HARRISBURG, PA — Self-storage business owners in Pennsylvania can now enforce rental agreements more quickly and take action against nonpaying customers under a new state law signed this week.
What This Means for You
- Storage units left unpaid or unsigned can now be enforced after 30 days
- Owners can restrict access or remove property if customers don’t comply
- The law aims to reduce lost income for small storage businesses
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Act 51 of 2025 on Tuesday, updating state law to give self-storage operators clearer authority when customers fail to sign or pay rental agreements.
How the Law Changes Enforcement
The law allows storage companies to send rental agreements electronically and treat them as legally binding after 30 days, even if the customer never signs.
If a customer continues using the unit or makes payments, that behavior is considered acceptance of the agreement under the new rules.
Previously, owners could be left in limbo when customers failed to formally sign agreements, leaving units occupied but generating no income.
“One of the best ways we can support our small businesses is by making sure they have the tools to help themselves,” said state Rep. Scott Conklin, who introduced the bill.
What Happens if Customers Don’t Pay
Under Act 51, if a customer does not sign or pay within 30 days of receiving the agreement, the storage facility can begin enforcement actions.
Those actions include restricting access to the unit, denying entry, or removing the stored property after proper notice.
The law also requires that customers be given 14 days after receiving notice to remove their belongings before further action is taken.
Conklin said the change addresses a common issue for small operators.
“Self-storage facility owners often face a costly problem when a defaulting customer fails to sign or pay their rental agreement,” he said, adding that units can sit occupied and unrentable, causing financial strain.
Legislative Support
The bill passed with broad bipartisan support, clearing the Pennsylvania House in June and the state Senate in November.
The measure amends existing commerce law to formally incorporate and update rules governing self-service storage facilities.
Broader Impact
Supporters say the law is designed to protect small businesses by reducing revenue losses tied to abandoned or unpaid units while establishing a clearer legal process for enforcement.
State officials said the update provides consistency for both business owners and customers by defining when agreements take effect and how disputes are handled.
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