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Thursday, December 12, 2024
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ADVOCATING ON YOUR BEHALF


What We Do

Montana has more than 435 self-storage facilities, serving a statewide population of 1,002,000. The Montana Self Storage Association has helped storage professionals network and learn best practices but have become aware that our lien laws are not as modern as other states.

In an effort to modernize the storage industry, the MTSSA and the National Self Storage Association have identified 7 primary changes that need to be made to each state’s lien laws. As an example to how these modernization efforts help with today’s storage owners and operators, take into account that the State of Montana requires us to send official correspondence by certified mail only. Across the country this method has been shunned as other communication methods have been developed such as verified mail and e-mail.

The MTSSA is always vigilant in protecting the industry from unnecessary laws or regulations but some changes are necessary. If you have questions or concerns regarding the industry’s relationship with the government, please feel free to contact us.

Certified Mail

This effort seeks to eliminate the requirement to send lien notifications via certified mail, as opposed to "verified mail."

Newspaper Advertising

This effort seeks to eliminate or modify the requirement to publish auction notices "in a newspaper of general circulation," as opposed to simply posting online.

Vehicles & Watercraft

This effort would allow the operator to dispose of abandoned vehicles and watercraft more expeditiously.

Email Notifications

This effort seeks to provide operators with the ability to email lien notifications and other official communications.

Contractual Value Limitations

Provides basic limits of the amount or value of contents in a storage container.

Late Fee Standardization

An industry-wide effort to standardize late fees in the amount of $20 or 20 percent, whichever is greater.

Limited Lines Insurance

This effort would allow and regulate the sale of limited lines insurance.

Building Codes

Monitoring and/or amending reasonable building code requirements for the industry.

Online Auctions

This effort provides operators with the ability to hold auctions online as opposed to at your facility.

Reach Out

Please reach out to us if you have an issue or want to notify us about an issue within the self storage community.