QUESTION
What are the rules or laws regarding restricting access and accessible exits for self storage facilities?
Asked on Jul 04th, 2014 on Litigation - California
More details to this question:
I have a self storage unit in Los Angeles County for 3 months; my rent is current and due on the first. Access hours are from 6am-9pm. On 6/22/14, I left town in the afternoon for a job and returned on 6/24/14. When I arrived at facility shortly after 7pm and entered my code it said "I’m sorry, this area is closed "tried a few more times and nothing. I ended up getting in when someone was exiting. When finished, my code didn’t work and I got the same message. I was locked inside, on the property, all night, literally trapped inside. Are they permitted to have facility set up like this? And change terms without prior notice? There is a door sized gate that I could've exited through that night, however it is always chained and padlocked. I would like to get legal advice before speaking to them.
1 ANSWER
You have a contract with them that requires both sides to abide by certain terms. They can not change the hours of operation without notifying you; changing the evening hours can be very important because some people might not be able to use the facility except after their work hours. So they are providing you with less services. Also, they should have an emergence number inside the gate that can be called, especially if someone is trapped inside. But if you knew that you would have to enter a code to get out, then it was not reasonable to drive in. You should try to get some compensation from them.
Answered on Jul 04th, 2014 at 6:34 PM