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GeorgiaHB 1312025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Self-service storage facilities; revise advertisement requirements before an owner can enforce an owner's lien

Sponsored By: Stan Gunter (Republican), Scott Holcomb (Democrat), Rob Leverett (Republican), Mary Oliver (Democrat), Matt Reeves (Republican), Mitchell Scoggins (Republican)

Became Law

JudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Storage renters: default and cleanup deposit

Beginning July 1, 2025, every storage renter signs a written agreement that lists the space, monthly rent and due dates, and default rules. The agreement must also include a cleanup fund equal to one month’s rent, held to cover repair or cleanup at move‑out; it is refundable if the unit is left in good condition, and the owner may offset lawful claims. You are in default if a monthly installment is unpaid by the 7th calendar day of the month due or a check is dishonored. After default, the owner may deny access to your unit until you pay. The owner’s lien attaches to all personal property in the space and generally has priority over many later claims; the owner may start enforcement after 30 days in default.

Rules for storage lien notices and sales

Beginning July 1, 2025, storage owners must follow clear notice and sale steps. After 30 days in default, they must send written notice by hand, verified mail, or email; if email gets no delivery receipt or nonautomated reply, they must also send verified mail. The notice must itemize what you owe, give owner contact info, say if access is denied, and give you at least 14 days to pay before a sale. If not paid, the sale ad must run once a week for two weeks in the county legal paper, and the sale cannot occur sooner than 15 days after the first ad; most non‑vehicle items may also be advertised in other reasonable ways. Sales may be held online, and a sale is commercially reasonable if at least three independent bidders attend. You may redeem the property before the sale by paying the lien and reasonable expenses. A good‑faith buyer takes the property free of prior claims; sale money first covers the lien, and any surplus is held for you or secured holders for up to two years, then handled under Georgia’s unclaimed property law.

Stored vehicles towed after 60 days unpaid

Beginning July 1, 2025, if rent and related charges for a stored motor vehicle, trailer, or watercraft stay unpaid for 60 days after they are due, the owner may have it towed instead of foreclosing the lien. Once the towing company takes possession, the storage owner is not liable for the vehicle or damages.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Stan Gunter

    Republican • House

  • Scott Holcomb

    Democrat • House

  • Rob Leverett

    Republican • House

  • Mary Oliver

    Democrat • House

  • Matt Reeves

    Republican • House

  • Mitchell Scoggins

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brian Strickland

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 383 • No: 1

House vote • 4/4/2025

Agree to Senate Substitute

Yes: 163 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 54 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 166 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. House Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Act 125

    5/12/2025

  4. House Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025House

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    4/4/2025House

  6. Senate Tabled

    4/2/2025Senate

  7. Senate Taken from Table

    4/2/2025Senate

  8. Senate Third Read

    4/2/2025Senate

  9. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    4/2/2025Senate

  10. Senate Read Second Time

    3/25/2025Senate

  11. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/21/2025Senate

  12. Senate Read and Referred

    2/27/2025Senate

  13. House Third Readers

    2/26/2025House

  14. House Passed/Adopted

    2/26/2025House

  15. House Committee Favorably Reported

    2/4/2025House

  16. House Second Readers

    1/29/2025House

  17. House First Readers

    1/28/2025House

  18. House Hopper

    1/27/2025House

Bill Text

  • HB 131/AP* (v5)

    PDF

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