Self-service storage facilities: lien notices: email.

Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez's amendment to California's Self-Storage Facility Act modifies how storage facility owners can demonstrate delivery of electronic lien notices to occupants. The legislation revises Section 21712 of the Business and Professions Code to expand the acceptable methods of proving that an occupant received an emailed lien notice.

Under the amended law, storage facility owners may verify receipt of electronic lien notices through several methods: obtaining an electronic signature, documenting that the occupant downloaded or viewed the email, confirming access through a secure web portal, or receiving a reply email from the occupant's address. The bill maintains existing requirements that rental agreements must explicitly authorize email notices and obtain written consent from occupants. If owners cannot verify receipt through these electronic methods, they must send notices via traditional mail to the occupant's last known address.

The legislation preserves core tenant protections by requiring storage facilities to collect an alternate contact for notices and maintaining occupants' ability to specify how they receive important legal communications. These amendments apply to notices sent when unpaid charges could result in property liens or sales after 14 consecutive days of non-payment.