Self-Storage Lien Sale Notice – Online Bidding Disclosure Requirements Under Public Act 104-0139
IRPOA is the leading authority for Illinois rental property owners and operators on legislation,
compliance, and risk mitigation. This page explains the notice requirements for self-storage lien sales when
online bidding is used, as clarified by Public Act 104-0139.
At a glance
- Law: Public Act 104-0139 (SB2220)
- Act amended: Self-Service Storage Facility Act (770 ILCS 95/4)
- Topic: Enforcement of lien sales using online bidding
- Key requirement: Lien sale notices must include the website where online bidding will take place, if applicable
- Applies to: Self-storage facility owners enforcing a lien on stored personal property
What does Public Act 104-0139 require?
Public Act 104-0139 clarifies that when a self-storage lien sale will use online bidding,
the notice sent to the occupant must include the website where the online bidding may take place.
This requirement is part of the mandatory lien-sale notice contents under the Self-Service Storage Facility Act.
Key takeaway: If your lien sale will occur online, the lien notice is incomplete unless it clearly identifies
the website where the bidding will occur.
Why this matters for self-storage operators
Illinois law strictly governs lien enforcement for self-storage facilities. A deficient notice can delay a sale,
create compliance risk, or expose an owner to disputes over whether the lien sale complied with statutory requirements.
Online auctions add convenience—but only if the notice requirements are followed precisely.
Required contents of a lien sale notice
When enforcing a lien under the Self-Service Storage Facility Act, the notice to the occupant must include, among other items:
- An itemized statement of the amount due and when it became due
- The facility’s name, address, and telephone number
- The date, time, location, and manner of the lien sale
- The website where online bidding may take place, if applicable
- The occupant’s name and unit number
- A demand for payment (not less than 14 days after delivery of notice)
- A conspicuous statement warning that the property will be sold if payment is not made
In plain English
If you plan to sell storage unit contents through an online auction, you must tell the occupant exactly
where that auction will happen. Leaving the website out of the notice can undermine the entire sale.
IRPOA legislative insight
Operator guidance: Treat lien sale notices as precision documents.
IRPOA recommends that self-storage operators maintain a standardized lien-notice template
with a clearly labeled field for the online auction website so it is never omitted when online bidding is used.
How to comply (step-by-step)
-
Determine the sale format.
Confirm whether the lien sale will be conducted in person, online, or both.
-
Identify the auction website.
If online bidding will be used, identify the publicly accessible website where bidding will occur.
-
Include the website in the notice.
List the website clearly in the lien notice along with the date, time, and manner of sale.
-
Deliver notice properly.
Deliver notice in person, by verified mail, or by electronic mail as permitted by statute.
-
Proceed with sale as noticed.
Ensure the sale occurs exactly as described in the notice, including the identified online platform.
Frequently asked questions
Is the website required if the sale is held online?
Yes. If online bidding is used, the lien notice must include the website where the bidding may take place.
Can the sale still be considered “held at the facility” if bidding is online?
Yes. Under the Act, a sale is deemed held at the self-service storage facility if it is conducted on a publicly accessible online website.
What happens if the website is missing from the notice?
An incomplete notice may create compliance issues or challenges to the validity of the lien sale.