what is a lien fee on storage

A lien fee on storage is a charge that a storage facility imposes on a tenant who has not paid rent or other charges on their storage unit. The lien fee is a notice that the unit will be sold to cover costs because the tenant is late on payments. The storage facility has a lien on all personal property stored within each leased space for rent, labor, or other charges, and for expenses reasonably incurred. If the tenant does not pay the rent, the facility can sell the contents of the unit to recoup what it is owed. The lien fee is charged to tenants in possession of a storage unit that is about to go to auction. In Virginia, the owner must notify any lienholder listed in the official records of the registering state by certified mail that the boat will be sold, and this letter must give at least 10 days notice of the sale.