ecember is often the time of year when many of us start to think about resolutions for the new year. Best wishes to those who want to learn a new language or instrument in 2024.
As a monoglot with a tin ear, I do not have such high hopes for linguistic or musical ambitions in 2024. I am more hopeful, however, for the new year’s resolutions from the SSA legislative department.
For nearly two decades, the industry’s affirmative policy agenda has focused on issues such as eliminating certified mail and newspaper advertising requirements and allowing for the sale of tenant insurance. More recently, the SSA has weighed in on improvements to building codes and property tax reform. And, of course, although we do not seek out defensive issues, we always stand ready to defend operators from a variety of threats, such as rent control, sales taxes, and new mandates on your business.
You can be assured that we will continue to work on traditional proactive matters, with a particular focus on newspaper mandates and building codes in 2024, while also protecting you from negative legislation. Additionally, we will have at least a few new legislative initiatives to benefit operators in 2024.
Our newest initiatives include addressing two common concerns for storage operators:
- What to do when paying tenants are told to move out but fail to do so.
- How to ensure that a tenant is bound by a rental agreement that he refuses to sign.
Several states already address these concerns in laws applicable to residential or commercial landlords. We expect to pursue legislation to address one or both these concerns in states such as Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Utah, and Virginia.
We are also looking at reforms to provide greater clarity on how to deal with trespassers who store personal items or vehicles without permission, towing of vehicles for non-monetary violations of the rental agreement, and disposal of low-value property without a lien sale (as is already permitted by a handful of states).
Please get in touch with Daniel Bryant (dbryant@selfstorage.org) or me (jdoherty@selfstorage.org) with your feedback on these new initiatives or any other issues you face that may warrant a legislative fix.