BILL NUMBER: S3690
SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the lien law, in relation to adding certain notice
requirements for enforcing liens on goods in self-storage facilities
 
PURPOSE:
This legislation will require greater communication with the occupants
of self-storage units whose belongings are at risk of being auctioned.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section one amends subparagraph (i) of paragraph (a) and paragraph (c)
of 2 subdivision 2 of section 182 of the lien law.
Section two amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 7 of section 182 of the
lien law.
Section three establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Many New Yorkers, particularly those who become homeless, rely on self
storage facilities to keep their belongings until they can find stable
housing. For some, the New York City Human Resources Administration
temporarily pays for their storage, however, payment issues have contin-
ually popped up, allowing the contents of these storage units to go up
for auction, often without the occupant knowing. Even during the COVID19
pandemic when millions of people are struggling to pay their bills, the
contents of hundreds of storage units are being auctioned off. Disposing
of a person's belongings, including furniture, clothing, and documents
like birth certificates and social security cards, will create another
series of preventable setbacks that make it that much more difficult for
them to get back on their feet.
This legislation will ensure that any individual who falls behind on
payments for their storage unit is provided adequate notice and a
reasonable opportunity to arrange for payment before belongings are
auctioned.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2019-20: A.11097- Referred to Judiciary
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Undetermined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S3690: 182 lien law, 182(7) lien law