Online rental software lets a renter pick a unit, sign the lease, pay and get a gate code on their phone, any hour of the day. In Stitch Storage it is built into every plan and runs from your free facility page, so you can take a rental while you sleep.
Why it matters to a small owner
People look for storage on their phones, often in the evening, often in a hurry. If they can only call, and you do not answer, they call the next place. Online rental turns a missed call into a lease.
The renter's path, step by step
- Open your page. They land on stitchstorage.com/f/your-facility, with sizes, prices, photos, hours and a map.
- Choose a unit. Only vacant units show. When a unit rents, it leaves the list.
- Enter details. Name, contact and ID.
- Sign. The lease is e-signed on the phone.
- Pay. Card or bank account through Stripe Elements. Card data goes to Stripe and Stitch never stores it.
- Get access. The renter sees their gate code and a receipt.
- Set up autopay. They can agree to autopay so next month bills itself.
You see the new tenant in your dashboard, with the lease, ledger and code already attached.
What you control
- Which units appear and at what rate.
- Move-in promotions and fees, such as a move-in special.
- Proration for a mid-month start.
- Whether a protection plan is offered.
Worked example
Say you have 120 units, 108 occupied and 12 vacant, at $95 average rent. Two renters a month find you after hours. If one of those would have gone elsewhere, a single saved rental at $95 is $1,140 a year. The 0.3% platform fee on that rent is $3.42 for the year. Your plan price is separate: Starter $39 or Pro $99 a month.
This is a simple illustration, not a forecast. Your results depend on your market, your price and your page.
Bank payments, explained
Tenants can pay by bank account (ACH). Stripe notes that ACH can take up to 4 business days to confirm success or failure, and a personal-account holder can dispute a debit through their bank for up to 60 days. For a first month, many owners prefer a card, then offer ACH for autopay. See payments and autopay.
What to look for in online rental software
| Criterion | Good sign |
|---|---|
| Mobile first | Works on a phone with one thumb |
| Live availability | Rented units disappear at once |
| E-sign | No paper at the gate |
| Your Stripe account | Rent goes to you |
| Gate code at the end | Renter can move in right away |
| Public price | No setup fee surprises |
Getting more online rentals
A good page helps. Add photos, show real prices and keep your Google listing current. The guide on how to get more online rentals covers it, and the facility website page explains what is included.
Cost
Online rentals are included. Starter $39 a month (up to 50 units), Pro $99 a month (unlimited units), additional facility $59. 0.3% platform fee on rent processed. 30-day free trial, no card. See pricing.
Setting up your first rentable units
Before you share your page, check these things so the first renter has a good experience.
- Rates match the lease. The price on the page is the price on the lease.
- Photos are current. Show the gate, the aisle and one open unit.
- Fees are clear. If you charge an admin fee or require a protection plan, say so on the page.
- Gate code works. Test a code on the keypad. Confirm your hardware with us first.
- Autopay wording is plain. The renter should know the date and amount that will be charged.
- Your Stripe account is active. Without it, rent has no place to land.
What a renter sees on a phone
The page is built for a thumb. Sizes show as cards with price and a short description. A renter taps a size, sees which units are open, and taps one. The next screens ask for name, phone, email and ID, then the lease for signing, then payment. At the end they get a confirmation and their gate code.
Common objections from owners
"I like to meet my tenants." You still can. Online rental is an option on the page. Some renters will still call, and you can use the same move-in wizard in the office. Staff can finish it in under three minutes.
"What about fraud?" The flow asks for ID and takes payment before access. For ACH payments, Stripe notes risk of failed debits, so many owners take a card for the first month.
"I do not want to answer tech questions." A short note on the page helps: "Rent in about five minutes on your phone."
Where online rental fits in your marketing
Online rental is only as good as the traffic to it. Your Google listing, your sign and your page link should all go to the same place. See facility websites and the guide on more online rentals.