1. Agreement & Acceptance
This Master Rental Agreement ("Agreement") governs the month-to-month rental of self-service storage space at JM Mini Storage.
LEGAL ACCEPTANCE (O.C.G.A. § 10-4-218):
THE OCCUPANT'S CONTINUED USE OF THE STORAGE SPACE SHALL BE DEEMED AN ACCEPTANCE OF THE RENTAL AGREEMENT AND SUCH RENTAL AGREEMENT SHALL BE ENFORCEABLE AGAINST THE OCCUPANT AS IF IT HAD BEEN SIGNED BY THE OCCUPANT.
Renewal: This Agreement automatically renews on the 1st of each month upon the Occupant's payment of rent or continued possession of the unit.
2. Rent & Late Fees
- Due Date: Rent is due on the 1st day of each month.
- Late Fees (O.C.G.A. § 10-4-217): If rent is not received by the 5th day of the month, a Late Fee will be charged. This fee is the greater of $20.00 or 20% of the monthly rent.
- Default: If rent remains unpaid by the 7th day of the month, the Occupant is in Default and access to the facility may be denied immediately.
3. Owner’s Lien (Failure to Pay)
If you fail to pay rent, the Owner has the right to sell your property.
OWNER HAS A LIEN ON ALL PERSONAL PROPERTY STORED IN OCCUPANT'S SPACE FOR RENT, FEES FOR THE LATE PAYMENT OF RENT, LABOR, OR OTHER CHARGES, PRESENT OR FUTURE, IN RELATION TO THE PERSONAL PROPERTY, AND FOR ITS PRESERVATION OR EXPENSES REASONABLY INCURRED IN ITS SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT.
PERSONAL PROPERTY STORED IN OCCUPANT'S SPACE WILL BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IF NO PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECEIVED FOR A CONTINUOUS THIRTY-DAY PERIOD AFTER DEFAULT.
IN ADDITION, UPON OCCUPANT'S DEFAULT, OWNER MAY WITHOUT NOTICE DENY OCCUPANT ACCESS TO THE PERSONAL PROPERTY STORED IN OCCUPANT'S SPACE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS PAYMENT IS RECEIVED.
4. Lien Enforcement Process
If Occupant remains in default for thirty (30) continuous days, Owner will enforce the lien as follows:
- Notice: Owner will send a "Notice of Claim" via Email (or Verified Mail if email bounces) demanding payment within 14 days.
- Public Sale: If unpaid, Owner will advertise the sale in a newspaper or on a commercially reasonable auction website (e.g., StorageTreasures.com).
- Auction: The contents will be sold to the highest bidder to satisfy the debt.
- Vehicles: Motor vehicles or trailers unpaid for 60 days may be towed in lieu of sale. Owner is not liable for the vehicle once towed.
5. Termination & Eviction
Under the Georgia Self-Service Storage Facility Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-4-218), the Owner may terminate this agreement for reasons other than non-payment (such as non-renewal or rule violations).
Notice of Termination
If Owner decides to terminate or not renew your lease, Owner will deliver a written notice (via Email or Verified Mail). This notice will provide you with 14 days to remove all personal property.
Failure to Vacate (Eviction)
If you do not remove your property by the date specified in the termination notice:
- Access Restriction: Owner may deny access to the facility except for the specific purpose of removing property during business hours.
- Disposal: Owner may dispose of any personal property remaining at the facility after the termination date. This allows for removal without a lien sale or magistrate court eviction.
6. Use of Premises & Prohibitions
- Storage Only: The space is for the storage of personal property only.
- NO HABITATION: Sleeping, living, or cooking in the unit is strictly prohibited (O.C.G.A. § 10-4-216). Violation results in immediate termination.
- Prohibited Items: Explosives, flammables, toxic waste, perishables (food), stolen goods, or illegal items are strictly prohibited.
- Electricity: Use of facility electricity for appliances (fridges, heaters, chargers) is prohibited unless explicitly authorized.
7. Liability & Insurance
NO BAILMENT: Owner is a commercial landlord renting space, not a warehouseman. Owner does not take custody, care, or control of Occupant’s property.
OWNER DOES NOT PROVIDE INSURANCE. OCCUPANT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THEIR PROPERTY AGAINST FIRE, THEFT, WATER DAMAGE, AND OTHER RISKS.
Value Limit: Occupant agrees the total value of property stored shall not exceed $5,000.00.
8. Notifications
Occupant agrees that all notices (including lien, auction, and termination notices) shall be sent via E-MAIL to the address on file.
Tenant Responsibility: It is the Occupant's legal duty to notify Owner in writing within 10 days of any change in email address, physical address, or phone number.
9. Military Service
Occupant represents that they are NOT currently in active-duty military service. If Occupant enters active service during the lease, Occupant must immediately notify Owner in writing to ensure protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).