Sec. 42-159. Definitions. As used in this chapter.
(1) "Self-service storage facility" means any real property designed and used for the renting or leasing of individual self-contained units of storage space to occupants who are to have access to such units for storing and removing personal property only, and not for residential purposes. A self-service storage facility and an owner are not a warehouse, as defined in section 42a-7-102, except that if an owner issues a document of title, as defined in section 42a-1-201, for the personal property stored, the owner and the occupant are subject to the provisions of article 7 of the Uniform Commercial Code and the provisions of this chapter do not apply.
(2) "Owner" means the owner, operator, lessor, or sublessor of a self-service storage facility, his agent, or any other person authorized by him to manage the facility or to receive rent from an occupant under a rental agreement.
(3) "Occupant" means a person, or the sublessee, successor, or assignee of a person, entitled to the use of a storage unit at a self-service storage facility under a rental agreement, to the exclusion of others.
(4) "Rental agreement" means any written agreement or lease that establishes or modifies the terms, conditions, rules or any other provisions concerning the use and occupancy of a unit in a self-service storage facility.
(5) "Personal property" means movable property not affixed to land and includes, but is not limited to, goods, merchandise, and household items.
(6) "Last known address" means that address provided by the occupant in the latest rental agreement or the address provided by the occupant in a subsequent written notice of a change of address.
(7) "Default" means failure to perform any obligation or duty imposed by a rental agreement or by this chapter.
(P.A. 81-428, S. 1; P.A. 04-64, S. 75.)
Sec. 42-160. Owner's lien upon defaulting occupant's property. The owner of a self-service storage facility shall have a lien upon all personal property located at such facility for the amounts of any rent, labor or other valid charges incurred in relation to such personal property, for any valid expenses incurred in the necessary preservation of such personal property and for any expenses reasonably incurred in the sale or other disposition of such personal property pursuant to law. Such lien attaches on the date of default by the occupant. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 42a-9-333 such lien shall not have priority over a lien or security interest which has attached or been perfected prior to such default.
(P.A. 81-428, S. 2; P.A. 01-132, S. 172.)
Sec. 42-161. Satisfaction of lien. Notice to occupant and holders of security interest. (a) No owner may satisfy the lien provided for in section 42-160 unless he complies with the procedure set forth in this chapter.
(b) The owner shall notify the occupant and any person who has filed a valid security interest in such property with the Secretary of the State of his intention to satisfy the lien with a written notice which shall be delivered in person or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the occupant.
(P.A. 81-428, S. 3.)
Sec. 42-162. Contents of notice. The notice required by section 42-161 shall contain the following information: (1) An itemized statement of the owner's claim showing the amount due at the time of the notice and the date the amount became due; (2) a description of the personal property subject to the lien sufficient to permit its identification, except that any container including but not limited to a trunk, valise or box that is locked, fastened, sealed, or tied in a manner which hinders immediate access to its contents may be described as such without describing its contents; (3) a notice of denial of access to the personal property by the occupant if such denial is permitted under the terms of the rental agreement, such notice to provide the name, street address and telephone number of the owner whom the occupant may contact; (4) a demand for payment within a specified time not less than fourteen days after delivery of the notice; and (5) a conspicuous statement that unless the amount due is paid within the sixty days after default the owner will advertise the personal property for sale or disposition and will sell or otherwise dispose of such personal property, the time and place of such sale or disposition to be specified in the notice.
(P.A. 81-428, S. 4.)
Sec. 42-163. Sale or disposition of property; where held. Any sale or other disposition of the personal property of the occupant shall conform to the terms of the notice as provided in section 42-162 and shall be held at the self-service storage facility or at the nearest suitable place convenient to where such personal property is stored or held.
(P.A. 81-428, S. 5.)
Sec. 42-164. Advertisement of, and time for sale. Allocation of proceeds. (a) After the expiration of the time given in the notice for the occupant to pay the amount due, if the owner wishes, he may place an advertisement of the sale or other disposition of the personal property in a newspaper of substantial circulation in the municipality where the self-service storage facility is located. Such advertisement shall be published at least twice within a period not less than ten days preceding the date of such sale or other disposition. The advertisement shall include: (1) A description of the personal property subject to the lien according to the requirements of section 42-162; (2) the name of the occupant, the address of the self-service storage facility, the unit number, if any, of the storage space where the personal property is located; and (3) the time, place and manner of the sale or other disposition.
(b) Such sale or other disposition of the personal property shall not take place sooner than ten days after the first publication of the advertisement nor sixty days after the date of default.
(c) If there is no newspaper of substantial circulation in the municipality in which the self-service storage facility is located, the advertisement shall be posted at least ten days before the date of the sale or other disposition of the personal property in not less than six conspicuous places in the neighborhood where the self-service storage facility is located.
(d) The proceeds of a sale under this section shall be allocated to pay the expenses of such sale, then to the holder of any lien or security interest having priority over that of such owner, then to the owner.
(P.A. 81-428, S. 6.)
Sec. 42-165. Redemption of property by occupant or holder of security interest. At any time prior to the sale or other disposition of the personal property subject to the lien, the occupant, or any person who proves a valid security interest in such personal property, may pay the amount due necessary to satisfy the lien along with reasonable expenses incurred under section 42-164 and redeem such personal property. Upon receipt of payment, the owner shall return the personal property and have no further liability to any person in respect to such personal property.
(P.A. 81-428, S. 7.)
Sec. 42-166. Rights of purchaser in good faith. A purchaser in good faith of personal property sold to satisfy the lien provided for in section 42-160 takes the property free of any rights of persons against whom the lien was valid, despite noncompliance by the owner with the requirements of this chapter.
(P.A. 81-428, S. 8.)
Sec. 42-167. Disposition of balance of proceeds following satisfaction of lien. In the event of a sale of personal property subject to such a lien, the owner may satisfy his lien from the proceeds of the sale but shall hold the balance, if any, for delivery on demand to the occupant or any other party having an interest. If the occupant or such other party does not claim the balance of the proceeds within two years of the date of sale, it shall become the property of the owner.
(P.A. 81-428, S. 9.)
Sec. 42-168. Other remedies of parties not impaired. Nothing in this chapter shall impair or affect the right of parties to create liens by special contract or agreement, nor shall it impair or affect other liens arising at common law, in equity or by any other provision of the general statutes, nor shall it impair or affect any other rights affecting debtors and creditors allowed by law.
(P.A. 81-428, S. 10.)
Sec. 42-169. Reserved for future use.
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January 11, 2014, 06:22:52 PM