Thread: "The Love Shack"...

The Love Shack is a little old place
where we can get together
Love Shack bay-bee! Love Shack baby!
Love Shack, that's where it's at!
Huggin' and a kissin', dancin' and a lovin'...

Okay, this has had to have happened to some facility before. Our staff has discovered that a couple is using a leased indoor climate controlled unit for regular "afternoon delight". Their arrangement appears to be old-fashioned adultery, as it's clear they are not married to one another and don't want to be seen together in public based upon arrival and departure videos.

We're in a smaller town and have the best facility in our region. One idea we thought about was a subtle "form letter" addressed to all tenants reminding customers of our video surveillence systems, random security patrols and unit-use policies. Of course only one copy of said letter would be sent.

Since we have no desire for the "Cheaters" film crew or a jealous heavily-armed spouse to show up unexpectedly, do you have any suggestions on how to get the message across without causing undue embarrasment? We also don't want our company name brought into a divorce court, if it later comes down to that.

Wow, no place is better for a midday tryst than a storage unit, right?

I see your point about not wanting to get involved in any divorce proceedings. It seems to me that if you have tapes of the two of them going in and out of the same room at different or the same times -- and if there are ever allegations of infidelity as part of divorce proceedings -- then an attorney might try to subpoena you to turn those over. Yikes.

Then again, any possibility of jumping to conclusions here? Not meaning to question your judgment, of course. Sounds like they're hooking up in the unit but it's not necessarily an adulterous relationship. It could just be a .. very strange one -- in which case, I've reminded of the mantra, "We just rent space."

But even then, who wants hanky-panky going on in their units? Curious to see how common this is and what others have done.

This is easy, just show up at their unit when they both arrive. Make useless small talk for way too long. Linger around and shoot the bull with them, don't let up. Get a look into their unit, ask them if they need any help moving things. Offer to get them a dolly for the big stuff... ask questions about their families or how work is going. It's easy to be clueless, think about how many millions of people do it everyday!

I've run across this once before, I found a car parked outside of a unit with the lock off. I knew they were inside with the door down. I pounded on that door so loudly that I bet one of them wet themselves. With false urgency in my voice I yelled "is everything OK in there? anybody hurt?!----I hope this door didn't come down on you leaving you in the dark!" as I slowly opened the door giving them time to re-arrange themselves.

I found a couple of boxes, an air mattress and some booze. Then I feigned total and absolute shock and let them know that was not allowed in my facility. The unit was empty before the end of the month.

As I mentioned, we do live in a small town and it is pretty evident that they are not married to each other. We'll leave it at that.

We've joked around about changing the digital sign to "Third-Rate Romance, Low Rent Rendevous* Special - $69.00. But seriously, you're right we don't want negative publicity. Eventually this will hit the fan and I personally feel sorry for the innocents that will be affected.


* Amazing Rhythm Aces

Originally Posted by riskmgr

We've joked around about changing the digital sign to "Third-Rate Romance, Low Rent Rendevous* Special - $69.00.

That right there is quality. I especially appreciate the price.

What they're looking for is darkness and shadows, all you have to do is shine some light on them and they'll scurry away like roaches.

Originally Posted by riskmgr

We've joked around about changing the digital sign to "Third-Rate Romance, Low Rent Rendevous* Special - $69.00.

I literally just laughed out loud.

me too. Storage peeps are funny peeps, indeed! I've been laughing all afternoon!

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see how they are hurting business or customers? I would just MYOB and continue collecting the rent.

Our facility is for storage, not for occupancy. With occupancy comes urine, waste, food, booze, cigarettes and flame. (not necessarily in that order)

rsikmgr - I saw more, MUCH MORE of a male tenant than I ever wanted to see one time. Let's just say he has a very pimply backside, ewww. Anyway, banging on the door, or just blatantly rolling it up will work, if you really want to do it. Trust me though, I am scarred for life from the mental snapshot of my unanticipated encounter. The guy was vacating and I thought the unit was empty, but there he was with his ex-girlfriend on the only item remaining... a mattress.

Or, pull your signed tenant aside and let that party know you will be visiting their unit for an inspection the next time he/she is there. It might be enough to scare them off, and hopefully the right to 'inspect & repair' is written into your contract. Good luck.

Our 5x10 rents for $69. Ha-ha! I'll never think of it as just a price ever again. Thanks for the laughter gang!