AZSA Legal and Operational Insights
Running a self-storage facility means managing more than just units. This section offers quick, practical guidance on the issues owners and managers face daily.
From abandoned vehicles and delinquent tenants to police visits and lease questions, these articles help you stay informed, compliant, and protected.
AZSA is here to support your success with clear, Arizona-specific information you can trust.
By Richard MarmorAZSA Legal and Legislative As I referenced Marmor’s “Third Rule of Self-Storage” at a recent Legal Q&A session, attendees asked what the 1st and 2nd rules are. Folks who have attended one of my “Lien Sales A to Z” seminars already know, but in... Continue Reading
By Christopher A. LaVoy, Esq.Tiffany & Bosco, P.C. A while back I wrote an article on whether a mini-storage operator can foreclose on a renter in the military, which emphasized the severe restrictions on conducting such a foreclosure. You should refer to that article for any questions... Continue Reading
by Richard MarmorLegal & Legislative Chair It makes a difference. And it’s a big difference. The reason of course is the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (“SCRA”). It specifically provides that a self-storage cannot foreclose its lien for nonpayment and auction the contents... Continue Reading
By Richard MarmorAZSA Legal and Legislative Committee Chair “Can we copy military ID cards?” asked a recent caller. “I heard that the Texas storage association sent a memo to its members telling them that they can’t copy the cards.” I admitted that I didn’t... Continue Reading
By Richard Marmor, Esq.AZSA Legal & Legislative Chair A Can of Worms “Wait a minute,” I told the caller. “Who rented the space, the moving company or the van driver?” “The driver, in his own name.” Before I heard any more, I already had a problem with... Continue Reading
by Richard Marmor, Esq.AZSA Legal & Legislative Chair This article grew out of a phone call for help I received. I talked about it at two of AZSA’s regional workshops. And although it brings up topics I have written about before, the number of “Gee, I never thought of that”... Continue Reading
By Christopher A. LaVoy, Esq.Tiffany & Bosco, P.C. At almost every AMSA educational seminar that I have attended someone has a question about how to deal with a request for information or access to a unit from the police. It is a recurring situation that your facility should have a policy in... Continue Reading
By Richard MarmorAZSA Legal and Legislative Committee Chair In the 2003 film “Love Actually,” a love-smitten Hugh Grant goes looking for Natalie, played by Martine McCutcheon, the girl of his dreams. All he knows is that she lives “on Harris Street . . . at the dodgy end.”... Continue Reading
By Richard Marmor, Esq.AZSA Legal & Legislative Chair “Protected property” is a term we all have to come to understand now. Before you groan and ask, “Now what?” understand that you have been living with this problem since the day you entered the self-storage business.... Continue Reading
By Christopher A. LaVoy, Esq.Tiffany & Bosco, P.C. Over the last year I have received many calls about the procedure for raising rent. If the tenant is new, this is easy. You simply specify a higher rent in the lease signed by the new tenant. However, the procedure is more complicated when... Continue Reading
by Richard Marmor, Esq.AZSA Legal & Legislative Chair So there’s this tough-looking guy at your counter demanding that you confirm that somebody is a tenant at your facility, and if he is, that you surrender some piece of property allegedly stored in the unit. He may even waive some... Continue Reading
By Richard Marmor, Esq.AZSA Legal & Legislative Chair Many of us have attempted to sell unit contents, usually a motor vehicle, only to find ourselves frozen, unable to act, because some kind of government lien appeared of record on the vehicle. One version of that problem is going... Continue Reading
