LotWardenLien laws by state

Storage lien laws · State guide

Tennessee storage lien laws

Tennessee Self-Service Storage Facility Act — Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-101 through 66-31-107 →Verified 2026-06-10

Tennessee gives self-service storage owners a statutory lien on all personal property stored at the facility the moment it is placed in the leased space (§66-31-104(a)). The lien is superior to all other liens except those perfected in the occupant's name during the rental term and any tax liens. Enforcement follows two tracks: a short-term track (access denial without notice; removal after 5 days) and a long-term track for a continuous 15-day default (written notice with 30-day cure period; sale not sooner than 60 days after default). Sale may be held at the facility, online, or at the nearest suitable place. Advertising must be commercially reasonable — 3+ bidders satisfies the standard; newspaper publication is permitted but not mandatory. Vehicles, trailers, and boats may be towed after 60 days (liability ends on tower pickup) or pursued through a Division-contact/30-day notice path. Late fees are capped at the greater of $20/month or 20% of monthly rent.

At a glance

TN · verified 2026-06-10
Statute
Tennessee Self-Service Storage Facility Act — Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-101 through 66-31-107
Notice delivery
Hand delivery to the occupant (§66-31-105(1)(B) and §66-31-105(2)(B)) · Verified mail — any USPS method that provides evidence of mailing — to the occupant's last known address (§§66-31-102(11), 66-31-105(2)(B)) · Electronic mail (email) to the occupant's last known email address, if provided in the rental agreement or a subsequent written change-of-address notice (§§66-31-102(3), 66-31-105(1)(B) and (2)(B))
Sale method
The statute requires the owner to advertise and sell or otherwise dispose of the property in a commercially reasonable manner (§66-31-105(2)(F)). The sale may be held at the self-service storage facility, online, or at the nearest suitable place to where the property is held or stored (§66-31-105(2)(E)). The owner may purchase at the sale (§66-31-105(2)(H)). A good-faith purchaser takes the property free of any rights of persons against whom the lien was valid, even if the owner failed to comply with every procedural requirement (§66-31-105(2)(I)).
Late fees
The statute imposes a cap. The owner may charge a reasonable late fee not exceeding the greater of $20.00 per month or 20% of the monthly rent (§66-31-104(c)). Late fees are in addition to any other remedy provided by law or contract. Before imposing a late fee, adequate notice is required: the rental agreement in bold type must disclose the fee and when it may be imposed, or the owner must send written notice to the occupant's last known address stating a late fee may be charged for any month rent is not paid when due (§66-31-104(b)–(d)).
Vehicles & boats
Under Path 2, title transfer follows from the lien sale — the statute authorizes the facility owner to "sell the vehicle in any manner, including but not limited to, public auction" (§66-31-105(2)(K)(ii)(c)) after the 30-day notice window. There is no facility-operator DMV title-transfer mechanism in the statute; the purchaser at the lien sale would need to apply for a new title through the Tennessee Department of Revenue using sale documentation. Under Path 1 (towing), title and disposition become the tower's responsibility once possession is transferred; the facility owner has no further role.

The lien clock

Each station below is a statutory checkpoint. Miss one and the sale can be challenged — this is the timeline LotWarden tracks automatically.

  1. 01

    Day 0 — any failure to perform an obligation under the rental agreement, including unpaid rent

    Default begins

    The statute defines default as the failure to timely perform any obligation under this chapter and the rental agreement (§66-31-102(1)). The lien attached automatically when the occupant placed property in the leased space (§66-31-104(a)), so it is already active. No action is required at this moment, but the clock for enforcement has started.

    Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-102(1), 66-31-104(a)

  2. 02

    Day 1 onward — access may be denied immediately without notice; removal of property from the leased space permitted not less than 5 days after rent was due

    Short-term default: deny access and/or remove property

    The statute authorizes the owner to deny the occupant access to the stored property without notice at the moment of default. Separately, the owner may physically enter and remove the property to other suitable storage space, but only after at least 5 days have passed since the rent due date. Removal before sending formal lien-enforcement notice is permitted under the short-term track. The owner must still send written notice of intent to enforce the lien before proceeding toward sale.

    Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-31-105(1)(A)–(B)

  3. 03

    Day 15 of continuous default — formal enforcement process may begin

    Long-term default triggers at 15 continuous days

    Once the occupant has been in continuous default for 15 days, the owner may initiate the full lien-enforcement procedure. The rental agreement must contain a notice that property may be sold or disposed of if no payment is received for a continuous 15-day period (§66-31-106). At this point, the owner sends the formal written notice required by §66-31-105(2).

    Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-105(2), 66-31-106

  4. 04

    At or after the 15-day continuous default mark

    Send formal enforcement notice

    The owner delivers written notice to the occupant's last known address by hand delivery, verified mail, or email. The notice must contain: (1) an itemized statement of charges and the date they became due; (2) a demand for payment within not less than 30 days; (3) an estimate of additional expenses before the sale; (4) a statement that the contents are subject to the owner's lien; (5) whether the owner intends to deny access or remove the property; (6) the owner's or agent's name, address, and phone number; and (7) a conspicuous warning that the property will be advertised for sale at a time and place not sooner than 60 days after default.

    Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-31-105(2)(A)–(C)

  5. 05

    Days 1–30 (minimum) after formal notice is delivered

    30-day cure period after notice

    The occupant has at least 30 days from the date of the notice to pay the full amount owed and redeem the property. Before any sale or other disposition, the occupant may pay the amount necessary to satisfy the lien plus reasonable expenses incurred, and the owner must return the property and bears no further liability for it (§66-31-105(2)(G)). No sale may proceed during this window.

    Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-105(2)(C)(ii), 66-31-105(2)(G)

  6. 06

    Not sooner than 60 days after the date of default; after the 30-day cure period in the notice has expired

    Advertise and conduct sale

    After the cure period expires and the property has not been redeemed, the owner advertises the sale in a commercially reasonable manner. At minimum, three potential bidders participating in the sale at the time and place advertised constitutes a commercially reasonable advertisement. Newspaper publication one time before the sale in a paper of general circulation serving the area is an expressly permitted method. The advertisement must include: a statement that the contents will be sold to satisfy the owner's lien; the facility address and space number or description; the occupant's name; and the time, place, and manner of sale. The sale may be held at the facility, online, or at the nearest suitable place.

    Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-105(2)(C)(vi), 66-31-105(2)(E)–(F)

  7. 07

    Immediately after the sale

    Apply proceeds; hold surplus for occupant

    The owner applies sale proceeds to the lien amount and reasonable expenses. Any remaining balance must be held for delivery on demand to the occupant. If the occupant does not claim the surplus within one year from the sale date, the balance is deemed abandoned and the owner must remit it to the state treasurer under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (Tenn. Code Ann. ch. 29, part 1 of title 66). The owner's liability is limited to the net proceeds received (§66-31-105(2)(J) and (L)).

    Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-105(2)(J), 66-31-105(2)(L)

Notice requirements

Permitted delivery

  • Hand delivery to the occupant (§66-31-105(1)(B) and §66-31-105(2)(B))
  • Verified mail — any USPS method that provides evidence of mailing — to the occupant's last known address (§§66-31-102(11), 66-31-105(2)(B))
  • Electronic mail (email) to the occupant's last known email address, if provided in the rental agreement or a subsequent written change-of-address notice (§§66-31-102(3), 66-31-105(1)(B) and (2)(B))

The notice must include

  • An itemized statement of the owner's claim showing the sum due and the date it became due (§66-31-105(2)(C)(i))
  • A demand for payment within a specified time not less than 30 days after the notice date, plus a statement of approximate additional expenses that may accrue before the sale (§66-31-105(2)(C)(ii))
  • A statement that the contents of the leased space are subject to the owner's lien (§66-31-105(2)(C)(iii))
  • If the owner elects to deny access or remove the property, a statement to that effect (§66-31-105(2)(C)(iv))
  • The name, street address, and telephone number of the owner or designated agent the occupant can contact (§66-31-105(2)(C)(v))
  • A conspicuous statement that unless the claim is paid within the stated time, the property will be advertised for sale at a specified time and place, not sooner than 60 days after default (§66-31-105(2)(C)(vi))

Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-102(3), 66-31-102(11), 66-31-105(1)(B), 66-31-105(2)(A)–(C)

The part most guides skip

Vehicles, boats & RVs

Tennessee expressly addresses vehicles within the main lien-enforcement section (§66-31-105(2)(K)). "Vehicle" is defined in §66-31-102(10) to include motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers (per §§55-1-103 and 55-1-105) and vessels including motorized watercraft (per §69-9-204). The statute applies to "self-service storage facilities" — real property designed and used for renting storage space to occupants who store and remove personal property (§66-31-102(9)). Whether an outdoor lot used solely for parking vehicles qualifies is not expressly addressed; operators running outdoor vehicle-parking lots should confirm coverage with Tennessee counsel before relying on this chapter. Assuming coverage, the vehicle provisions activate when rent and other charges remain unpaid for 60 days after the obligation matured. The owner then has two options: PATH 1 — TOWING (§66-31-105(2)(K)(i)): The owner may have the vehicle towed. The statute requires no additional pre-tow notice to the occupant beyond the 60-day default trigger. Once the tower takes possession, the facility owner is not liable for the vehicle or any damages. PATH 2 — DIVISION CONTACT AND SALE (§66-31-105(2)(K)(ii)): The owner contacts the appropriate division "in such manner as the division prescribes" — contact the Wildlife Resources Agency for motorized watercraft or the Department of Revenue, Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division for all other vehicles; reach those agencies directly for the current prescribed form. Within 10 days of receiving the information, the owner sends verified mail to any lienholder and to the motor vehicle owner (if not the occupant) stating: (a) the vehicle is being held; (b) a lien has attached; and (c) payment must be made within 30 days. If payment is not made, the facility owner may sell the vehicle in any manner including public auction.

Titled property path

Under Path 2, title transfer follows from the lien sale — the statute authorizes the facility owner to "sell the vehicle in any manner, including but not limited to, public auction" (§66-31-105(2)(K)(ii)(c)) after the 30-day notice window. There is no facility-operator DMV title-transfer mechanism in the statute; the purchaser at the lien sale would need to apply for a new title through the Tennessee Department of Revenue using sale documentation. Under Path 1 (towing), title and disposition become the tower's responsibility once possession is transferred; the facility owner has no further role.

Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-102(10), 66-31-105(2)(K)(i)–(ii), 55-1-103, 55-1-105, 69-9-204

Sale rules

Method
The statute requires the owner to advertise and sell or otherwise dispose of the property in a commercially reasonable manner (§66-31-105(2)(F)). The sale may be held at the self-service storage facility, online, or at the nearest suitable place to where the property is held or stored (§66-31-105(2)(E)). The owner may purchase at the sale (§66-31-105(2)(H)). A good-faith purchaser takes the property free of any rights of persons against whom the lien was valid, even if the owner failed to comply with every procedural requirement (§66-31-105(2)(I)).
Advertising
Advertising is deemed commercially reasonable if not fewer than three potential bidders participate in the sale at the time and place advertised (§66-31-105(2)(F)). Newspaper publication one time before the sale in a newspaper of general circulation serving the area where the facility is located is a permissible — but not the exclusive — method. The advertisement must include: (i) a statement that the contents will be sold to satisfy the owner's lien; (ii) the facility address and space number or description, and the occupant's name; and (iii) the time, place, and manner of sale. Online advertising is not expressly prohibited and is consistent with the "commercially reasonable" standard.
Proceeds & surplus
Sale proceeds first cover the lien and reasonable expenses of the sale. Any surplus must be held for the occupant and delivered on demand. If the occupant does not claim the surplus within one year of the sale date, the balance is deemed abandoned and the owner remits it to the Tennessee state treasurer under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (§66-31-105(2)(J)).

Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-105(2)(E)–(F), 66-31-105(2)(H)–(J), 66-31-105(2)(L)

Late fees

The statute imposes a cap. The owner may charge a reasonable late fee not exceeding the greater of $20.00 per month or 20% of the monthly rent (§66-31-104(c)). Late fees are in addition to any other remedy provided by law or contract. Before imposing a late fee, adequate notice is required: the rental agreement in bold type must disclose the fee and when it may be imposed, or the owner must send written notice to the occupant's last known address stating a late fee may be charged for any month rent is not paid when due (§66-31-104(b)–(d)).

Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-31-104(b), 66-31-104(c), 66-31-104(d)

Operator questions

A renter has a boat and a camper trailer stored in my outdoor lot. Which path do I use to enforce my lien?

Both are "vehicles" under Tenn. Code Ann. §66-31-102(10): a boat is a vessel under §69-9-204 and a camper trailer is a trailer or semitrailer under §55-1-103/55-1-105. Once they have been in default for 60 days, you have two options. Option 1: have the property towed — your liability ends the moment the tower takes possession (§66-31-105(2)(K)(i)). Option 2: contact the appropriate state division (Department of Revenue, Taxpayer and Vehicle Services for the trailer; Wildlife Resources Agency for the boat) to identify any lienholders and the registered owner; within 10 days of getting that information, send verified mail to any lienholder and the registered owner (if not your tenant) giving them 30 days to pay; if they do not pay, you may sell in any manner including public auction (§66-31-105(2)(K)(ii)).

Can I send lien enforcement notices by email instead of certified mail?

Yes, if the occupant provided an email address in the rental agreement or in a subsequent written change-of-address notice. Tennessee defines "last known address" to include an email address provided by the occupant (§66-31-102(3)), and §66-31-105(1)(B) and (2)(B) each expressly permit delivery by electronic mail. If the occupant has not provided an email address in writing, you must use hand delivery or verified mail.

Does Tennessee require newspaper publication before I can sell a delinquent unit?

Not as a mandatory requirement. The statute requires the sale to be advertised in a "commercially reasonable manner" and specifies that a sale is commercially reasonable if at least three potential bidders participate (§66-31-105(2)(F)). Publishing once in a newspaper of general circulation before the sale is listed as a permitted method, not the only method. Online advertising or other methods are consistent with the commercially reasonable standard as long as bidder participation meets the threshold.

How much of a late fee can I legally charge?

No more than the greater of $20.00 per month or 20% of the monthly rent (§66-31-104(c)). For example, on a $150/month space the cap is $30 (20% of $150, which exceeds $20). On a $90/month space the cap is $20 (since 20% of $90 = $18, and $20 is greater). Before you first charge a late fee, the rental agreement must disclose the fee in bold type, or you must send a written notice to the occupant's last known address (§66-31-104(b)–(d)).

When exactly can I hold the lien sale? What is the earliest possible date?

The sale cannot be held sooner than 60 days after the date of default (§66-31-105(2)(C)(vi)). You must also give the occupant a cure period of at least 30 days after the formal enforcement notice is sent. In practice, the 60-day default floor is usually the binding constraint: send the formal notice after 15 days of continuous default, give the occupant the required 30-day cure window, and you still cannot sell until day 60 from default. Keep records of the default start date.

What happens to unclaimed sale proceeds after I sell a delinquent unit?

Hold the surplus for the occupant and deliver it on demand. If the occupant does not claim the balance within one year from the sale date, it is deemed abandoned under Tennessee's Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, and you must remit it to the Tennessee State Treasurer (§66-31-105(2)(J)). Do not simply keep the excess — failure to remit abandoned property to the state is a separate violation.

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