HB514 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Shane StringerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Storage facilities, self-service, Self-Service Storage Facilities Act, created, definitions, operator's liens, authorized, Secs. 8-15-40 to 8-15-49, inclusive, added; Secs. 8-15-30 to 8-15-38, inclusive, repealed

Summary

The bill creates a new Self-Service Storage Facilities Act to replace the old act and sets rules for how storage facility operators handle defaults, liens, and sales of stored property.

What This Bill Does

It replaces the existing Self-Service Storage Act with a new framework that defines roles and duties for operators, occupants, and creditors in default. It authorizes operators to place a lien on an occupant's stored personal property for unpaid rent and related charges, with specific definitions and requirements in the rental agreement. It establishes notice, sale, and redemption procedures, including 20 days’ notice to occupants and lienholders, at least 7 days’ advertisement, and a commercially reasonable sale process, plus rules on proceeds distribution and liability. It also sets scope and timing rules, including that the act applies to rental agreements entered after October 1, 2019, and repeals the old act once the new one is in effect.

Who It Affects

• Occupants/tenants of self-service storage facilities who store personal property; they may incur a lien for delinquent rent and charges, must be notified of the lien and potential sale, may lose property if default continues, and have the right to redeem before sale.
• Operators/owners of self-service storage facilities and their agents; they gain a defined lien on occupants’ stored property, must follow notice and sale procedures, may tow vehicles after 60 days of nonpayment, may bid on or purchase property at sale, and have liability and proceeds-distribution rules related to the sale.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Self-Service Storage Facilities Act (Article 2A) and defines key terms (e.g., default, lien, commercially reasonable sale, occupant, operator).
• Authorizes an operator's lien on an occupant's personal property in the leased space for delinquent rent and related charges; lien attaches when property is placed in the space; rental agreements must clearly state the lien and the right to sale.
• Establishes enforcement and sale rules: after 30+ days of default, property may be sold via a commercially reasonable sale; requires 20 days' notice to occupants and identified lienholders and at least 7 days' advertisement; outlines redemption rights and how proceeds are distributed with liability limits for the operator.
• Includes other provisions: prohibits residential use of storage space, allows emergency entry, preserves occupant custody of property until sale, provides for vehicle towing after 60 days of nonpayment, and states the act applies to leases entered after October 1, 2019 and repeals the previous Self-Service Storage Act.

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 Facilities