Scott Zucker

The 'Cost' of Litigation

Small claims court now demands self-storage owners hire counsel, favoring tenants. Arbitration hikes costs, making settlements more viable.

The Right to Increase Rental Rates in Self Storage

Owners can increase rates with a 30-day notice, giving occupants the choice to vacate or accept the hike.

Are Your Rental Agreements Signed? The Importance of Regular Lease Audits

One of the most important and vital pieces of a self-storage business is the confirmation of the rights and responsibilities of the owner and tenant.

Crimes Commited on Facility Property: Who’s Liable?

One of the worst nightmares property owners can face is that of an unknown assailant entering their property and committing a crime against one of their tenants.

Abandoned Property in Self Storage

The abdandonment of stored property is a challenging subject in the self-storage industry.

Hot Legal Topics in Self-Storage

Every day a new issue surfaces that impacts self-storage operations, legal compliance and potential business liability.

To Tow or Not to Tow?

Navigate self-storage towing: defaulted tenant property, state statutes simplify, and authorized vehicle removal requires compliant signage and clear regulations.

What Privacy Exists in Self-Storage Unit?

Discover how self-storage tech is reshaping privacy expectations.

Understanding the Need for Cyber Insurance

Protect your self-storage facility from cyber threats and data breaches. Learn why cyber liability insurance is essential for safeguarding your business and customer data.

Is Your Self-Storage Property in a Flood Plain?

A key question for self-storage operators to ask is whether their properties are in a flood plain.

Is a Third-Party Management Company a 'Debt Collector' Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) was enacted in 1978 to protect consumers from abuse by debt collectors.

The ADA and Your Websites

It is important for self-storage operators to understand these guidelines and act to manage the accessibility of their websites.

What Are the Duties of a Tenant at a Self Storage Facility?

What responsibility should a tenant have when they leave their property in a rented storage space?

Protection Plans and Tenant Insurance

Protection plans are not the same as tenant insurance programs. There are crucial distinctions between the two.

Disposal of 'Personal' Information

An operator discovers personal information in a unit as a result of a lien enforcement action or tenant abandonment. Now what?

Managing Client Conduct at Self-Storage Facilities

The role of a self-storage operator is a complex one, especially when issues arise concerning the poor conduct of a tenant.

Can Self Storage Operators Make Their Facilities 'Cashless'?

With technology growing in self storage, is it legal for a facility to only accept cashless payments?

What Should You Do When You Have an Insured Casualty Loss?

All real estate faces a known risk that may be affected by acts of God. The only way to prevent such a risk is to have insurance.

What Do I Do If My Tenant Files Bankruptcy?

When a self-storage owner is informed that a tenant is bankrupt, it is critical that they take all necessary procedures.

Liability Issues Involving Mold

The occurrence of mold in a self-storage space is not uncommon and tenants must be made aware of the risk of this condition prior to storage.

Charitable Giving in Self Storage

Operators who have benefitted from the financial growth of their operations have, not surprisingly, sought ways to share their success within their local communities, especially with those in need.

Social Media and Tenant Disputes

It is critical for facility operators to specify in its settlement terms that the details of any dispute and its resolution remain confidential, and, crucially, that the customer agrees to remove any negative social media postings it's made and refrain from doing so in the future.

Cyber Risks and Self Storage

As part of the industry’s growth and expanded use of technology to operate these businesses, self-storage operators are increasingly exposed as the targets of potential litigation, especially in the area of cyber and data liability.

How will the Vaccination Mandate Issue Impact Self Storage Operators?

Learn what Coronavirus vaccine mandates entail for your self-storage business and employees, as well as what to consider if you want to build your own policy.

The Statutory Option of Towing in Lieu of Lien Sale

The national and state Self Storage Associations succesfully modernized self storage laws to include the options of vehicles towed from the self storage facility.

New Disasters at Self Storage Facilities:Dealing with Hurricanes and Fires

How to deal with the natural disasters which can result in serious damage to facilities and tenants belongings.

Protection for Self Storage Auction Buyers

The only way to make the lien process work is to create a shield from liability for the participants of the sale.

Getting Paid Under the Visa/Mastercard Class Action Settlement

The lawsuit claim window spans from 2004 to 2019, so you're likely eligible to claim some moola.

Is Contact-less Self Storage Legal?

Recently, new tech has been installed in abundance at facilities across the country. Is it legal?

Restructuring Opportunities for Small Businesses in Response to the Pandemic

What options could owners and operators consider in the midst of an economic down-turn?

What is a Force Majeure Clause and How Does it Apply to Self Storage?

Understanding Force Majeure and it's impact on your general business operations can be very helpful.

Business Interruption Insurance: Will It Cover Losses from COVID-19?

All business are suffering from a loss of revenue. The question becomes, what types of losses are covered?

The Problems with Deferred Maintenance In Self Storage

Operators need to invest in their properties if for no other reason than to prevent injuries to their customers.

Its a Bird! Is a Plane! Nope Its Hail Hitting Your Self Storage Facility

It is important for self storage owners to understand the insurance coverage they have, to mitigate damage costs.

Environmental Assessments for Self Storage Development & Conversions

When purchasing a self storage facility you'll need to perform an investigation of the property. Let's learn how.

What Implied Warranties Exist with Self Storage Units?

Self storage warranties vary pretty drastically from other real estate warranties, so it's often worth understanding.

An Update on Arbitration Law in the United States

The enforceability of arbitration and class action waiver provisions remains under constant attack.

Brush Up Your Legal Lingo: An Update on I-9s and E-Verify

All US employers must have a valid and complete Form I-9 for their employees, whether a citizen or a non-citizen.

Don't Sue the Self Storage Auction Bidder

A good faith purchaser is someone who buys without notice of any other party's claim to the title of that property.

Enhance Your Facility's Accessibility Through ADA Guidelines

Measures taken to remove barriers should enhance usability of the public accommodation to those with disabilities.

Get Registered! With Your Name and Logo, That Is

If the domain name you choose conflicts with business names of other companies, you may be forced to give it up.

Florida Leads the Country with ADA Lawsuits

Florida has been one of the busiest states when it comes to ADA lawsuits.