Q: How long do I have in California to sue a storage facility for auctioning my unit w/o properly notifying me? And they we
They took stuff out of my unit before the online auction. (There were pictures online) There was to be an on-site auction same day as online. My friend was turned away & told it was only online. I tried to open an account w/ the auction house but couldnt because they review each request & there wasn't enough time before the end of the online auction. I didnt get any of my personal papers back either.
A:
In California, the statute of limitations for most property damage and contract disputes, which could include issues with a storage facility, is generally three years. This means you would typically have three years from the date of the wrongful auction to file a lawsuit against the storage facility. However, specific circumstances, such as the nature of the breach or the type of damages you're claiming, might affect this period.
If the storage facility auctioned off your belongings without proper notification, this could constitute a breach of contract or violation of California's Self-Service Storage Facility Act. It's crucial to gather all related documents, such as the rental agreement, any notices you received, and evidence of the auction, including photographs showing items removed before the sale.
Lastly, regarding your personal papers and other items, California law has specific provisions about what storage facilities must do with personal items found in storage units. If these were mishandled or improperly disposed of, you might have additional claims. It's advisable to document all your losses and seek legal advice to ensure your rights are fully addressed.
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