                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

LIEN ON PERSONAL PROPERTY STORED WITHIN A LEASED SPACE (§ 55.1-2901)

A. The owner shall have a lien on all personal property stored within each
leased space for rent, labor, or other charges, and for expenses reasonably
incurred in its sale pursuant to this chapter. Such lien shall attach as of the
date the personal property is stored within each leased space and, to the extent
that the property remains stored within such leased space, as provided in this
subsection, shall be superior to any other existing liens or security interests
to the extent of $250 or, if the leased space is a climate-controlled facility,
$500. In addition, such lien shall extend to the proceeds, if any, remaining
after the satisfaction of any perfected liens, and the owner may retain
possession of such proceeds until the balance, if any, of such charges is paid.

B. In the case of any watercraft that is subject to a lien, previously recorded
on the certificate of title, the owner, so long as the watercraft remains stored
within such leased space, shall have a lien on such watercraft as provided in
this subsection to the extent of $250 or, if the leased space is a
climate-controlled facility, $500. In addition, such lien shall extend to the
proceeds, if any, remaining after the satisfaction of any recorded liens, and
the owner may retain possession of such proceeds until the balance, if any, of
such charges is paid.

C. The rental agreement shall contain a statement, in bold type, advising the
occupant of the existence of such lien and that the personal property stored
within the leased space may be sold to satisfy the lien if the occupant is in
default.

D. A rental agreement may contain a provision regarding the effect of an
unsigned rental agreement. Any such provision is binding only if it contains
statements, in bold type, advising the occupant of the following:

   1. If the owner does not sign and deliver a written rental agreement signed
   and delivered to him by the occupant, acceptance of rent by the owner gives
   the rental agreement the same effect as if it had been signed and delivered by
   the owner; and

   2. If the occupant does not sign and deliver a written rental agreement,
   acceptance of possession or payment of rent gives the rental agreement the
   same effect as if it had been signed and delivered by the occupant, if the
   owner also sends the rental agreement electronically or to the
   occupant&#8217;s last known address.

E. In the case of any motor vehicle that is subject to a lien, previously
recorded on the certificate of title, the owner, so long as the motor vehicle
remains stored within such leased space, shall have a lien on such vehicle in
accordance with &#xA7; 46.2-644.01. In the case of any abandoned, immobilized,
unattended, or trespassing vehicles or watercraft that are not authorized to be
at the self-service storage facility by the owner, the owner may tow the
property in accordance with any city or county private property towing
ordinance.

HISTORY: 1981, c. 627, § 55-418; 1984, c. 717; 1999, c. 149; 2005, c. 275;
2009, c. 664; 2019, c. 712; 2024, c. 673.