Where do I start?
Short Version: Compass Self Storage illegally overcharged me. I was charged for insurance when I declined the insurance and advised I had coverage through my rental agreement. When I provided proof of coverage, Jay, the general manager, refused to refund the insurance premium ($14) stating that it is my responsibility to provide proof to the company every year that I have active insurance. My rental agreement does not state that I need to provide proof, and it also does not state that if I do not provide proof, that I am required to accept Compass' insurance. (Side note: $14 per month for $4000 coverage is a scam on its own. I pay less for coverage for the contents of my entire apartment!)
I encourage other people who experience the same to file complaints with the BBB and NJ office of consumer affairs (part of the NJ Attorney General office).
https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Pages/Consumer-Complaints.aspx
https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint/search?find_country=USA&find_latlng=40.806755%2C-74.185421&find_loc=Bloomfield%2C%20NJ&find_text=Compass%20Self%20Storage&page=1&touched=1
And call your bank to dispute the fees. I was able to recoup the overcharged fees this way.
Full Version:
I've rented from this location on and off for the past 20 years, most recently in 2022 when they became Compass Self Storage. The location has always been dingy with the same terrible dollies and sporadically working elevator. The only thing that has changed is the exterior color scheme and people in the office. I haven't had issues with vermin like others, but I don't doubt their stories. The maintenance in minimal and that's being generous.
I haven't really had issues with rental charges in the past. They were transparent and my unit increased minimally every once and a while - it went from approx $75 to $93.93 from 2022 to Mar 2025. Then in April 2025, my rent increased by #13 to $107.69 but to my surprise I was charged $121.69. I called for explanation and was told it was a $14 insurance premium because my unit was uninsured. I told Jay, the general manager, that I have insurance through my renter's insurance. He said I needed to provide proof in order to have the insurance cancelled. I provided the proof that day, but I did not receive a refund for the $14 charge. Jay told me I would not be refunded because I did not provide Compass with proof of insurance and that it was the customer's responsibility to provide proof every year that the unit is covered. I was confused because there is nothing in my rental agreement that states that I must provide annual proof that the unit is covered. Section 10, which covers insurance, of my agreement only states that I maintaining insurance on the unit is my responsibility and that Compass is not responsible for damage. It also does not state that if the unit is uninsured, Compass would automatically provide an insurance policy and charge me a premium of $X amount for $X amount of coverage. I also never received a copy of this new policy on my unit.
I recouped the illegal fees through my bank by providing the copy of the new rate I received that did not include the insurance charge as evidence. I also filed complaints with the BBB and NJ Consumer Affairs office. I am also cancelling my agreement and moving elsewhere. This place is not worth it. And Jay is not professional or helpful. I asked to speak to his manager to complain and was told he is the boss, there is no one above him. When I would not let up, he said someone would call me so that I could file a complaint. Surprise, surprise - no one called. He also hung up on me after placing me on hold for over 30 minutes. He said the system times out but that is not what happened because he only put the phone down. He did not press the "hold" button. So I overheard all the activity in the office, and then heard when someone physically hung up the phone.
Avoid this place at all costs. read more