A shortage of homes coming on the market is leading to an increase in people being caught ‘in limbo’ between home moves.
We have seen a 38% increase in containerised storage in the past month, compared with the same period in 2015. Containerised storage is an alternative to self-store, where belongings are collected from customers’ homes and sealed in purpose built containers. It is most commonly used by people who have sold a home and are awaiting completion on a new property.
Managing director of Andrew Porter Limited, Tim Aspey commented: “We work closely with estate agents throughout Lancashire who have commented recently on the lack of new instructions coming on the market. This closely matches our own experience, with a recent upsurge in new storage customers, particularly from the Lancashire area.
“Our warehouse can accommodate up to 2,000 storage containers, and the contents of a three bedroom house would occupy approximately four containers. Currently we have an average of 30-50 new containers being used every week.”
The shortage also appears to be driving up house prices in the region. The June 2016 RICS Residential Market Survey showed new vendor instructions were down almost 90% - more than any other region in the country, whereas average house prices had increased more than 40% - higher than anywhere else.
Tim added: “The average length of time our customers have goods in storage is 11 months, which is longer than many people may expect. My advice to people needing storage between home moves is to plan ahead and make sure to keep essentials with you. Also containerised storage works out far more cost effective than self-store and is more convenient for many people.”
Andrew Porter Limited has been operating from its base in Huyton Road, Adlington, Chorley for more than 40 years and carries out home moves throughout the UK and Europe, as well as worldwide. The firm has its own in-house training centre, complete with mock house, where staff perfect their removals skills.
