Michigan Senate Bill 204, which would amend the state’s self-storage lien procedure, was presented to Governor Jennifer Granholm on Dec. 7 and awaits her signature. The bill, passed by both houses of the state legislature this fall, changes the tenant-notification procedure regarding lien sales and creates special consideration for tenants who are deployed military personnel.
 
SB 204, the “self-service storage facility act,” aims to exempt deployed military personnel from enforcement of a lien in the case of non-payment. It stipulates that if a self-storage owner receives notice that a tenant who was a service member was transferred or deployed overseas on active duty for at least 180 days, the owner cannot enforce a lien for non-payment until 90 days after the end of the tenant’s overseas service.
 
In addition, the bill allows operators to notify tenants of pending lien sales by First-Class Mail or e-mail rather than more expensive methods such as Certified Mail. It also allows sales to be advertised electronically rather than in print newspapers.
 
The bill is being championed by the Self Storage Association of Michigan as well as the national Self Storage Association.

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