General Law Committee
AN ACT CONCERNING SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITY LIENS
SUMMARY: By law, a self-service storage facility owner has a lien on any personal property left in the facility by a renter who defaults on a rental agreement. This act generally allows the owner to satisfy the lien notice procedures by sending the notice electronically. The electronic notice must include a statement indicating that opening it is acceptance of the notice.
Under the act, if the owner does not receive confirmation that the renter has opened the electronic notice within seven days after the owner sent it, he or she must send written notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the renter's last known address. By law, an owner can also notify the renter by delivering written notice in person.
The authority to send the electronic notice does not extend to vessels that are not documented under federal maritime or admiralty laws. (Such vessels have a separate lien process. ) The act specifies that owners must follow this separate process if the property is a vessel.
Additionally, the electronic notice authority does not extend to certain notices concerning motor vehicles. Thus, written notice must continue to be sent to the (1) motor vehicles commissioner and (2) vehicle's lienholder or owner (if different from the renter).
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2013
BACKGROUND
Self-Service Storage Facility Liens
The lien is for any rent, labor, or other valid charges pertaining to the property in the storage facility; valid expenses incurred in its preservation; and reasonable costs for its sale or other disposition. The facility owner must follow specified procedures for, among other things, notifying a defaulting property owner, advertising the property sale, disposing of sale proceeds, and redeeming the property.
OLR Tracking: DC: TA: PF: RO