Sample Letters • Order New TSSA Forms

The new lien law goes into effect starting January 2012, and you want to be able to take advantage of the time and money-saving changes that have been implemented. Can you continue to use your existing TSSA leases? Sure, but if you do, you won’t be able to take advantage of the new changes outlined below.

So, let’s take a look at the changes brought about by the new law, some of which you cannot take advantage of without using the new forms.

Alternatives to Certified Mail

•  Notices of claim and notices of Intent to Sell may be sent by any method of mailing that provides evidence of mailing, e.g. delivery confirmation ($.80); certificate of mailing ($1.15); signature confirmation ($2.45); or by FedEx, UPS, etc.

•  You can use e-mail for notice of claim if lease contains the required new notice language

Military Language in Notice of Claim

•  The new statute necessitates using a revised notice of claim containing special language for military customers

Changes in Vehicle, Boat & Trailer Foreclosure Procedures

•  The special foreclosure laws (formerly Chapter 70) are now consolidated into Chapter 59. You are no longer required to send notices of claim within five days of seizure for “special” vehicle foreclosure sales. Also, you are no longer required to send notices of claim to lienholders (go back to sending it only to the tenant/vehicle owner).

Notifying Your Customers
The first thing to do is to let your tenants know about the changes. TSSA has created  three sample letter for contacting your tenants, all meant to help you take advantage of the new lien laws that go into effect in January.

• Sample Letter One is a simple notice asking a tenant to sign and return the lease to you.
• Use Sample Letter Two if you want to increase rent at the same time you notify them about the new lease. (Remember, per paragraph 30, you must give at least 30 days notice when changing any dollar amounts in the lease.) Both letters point out the importance of the tenant supplying a current e-mail address.
• Sample Letter Three does not ask tenants to sign a new lease, but does let them know that there will be a change to their lease allowing you to notify them by e-mail if it is provided. However, your customers may find this confusing and may not provide you with a current e-mail address. This is a business call on your part.

  “I believe most self-storage owners would be best served by updating to the new lease,” said TSSA Marketing and Membership Director Silvia Pendleton, co-owner of J & S Stor-Mor (Granbury).

Order Your New Forms
Use this printable order form to order your new leases, use our handy shopping cart (you'll need to be logged in), or call TSSA, and we will honor the discounted rates until December 15, 2011.

TSSA Forms Software (Blue Moon) Users
Members using Blue Moon software will be sent an e-mail with a link to the software update (which includes the new lease and forms) by November 15.

“I use Blue Moon, so I’m going to make sure I have purchased enough new leases (or clicks) to cover printing out leases for all of my tenants,” said Pendleton.

  “Currently, I have 255 tenants, so I’ll have to set aside a little time to print out the new leases, and mail one to each tenant,” added Pendleton. “Whether you use the software or paper leases, it may be a bit of an expense up front, but in the long run, it will be both a time and money saver. I look at it as laying the groundwork for operating more efficiently down the road.”