Indiana
IC 26-3-8
Chapter 8. Self-Service Storage Facilities
IC 26-3-8-1
"Default" defined
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "default"
means the failure of a renter to perform, in a timely
fashion, any duty imposed by section 10 of this chapter
or by a rental agreement.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-2
"Emergency" defined
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "emergency"
means any sudden, unexpected occurrence or circumstance
at or near a self-service storage facility that requires
immediate action to avoid injury to persons or property
at or near the self-service storage facility.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-3
"Last known address" defined
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "last known
address" means the address provided to the owner by
the renter:
(1) for the purposes of the latest rental agreement; or
(2) in a written notice of a change of address after the
latest rental agreement.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-4
"Rented space" defined
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "rented space"
means the individual storage space at a self-service
storage facility that is rented to a renter under a
rental agreement.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-5
"Renter" defined
Sec. 5. As used in this chapter, "renter"
means:
(1) a person who is entitled to the use of a rented space
in a self-service storage facility under a rental
agreement; or
(2) the sublessee, successor, or assignee of a person
described in subdivision (1).
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-6
"Owner" defined
Sec. 6. As used in this chapter, "owner" means:
(1) the owner, operator, lessor, or sublessor of a
self-service storage facility;
(2) the agent of a person described in subdivision (1);
or
(3) any person authorized by a person described in
subdivision
(1) to manage a self-service storage facility or to
receive rent from a renter under a rental agreement.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.5-1988,
SEC.140.
IC 26-3-8-7
"Personal property" defined
Sec. 7. As used in this chapter, "personal
property" means movable property not affixed to
land. The term includes goods, wares, merchandise, and
household items.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-8
"Rental agreement" defined
Sec. 8. As used in this chapter, "rental
agreement" means any written agreement or lease that
establishes or modifies the terms under which a renter
may store personal property in a rented space in a
self-service storage facility.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-9
"Self-service storage facility" defined
Sec. 9. As used in this chapter, "self-service
storage facility" means any real property designed
and used for the renting of space under a rental
agreement that provides a renter access to rented space
for the storage and retrieval of personal property.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-10
Entry of owner into rented space
Sec. 10. A renter, upon a reasonable request from the
owner, shall allow the owner to enter a rented space for
the purpose of:
(1) inspection;
(2) repair;
(3) alteration;
(4) improvement; or
(5) providing other services that are necessary or were
agreed to by the renter.
If an emergency occurs, an owner may enter a rented space
for any purpose set forth in this section without notice
to or consent from the renter.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-11
Lien of owner of facility upon personal property;
priority; attachment; statement
Sec. 11. (a) The owner of a self-service storage facility
has a lien upon all personal property present in the
self-service storage facility for:
(1) rent, labor, or other charges that accrue in
connection with
the personal property under the rental agreement;
(2) expenses necessary for the preservation of the
personal property; and
(3) expenses reasonably incurred in the sale or other
disposition of the personal property under this chapter.
(b) The lien described in subsection (a) is superior to
any other lien or security interest, except for:
(1) a lien or security interest perfected before any sale
or other disposition of the personal property; and
(2) any tax lien, as provided by law.
(c) The lien described in subsection (a) attaches on the
date on which personal property is placed in a rented
space. Every rental agreement must contain a statement in
bold type notifying the renter of the existence of the
lien and of the method by which the owner may enforce the
lien under this chapter.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-12
Enforcement of owner's lien; notice
Sec. 12. (a) After a renter has been in default
continuously for thirty (30) days, an owner may begin
enforcement of the owner's lien under this chapter.
(b) An owner enforcing the owner's lien under this
chapter may:
(1) deny the renter access to the rented space; and
(2) move the renter's personal property from the rented
space to another storage space pending its redemption,
sale, or other disposition under this chapter.
(c) An owner enforcing the owner's lien shall send the
renter, by registered or certified mail (return receipt
requested) addressed to the last known address of the
renter, a written notice that includes:
(1) an itemized statement of the owner's claim showing
the amount due at the time of the notice and the date
when the amount became due;
(2) a demand for payment of the amount due before a
specified time at least thirty (30) days after the date
of the mailing of the notice;
(3) a statement that the contents of the renter's rented
space are subject to the owner's lien;
(4) a statement advising the renter that the owner has
denied the renter access to the rented space, if the
owner has done this under subsection (b);
(5) a statement advising the renter that the owner has
removed the renter's personal property from the rented
space to another suitable storage space, if the owner has
done this under subsection (b);
(6) the name, street address, and telephone number of the
owner or of any other person the renter may contact to
respond to the notice; and
(7) a conspicuous statement that unless the owner's claim
is paid within the time stated under subdivision (2), the
personal
property will be advertised for sale, or will be
otherwise disposed of, at a specified place and time,
which must be at least ninety (90) days after the
renter's default.
(d) Any sale or other disposition of the personal
property to enforce the owner's lien must conform to the
notice given under subsection (c)(7).
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-13
Redemption of personal property
Sec. 13. Before any sale or other disposition of the
personal property under this chapter, the renter may
redeem the personal property by paying the owner an
amount sufficient to satisfy the owner's lien. Upon the
payment of this amount, the owner shall immediately
return the personal property to the renter. After
returning the personal property under this section, the
owner has no liability to any person with respect to the
personal property.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-14
Sale of personal property; advertisement; notice of other
disposition
Sec. 14. (a) After the expiration of the time stated in
the owner's notice under section 12(c)(2) of this
chapter, if the personal property has not been otherwise
disposed of under a notice provided under section
12(c)(7) of this chapter, an owner enforcing the owner's
lien shall prepare for a sale of the personal property
under this section.
(b) The owner shall cause an advertisement of sale to be
published one (1) time before the date of the sale in a
newspaper of general circulation in the county in which
the self-service storage facility is located. The
advertisement must include:
(1) a statement that the personal property stored in the
renter's rented space will be sold to satisfy the owner's
lien;
(2) the address of the self-service storage facility, the
number or other designation (if any) of the space where
the personal property is located, and the name of the
renter; and
(3) the time, place, and manner of the sale.
(c) The sale must be held at least ten (10) days after
the publication under subsection (b). If, after the
publication of notice under this section, the sale of the
personal property is not consummated, the owner shall
notify the renter in writing at the renter's last known
address of the other disposition the owner intends for
the property.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
IC 26-3-8-15
Place of sale; owner as buyer; proceeds of sale
Sec. 15. (a) Any sale of the personal property under this
chapter shall be held at the self-service storage
facility or, if that facility is not a suitable place for
a sale, at the suitable place nearest to where
the property is held or stored.
(b) The owner may buy the personal property at any sale
under this chapter.
(c) An owner may satisfy the owner's lien from the
proceeds of a sale under this chapter. If the proceeds of
a sale under this chapter exceed the amount of the
owner's lien, the owner shall hold the balance for
delivery, upon demand, to the renter. If the renter does
not claim the balance of the proceeds within one (1) year
after the sale, the balance shall be treated as unclaimed
property under IC 32-34-1.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.31-1995,
SEC.6; P.L.2-2002, SEC.81.
IC 26-3-8-16
Rental agreements; rights of owner additional to
creditor's rights
Sec. 16. This chapter does not impair the power of the
parties to a rental agreement to create rights, duties,
or obligations that do not arise from this chapter. The
rights provided to an owner by this chapter are in
addition to all other rights provided by law to a
creditor against a debtor.
As added by P.L.265-1987, SEC.1.
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This information is provided for informational purposes
only. Please seek legal counsel for help on
interpretation of individual statutes.
Contact Ron VanVarden
Member
Self Storage Association
California Self Storage Association (Central Valley Territory Leader)