IMPORTANT NOTICE

In December, 2009 the Michigan State Legislature made modifications to the Michigan Self-Service Storage Facilities Act.  These changes were signed by Governor Granholm and take immediate effect. 

The bill amended the Self-Service Storage Facility Act to specify that, if an owner received a notice that a tenant who was a service member was transferred or deployed overseas on active duty for at least 180 days, the owner could not enforce an owner's lien until 90 days after the end of the tenant's overseas service. The bill also would require an owner to deliver notice of intent to enforce a lien by first-class mail (rather than certified mail) or by e-mail; and would allow the sale of property to be advertised electronically.

Under the old Act, the owner of a self-service storage facility or a self-contained storage unit has a lien upon all personal property located at the facility or unit and, after notifying the tenant of overdue payments and advertising in a newspaper of general circulation, the owner may sell or otherwise dispose of the property.  Under the new bill, a service member who was transferred or deployed overseas on active duty for a period of 180 days or more could give the owner notice of the transfer or deployment, including written evidence of the transfer or deployment.  If an owner received a notice with supporting evidence of the transfer or deployment, he or she could not enforce an owner's lien until 90 days after the end of the overseas service.

Under the old act, notice of intent to enforce an owner's lien must be written and delivered in person or by certified mail to the tenant's last known address.  Under the new bill, the written notice would have to be delivered in person, by first-class mail, or by electronic mail to the tenant's last known address, which could include a street address, PO Box, or E-mail address.  The old Act also requires an advertisement of the sale or disposition of property in a newspaper.  The new bill would allow advertisement in a print or electronic version of the newspapeer or in a posting on a publicly available sebsite.

Therefore, it is EXTREMELY important that you understand these changes, and understand the following:

1.  We will no longer be posting newspaper notices advertising the sale of your unit.  All future notices will be posted on the Better Storage website (www.better-storage.com/Auctions.htm).  A short advertisement may be placed to advertise the auction, but information previously required will not be published.

2.  You will be notified by first class mail, e-mail, and by phone of your delinquency on the following schedule:

1. A postcard reminder will be mailed 15 days after your delinquency.

2. A lien notice will be mailed on the 30th day of your delinquency.

3. A notice of auction will be mailed on the 35th day of delinquency, and notice will be posted on the Better Storage Website (www.better-storage.com/auctions.htm)

Therefore, it is very important that you keep us informed of any changes in your mailing address, phone number or email address.  Any changes MUST BE IN WRITING.  It is not the responsibility of Better Storage to locate you  to inform you of default and auction of your property.

If you are a member of the military who has been deployed oversees on active duty for a period of 180 days, and you wish to take advantage of the protections offered under this act, you must give us notice IN WRITING.  You must also supply us with satisfactory evidence of this deployment.

Information on these changes can be downloaded at the State of Michigan Legislature website.

Click on these links to view/download these files.