The Rules of Self Storage Units in New York
By Jessica Tyner
Whether you call them self-storage facilities, mini-storage or you-store sites, storage companies in New York have been facing a bevy of lawsuits. Some regard the safety of the items, while others deal with illegal property tucked away or sold. If you’re storing items in the state of New York, it’s important to know the rules and regulations of self-storage services.
Unfortunately, residents have to step up to the plate and make sure companies they trust are doing the right thing. Coincidentally, the legal name of the laws governing New York storage facilities is “NY Lie Law 182” — an emphasis on the abbreviation “lie” (lien) that some storage unit customers may feel.
It might seem obvious, but the storage unit company is required to provide a written agreement to the customer including names and dates. Just because you’re renting someone’s garage from a Craigslist ad doesn’t mean they’re exempt. A storage unit facility is defined as any space that’s rented for the purpose of storing your property. Whether it’s a mega chain or a person trying to make a little cash by renting out their unused shed, the same rules apply. Here are a few more details to consider.
What Storage Agreements Must Include
Along with the name of the storage unit owner and the renter, the dates of the occupancy must be included. The street address of the storage unit facility is required, and the monthly rent is a must. Some storage unit customers have complained that the owner drastically raised the rent after a few months after alluding that the rent might “slightly increase” down the road. There’s no room for gray areas in any rental agreement, so make sure the rent fees are in black and white.
In addition to rent, an itemized list of any other charges should be in the agreement along with a description and fixed dollar amount. These may include late fees, move-out fees, deposits and anything else. A business address and phone number must be expressed, and this is important for the renter in case an emergency arises.
Every single agreement in New York must have this sentiment expressed, too: “Notice: The monthly occupancy charge and other charges state in this agreement are the actual charges you must pay.” If your rental agreement doesn’t have this, it’s a red flag that the owner might not be on top of things.
Your Rights if you Miss a Payment
Just because you miss a payment does not mean you don’t have rights. It is illegal for storage unit operators to seize your property without providing the following information:
- an itemized statement of the amount due
- the description of the property being seized
- the nature of the proposed sale, including the time and place
If you are not provided with this, you may have a case to sue rental property owner for damages.
Are You Struggling with a Storage Unit Nightmare?
Was your property seized without proper notice? If so, you may have a storage unit legal claim.
Find out about your rights at the New York Mini Storage Property Seizure Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. While there, you’ll have the opportunity to submit your story for a free legal review. Once you submit your information, an attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss your free storage unit lawsuit review.
Updated July 3rd, 2013
All class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Lawsuit News section of Top Class Actions
18 thoughts onThe Rules of Self Storage Units in New York
I moved from NY to VA. Owner of storage unit said I could not have a “yard sale” nor could I bring a dumpster to empty it. His record keeping was awful, cashing check but not applying it for my account. Long story short, i did agree to have him sell items, apply money to whatever was owed and send me what was left, if any.
I asked him to send me an accounting with amounts and balance owed. I finally received an email saying everything was garbage and trashed “you owe nothing”.
Aren’t they supposed to send an itemized statement ?
I did not receive an accounting for anything
I have been with my storage facility for 5 years. I lost my husband and my job and fell behind on rent. I was told about the auction. Nothing in the mail. I got a text. The unit contains my deceased husbands belongings and all of our life and family values. Including my childrens baby memorabilia. Our entire lives and their daddies things are in there. No commentary value at all. My old off and all of our financial and personal Important documents are in there. I saw my unit and name in the newspaper for auction. I was one day late and could pay in FULL with an predated itinerary and written checks for the future ontime payment. I begged and begged for mercy but they said the auction will not postpone. Zero regular to our losses. I tried to contact them and pay in full. They said any communication with no longer he accepted. My unit had no lock on it anymore and nothing in it. And no one will answer my calls. I was kot allowed to participate in the auction. I need help! Can a lawyer call me ASAP?
I never got a written contract for a storage unit that I rented. They wrote down my debit card information and said she would ” run it”. I missed the monthly payment. Within a couple of days my father in law received a letter from the storage facility stating that I missed a payment and a lock was put on it until payment was received. The amount of the debt was included in the letter. Do they have any right to give personal information about a debt I owe without my permission?
You still have said NOTHING about the New York State Law requirements for storage facilities to provide a secure environment for people’s property. If they are negligent, what laws stand up for the RENTER?? My storage facility has removed security
Now anyone can simply walk in. They are saying they are NOT liable. Is this type of negligence legal in New York?
Some years back I had a storage unit in New York. While I was moving to Georgia.
I lost my and started to fall behind. Well told me my unit was up for auction and was sold
At first they told me I still owed $72.20. within a few weeks of getting that notice they sent me another notice saying I owe them $720.20. this amount they sent to collections. I called several times asking about an itemized list and an acution amount. I also asked why the amount jumped so much, the young lady said that’s how it works. I didn’t know about this program. My other question is this happened a little less than six years ago. I still have some of the notices that show the two amounts. Is there anything I can do?
Thank you in advance
I was late by two months of unit rent, the second month was the first month of new ownership for the new company which raised it from $65 a month $99 a month putting me behind $164 they defaulted me threatened to auction kept my unit locked. Short story I paid them what they demanded the only took what I owed leaving my account credited $161 due to my situation I didn’t have the transportation or the money to get our things out of storage and they knew this and refused to renew lease terms giving me u til midnight Jan 31st to get our things out. We had about 3 trips left to make before we had all of our stuff out and the area and unit cleaned up and the owner texted me to get off the property or he was calling the sherriffs to remove me from the property can I demand the rest of my items or does he get to keep them?
i have been paying the storage unit for 2 years, i was in my fathers name because i did not have the money to pay at the time. my father now lives in florida . I have the keys to the unit its my stuff in there i going to empty it and them the keys what can they do to me my is 76 and can not travel.