More and more residents of Anglet, Bayonne and the BAB rent out their main home in summer. It is a great way to help finance holidays – as long as you handle one sensitive point: what to do with your personal belongings while guests are there? Photos, documents, keepsakes, clothes, children’s toys… Not everything can, or should, be left at your guests’ fingertips. Here is how to sort, secure and store your belongings, with or without a self-storage unit.

Why remove personal belongings before renting out your home?

Renting out your house is not just about handing over the keys. It means other people will live in what is usually your private space.

Protect your privacy: family photos, documents and intimate objects are not meant to be browsed.
Avoid loss and breakage: sentimental items are hard or impossible to replace.
Secure valuables: jewellery, electronics, collections, professional equipment.
Simplify cleaning and check-out: fewer items means quicker inspections.
Create a more neutral feel closer to a holiday rental than a fully personalised home.

The aim is not to empty the house, but to remove anything too personal or irreplaceable.

Step 1: identify what should not stay in the house

Walk through each room with “guest eyes”.

Sensitive documents: passports, car papers, medical files, bank statements, contracts.
Valuable items: jewellery, watches, cameras, laptops, collections.
Sentimental keepsakes: original artwork, family heirlooms, childhood souvenirs.
Very personal clothing and belongings you would rather not have on display.
Professional equipment: computers, client files, specialist tools.

Anything you would be unhappy to see handled or lost should be removed or locked away.

Step 2: what is useful to leave for guests

A pleasant rental is not an empty shell. Some items are useful and appreciated.

Decent everyday tableware and basic kitchen tools.
Bed linen and towels if you offer them, in reasonable quantities.
A small selection of books and games for evenings or children.
Simple, neutral decor: cushions, a few frames, plants – not all your family memorabilia.
A dedicated storage area (cupboard or wardrobe section) clearly available for guests.

The fewer deeply personal items remain, the more your home feels like a well-thought-out holiday rental.

Where to store personal belongings during the summer rental?

Several options are possible for keeping belongings safe while guests stay in your home.

A locked room such as an office, utility room or walk-in wardrobe.
A cellar or garage for some boxes, with caution about damp and security.
Friends or family for a few boxes, if they have space.
A self-storage unit in Anglet, Bayonne or Biarritz for a clean, secure and accessible solution.

Self-storage is especially convenient if you leave the area for several weeks or rent out your home every summer.

What to keep in a self-storage unit when renting out your home?

Depending on your situation, you can store a simple “owner kit” or a larger share of your belongings.

“Private life” boxes with documents, keepsakes, photo albums, sentimental objects.
Clothes and shoes you will not use during your holidays.
Fragile items such as treasured tableware and delicate decor.
Professional materials: files, archives, electronic equipment, specialist tools.
Bulky items you do not want to leave in the rental (fragile armchairs, children’s furniture, etc.).

A few well-prepared boxes can create a temporary “safe” outside your home.

What size unit for a summer rental in Anglet or Bayonne?

The good news is that for personal belongings, you usually do not need a large unit.

1–2 m² for archive boxes, keepsakes, some clothes and small items.
2–3 m² if you also store some furniture, decor and professional gear.
3–4 m² for a larger “owner kit” with furniture, appliances and many boxes.

You can estimate your needs using our size calculator, then discuss details with our local BAB team.

Organising a “holiday rental” storage unit

A well-organised unit saves time every start and end of season.

Group belongings by theme: “Documents”, “Keepsakes”, “Decor”, “Textiles”, “Work”.
Label each box with contents and original room.
Place long-term items at the back (souvenirs, decor, non-essential objects).
Keep frequently accessed items at the front (documents, work materials).
Keep a written or photo inventory so you know exactly what is stored where.

Each season, you can reset your home for guests in just a few trips between house and unit.

Preparing the home for guests: final touches

Storing your belongings is one step. Making the home pleasant for guests is another.

Clear at least one cupboard per bedroom for guests’ clothes.
Provide hangers, boxes and baskets for easy storage.
Remove overly personal items like intimate photos, collections or cluttered fridge magnets.
Display a useful information sheet with wifi codes, recycling rules and house-specific tips.
Do a final walkthrough as if you were arriving as a guest yourself.

Your house then becomes a warm, practical holiday rental while your personal world stays safe elsewhere.

Case study: a family home in Anglet rented out every summer

In Anglet, Claire and Julien rent out their family home each summer. At first, they left most of their belongings on-site and felt uncomfortable on returning. They decided to rent a 2 m² unit on the BAB. They now store photo albums, travel souvenirs, important documents and some of their favourite decor pieces there, and keep a small locked cupboard in the house for a few essentials. The result: a clear, easy-to-manage rental and personal belongings kept safe year after year.

Decide which belongings are too personal or valuable to leave accessible to guests.
Plan a clear storage solution: locked room, trusted friends or a self-storage unit.
Use a small unit on the BAB as a summer “safe” for documents, keepsakes and sensitive items.
Organise the unit by theme to quickly retrieve your belongings after the season.
Make your home more neutral and guest-friendly for a better holiday rental experience.

Thinking of renting out your home in Anglet, Bayonne or on the BAB this summer? With smart sorting, organisation and a self-storage unit, you can protect your personal belongings and offer guests a clear, welcoming holiday home. Estimate your needs, explore our local centres and book your unit online in just a few clicks.