Q: Is a storage unit responsible?If you're unit gets mice and ruins your belongings

A: You should contact the storage unit company and report the damage. Once aware of the problem, they will need to take reasonable steps to try to remedy the situation so that further infestation isn't occurring in their units. This could be things like spraying or rat traps, if they aren't already doing these things. You will want to review the terms of your rental agreement as to what rights and remedies you have. You may have a duty to report the damage within a certain period of time. If you have renter's or home owner's insurance, you will also want to check to see if your policy may cover the damage. Unless your contract is unusual, you don't generally have any type of guarantee that your items won't be ruined by weather, mice, etc. Thus, just showing that you had damage isn't generally enough to show that the storage unit company is liable. If you bring a case for the damage, the Court would generally look at the actions of each party. If the storage unit company took reasonable steps and you still had damage, then the Court might not find them liable even though your items were damaged. The Court could also look at how your items were stored and what items were stored. For an easy example, if you were storing food items in cardboard boxes in a storage unit, the court might say that it wasn't the storage unit company's fault if you got mice.

Most storage unit companies want to keep a good reputation and keep their renters happy. Have a cordial conversation with the company and see what they can do. For example, will the comp you a month's rent (or more) to compensate for the damage?