SB74 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim MelsonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

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operator's liens, authorized, Secs. 8-15-40 to 8-15-49, inclusive, added; Secs. 8-15-30 to 8-15-38, inclusive, repealed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

This bill creates a new Self-Service Storage Facilities Act to govern liens, notices, and sales of stored property when tenants default on self-service storage rental agreements in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

This bill replaces the old Self-Service Storage Act with the Self-Service Storage Facilities Act, defining terms and procedures for how operators, occupants, and creditors handle defaults. It authorizes operators to place a lien on an occupant's stored personal property for unpaid rent and related charges, require notices, and conduct commercially reasonable sales to collect the debt. It also sets rules for access during default, how sale proceeds are handled, and when the act applies (to agreements after Oct. 1, 2020) while repealing the old act.

Who It Affects

• Occupants who rent leased storage space would have liens placed on their stored personal property for unpaid rent and charges, receive required notices before sale, risk losing property at auction, and have rights to redeem or receive any excess proceeds.
• Operators (owners/managers) of self-service storage facilities would have authority to place and enforce liens, conduct sales, deny access during default, tow vehicles after 60 days of delinquency, and manage notices, advertising, and sale proceeds under the act.

Key Provisions

• Adds Article 2A (Self-Service Storage Facilities Act) with defined terms such as occupant, operator, default, lien, personal property, and commercially reasonable sale.
• Authorizes an operator's lien on an occupant's personal property in leased space for delinquent rent and other charges; lien is superior to most liens.
• Rental agreements must include bold notice about the existence of the lien, the right to sell the property, and disclosure of lienholders.
• Allows the operator to deny access to the leased space and to move the occupant's property to another storage space during default.
• Enforces the lien by sale after 30 days of default; requires notices at least 20 days before sale and advertisements at least 7 days before sale; sales must be commercially reasonable and may be public, private, or online.
• Specifies notice and advertisement requirements, including delivery methods and how notices are deemed delivered, and details on distribution of sale proceeds and transfer of lien rights.
• Provides vehicle, watercraft, and trailer towing provisions after 60 days of delinquency and requires compliance with related laws; the lien remains in place until sale.
• Liability limits and care rules: occupancy retains care and risk of property until sale, and operator liability is limited for proper sale proceeds; rights of lienholders are addressed.
• Repeals the prior Self-Service Storage Act (Article 2, sections 8-15-30 to 8-15-38) and applies to rental agreements entered into, extended, or renewed after October 1, 2020.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Self-Service Storage Facilities