HB314 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

K.L. Brown

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Self Service Storage Act, notification of default by email, default time reduced from 30 to 15 days, posting of notice on website, commercially reasonable sale specified, enforcement of owners' lien against member of armed forces time extended, Secs. 8-15-31, 8-15-34 am'd.; Secs. 8-15-39, 8-15-40 added

Summary

HB314 updates Alabama's Self-Service Storage Act to speed up defaults, expand notice and sale options, add late fee rules, and extend protections for service members.

What This Bill Does

It shortens the default period from 30 days to 15 days and lets owners notify occupants of default and lien enforcement by certified mail or email. It allows posting the notice of sale on a publicly available website and clarifies what counts as a commercially reasonable sale and how proceeds and liability are handled. It creates a new late fee system and requires notice before charging it, and it adds a 90-day protection period for service members deployed overseas, delaying lien enforcement after their return; it also updates several definitions related to active duty and communications.

Who It Affects

• Occupants/tenants of self-service storage facilities: face a shorter default window and new methods for receiving notices (certified mail or email), potential sale notices posted online, possible late fees, and enhanced protections if they are service members deployed overseas.
• Storage facility owners/operators and lienholders: must follow updated notice and sale procedures, can post sale notices publicly, must apply defined standards for commercially reasonable sales and handling of proceeds and liability (including towed vehicles), and must implement the new late fee rules and service member protections.

Key Provisions

• Adds/defines active duty, certified first class mail, email, late fee, last known address, service member, and related terms.
• Decreases the default/denial of access period from 30 to 15 days.
• Authorizes notices of default and lien enforcement to be sent by certified mail or email.
• Deletes the prior requirement that notices must describe the property and deny access (per the synopsis), and allows posting sale notices on publicly available websites.
• Defines what constitutes a commercially reasonable sale and proceeds, determines the maximum value of stored property, and addresses liability transfer for towed vehicles or vessels.
• Imposes a late fee with a maximum of either $20 per month or 20% of monthly rent, and requires adequate notice before charging the fee.
• Adds a 90-day non-enforcement period after overseas service ends for service members; requires evidence of transfer/deployment to trigger the protection.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month after passage/approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Self-Service Storage Act