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  • 1.  Unrented Units have locks

    Posted 09-13-2024 11:01 AM

    I am a newbie to this business. I recently acquired a facility - a month ago - and the previous owners did not lock their unrented units, and did not really oversee the facility, it seems.

    I finally got around to do this, and have found 4 unrented units that have a customer lock. The units show available on the software, have no leases on them. I feel like someone is abusing the units and using them to their liking.
    I went ahead and overlocked those 4 units hoping someone complains about it.

    Can I legally cut the locks to look inside?
    What then? Discard the stuff? or is it better to wait for someone to claim the units?



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    Lubaina Raja
    Premier Mini Storage
    Bryan TX
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  • 2.  RE: Unrented Units have locks

    Posted 09-14-2024 10:52 AM

    We always have lock on every unit just for the reason you have found.  Cut the lock and go through the contents and see if you can find some papers that indicate who the contents belong to.  Someone might have moved into the wrong unit, or they might not have bought a large enough space and flowed over to this unit.   I   seen it both ways.  With no lease the legal way to reclaim the unit is go through the eviction process.  Read about it in the Gold Book.

     

    Douglas Hunt

    Owners Management Co.

    Access Self Storage

    OMC Gate Co.

    3404 N. I-35E

    Lancaster, TX 75134

    Off -214-742-9499

    Cell- 214-236-7474

     






  • 3.  RE: Unrented Units have locks

    Posted 09-19-2024 11:01 AM

    Thank you for your help.

    Currently, I have over locked those units and stuck a notice on the door to ask whoever owns it to call the office. I will give it 30 days and then break the lock and look inside. 

    All units have locks on them, ever since I took over - a month now. I just happened to notice these after sometime.



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    Lubaina Raja
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Unrented Units have locks

    Posted 09-19-2024 11:18 AM
    Buy a dozen or so cheap round locks from one of our suppliers on line ($3-$4 a lock). Cut the current lock off and looks at contents and ways to contact owner. Put one of your OVERlocks on the unit with notice to contact you or discover that the unit is empty or worthless and clean out and ready it to be rented. IF, the stuff is of value and the owner shows up - give them a NEW in the wrapper lock with keys for free. Cost you $4 to resolve unit issue, prevent the loss of additional rents, discover things that you never thought people would ever place in storage and pay for it.
    My first units were 10,000 sq ft. Bought from a old man / friend of mine and he had no clue who was renting from him, who had paid and who had not. It was kinda funny and kinda not so funny.








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    Original Message