SB328 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

Low Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
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operator's liens, authorized, Secs. 8-15-40 to 8-15-49, inclusive, added; Secs. 8-15-30 to 8-15-38, inclusive, repealed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 Self-Service Storage Act, establishing how operators can place liens on stored property and how defaults are handled.
What This Bill Does
It gives operators a lien on an occupant's stored personal property for unpaid rent and related charges, with priority over most liens. It prohibits using storage space for residential purposes and sets rules for operator access. It requires a 30-day default period before a lien sale, with 20 days' notice to occupants and lienholders and at least seven days' advertisement, and allows commercially reasonable sales or towing of certain vehicles after 60 days. It requires rental agreements to disclose the lien and sale rights, sets how sale proceeds are distributed, and specifies that the act applies to agreements entered after October 1, 2019, while repealing the prior Self-Service Storage Act.

Who It Affects
Occupants of self-service storage facilities — may have their stored personal property placed under a lien and potentially sold if they default on rent; they must receive notices and have opportunities to redeem before sale.
Operators/owners of self-service storage facilities — gain a statutory lien on occupants' property and defined rights to sell to recover unpaid rents and related charges, subject to notice and sale rules.
Lienholders and other creditors with interests in stored property — have claims on sale proceeds and must be identified for proper notice; their rights are preserved in the sale process.

Key Provisions
Creates the Self-Service Storage Facilities Act with defined terms (operator, occupant, lien, default, commercially reasonable sale, etc.).
authorizes an operator's lien on an occupant's personal property for delinquent rent, late fees, labor, and preservation, sale, or disposition costs, with lien priority over most liens.
Prohibits residential use of leased space by occupants and operators.
Requires at least 20 days' notice of default to occupants and lienholders by verified mail or electronic mail; notice must detail the lien and amount due.
Requires at least seven days' advertisement before sale and that the sale be commercially reasonable; allows public or private sale and may include sale of property in parcels or as a unit; may tow vehicles after 60 days of nonpayment.
Provides redemption rights: occupants may pay to satisfy the lien before sale; proceeds are distributed to satisfy liens, with remaining proceeds handled according to the statute; unclaimed funds may revert to the operator after one year.
Limits operator liability to net proceeds of the sale; buyer at a good-faith sale takes property free of valid lien rights.
Remains in effect that the occupant retains exclusive care and control of property until a lien sale occurs, and the rental agreement can create additional rights.
Repeals the prior Self-Service Storage Act and applies to rental agreements entered into, extended, or renewed after October 1, 2019; the act becomes effective October 1, 2019.

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