How Life Storage Payments Work and What Happens If You Miss One
Life Storage payment basics
Life Storage is a self-storage company that rents climate-controlled and standard units by the month. You pay rent for the space itself, plus any optional services like insurance or locks. Payments are due on the same day each month — usually the day you signed your lease — and Life Storage accepts payment online, by phone, by mail, or in person at your facility.
Your account is set up when you sign the rental agreement. Life Storage will ask for a payment method at that time: a credit card, debit card, or bank account for automatic withdrawal. If you choose automatic payment (called autopay), the charge happens on your due date without you having to log in each month. If you pay manually, you are responsible for submitting payment before midnight on the due date.
The amount you owe each month depends on the unit size, location, and any add-ons you selected. Life Storage's website shows your account balance and due date if you log in, and you can also call your local facility to ask what you owe.
Key Takeaways
- Life Storage charges rent monthly on the same day your lease began, and you can pay online, by phone, by mail, or at the facility.
- If you set up autopay, the charge happens automatically; if you pay manually, you must submit payment before midnight on your due date.
- A late payment typically triggers a late fee within a few days, and repeated late payments can lead to a lien on your stored items or eviction from the unit.
- If you fall behind, contact Life Storage as soon as possible — many facilities will work with you on a payment plan or temporary pause rather than proceed to eviction.
- Life Storage can auction or dispose of your belongings if you are evicted and do not reclaim them, so staying in contact is critical.
How to make a Life Storage payment
The fastest way to pay is through your Life Storage account online. Go to the Life Storage website, log in with your email and password, and select your unit. You will see your balance due and can pay immediately with a credit card or debit card. Payment usually posts within one business day.
You can also pay by phone by calling your local Life Storage facility directly. A staff member will take your payment information over the phone and process it the same day. If you prefer not to give card details over the phone, you can visit the facility in person and pay at the office with cash, check, or card.
Mailed payments take longer — typically five to seven business days to reach the facility and post to your account. If you mail a check, send it to the address on your lease or the address listed on the Life Storage website for your facility. Write your unit number on the check so the payment is credited to the right account.
Setting up autopay is the simplest option if you want to avoid missed payments. Log into your account online, go to payment settings, and authorize Life Storage to charge your bank account or card on your due date each month. You can change or cancel autopay anytime, but you remain responsible for paying if you do.
Late fees and what happens when you miss a payment
Life Storage charges a late fee if your payment does not arrive by the due date. The amount varies by state and facility, but typically ranges from $10 to $50 or more. The late fee is added to your account balance, so you now owe both the original rent and the penalty.
If you are a few days late, Life Storage usually sends a notice — by email, phone, or mail — reminding you that payment is overdue. This is a courtesy; you are still responsible for paying even if you do not receive the notice. Pay as soon as you see it to stop additional fees from accumulating.
If you remain unpaid for 30 days or more past the due date, Life Storage can begin eviction proceedings. This means they send a formal notice stating that you have a set number of days (usually 10 to 14, depending on state law) to pay everything you owe or vacate the unit. If you do not pay or leave by that deadline, Life Storage can remove your belongings, place a lien on them, and eventually sell or dispose of them to cover the debt.
Some facilities will place a lock on your unit before eviction, preventing you from accessing your stored items. This happens when you are significantly behind — usually 60 days or more — and serves as a warning that eviction is imminent.
What to do if you cannot pay on time
Contact Life Storage immediately if you know you will miss a payment. Call your local facility and explain your situation. Many facilities will work with you on a payment plan — an agreement to pay part of what you owe now and the rest over the next few months — rather than proceed to eviction. The sooner you call, the more options you may have.
Some facilities offer a brief grace period or will waive a late fee if you have been a reliable customer and this is your first miss. There is no harm in asking, and Life Storage staff can only say no. Be honest about when you can pay and stick to any agreement you make.
If you cannot afford the unit at all, you have two choices: move your items to a cheaper facility or remove them entirely and cancel your lease. If you cancel, you are still responsible for rent through the end of the month (or through your lease term, depending on your agreement). Removing your items yourself is cheaper than waiting for Life Storage to evict and auction them.
If you are facing a financial hardship — job loss, medical emergency, or other crisis — look into local emergency assistance programs. Some cities and counties offer temporary rent or storage assistance, though these programs are less common for self-storage than for housing. Your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org) can tell you what is available in your area.
Understanding your lease and payment terms
Your Life Storage lease spells out the exact due date, the amount of rent, any optional fees, and the late fee amount. Read this document carefully when you sign it, because you are legally bound to the terms. If you lose your lease, you can ask Life Storage for a copy or log into your account online to view it.
Most Life Storage leases are month-to-month, meaning you can cancel anytime by giving notice (usually 30 days). However, you remain responsible for rent through the end of that notice period. Some leases require a longer commitment — three months, six months, or a year — and canceling early may result in an early termination fee.
Your lease also explains what happens to your belongings if you do not pay. Life Storage has the legal right to place a lien on your items, meaning they can sell them to recover what you owe. State law governs how long they must wait and what notice they must give before doing so, but the outcome is the same: you lose your stored items and still owe any remaining balance.
Autopay, payment methods, and account security
Autopay is convenient but requires you to monitor your bank account to make sure the charge goes through. If your card expires, your bank account closes, or there are insufficient funds, the autopay charge will fail. Life Storage will then treat it as a late payment and charge a late fee.
Check your account online or by phone a few days before your due date to confirm your payment method is current. If you know your card is expiring soon, update it in your account settings before the due date arrives. This small step prevents an accidental miss.
Your Life Storage account is password-protected, so only you should have access to it. Do not share your login with anyone else. If you suspect someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password immediately and call your facility to report it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Life Storage take my belongings if I do not pay?
Yes. After you are evicted for non-payment, Life Storage can place a lien on your items and eventually sell or dispose of them to recover what you owe. State law sets the timeline and notice requirements, but the result is the same: you lose access to your stored belongings. Contact the facility as soon as you fall behind to avoid this outcome.
What if I pay late but before eviction starts?
You will owe the late fee in addition to the rent, but you keep your unit and access to your items. The late fee is non-negotiable, but paying before the eviction notice arrives stops the process. Pay as soon as you can to minimize additional charges.
Can I pause my Life Storage payment for a month?
Life Storage does not typically offer payment pauses, but some facilities may work with you on a temporary arrangement if you explain your situation. Call your local facility and ask. If they cannot pause, a payment plan — paying part now and part later — may be an option.
What if I move my items out before eviction?
You are still responsible for rent through the end of your lease term or through the notice period you give (usually 30 days). Removing your items does not cancel your obligation to pay. Contact Life Storage to formally cancel your lease and confirm the final amount you owe.
Does Life Storage report late payments to credit bureaus?
Life Storage does not typically report to credit bureaus unless the debt is sent to a collection agency. However, if you are evicted and the company pursues legal action or collections, it can appear on your credit report and affect your ability to rent housing or storage in the future.