Iowa has more than 750 self storage facilities, serving a statewide population of 3.15 million (2018). The Iowa Self Storage Association has helped spearhead several changes to lien laws in Iowa but some priorities remain.
In 2019, the Iowa SSA was successful in our efforts to remove outdated and archaic lien laws from the books. For example, operators were once required to send official correspondence by certified mail, a process costing an excessive amount of both time and money. Siding with the industry, and the recognition that more modern methods are available, the state legislature of Iowa agreed that certified mail was no longer the most assured method of guaranteeing contact with a delinquent customer, now allowing verified mail and in some cases, email notifications. Other recent changes include the ability to charge $20 or 20 percent in late fees, whichever is greater, contractual value limitations and simpler methods for disposing of a vehicle in a lien situation.
The Iowa SSA is ever vigilant in protecting the industry from unnecessary laws or regulations. If you have questions or concerns regarding the industry’s relationship with the government, please feel free to contact us.
Reach Out
Please reach out to us if you have an issue or want to notify us about an issue within the self storage community.
IOWA LIEN LAW
The Iowa Self Storage Association, together with the national Self Storage Association has worked on a number of issues to protect and improve the laws that apply to self storage facilities.
View the Lien Law Here