Storage for Everyone,
Income for Spaces.
Find a local space, drop your gear, and get on with life. Simple deals, fair pricing.
No subscription fees. No listing fees. We only take a 15% commission when you earn.
Zero Fees
for Storers.
Searching, browsing, and booking is 100% free for storers. You only pay the space owner's rate. Hosts pay a 15% platform commission only when they earn.
Finding Space
Your gear, in a trusted space.
We handle the details so you can get on with life. Simple steps, zero hidden agendas.
Browse local spaces near you
Commercial self-storage is built for volume, not value. You end up paying for a climate-controlled box in a commercial park, accessed through a keypad you will forget the code for. Private storage, a neighbour's shed, a local garage, a rural yard with a container, is different. It is usually closer to home, cheaper per square metre, and run by a real person who cares about what is stored there.
Browse by your postcode or suburb. Listings cover everything from single-car garages to large sheds and yards. Each listing notes dimensions, access hours, whether there is a power point, and the surface type.
Enter your area on the map and the results show what is available nearby, with real photos and clear pricing.
Request your spot in seconds
When you find something that looks right, send a message. Tell the host what you need to store. Be specific about size, quantity, and whether any items are sensitive to moisture or temperature. Hosts appreciate the detail because it helps them confirm their space is genuinely suitable.
Most StorageFinder hosts are households or small business owners with underused space. They are not running a commercial facility, which means they will often go out of their way to make an arrangement work. That said, their shed is their property, and the arrangement works best when both sides are clear from the start.
Secure payment via Stripe
Once approved, pay the first period to confirm. Stripe handles the payment with bank-level security and your payment details are never seen by the host.
You will receive a digital confirmation along with the host's contact details and access instructions. From there, the Handover takes care of condition records at drop-off and pick-up. No paperwork to argue over. Just a fair transaction between two people who both want it to be simple.
Commercial self-storage costs twice as much and sits twice as far from home.
Per-square-metre costs at commercial self-storage facilities typically run 40 to 80 per cent higher than private shed or garage storage, and the facilities are usually in commercial zones, not walkable, not convenient for a quick trip. Private storage through StorageFinder is within your neighbourhood, priced by what the space is actually worth, and run by someone who actually cares about what is stored there.
The Practical Guide
What to know before you store in a private garage, shed or yard
What private storage is best for
Private storage suits household overflow, seasonal items (outdoor furniture, sports gear, camping equipment), business stock or equipment, vehicles, and anyone who wants local, accessible storage without a fixed commercial contract.
It is generally not suited for items requiring climate control: fine art, documents, wine, or electronics sensitive to humidity. For those, a climate-controlled facility is the better choice. Be honest about what your items need before you book.
Moisture and ventilation
Unlined sheds and garages can experience significant temperature and humidity swings, particularly in coastal areas or during winter. If you are storing timber furniture, books, cardboard boxes, or anything that can warp or mould, ask the host about ventilation.
Simple mitigation: elevate items off the floor on pallets or shelving, use silica gel sachets inside boxes, and do not wrap timber furniture in plastic, it traps moisture rather than letting it breathe.
Access and flexibility
One of the real advantages of private storage over commercial facilities is the human element. If you need access outside the listed hours, a quick message to the host usually resolves it. If you need to bring a truck to retrieve something large, you can coordinate.
That said, it is a good-faith arrangement. Do not turn up unannounced. Set expectations at the start, stick to them, and communicate if your needs change.
Locks and security
Private sheds and garages vary in security. Some have deadlocks, perimeter fencing, and cameras. Others have a standard padlock. Ask the host what security is in place and make a judgement call about whether it suits the value of what you are storing. For high-value items, ask about adding your own padlock. Most hosts are fine with this.
Insurance
Your home contents insurance may extend to items stored off-premises, but coverage limits and exclusions vary. Check your policy. If you are storing business stock, separate business insurance is almost certainly required. For anything of significant value, a quick call to your insurer before you drop it off is time well spent.
Vehicle registration while stored
In New Zealand, vehicles must remain registered and have a current warrant of fitness (WoF) or certificate of fitness (CoF) unless you apply for a vehicle licence exemption. Check with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency before letting registration lapse on a stored vehicle.
The Handover.
Two photos per booking. A clear record for both sides if anything ever comes up.
Arrival photo
Record how things looked on arrival. Clear starting point for both sides.
Departure photo
Space is clear, all done.
Encrypted & Timestamped
Your shed is bigger than your needs. Someone else's needs are bigger than their shed.
Across New Zealand's suburbs and regions, there are thousands of garages, sheds, and yards sitting mostly empty. And there are thousands of households and small businesses who need exactly that kind of space but cannot justify a commercial lease. StorageFinder connects the two. A straightforward exchange that works for both sides.
List Your SpaceHost a Space
Your space. Your rules. Your earnings.
Start earning from day one
Upload photos, set your rules, and pick your price. It is completely free to put your unused space to work.
You pick who stores, you pick what stays
Review every request. Approve the items that suit your space and reject the ones that do not. No surprises.
Money in your account
Payouts are initiated after check-in and typically arrive in your bank account within 2–5 business days, depending on your bank and payment processing times.
Built on Trust
Verified Members
Email and phone verified. Earn a Verified Member badge with photo ID.
Secure Payments
All payments processed securely through Stripe with platform-facilitated dispute resolution.
Handshake Deals
Transparent pricing, fair terms, and no hidden fees. Ever.
Real Help
Real people, based locally. Chat, email, or call.
Common Questions
Got questions? We have answers.
Is private shed storage cheaper than a self-storage unit?
Generally, yes. Per-square-metre costs in private sheds and garages run significantly below commercial self-storage rates. You are not paying for the overhead of a managed facility. The trade-off is that private storage is less standardised, so quality varies by listing. Read the listing carefully and ask questions.
What can I not store in a private garage or shed?
Hosts set their own rules, but common exclusions include hazardous chemicals, firearms without appropriate storage compliance, perishable food, items with known vermin issues, and anything illegal. Most listings are clear about restrictions.
What happens if the host needs their shed back?
Arrangements on StorageFinder are typically month-to-month. If a host needs the space back, they give notice as agreed, usually 30 days. This gives you time to find an alternative.