Key topics renters should understand
Tennessee has a separate storage statute
Tennessee Code Annotated Title 66, Chapter 31 is the Tennessee Self-Service Storage Facility Act. It applies to covered self-service storage relationships in Tennessee.
Owners may have a statutory lien
Tennessee’s Act provides an owner’s lien on personal property at the storage facility for rent and other covered charges and expenses.
Default and lien enforcement follow statutory procedures
Tennessee Code § 66-31-105 addresses access restrictions, written notices, required notice content, sale or disposition, redemption, sale proceeds, and special handling for certain vehicles.
The renter can redeem before sale
Before a sale or other statutory disposition, the occupant may satisfy the lien and reasonable expenses to redeem the property under the Tennessee process.
A 2025 amendment changed agreement rules
Tennessee Public Chapter 67, effective July 1, 2025, addresses acceptance of delivered written rental-agreement revisions after continued use for at least 30 days and adds termination or nonrenewal procedures.
Location controls the starting point
A Tennessee resident renting a unit in Virginia should begin with the Virginia facility agreement and Virginia law. A unit physically located in Tennessee starts with the Tennessee agreement and Act.
Renter recordkeeping checklist
- Confirm the physical state and exact address of the facility before relying on a state-law summary.
- Keep your mailing and email addresses current so required notices reach you.
- Read agreement-revision, termination, nonrenewal, default, lien, and sale provisions closely.
- Retain the agreement, revisions, payment receipts, inventory, photographs, and all notices.
- Respond promptly to a default or lien notice; deadlines can affect access and stored property.
- Consult a licensed Tennessee attorney for advice about a Tennessee facility or dispute.