Storage Units

What is a self-storage unit?
I am locked out of my self-storage unit. What can I do?
I cannot afford the rent for my self-storage unit. What happens now?
I have received a letter from the owner of my self-storage unit. They are going to sell my stuff. Can they do that?
How much time do I have to pay the amount due on my self-storage unit?
Can I stop the sale?
What if I did not receive notice of the sale or the sale was not advertised?
How do I know that I am getting a fair price for my stuff?
What if I didn't agree to my stuff being stored in a storage unit?

What is a self-storage unit?
A self-storage unit is a place where you can keep your stuff for a monthly rent. If you do not pay the monthly rent, Vermont law allows the owner of the unit to lock you out and keep your stuff until you pay. If you still don't pay, the unit owner may sell your stuff.

I am locked out of my self-storage unit. What can I do?
Contact the owner of the storage unit. Find out why your self-storage unit has been locked. If you owe money, try and work out a payment plan.

I cannot afford my self-storage unit. What happens now?
If you are current on your payments, close your account and immediately remove your stuff from the self-storage unit.

If you are behind on your monthly rent, you may be locked out of the self-storage unit until you pay the amount owed. If you do not pay this amount, Vermont law allows the owner of the self-storage unit to sell your stuff to pay the amount due.

I have received a letter from the owner of my self-storage unit. They are going to sell my stuff. Can they do that?
Yes, Vermont law allows the owner of self-storage units to sell the stuff inside the self-storage unit when rent is not paid.

The owner of the self-storage unit must send notice of the sale by certified mail or have it delivered to your last known address. The notice must contain the following information:

1. the amount you owe,
2. a description of your stuff,
3. the date you must pay before to avoid a sale,
4. where and when your stuff will be sold if you fail to pay.

How much time do I have to pay the past due amount on my self-storage unit?
The self-storage unit owner will send you a notice. The notice must give you at least 10 days to pay the amount due. The notice should say when you must pay to avoid a sale.

Can I stop the sale?
Yes. You can stop the sale by paying the amount due by the date listed on the notice.

What if I did not receive notice of the sale or the sale was not advertised?
If you did not receive notice or the sale was not advertised, you can sue the owner of the self-storage unit for damages.

How do I know that my stuff will be sold for a fair price? So long as you have received notice and the sale was advertised in a local newspaper once a week for two weeks in a row, the sale is considered fair.

What if I didn't agree to my stuff being stored in a storage unit?
If your stuff was placed in a self-storage unit by a landlord or a sheriff, your stuff cannot be sold to pay the amount due on the self-storage unit. But the person who owns the self-storage unit can send you notice asking you to remove the property within 30 days. If you do not remove your stuff, your stuff can be sold in an auction. If your stuff is sold in an auction, the proceeds of the auction will be yours minus the cost of the auction.