For self storage investors, the end goal isn’t always just building a profitable facility, it’s knowing what to do next. Whether you’re nearing the end of a business plan, reacting to market changes, or simply ready to move on, having a well-thought-out exit strategy is crucial. The good news? The self storage market offers several strong routes, and each one brings unique benefits depending on your goals.

In this blog, we explore three of the most common self storage exit strategies, selling, leasing, or scaling, and what you should consider before making your move.

Selling: A Clean Break with Potential for Big Returns

Selling your facility outright is often seen as the most straightforward option. It provides a full exit and can deliver a strong return, particularly if you’ve built a solid customer base, high occupancy rates, and a well-located, well-managed site.

The UK and European markets continue to attract attention from both private investors and institutional buyers, especially for sites that are fully operational, profitable, and scalable. If your facility ticks those boxes, you could be in a great position to negotiate a premium price.

That said, timing is everything. Selling when the market is buoyant and demand for high-performing storage assets is high can make a huge difference to your return. It’s also worth considering whether your site could command more value after a few operational tweaks, upgrades, or planning permissions that add long-term value for the next owner.

Leasing: Keep the Asset, Enjoy the Income

If you’re not ready to sell, or want to retain the long-term value of the property, leasing is a smart way to exit the day-to-day operations without losing ownership.

By leasing your facility to a third-party operator, you can generate a stable, passive income while transferring the responsibility of managing the site. This is particularly attractive if you’re more interested in long-term real estate income than running the business yourself.

Leasing works best when the site is in good condition, has strong local demand, and has been well-designed for operational efficiency. Operators will often pay a premium for facilities that are easy to manage and already generating cash flow.

Of course, you’ll need to vet potential tenants carefully and agree a lease structure that protects your interests. A poorly managed facility can quickly lose value, even if you still own the bricks and mortar.

Scaling: Grow Now, Exit Later

If your site is performing well, scaling up before exiting could unlock even greater value, especially if you’re thinking about selling to a larger operator or investment group in future.

Expanding your current site, launching a second facility, or even building a regional brand all help increase your appeal as a portfolio rather than a one-off asset. Larger investors often seek businesses with multiple revenue streams, wider customer reach, and long-term growth potential, which means a stronger sale price or better acquisition terms for you.

Scaling doesn’t have to mean adding more physical space. Upgrading your tech stack, improving automation, refining your brand, and diversifying your offering (such as adding business storage, lockers, or climate-controlled units) can all drive growth and increase future value.

It’s a longer-term strategy, but one with serious upside if you have the appetite to build something bigger.

What’s Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to exiting the self storage market. The right strategy depends on your financial goals, your timeline, your appetite for ongoing involvement, and the strength of your facility or brand.

At Kuboid, we work with investors at every stage of the journey, from first builds and expansions to preparing sites for sale, lease, or future growth. Whatever your next move looks like, we’re here to help you make it count.

Planning Your Next Step?

If you’re weighing up your options or need support preparing your facility for sale, lease, or expansion, talk to us. Our experienced team can advise on the best approach and help you maximise the value of your investment, now and in the future.

📩 Get in touch with the Kuboid team