Bill > SB660

This bill amends the Virginia Self-Service Storage Act to establish a new process for self-storage facility owners to dispose of personal property left behind by an occupant after a rental agreement has ended, specifically when the occupant has not failed to meet any financial obligations. The bill clarifies that an occupant's "last known address," which is the address or email provided in the rental agreement or a subsequent written change of address, can be updated according to the terms of the rental agreement. If an occupant leaves property in a leased space or on the facility's property after their rental agreement terminates or is not renewed, the owner can treat it as abandoned. Before disposing of this property, the owner must notify the occupant at their last known address, stating that the property will be disposed of 10 days after the notice is given. The occupant retains the right to remove their property during this 10-day period, and the owner is not liable for loss of the property until it's disposed of. If the owner prevents the occupant from removing their property, the occupant can seek legal relief. Any proceeds from selling the abandoned property must first be applied to amounts owed by the occupant, including reasonable costs for selling and storing the property, with any remaining funds returned to the occupant. Importantly, this new disposal process does not apply if the occupant's noncompliance with the rental agreement was due to a failure to pay rent or other financial obligations; in such cases, existing laws regarding the disposal of abandoned property or other legal remedies will apply.