I signed a one year lease agreement paid in advance with a credit card. The rate was reasonable and the owner / operator was cordial, and included an additional free month if I stayed the full term. I informed her at the time that I may not need the storage unit for the entire length of the term and asked if I gave the required one month's advance notice would I be entitled to a refund for the unused portion of the agreement (as is a standard clause with reputable operators) to which they agreed.
The day I let them no I was clearing out the unit, four months prior to the end of the lease, I was told they needed 30 days notice - not a problem. They even went so far to say, if they could rent the locker prior to the end of the 30 days, I would be entitled to a prorated refund for those days from the time of the new rental. When I met with the owner / operator at the end of the 30 days, I was informed there was to be no refund "... as per my boss."
Since I relied on the verbal agreement, there was little chance for me to recover any refund as their lease agreement is a document that lacks comprehensive terms and conditions compared to that of reputable operators.
I have to add, the unit was not climate controlled, was dank and had mold. Within the first two months, the light no longer worked, even with a new bulb. I provided a copy of my key so they could have access to repair. After nearly three months, the light was fixed, yet they were unable to return my key because it couldn't be located.
Lastly, I would politely identify this business as a 'Mom and Pop' operation, one that lacks business acumen, as is clearly demonstrative by the fact the owner / operator regularly interacts with customers dressed in a bath robe and slippers.