AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 66, Chapter 31, relative to self-service storage facilities.
Summary
SB0559 amends Tennessee law governing self-service storage facilities. The bill changes how rental agreement revisions and terminations are handled by allowing an occupant’s continued use of a storage unit for at least 30 days after a delivered revision notice to count as acceptance of the revised rental agreement, even if the occupant does not sign it. It also requires that, after termination or nonrenewal, the occupant receive written notice and at least 15 days to remove personal property from the facility.
The bill further authorizes storage facility owners to include lease provisions warning that property may be disposed of after the notice period and allows owners to impose reasonable restrictions on access while the occupant is removing belongings, including limiting access to office hours. Any property left in the unit after the date stated in the notice may be disposed of by the owner. The act takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies prospectively to conduct occurring on or after that date.
Impact
This legislation updates Tennessee Code Annotated Title 66, Chapter 31, which regulates self-service storage facilities and the rights and obligations of owners and occupants. It clarifies when a revised rental agreement becomes binding, establishes a minimum post-termination removal period, and expands owners’ authority to control access and dispose of abandoned property after notice requirements are met. The bill affects storage facility operators, tenants/occupants, and the handling of personal property left in storage units.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial in the legislative process. It passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee unanimously 8-0 and later passed the floor motion to adopt by a 32-0 vote. The absence of recorded opposition or committee discussion suggests general agreement that the measure provides practical clarification for storage facility operations and occupant notice procedures.
Contention
No major points of contention are reflected in the available record. The main policy issues addressed by the bill are procedural: whether continued occupancy should count as acceptance of a revised agreement, how much time occupants should have to remove property after termination, and how much discretion owners should have to restrict access and dispose of remaining property. Any concerns would likely center on balancing storage owners’ need for efficient turnover and enforcement with occupants’ property rights and notice protections, but no specific objections are documented in the provided materials.
T0 Amend The Law Concerning Self-service Storage Facilities; To Enforce An Unsigned Self-service Facility Storage Rental Agreement; And To Create A Termination Procedure For A Self-service Facility Storage Rental Agreement.
Self-Service Storage Facilities Act; rights of of self-storage facility operators further provided for, publication requirements for notice of sale of certain property revised
Self-Service Storage Facilities Act; rights of self-storage facility operators further provided for, publication requirements for notice of sale of certain property revised