How the Storage Unit Eviction Process Works in 2024

Eviction can be a daunting process for self storage facility owners. It’s emotionally and legally complicated, and it can be challenging to know where to start.

What are the legal requirements to start with? And do they differ based on location?

Also, how do you protect yourself and your facility during the eviction process?

Even if you’ve previously evicted a client, the law constantly changes, and keeping up with the latest developments can be challenging. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide for storage facility owners on the current storage unit eviction process.

We’ll cover all the basics you need to know—whether in the US, UK, or elsewhere—including legal requirements, tips on handling evictions more effectively, and what to do after the eviction process.

When You Can Evict Clients: Non-Payment and Lease Violations

As a self storage facility owner, you have many responsibilities to ensure your business runs smoothly and that you get the payments you deserve. One of these responsibilities is evicting clients when there’s a rental agreement violation.

In the US, there are two main reasons why a client may be evicted, and they include:

-   Non-payment

-   Lease violation

For example, in the state of Illinois, if a tenant fails to pay their rent a day after it’s due, this can be classified as non-payment and is enough grounds for eviction. However, the storage facility owner is required to provide a five-day notice to pay, after which he may proceed with the eviction process.

Similarly, if a tenant violates the rental agreement, such as storing items not allowed as outlined in our storage unit laws guide, they may also be evicted.

Regardless of the case, it’s essential to ensure any eviction process is done within legal guidelines and with proper documentation.

How Do You Evict Someone From a Storage Unit in the UK?

If you’re managing a storage facility in the UK, you’ll need to understand the laws and processes for evicting a tenant in your unit. Eviction proceedings differ for each country, so knowing what’s expected of you in the UK is essential.

The British Consumer Law

The British consumer law states that you must provide reasonable notice to tenants not complying with their contractual obligations. This means you’ll need to warn the tenant before evicting them, but the notice doesn’t have to be in written form.

The notice can be a Section 21 notice if you want the unit after the tenant finishes a fixed term or a Section 8 notice if the tenant has broken the tenancy term.

The Legal Process of Evicting a Tenant in the UK

If your warning goes ignored, then you can proceed with eviction proceedings, which involve these steps:

1.  Apply to the court for a standard possession order if your tenant has unpaid rent. In a case where they don’t owe you rent, you can apply for an accelerated possession order.

2.  If your tenant still refuses to vacate the storage unit, obtain and execute a warrant of possession. This allows court bailiffs or police officers to take possession of the property.

It’s important to precisely follow these steps as outlined by British consumer law. If not, any eviction may be considered unlawful and open you to legal repercussions or potential fines.

To be on the safer side, you should always keep an updated record of your storage units and their tenants across multiple locations. This will give you enough evidence to prove that your tenant is “guilty as charged.” Storeganise’s self storage software is a great tool for managing your self storage units effectively across multiple locations. It helps with keeping detailed records with comprehensive data analytics.

Storage Unit Eviction Laws and Processes in the US

When evicting a tenant from a storage unit in the US, you must follow the law to comply with the storage unit renters’ rights.

Generally speaking, the storage unit eviction process follows these steps:

1.  Provide notice

2.  File an eviction lawsuit.

3.  Garnish wages and bank accounts.

4.  Take over the self storage unit.

Step1: Provide Notice.

You must present proper written notice to the tenant to vacate the premises or remedy any defaults within a specific time frame. The time you’re allowed to give depends on your state’s laws. In Illinois, for example, you’re required to give a five-day written notice.

Step 2: File an Eviction Lawsuit.

If the tenant doesn’t respond to your notice, you can file an eviction lawsuit against them in court. This step is required even if you don’t intend to pursue it further than filing — it establishes that you followed due process if needed. Once you’ve made the filing, you must serve the client at least three days before the hearing.

Step 3: Garnish Wages and Bank Accounts.

Depending on your state, you may be able to garnish wages and bank accounts of tenants who owe rent or fees for damages or unpaid bills. Again, your state’s laws will determine whether this is an option for you in the storage unit eviction process and how much money can be garnished immediately.

Step 4: Take Over the Self Storage Unit.

Once all other legal requirements have been met, you can seek possession of the self storage unit via court. The tenant must move out after 14 or 7 days if they’re being evicted for illegal activities. If they fail to comply, you’re legally allowed to throw out their belongings.

Protection From Storage Eviction Under the SCRA

Being a storage facility owner, you might wonder if there are any protections from storage eviction under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

The answer is yes. The SCRA provides additional protections against eviction and rent collection to active-duty military service members. It sets different conditions under which deployed service members may be evicted or have their goods sold for nonpayment of rent while they’re away from the premises.

If you’re considering evicting a tenant eligible for SCRA protection, you must know you can’t outrightly serve them eviction notices. Military personnel on active duty are legally protected to occupy a storage unit for up to 90 days (three months) after their term ends to enable them to focus on their duty.

It’s best to consult your lawyer for the proper storage unit eviction process before taking any step, as they’ll be more knowledgeable about such laws.

Next Steps After Eviction: Re-Renting the Storage Unit

When a tenant is evicted, it’s important to remember that the storage unit can still be rented out again. As the facility owner, you may need to ensure the unit is clean and ready for a new customer.

To re-rent the storage unit, you’ll need to do the following:

-   Make sure your rental agreement policies are up-to-date and compliant with local and federal laws.

-   Inspect the property to ensure it’s clean and in good condition according to legal standards. This updated 2024 self storage maintenance checklist should be a great resource.

-   Reset the lock on the unit so a new renter can move in securely. You may consult our storage facility security guide for more details.

-   Re-list your unit as available online or onsite.

-   Document all activity related to renting out the unit, including any payments made, deposits taken, etc.

-   Utilise Storeganise software for your self storage business, which will store all the updated information about your units in one place for easy remote access and management.

Wrapping It Up

In short, the storage unit eviction process is complicated and highly regulated in the US and the UK. Still, it can be managed easily with proper knowledge and planning. When faced with an eviction, follow the law and take all the necessary steps to keep your facility and renters safe.

Storeganise provides the perfect platform to ensure all legal requirements are followed, providing the necessary documents for a smooth eviction process. So, make sure you make the most of our revolutionary software to protect your business and customers. Our platform also offers an excellent means to re-list your storage unit for contactless online bookings after a successful eviction process, so consider signing up for a free trial today!