What Happens to Items in Storage Units with Expired Rents?

Whether it slipped your mind and you completely forgot to pay your payments or maybe you missed those payments because of a major life change, such as a job loss, things happen. There are thousands of storage units that are abandoned every year, most often due to unpaid rent. So what happens to your personal belongings if you leave them in storage? Here's what you can expect:

What Should I Do If I Can No Longer Pay the Rent for My Storage Unit?

Abandoned storage units are more common than you might assume. After missing multiple payments, storage facilities have the ability to declare the unit as abandoned. The number of missed payments varies by storage facilities; make sure to check with your local storage facility about their policies.

Generally, if you are unable to pay your monthly storage fee, you will need to complete the following steps:

1.  Notify the Facility Manager

If you are unable to pay your monthly rent, the first thing you should do is inform the facility manager. Ideally, you should give notice of vacation at least 5 to 6 days before moving out.

2. Don’t Leave Personal Items Behind

When you move your belongings out of your storage unit, you should double-check to ensure that you have not left anything behind. Many storage facilities will charge a clean-out fee to those who leave items behind.

3. Clean Up Before Leaving

Before leaving your unit, be mindful and clean up any trash or dirt. It is advised to try to replicate the storage unit how it looked when you first moved in. Additionally, if you notice any damage to the unit, make sure to notify the facility manager. 

What Will Happen to Items that I Leave in the Storage Unit?

1. Your Unit Will Go into Default.

Your lease agreement will generally provide a full outline of what will happen if you fail to pay your rent on time. Storage facilities will provide a grace period, which sets the maximum amount of time that you can go without paying the storage fee. Most often, this grace period is 30 days. Once your unit is in default, you will be locked out. Most storage facilities will remove your lock, replacing it with a special red lock.

2. You Will Be Contacted by the Facility Manager.

When payments are missed, storage facilities are legally required to contact you to inform you of the issue. This may be via phone, mail, or email. Some lien laws specify how the property manager should contact you.

3. There is a Long Period of Time Between Default and Auction.

Before items are auctioned off, a set amount of time (anywhere from 30 to 90 days) must first pass. To know an accurate number of days, check with the lien laws where you live. Don’t be scared to ask the property manager questions; many storage facility managers have been known to make deals with tenants who have defaulted on payments. Instead of auctioning off your belongings, they may suggest a payment plan; however, they will most likely require you to move your items out of storage immediately as part of that deal.

Will My Items Be Auctioned Off?

If the property manager is unable to contact the tenant, auction is the next step. Before the day of the auction, the storage facility is legally required to publicize when and where the auction will be held, as well as publish a comprehensive notice in the newspaper for a minimum of 2 weeks. You will also receive a certified letter notifying you of the auction. 

If your storage unit goes into default, you are no longer allowed to access the facility. Don’t try to attend your own auction.