New Law Impacts California Self-Storage Operators

As the result of the efforts of the Self Storage Association (SSA) and the California Self Storage Association’s (CSSA) lobbyist, self-storage bill AB 1916 was passed and signed into law by Gov. Newsom. On Jan. 1, 2025, when the bill takes effect, self-storage operators in California will have an easier time disposing of tenants’ property if they fail to vacate when removed from your facility for reasons other than lack of payment. 

AB 1916 eliminates the need to file an unlawful detainer lawsuit when a tenant fails to remove his property following the termination or non-renewal of the tenant’s rental agreement. Instead, AB 1916 provides a self-help process that does not require court involvement. This process requires that the operator send two notices to the tenant before, in most circumstances, advertising and conducting a sale of the property. AB 1916 also allows operators to amend their rental agreements by giving at least 30 days’ notice in writing to the tenant. If the tenant continues to store property at the facility after the date provided in the notice, the amended rental agreement is binding on the tenant even if not signed by the tenant.

Although this law will streamline the disposal of property as described above, it must be done correctly. To better help you understand how to do this, CSSA is hosting two (2) virtual seminars: Dec. 17, 2024, and Jan. 28, 2025. This seminar will include detailed description by attorney Carlos Kaslow, along with live Q&A session of steps needed to remove the tenant and their property.

Registration is open for each of these webinars:

Dec. 17, 2024 – https://californiaselfstorage.org/event-5921732

Jan. 28, 2025 – https://californiaselfstorage.org/event-5971354

The CSSA also has a new, updated Lien Law Annotated Manual with details about this new law. To order a copy of the manual, visit cssa.wildapricot.org/Sys/Store/Products/8358.