When The Storage Unit Is Sold
Com. Law § 18-504 — more than 60 days in default, a demand of at least 14 days, and 10 days' notice of the sale
In Maryland, the operator of a self-service storage facility has a lien on all personal property stored in each leased space for rent, labor and other charges, and the rental agreement must say so in bold type, along with the fact that the property may be sold if the occupant is in default.
Sixty days first. Only when the occupant is in default for more than 60 days may the operator enforce the lien by selling the stored property at a public sale, for cash.
The notice of default. Before a sale, the operator notifies the occupant by hand delivery, verified mail, or e-mail if the rental agreement allows e-mail in bold type and the occupant initialed it. The notice states the claim, demands payment within a time not less than 14 days after it was mailed, and says the contents will be sold at a stated time and place if the claim is not paid.
- At least 10 days before the sale, the operator gives the occupant notice of its time, place and terms.
- At least 3 days before the sale, the operator advertises it in a newspaper, by e-mail, or on a website.
- Any time before the sale, the occupant may pay the amount needed to satisfy the lien and redeem the property.
After the sale. The operator satisfies the lien from the proceeds and mails any balance by certified mail to the occupant or another recorded lienholder; a balance that comes back is held for 1 year for delivery on demand.
Vehicles and boats. When the stored property is a motor vehicle or watercraft and the occupant is in default for more than 60 days, the operator may have it towed or removed instead of selling it.
Late fees. A reasonable late fee may be charged for each month rent is not paid when due, not more than the greater of $20 a month or 20% of the monthly rent, and only if the rental agreement discloses the amount and when it is charged.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionThe facility can sell the unit the day after a missed payment | What the law actually doesNot before the occupant is in default for more than 60 days, after a notice demanding payment within at least 14 days |
| The assumptionOnce the auction is advertised, the belongings are gone | What the law actually doesAny time before the sale, the occupant may pay what satisfies the lien and redeem the property |
Denial of access during a default, a value limit in the rental agreement and an unclaimed balance are not all on this page. What a particular situation carries is a question for a licensed Maryland attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Md. Code, Com. Law § 18-504 — Enforcing a storage lien by sale
- Md. Code, Com. Law § 18-503 — Storage operator's lien; required notice in the rental agreement
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.