BILL NUMBER: S3690A
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 continually 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
S3690A: 182 lien law, 182(7) lien law