The proposed revision to Florida's self-storage lien statute, House Bill 715 (HB 715), passed the state House of Representatives unanimously on Feb. 23. On Feb. 27, HB 715's companion bill, Senate Bill 646 (SB 646) was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee and also passed unanimously. The revision is the result of a combined legislative lobbying effort by the Self Storage Association (SSA) and the Florida Self Storage Association (FSSA).
If the proposed legislation passes a full Senate vote and is signed into law, it will accomplish the following:
- Allow a tenant to provide a change of address to the facility using First Class Mail or e-mail. Currently, a tenant must hand deliver his address-change notice or send it via Certified Mail.
- Allow a Notification of Default to a tenant to be sent using First Class Mail with a Certificate of Mailing or e-mail, provided receipt of the e-mail by the tenant is verified. Currently, these notices must be hand delivered or sent via Certified Mail.
- Require that self-storage rental contracts or applications ask whether a person is in the military. By knowing which tenants serve in the military, a facility operator can extend to them protections against lien-sale proceedings according to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Tallahassee, Fla.-based self-storage operator Steve Chaires, owner of Advanced Moving and Storage, was present for the hearing, representing the FSSA. Tim Dietz, the SSAs senior vice president of government relations, testified on behalf of the national association.
The Senate vote on SB 646 has not been scheduled but can be tracked at www.flsenate.gov. Visitors should hover their mouse over "Session" in the navigation bar and click on "Calendar."