Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Storage Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Storage Agreement

Storage Agreement made on the day of , 20 , between

, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as Warehouseman, and

, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the state of , with its principal office located at , referred to herein as Depositor.

For and in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

I. Rates for Handling and Storing. Depositor hereby engages Warehouseman to perform, and Warehouseman agrees to the storage and handling of the following merchandise, hereinafter called the Goods, at the following rates, as required by Depositor in the course of its business during the term of this Agreement:

Goods     Type of Container     Size     Gross Weight     Storage Rate Per Month     Handling In & Out Rate

$ $

$ $

$ $

$ $

II. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall commence on , and end on .

III. Storage of Goods.

A. All charges for storage are per per month.

IV. Handling of Goods

A. The handling rates set forth in Section I cover the ordinary labor involved in receiving Goods at the warehouse door, placing Goods in storage, and returning Goods to the warehouse door. Handling charges are due and payable on receipt of Goods.

B. Unless otherwise agreed, the following services shall be subject to an additional charge:

1. Labor for unloading and loading Goods;

2. Receipt and handling of damaged Goods;

3. Unloading from or loading into cars or other vehicles not at the warehouse door;

4. Labor and materials used in loading rail cars or other vehicles; and/or

5. Handling of Goods ordered out in quantities less than in which received.

C. Warehouseman shall not be liable for demurrage, delays in unloading inbound cars, or delays in obtaining and loading cars for outbound shipment unless Warehouseman has failed to exercise reasonable care.

V. Special Services. Special services, including but not limited to the following, shall be provided by Warehouseman to Depositor subject to additional charge:

A. Warehouse labor required for services other than ordinary handling and storage.

B. Receipt or delivery of Goods, by prior arrangement, in other than usual business hours.

C. Provision of dunnage, bracing, packing materials, or other special supplies.

D. Communication services, including postage, fax, teletype, telegram, or telephone, if the services concern more than normal inventory reporting or if, at the request of Depositor, communications are made by other than regular United States mail.

E. Compiling of special stock statements.

F. Reporting marked weights, serial numbers, or other data from packages.

G. Physical check of Goods.

H. Handling transit billing.

VI. Minimum Charges. Minimum charges shall be assessed as follows:

A. A minimum storage charge per month.

B. A minimum handling charge per lot.

C. A minimum monthly charge for each account if Depositor has several accounts, each requiring separate records and billing.

D. A minimum charge per mark, brand, or variety, when a warehouse receipt covers more than one lot or when a lot is in assortment.

VII. Bonded Storage. Storage of merchandise in bond shall be subject to a charge in addition to regular rates.

VIII. Shipping of Goods. Depositor agrees not to ship Goods to Warehouseman as the named consignee. If, in violation of this Agreement, Goods are shipped to Warehouseman as named consignee, Depositor shall notify the carrier of Goods in writing prior to the shipment, with a copy of the notice sent to Warehouseman, that Warehouseman is a Warehouseman and has no beneficial title or interest in Goods. Further, Depositor shall indemnify Warehouseman against any and all claims for unpaid transportation charges, including under charges, demurrage, detention charges, or charges of any other nature, in connection with Goods so shipped. If Depositor fails to notify the carrier in accordance with this provision, Warehouseman shall have the right to refuse Goods and shall not be liable or responsible for any loss, injury, or damage to Goods.

IX. Tender for Storage. All Goods for storage shall be delivered at Warehouseman's warehouse at , properly marked and packaged for handling. Depositor shall furnish at or prior to such delivery a manifest showing marks, brands, or sizes to be kept and accounted for separately, and the class of storage and other services desired.

X. Refusal of Goods. Warehouseman may refuse to accept Goods tendered for storage or other services that do not conform to the description contained in this Agreement. If Warehouseman accepts such Goods, Depositor agrees to rates and charges as may be assessed and invoiced by Warehouseman as well as to all terms of this Agreement.

XI. Moving of Goods.

A. Warehouseman reserves the right to move, at Warehouseman's expense, days after notice sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to Depositor or to the last known holder of a negotiable warehouse receipt covering such Goods, any Goods in storage from the warehouse in which they may be stored to any other of Warehouseman's warehouses. If, however, Depositor or holder takes delivery of the Goods in lieu of transfer, no storage charge shall be made for the current storage month.

B. Warehouseman may, without notice, move Goods within the warehouse in which they are stored.

XII. Termination of Storage

A. On written notice to Depositor and to any other person known by Warehouseman to claim an interest in Goods, Warehouseman may require the removal of any Goods by the end of the next succeeding storage month. Notice shall be given to the last known place of business or residence of the person to be notified. If Goods are not removed before the end of the next succeeding storage month, Warehouseman may sell them in accordance with applicable law.

B. If Warehouseman, in good faith, believes that Goods are about to deteriorate or decline in value to less than the amount of Warehouseman's lien before the end of the next succeeding storage month, Warehouseman may specify in the notification any reasonable shorter time for removal of Goods. If Goods are not so removed, Warehouseman may sell Goods at public sale held days after advertisement or posting as is required by law.

C. If, as a result of a quality or condition of Goods of which Warehouseman had no notice at the time of deposit, Goods are a hazard to other property, to the warehouse in which Goods are stored, or to any person, Warehouseman may sell Goods at public or private sale without advertisement on reasonable notification to all persons known to claim an interest in Goods. If Warehouseman, after a reasonable effort, is unable to sell Goods, Warehouseman may dispose of Goods in any lawful manner and shall incur no liability by reason of such disposition.

XIII. Transfer by Depositor. Instructions by Depositor to Warehouseman to transfer Goods on the books of Warehouseman are not effective until delivered to and accepted by Warehouseman, and all charges up to the time transfer is made are chargeable to Depositor. If a transfer involves re-handling Goods, such re-handling shall be subject to a charge.

XIV. Delivery of Goods.

A. Goods shall be delivered or transferred only on receipt by Warehouseman of complete instructions properly signed by Depositor. When no negotiable warehouse receipt is outstanding, Goods may also be delivered on instructions over the telephone in accordance with a prior written authorization, but Warehouseman shall not be responsible for loss or error occasioned by such delivery.

B. When Goods are ordered out, a reasonable time shall be given Warehouseman to carry out instructions. If Warehouseman is unable because of acts of God, war, public enemies, seizure under legal process, strikes, lockouts, riots, or any other reason beyond Warehouseman's control, because of loss or destruction of Goods for which Warehouseman is not liable, or because of any other excuse provided by law, Warehouseman shall not be liable for failure to carry out such instructions, and Goods remaining in storage shall continue to be subject to regular storage charges.

C. If a negotiable warehouse receipt has been issued, no Goods covered by that receipt shall be delivered, or transferred on the books of Warehouseman, unless the receipt, properly endorsed, is surrendered for cancellation or for endorsement of partial delivery. If a negotiable receipt is lost or destroyed, delivery of Goods may be made only on order of a court of competent jurisdiction and the posting of security approved by the court.

XV. Liability of Warehouseman.

A. WAREHOUSEMAN SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR INJURY TO GOODS HOWEVER CAUSED UNLESS THE LOSS OR INJURY RESULTS FROM FAILURE BY WAREHOUSEMAN TO EXERCISE SUCH CARE IN REGARD TO GOODS AS A REASONABLY CAREFUL PERSON WOULD EXERCISE UNDER LIKE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WAREHOUSEMAN IS NOT LIABLE FOR DAMAGES THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BY THE EXERCISE OF SUCH CARE.

B. GOODS ARE NOT INSURED BY WAREHOUSEMAN AGAINST LOSS OR INJURY HOWEVER CAUSED.

C. DEPOSITOR DECLARES THAT DAMAGES ARE LIMITED TO $ .

XVI. Notice of Claim and Filing of Suit.

A. Claims by Depositor and all other persons must be presented in writing to Warehouseman within a reasonable time, and in no event later than either days after delivery of Goods by Warehouseman or days after Depositor or the last known holder of a negotiable warehouse receipt issued for Goods is notified by Warehouseman that loss or injury to all or any part of Goods has occurred, whichever time is shorter.

B. No action may be maintained by Depositor or others against Warehouseman for loss or injury to Goods unless timely written claim has been given as provided in Paragraph A of this Section and unless such action is commenced either within months after the date of delivery by Warehouseman or within months after Depositor or the last known holder of a negotiable warehouse receipt is notified that loss or injury to all or any part of Goods has occurred, whichever time is shorter.

C. When Goods have not been delivered, notice may be given of known loss or injury to Goods by mailing of a letter by certified mail to Depositor or to the last known holder of a negotiable warehouse receipt issued for Goods.

XVII. Cancellation of Agreement. This Agreement may be canceled by either Warehouseman or Depositor on days' written notice and is canceled if no storage or other services are performed under this Agreement for a period of consecutive days.

XVIII. Severability. The invalidity of any portion of this Agreement will not and shall not be deemed to affect the validity of any other provision. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, the parties agree that the remaining provisions shall be deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed by both parties subsequent to the expungement of the invalid provision.

XIX. No Waiver. The failure of either party to this Agreement to insist upon the performance of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, or the waiver of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, shall not be construed as subsequently waiving any such terms and conditions, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

XX. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of .

XXI. Entire Agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties and any prior understanding or representation of any kind preceding the date of this Agreement shall not be binding upon either party except to the extent incorporated in this Agreement.

XXII. Modification of Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement or additional obligation assumed by either party in connection with this Agreement shall be binding only if placed in writing and signed by each party or an authorized representative of each party.

XXIII. Compliance with Laws. In performing under this Agreement, all applicable governmental laws, regulations, orders, and other rules of duly-constituted authority will be followed and complied with in all respects by both parties.

WITNESS our signatures as of the day and date first above stated.

By:

By:

Enter text✕

What a Storage Agreement Is and when it applies

A Storage Agreement is a contract that sets the legal relationship between a storage provider and a depositor for keeping goods, personal effects, or commercial inventory. It defines the parties, description and custody of stored items, storage location, access rules, term, fees, payment schedule, insurance requirements, liability limits, and procedures for loss, damage, or abandonment. The document allocates responsibility for care and establishes remedies, such as lien enforcement or sale after notice, and is governed by state contract and bailment law.

Why using a clear Storage Agreement matters

A precise Storage Agreement reduces disputes by documenting custody, payment terms, insurance, and disposition of abandoned goods. It protects both depositors and providers by allocating risk, clarifying access and notice procedures, and creating an enforceable record under state contract law and federal e-signature statutes where applicable (e.g., ESIGN, 15 U.S.C. ch. 96).

Why using a clear Storage Agreement matters

Who commonly prepares or signs a Storage Agreement

Common users include storage operators, logistics managers, commercial landlords, and individuals arranging short‑ or long‑term storage.

  • Self-storage operators who need standardized terms for renter access, payment, lien procedures, and abandonment notices.
  • Logistics and warehouse providers handling third-party inventory, pick-up authorization, custody transfers, and claims management.
  • Retailers, manufacturers, and individuals storing goods who require proof of custody, insurance allocation, and documented access rights.

Choose a signer with legal authority—facility owner, corporate officer, or an expressly designated agent—to avoid later disputes over authority.

Who typically signs and why

Owner / Lessor

The facility owner or lessor signs to bind the storage provider to the agreement terms, establish fee schedules and access protocols, and to confirm the limits on provider liability and remedies such as lien sale procedures.

Depositor / Tenant

The depositor or tenant signs to acknowledge inventory, accept payment terms and insurance allocations, and consent to inspection, access conditions, and the provider's rights in case of nonpayment or abandonment.

Essential fields to include in the Storage Agreement

Party Names: Full legal names of both parties
Item Description: Brief inventory or commodity description
Storage Location: Facility address and unit identifier
Term and Dates: Effective date and termination date
Fees & Payment: Amount, due dates, and late penalties
Insurance & Liability: Insurance responsibility and damage limits

Penalties and risks from incomplete or incorrect agreements

Lien Enforcement: Property sold after notice
Insurance Gaps: Claims may be denied
Contract Voidance: Ambiguous terms may be unenforceable
Regulatory Fines: Violation of state rules
Storage Liability: Unallocated risk remains with party
Customer Disputes: Increased litigation risk

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a Storage Agreement

  • Failing to list or attach an accurate inventory allows disputes over contents and value when loss or damage occurs; attach schedules rather than relying on vague descriptions.
  • Using unclear fee or late‑payment language increases the chance of nonpayment and complicates lien or collection actions; specify amounts, grace periods, and interest or fees.
  • Omitting access and pickup procedures causes operational confusion; include required identification, notice windows, and hours of access to reduce conflicts.
  • Neglecting to allocate insurance responsibility or to require proof of coverage creates gaps that can lead to denied claims and extended disputes.

Realistic storage agreement scenarios

Two practical examples show how clauses resolve common commercial and consumer storage issues.

Case: Retail Inventory Hold

A small retailer stores seasonal inventory under a six‑month agreement with specified handling instructions and insurance requirement.

  • The contract required the depositor to maintain replacement‑value insurance.
  • When water damage occurred, defined responsibilities and a documented inventory shortened the claim process and limited dispute exposure between the retailer and provider.

Case: Household Storage and Abandonment

An individual signed a one‑year rental with clear notice and auction procedures for abandonment.

  • A 30‑day unpaid notice period and published sale process were included.
  • After cure attempts failed, the provider followed the contract procedure to dispose of unclaimed items and recover unpaid charges, minimizing legal exposure.

How to complete a Storage Agreement step by step

Follow these steps to draft, review, and execute a clear Storage Agreement that protects both parties and supports enforcement.

  • 01
    Identify parties: Enter full legal names and contact information.
  • 02
    Describe goods: Attach inventory list with quantities and condition notes.
  • 03
    Set fees: Specify amounts, due dates, late fees, and accepted payments.
  • 04
    Sign and date: Authorized representatives sign; record effective date.

How to customize the Storage Agreement for online execution

Configure online fields, signer roles, and authentication to match your operational needs and compliance requirements.

Field Configuration
Inventory Attachment Allow file upload and link to main record
Signature Blocks Role-based signature placement for each party
Conditional Fields Show insurance clause if declared value exceeds threshold
Authentication Email or SMS code; upgrade to higher ID checks as needed

Where to send and how signed Storage Agreements are stored

Executors typically send final signed copies to both parties, retain a provider copy, and log the agreement in the facility management system.

  • Provider Copy: Retain a signed PDF in facility records.
  • Depositor Copy: Send the depositor a signed copy immediately.
  • Operational System: Attach the agreement to the storage unit record.
  • Claims File: Include agreement in any insurance or claims packet.

Distribution and digital submission options

Choose distribution channels that match your workflow, whether email, secure portal, or integrated document storage.

  • Email Delivery: Send signed PDFs to signers and stakeholders
  • Cloud Storage: Store in secure repositories like Box or Google Drive
  • API Integration: Push documents into ERP or CRM systems

Key timelines, notice periods, and processing expectations

Specify clear deadlines for payment, cure periods for breaches, and timelines for abandonment notices to ensure enforceability and operational clarity.

Payment Due Date:

Due date and grace period for monthly fees

Late Fee Assessment:

Date when late penalties apply

Notice Before Sale:

Minimum notice period before lien sale or disposal

Cure Period:

Time allowed to remedy nonpayment or breach

Access Notice:

Advance notice required for inspections or entry

Typical processing milestones from signing to disposition

Track milestones to ensure obligations occur on schedule and that notice and cure windows are respected before enforcement actions.

01

Agreement Execution

Parties sign and the effective date is recorded

02

Storage Commencement

Goods are received and inventory is attached

03

Missed Payment Notice

Provider issues written notice of overdue charges

04

Disposition or Sale

After notice and statutory period, provider may sell items

How to download, save, and what supporting documents to include

Export final signed Storage Agreements to standard formats and bundle supporting documents to create a complete custody and claims record.

Export Formats

Save signed agreements as PDF/A for long‑term archival and as DOCX when edits or templates are needed for future revisions; maintain copy integrity.

Inventory Attachment

Include itemized inventory and photos. Attach serial numbers and condition notes to reduce later disputes about condition or ownership.

Insurance Certificates

Store proof of insurance and declarations pages with the agreement to streamline claims and verify coverage limits when loss occurs.

Access Logs

Retain admission and access records, ID copies, and signed delivery or pickup receipts with the agreement for audit and loss investigations.

Core clauses every professional Storage Agreement should include

A professional Storage Agreement organizes essential obligations, risk allocation, and enforcement mechanics so both parties understand rights and remedies.

Description

Precise description of stored items or attachment of an inventory schedule to avoid ambiguity in value or content disputes.

Term

Effective date, renewal terms, termination rights, and procedures for early termination or extension by either party.

Fees

Clear fee schedule, payment methods, late fees, interest, and who pays storage, handling, and removal costs.

Insurance

Specify whether provider or depositor insures goods, minimum coverage amounts, and proof of insurance requirements.

Liability

Limitations of liability, indemnity clauses, and responsibilities for negligence or willful misconduct by the provider.

Abandonment

Notice procedures, statutory timelines, and sale or disposal methods for items deemed abandoned after nonpayment.

How to update, amend, or revise a Storage Agreement

Use a documented amendment process to modify terms, preserving signatures and effective dates to maintain legal clarity and evidentiary value.

01

Propose Amendment:

Draft changes and circulate to the other party for review.
02

Record Consent:

Both parties sign the amendment and date it clearly.
03

Attach to Original:

Add amendment as an exhibit to the original agreement record.
04

Update Inventory:

Document any changes to stored goods or declared values.
05

Communicate Changes:

Send updated copies to operational staff and the depositor.
06

Preserve Versions:

Retain prior versions for audit and dispute resolution.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient Storage Agreement completion

These best practices reduce operational friction, lower dispute risk, and make enforcement straightforward.

Use a clear inventory attachment
Attach a dated, itemized inventory with photos and serial numbers where possible; signed acceptance of the inventory reduces later disagreements about condition or quantity and supports insurance claims.
Define insurance and limits
Specify whether the provider or depositor is responsible for insurance, require certificates of insurance where appropriate, and state coverage limits to avoid coverage gaps during loss events and claim denials.
Standardize notice procedures
Describe how notices must be delivered (email, certified mail), include required timing for cure periods, and spell out the steps before any enforcement action such as lien sale or disposal.
Record signature authority
Document the signer’s title or authority (owner, officer, agent) and keep evidence of authorization to bind the entity to prevent later challenges to the agreement’s validity.

How a Storage Agreement differs from a warehouse receipt

Compare legal characteristics to choose the appropriate document type for custody, title, and transferability concerns.

Criteria Storage Agreement Warehouse Receipt
Legal nature contract for custody document evidencing title
Typical parties provider and depositor warehouse operator and holder
Transferability non‑transferable custody contract often negotiable as title
Use case long/short term storage financing and negotiable goods

eSignature vendor comparison for executing Storage Agreements

A neutral pricing comparison highlights starting costs and key features when choosing an eSignature provider; signNow appears first for column alignment.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7‑day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about Storage Agreements and eSigning

Answers to common issues about validity, notarization, electronic signatures, and post‑execution steps for Storage Agreements.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users