From the Legal Hotline

By Teri Henning, General Counsel; Melissa Melewsky, Media Law Counsel
Pennsylvania Newspaper Association

Q: A self storage business wants to sell property in its possession as a result of unpaid storage fees. Are there any special advertising rules that need to be followed?

A: Yes, the Self Service Storage Facility Act, 73 P.S. § 1901, has several requirements for advertising the sale of property stored at self storage facilities, including notice to the property owner.

If the storage facility owner has given adequate notice to the property owner as required by statute, he can advertise the sale of the property.

The advertisement must appear in a newspaper of general circulation that serves the area where the storage facility is located. The ad must appear two times, at least 10 days prior to the sale and must include:

(1) A statement that the contents of the occupant's leased space shall be sold to satisfy the owner's lien.

(2) The address of the self-service storage facility and the number or other description, if any, of the space where the personal property is located and the name of the occupant.

(3) The time, place and manner of sale.

Also, please note that if the sale of goods is to be conducted by auction, the Auctioneer Licensing Act requires the name and license number of the auctioneer, auction house or auction company conducting the sale to appear in the ad.

You can read the entire Self Service Storage Facilities Act: [CLICK HERE]

Please call the Legal Hotline at (717) 703-3080 with questions or to have a specific ad reviewed by PNA attorneys.

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