Whether you’re seeking the sun for half the year or travelling the world in a motorhome, or on a series of cruises, or joining the 1.1million UK pensioners who live abroad in 2026, a safe, dependable UK base for your possessions is so important for peace of mind.

Could letting your home fund your travels?

Funding your retirement travels by renting out your UK home to tenants is a tempting proposition. As well as the income, your home won’t be standing empty during the winter. Good tenants can alert you (or your management agent) to any maintenance issues, and will keep the house ‘lived in’, which can make it less vulnerable to damage caused by the cold.

Storing your possessions in your home while you travel

You will want to secure your valuables while you aren’t living in your house. One option is to pack them away in the loft, and another is to close off a room for your things.

The loft is the traditional storage in a UK home, but roof spaces are prone to extreme changes in humidity and temperature, as are outbuildings. These changes can promote condensation, resulting in mould damage and musty odours. Certain goods – for example musical instruments and antique furniture – can suffer warping damage if they are repeatedly exposed to temperature extremes. Books, papers, photographs and electronics are also vulnerable to being stored in poor conditions.

Stuff stored in the attic is vulnerable to pests like mice seeking a warm spot to overwinter.

Using a locked room in your house might be a safer option, but can you trust your tenants not to snoop? And not only that, but closing off a room in your home for storage will potentially reduce the amount of rent you can charge each month.

A secure place for your most valuable personal effects

A more secure solution could be to put your things into a storage unit outside the home. Self-storage will allow you to lock up and leave, knowing that your stuff will be in a safe, dust-free environment while you enjoy your retirement in the sun. Many storage companies offer climate-controlled storage, too, for even more peace of mind.

How retired people reduce their storage costs

Decluttering before you store will mean that you can fit your possessions into a smaller storage space, which will cost you less each month.

One good rule is, if you would throw it out when you move house, you shouldn’t pay to store it. Some of the tips we shared in this article about downsizing for retirement might help you to decide what to store and what to dispose of. Also relevant is this article on self-storage and travel.

We also have an article that will help you cost up self-storage so you can budget for it while you’re abroad.

Insuring your stored personal effects while you travel in 2026

When you leave your property empty while you travel abroad, it can make it more vulnerable to water damage and theft. That’s why insurers might remove or restrict coverage for leaks or theft. Most home contents policies will be fine for a short holiday – but if you’re going away for more than a couple of weeks, check your insurance policies to make sure you’ve got the level of coverage you need.

With self-storage insurance, you can be sure that your possessions will be protected for the entire length of your travels. When you insure with Store and Insure, you can opt for rolling 28-day renewal or a fixed term policy. If your plans change, you can manage your renewal online, call us or email us.

We’re FCA-regulated, and backed by Lloyd’s of London, so when you insure your stored personal effects with Store and Insure, you know you’re protecting your UK roots with an insurance policy you can depend upon.