is particularly important.
Parking: storing vehicles like a car, motorcycle, or trailer. Pay attention to door height and maneuvering space.
Workspace: light work with hand tools or small electric tools.

A garage box with power and lighting is ideal as a workspace or for vehicle maintenance. However, heavy industrial work is not permitted.

Ensure good ventilation, be mindful of noise, and consider fire safety. Ask how many outlets and amps the box offers, and where you can place a workbench or shelving.

Do you need a garage box as a private individual or as a business?

When renting a garage box, it makes a difference whether you rent as a private individual or a business. Private individuals usually only need to show a valid ID and pay the rent including VAT. Businesses often also have to provide Chamber of Commerce and VAT details. The invoice is then exclusive of VAT and suitable for accounting.

Some storage locations offer extras such as:

A mailing address;
An access system with a user log;
Usage linked to a name;
Clear liability rules in the agreement

For entrepreneurs, there are sometimes business-friendly amenities, such as signage or delivery times for couriers.

How much space do you need?

Start by taking an inventory of your belongings or vehicles. Calculate how much surface area (length x width = m²) and volume (length x width x height = m³) you need.

Use the space efficiently: stack sturdy boxes, use shelving, and leave clear walkways so you can safely access everything. Allow 10-20% extra space for growth, better accessibility, or a workbench.

Pay attention to obstacles like door rails, ramps, or pillars that can reduce the effective space. This way, you’ll have a better idea of what size garage box to rent.

How large is a garage box in square meters and cubic meters?

Garage boxes are rentable in various sizes:

Small box: ~12 m² (3×4 m), ~30 m³ -> suitable for boxes, bicycles, or a small motorcycle
Medium-sized box: ~18-21 m², ~45-55 m³ -> suitable for most cars or medium-sized storage
Large box: ~27-36 m², ~70-90 m³ -> suitable for business stock or two vehicles

Note: The usable volume is often slightly less due to door constructions and lighting that may be present in the box.

Base your choice on what you want to store or park: a car requires different dimensions than a room full of furniture.

What clearance and dimensions fit your vehicle or inventory?

Always check the door height and width, internal height, and depth. These can make the difference as to whether the size is suitable. Something that might just fit inside the box might not fit through the box door.

For cars and vans, you need to pay extra attention to whether the vehicle has a roof rack or roof box and whether the side mirrors can be folded in. Additionally, sufficient ground clearance is important for low vehicles if the box or location has a threshold or raised area, and a wide turning radius is important for larger vehicles. Test in advance whether the location is easily accessible with your mode of transport.

During a viewing, you can also keep an eye out to get an idea of the accessibility or even measure and test.

What does it cost to rent a garage box?

The rental price of a garage box varies greatly in the Netherlands, depending on the location, size, and function. A compact box in a suburb is logically cheaper than a spacious, insulated unit with a power supply on a secure park in the Randstad. On average, you pay between €120 and €400 per month, but the real comparison is made when you look at the price per m² and what you want to do with it, storage or a workspace.

Below is an overview of the most common costs associated with renting a garage box, without discounts and including VAT.

Size	Function	Rent p/m	Service & energy	Administration (one-off)	Deposit(one-off)	Total price p/m excl. one-off costs	Indicative price per m² p/m excl. one-off costs	Features
6 m²	Storage	€40 – €90	€10 – €25	€0 – €30	€100 – €150	€50 – €120	€8 – €20	Suitable for boxes, bicycles or seasonal items
6 m²	Workspace	€80 – €150	€20 – €40		€100 – €200	€100 – €190	€16 – €30	For small tools, hobby use
12 m²	Storage	€120 – €200	€20 – €30		€150 – €250	€140 – €230	€11 – €19	Space for furniture, motorcycles or archives
12 m²	Workspace	€150 – €250	€30 – €50		€150 – €300	€180 – €300	€15 – €25	Light workshop, small business
18 m²	Storage	€170 – €250	€30 – €40		€300 – €500	€200 – €290	€11 – €16	For vehicles or larger stock
18 m²	Workspace	€350 – €500	€40 – €60		€300 – €600	€390 – €560	€21 – €30	For freelancers with workbenches and electric tools

Which factors determine the monthly rent of a garage box?

The most important price factors are:

Location: urban areas are more expensive than rural ones
Dimensions: the larger the box, the higher the price
Facilities: power, lighting, 24/7 access, and security increase the value
Supply and demand: scarcity can drive up prices, especially in the housing market
Contract duration: longer rental periods sometimes offer a discount

Keep in mind annual indexation (inflation adjustment) and any introductory promotions that may expire later.

Do you pay deposit, VAT, and service fees?

A deposit of one to two months’ rent is almost always required when renting a garage box, but as long as the box is returned neatly, you will be refunded.

For private individuals, the rental price usually includes VAT. For businesses, it is often exclusive of VAT.

Electricity, site lighting, and maintenance fall under service costs. Sometimes these costs are included in the rental price, and other times you will have to pay them at the end of the storage period.

Additional costs vary by company. Often, the amount of these costs depends on the amenities and extras the storage company offers. These include access passes, keys, administration, tools, and power consumption.

Payments are often made via direct debit or invoices sent by email, but online accounts are also a widely used medium for payments.

How does the notice period work?

The notice period for renting a garage box is usually one calendar month. Termination can often be done via email or a customer portal. Pay attention to the start date, as the following month usually counts.

Upon termination, a control checklist applies:

The box is empty and clean
The keys or fobs/transponders have been returned
The meter readings have been provided
After a successful check, the deposit is refunded

Read the rental agreement carefully, as some contracts exclude early termination or charge extra costs for it.

Which amenities are included?

Most locations have these amenities:

Lighting
24/7 access or generous opening hours
Secure location with a gate and surveillance cameras

If you want to use the following facilities, it is advisable to read the rental agreement carefully or contact the company for the possibilities:

Power supply
Mailing address
Toilet or water tap
Possibility of setting up your own interior with, for example, shelving

Always ask if electricity is billed via a separate meter and what the consumption rates are.

Do you need power, lighting and a mailing address?

Depending on your purpose, certain amenities can be very useful. For example, a garage box with electricity is handy for lighting, tools, or charging. Define your wishes as specifically as possible to properly assess which garage box suits you:

How much power should the electricity have?
How many outlets should be present and where?
What type of lighting do you prefer?
How is power consumption billed?

A mailing address is especially useful for freelancers. Check where the mailboxes are located on the site and how you can access them. Also, check if there is a good internet connection to access your unit via an app or two-factor authentication (if needed).

Can you access your garage box twenty four seven and how does entry work?

Some parks offer 24/7 access, while others only do so during business hours. To gain access to the site and your garage box, you often use a PIN code, fob, transponder, or app. An access log tracks who entered and when.

Visitor policies can differ per location. For example, your ID might be checked, and privacy rules apply regarding things like camera surveillance.

Depending on your mode of transport, it’s useful to check how accessible the site is. For example, one location has a drive-up, while another has internal corridors to get to the box.

Tip: be aware of the quiet hours of the surrounding area when you visit your garage box and any accessibility restrictions during holidays.

How safe is a garage box and how does access control work?

Site security is built in layers:

Perimeter security: fencing, gates, and lighting
Site security: cameras, an alarm, and a supervisor or manager
Unit security: locks and individual alarms

A well-lit site is an important factor in preventing break-ins and ensures safe use at night.

The manager is responsible for the site, but the renter must also use good locks and not store flammable materials. If a break-in occurs and there is clear negligence regarding security on the part of the manager or user, this can have consequences for the insurance.

What security do you get?

A secure park often has:

Camera surveillance with recording
Fencing and access control
Individual locks and alarm systems
Supervision by a moderator or manager

If an incident does occur, it is important that you inform the manager immediately. The manager can then notify the authorities, either with that report or their own, so that action can be taken. The sooner this is done, the greater the chance that a solution can be found and that the insurance will cover the damage.

If you have doubts about the quality of the security, you can contact the manager with questions about, for example, maintenance schedules or the frequency of security system upgrades.

Is the site well lit and can you load and unload easily?

A garage box is only truly practical if the location is easily accessible and safe, even in the evening or in bad weather. At many parks, you can drive directly to your box. That’s ideal because you don’t have to carry things through narrow corridors or lifts. During a viewing, check if there is enough space to turn with your car, van, or other vehicle, if there are no thresholds in the way, and if the site is paved and level. This also makes it easy to move across the site with trolleys or pallet trucks.

Lights that turn on automatically with movement also help with site safety and keeping an overview in the evening. See if there are no dark corners and if the lighting extends from outside the boxes to the access gate.

In case of rain or frost, a covered loading zone or an anti-slip floor is a big plus. It prevents slipping and keeps your belongings dry while loading and unloading.

To be sure, schedule a viewing at a time when it’s dark or wet. This way, you’ll immediately see how well the lighting works and how user-friendly the location is in practice.

A few extra points to check:

Sightlines: are there obstacles or bends that obstruct the view?
Access height: is there enough room for vans or vehicles with a roof rack?
Turning space: can you easily maneuver with a trailer or delivery van?
Paving: is the driveway paved and well-maintained?

What are the rules for use and what is not allowed?

Every garage box manager has their own set of house rules. These determine what is and isn’t allowed in your rented box. In general, residence is always prohibited, so you are not allowed to sleep or stay there permanently.

In addition, the following things are usually not allowed:

Storage of dangerous or flammable substances
Activities that cause noise pollution
Work with heavy machinery or industrial processes
And of course, illegal activities

What is allowed varies by location. Using a garage box as a light workshop, for example for hobbies, small repairs, or tool storage, is often permitted, as long as you adhere to safety regulations.

Always read the rental agreement carefully and ask for clarification if something isn’t completely clear. If in doubt, you can seek legal advice, especially if you plan to undertake business activities. This way, you avoid surprises or misunderstandings later.

Tip: after parking your vehicle in the garage box, remove any remaining fuel from the tank.

Are you allowed to work here and store goods under the law?

Not every garage box can automatically be used as a workspace. The zoning of the site, laid down in the zoning plan and cadastral data, determines what is legally permitted.

Most parks are set up for light work, such as assembling parts or renovating furniture. As long as there is no noise, emissions, or dangerous substances, you are usually in the clear.

For storage, the rules are usually a bit more lenient. The goods must be dry, stable, and packaged, and the storage of chemicals, fuels, or batteries in bulk is prohibited.

Do you really want to use the box as a workshop? Then inquire in advance if the operator allows this and if any extra safety measures are needed. This prevents you from being held accountable for prohibited use later.

Do you need insurance and what liability applies?

Whether you rent privately or for business, insurance is essential. Often, the items in your garage box are not automatically insured through your standard household or business policy.

There are usually two layers of insurance:

Contents insurance: covers damage or loss of your own belongings (fire, theft, water damage)
Liability insurance: determines who is responsible if something goes wrong due to your actions, for example, a fire or leak that spreads to another box

Some landlords require a minimum level of coverage; others leave it up to you. Landlords often offer their own basic insurance during the reservation process. Always ask what the rental agreement states about liability, locks, alarm systems, and the duty to report incidents. For entrepreneurs, it is often the case that they must be able to provide proof of business liability.

To ensure a smooth claims process, it is highly recommended to create an inventory list with photos and serial numbers before renting.

Where can you rent a garage box and how is the accessibility?

Garage boxes are available for rent throughout the Netherlands, from urban locations to business parks along the highway. The right location depends mainly on how often you want to use the box and with what vehicle you come.

If you use the box for storing items you rarely need, you can easily choose an affordable location outside the city. However, if you use the box regularly, for example for stock or tools, a place nearby or with quick access to the highway is much more convenient.

Think about:

Travel time: how long does it take to get there from home or work?
Accessibility: can you get there easily with larger vehicles or public transport?
Environment: is the site well-maintained, safe, and well-lit?

Also, pay attention to environmental zones, bridge heights, or busy rush-hour routes if you are driving a van or with a trailer. A well-accessible location not only saves time but also frustration.

Which location fits you based on travel time and highways?

The easiest way to choose a suitable location is to include travel time. Roughly add up how many trips you make per week and how many minutes you spend. This way, you can make a realistic comparison between different locations.

For business use, every minute counts. A garage box near a highway exit or a business park with spacious access roads is often ideal. Private individuals prefer a location closer to home, as long as parking and loading remain easy.

An example comparison of three businesses calculated from the center of Utrecht:

Business	Amount of trips per week	Average commute time per trip	Total commute time per week	Notes
Boxcomplex Zeist-Den Dolder	2	50 minutes	100 minutes	Quiet location, larger boxes and 24/7 access
de BOX Utrecht	4	22 minutes	88 minutes	Central in the city, limited parking space
Box Inn Self-Storage Veenendaal	1	90 minutes	90 minutes	Easily accessible via highway, spacious loading zones

Tip: navigate the route once with a full car or trailer to check if the access and turning circles work well in practice. Small obstacles like narrow turns or height restrictions can be very frustrating in the long run.

Should you request a viewing or rent directly?

In many cases, you can book online right away, but a viewing remains a good idea, especially if you have specific wishes. It gives you a more realistic picture of the dimensions, lighting, and access situation.

During such a visit, you can pay attention to:

The actual space (m² and height)
The access gate and maneuvering space
Lighting, even in the dark
And whether there are facilities like a toilet or water tap

Also, ask for a brochure or a written quote with the rental terms. This way, you have what is included, the deposit amount, and the notice period in writing.

Online renting is convenient if you already know exactly what you want, but if in doubt, a short viewing is more than worth the effort.

What alternatives are there besides renting?

In addition to renting a traditional garage box, there are different alternatives, each with their own advantages and limitations.

Self-managed garage box:

Full-service storage:

Buying or investing in a garage box:

Key considerations:

Costs: renting is flexible; buying requires an investment and effort to maintain
Convenience: full-service takes the work out of your hands; self-managed requires your own effort
Control: you have direct access with self-managed garage boxes; with full-service, access is by appointment
Liability: insurance and management differ per option

By making these considerations, you choose the alternative that best suits your belongings, time, and budget.

When is buying or investing in a garage box more logical than renting?

Buying can be interesting for those who want certainty about monthly costs and possibly want to benefit from value development. By buying a box, you have full control, you determine who has access, and you can possibly generate income by renting the box out later.

A simple calculation helps: compare the current rental price with the monthly costs of purchasing, including mortgage, maintenance, insurance, and taxes. This way, you can see at a glance when buying becomes more profitable compared to renting.

Important factors:

Marketability and liquidity: some locations are easier to sell or rent out than others.
Market conditions: the housing market, interest rates, and location determine return and value growth.
Usage: your own storage needs versus renting to third parties.

Investing can be advantageous if you have long-term plans, but renting remains more flexible for temporary projects or changing needs.

How does a garage box compare to full-service storage?

A garage box is ideal for those who want a drive-up solution, need frequent access, and want to arrange everything themselves.

Full-service storage is perfect for those who seek convenience, don’t have their own transport, or want temporary storage without the logistical hassle. Choose depending on your purpose (workspace, vehicle parking, or storage) and your budget and planning.

Below, a number of features are compared when you choose a garage box or full-service storage from BOXIE24 as your storage option.

Feature	Garage box	Full-service storage from BOXIE24
Price	Transparent, pay per month	Often all-inclusive, including extra services
Convenience	Load and unload yourself	Pick up, store and return
Access	Directly on location	Appointment-based
Amenities	Basic: power/light optional	Climate-controlled, insurance included
Control	Full responsibility over your belongings	Limited direct access, return service often within 24 hours