Self-service storage facilities: lien notices: email.

Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez's proposal to modernize California's Self-Storage Facility Act expands the methods by which storage facility owners can verify electronic delivery of lien notices to occupants. The measure adds a new verification option allowing owners to use email systems that confirm delivery with date and time stamps, provided they first inform occupants of the sender's email address and provide instructions for bypassing spam filters.

Under current law, storage facility owners may send lien notices by email only when rental agreements explicitly permit it and occupants provide written consent. Owners must demonstrate receipt through methods like electronic signatures or occupant acknowledgment via secure websites. The proposed legislation maintains these existing verification options while introducing the additional delivery confirmation mechanism. If owners cannot verify receipt through any approved method, they must default to sending notices via traditional mail to the occupant's last known address.

The measure requires owners to notify occupants before changing the email address used to send notices, maintaining consistent communication channels. These provisions apply to notices sent when occupants have unpaid rent or charges for 14 consecutive days, potentially leading to property liens or sales to satisfy outstanding debts.