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What happens in the storage centre? Climate, security and access

Once the truck leaves your door: where exactly are your belongings, who has access, how is the climate managed and what happens in case of fire or water damage? This guide covers every security and climate standard at our storage centre in Gouda — concrete, not marketing.

Storage & Space
Portrait of Bram Jansen, Lead Storage Advisor at Inbox Storage
August 6, 2026Luuk Kamman

HOW IS OUR STORAGE CENTRE STRUCTURED?

After we pick up your belongings at home, we drive them to our hub in Gouda. There they're sealed and stored in a secured, climate-controlled space. Four elements determine storage centre security: building, climate, intrusion prevention and coverage in case of emergencies. All standards below.

BUILDING & LOCATION

Our storage centre is at Antwerpseweg 2 in Gouda — centrally located, built to the standards insurers require for storage sites.

  • Construction: fully stone and concrete, with a large flat roof. This meets the building requirements insurers apply to storage and logistics facilities.
  • Fenced perimeter with access control — outsiders can't just walk onto the site.
  • Storage racks up to 12 metres high. Your units often sit metres above ground level — physical access without a forklift is practically impossible for outsiders.
  • Accessible only to staff, by appointment. Unlike traditional self storage, no other renters or unauthorised visitors move through the building.

Tip: want to see how we work? On our page how we handle storage you'll find photos of the hub and the full process from pickup to storage.

CLIMATE & VENTILATION

The hub is continuously ventilated and climate-controlled — with daily measurements to make sure the climate stays on target.

  • Temperature and humidity are measured and recorded daily. Any deviation is corrected immediately.
  • Ventilation prevents condensation and mould — important for wooden furniture, clothing, books, archives and electronics.
  • Measurement is part of our operational routine — not a one-off check, but a continuous process.

Tip: sensitive items like audio equipment, TVs and computer hardware need extra protection before storage. Read packing electronics and TV for how to prepare them safely.

INTRUSION PREVENTION & ACCESS

Your unit is filled together with you during pickup and immediately sealed, linked to a unique customer ID. From that moment no one else has access — not even our own staff.

  • The seal stays intact until we deliver it back to you. Our staff only handle the unit, never the contents.
  • Monitored 24/7 by a professional security company. Camera surveillance both visible and hidden, linked to an alarm system.
  • In-between access only by appointment, after verifying your unique customer ID. We then move your sealed unit into a separate anteroom, isolated from other customers.
  • During opening hours there's always staff on site — physical supervision on top of the digital security.

Tip: never having to drive to the storage yourself is a key difference from traditional self storage. In why people choose storage outside the home you'll read why that convenience is often the deciding factor.

FIRE, WATER DAMAGE AND INSURANCE

Prevention is built in: sprinkler system and smoke detectors. Financial coverage is in the insurance — either from us or via your own home contents policy.

  • Sprinkler system and smoke detectors are active 24/7 — modern fire protection that meets legal requirements and that insurers also require as a condition of coverage.
  • Your own home contents insurance often covers items stored temporarily outside your home. Upload your policy in the customer portal and we check whether the cover suffices.
  • If not? Our additional insurance (arranged via Reason Global) has three tiers: €16/mo for €2,000 cover, €32/mo for €5,000, or €50/mo for €10,000. Above €10,000 the application goes to the insurer for a custom quote.
  • Coverage: fire, lightning, storm, flood, burst pipes, theft with forceful entry, and more. Excess: €200 per event, €300 for water damage. Settlement on 'new for old' basis.

Tip: want to check your own home contents policy for temporary storage before pickup? In insurance during a move you'll read what to check and which questions to ask your insurer.

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO OTHER STORAGE IN EUROPE?

According to the European Self Storage Industry Report 2025 by FEDESSA, the Netherlands is among the most mature storage markets in Europe: 1.24 million m² of storage space and 85.3% occupancy — above the European average of 78%. Consumers know where to find storage: 8% of Dutch people recognise five or more storage sites in their neighbourhood, versus 1–2% in most other countries.

In the European storage market, security is not an add-on but a baseline. Insurers set specific requirements on storage sites for their policies to respond: construction (stone/concrete), camera monitoring, alarm systems, fire protection. Our hub in Gouda is built to this standard — which is why you can either bring your own home contents policy or take out an additional policy through us.

The Dutch Consumentenbond flags home contents insurance and temporary storage as an explicit checkpoint: many policies cover items stored outside the home, but not all unlimited and not in every situation. Safest route: check your policy before pickup, and take out a targeted policy if not. Our customer portal supports both options.

🏗️ Stone and concrete, fenced perimeter, racks up to 12 metres high

🌡️ Ventilated and climate-controlled, daily temperature and humidity measurement

👁️ 24/7 camera monitoring and alarm via professional security company

🔥 Sprinkler system and smoke detectors, insurance from €16 per month

Curious what mobile storage costs you, safely and insured? Enter your postcode and see within 60 seconds.

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Monitored 24/7
Sealed per customer
Climate-controlled

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FAQ ABOUT STORAGE CENTRE & SECURITY

The questions we hear most often about how belongings are stored at our site — with concrete answers.

CAN ANYONE ELSE ACCESS MY BELONGINGS?

No. Your unit is filled together with you during pickup, immediately sealed, and linked to a unique customer ID.

  • The seal stays intact until you get the unit back — visibly verifiable at delivery.
  • Our staff only handle the unit, never the contents.
  • Customer visits by appointment only, in a separate anteroom — no crossing with other customers.

WHAT HAPPENS IN CASE OF FIRE OR WATER DAMAGE?

Preventive: sprinkler and smoke detectors. Financial: insurance covering fire, storm, water and more.

  • Sprinkler system and smoke detectors are active 24/7.
  • Insurance covers fire, lightning, storm, flood, burst pipes and theft with forceful entry — via your own home contents policy or via the Inbox policy (Reason Global).
  • Excess: €200 per event, €300 for water damage. Settlement on 'new for old' basis.
  • During transport the AVC cover applies (Algemene Vervoerscondities): max €3.40 per kilogram up to actual value.

WHAT ABOUT TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY?

The space is continuously ventilated and climate-controlled, with daily measurements of temperature and humidity.

  • Suitable for furniture, clothing, books, archives and most electronics.
  • Some items need extra protection before storage (bubble wrap, furniture covers, mattress covers).

Tip: some categories aren't accepted for safety and hygiene reasons — check what you can and can't store before you start packing.

WHAT DOES ADDITIONAL INSURANCE VIA INBOX COST?

Three standard tiers: from €16 per month for €2,000 cover.

  • €16/mo → €2,000 cover
  • €32/mo → €5,000 cover
  • €50/mo → €10,000 cover
  • Above €10,000: application goes to the insurer for a custom quote.
  • Condition for coverage: items must be correctly packed. Inadequately packed goods are excluded.

HOW DO I ACCESS MY BELONGINGS WHEN I NEED SOMETHING?

By appointment. We place your sealed unit in a separate anteroom — only you access it.

  • Announce your visit in advance; we verify your customer ID on arrival and have the unit(s) ready.
  • Visits in Gouda between 08:00 and 17:00 on weekdays, by appointment.
  • Prefer delivery? Also possible — book an in-between trip via the customer form.

Illustration of a purple Inbox Storage van delivering mobile storage at home
Inbox Storage staff member and customer carrying belongings together during pickup at home

Security that meets insurers' criteria

Our hub in Gouda is built to the standards insurers require of storage sites: camera monitoring, alarms, fire protection and access control. Your own home contents policy stays in force — or take out an additional policy through us.

  • Monitored 24/7
  • Sealed per customer
  • Climate-controlled
  • Insurance from €16/mo