Added Space Self Storage

I am rejecting this response because: They had no proof of [redacted] death when they over locked his unit and locked out his code. They also had [redacted] mailing address before the month was finished that rent was paid for as they were furnished with a death certificate with [redacted] listed as next of kin and his address on it a few days after the initial confrontation.

On 9/23/15, Mr. [redacted] attempted to gain access to his brother’s unit, but because he didn’t have the access code, he came into the office and asked us for the code. We explained that we do not give out any access codes except to the person whose name is on the lease. Mr. [redacted] then...

told us that the tenant, [redacted], has expired on 9/19/15. He identified himself as [redacted]’s brother and demanded that we give him access to his brother’s unit so that he could determine whether or not there were items of interest to him in the unit. We explained that upon notification of the tenant’s death, their unit is immediately overlocked. By law, we must require documentation from a trust or probate proceeding in order to determine who has legal access to the unit. We also explained that frequently, smaller estates can be resolved using an Affidavit under Probate Code Section 13100, which, once signed and notarized, along with a death certificate, can resolve the issue of who legally has access to the unit. The Affidavit Under Probate Section 13100 requires a waiting period of 45 days from the person’s death before granting the Affidavit. We tried to explain our policy which is based upon California law to Mr. [redacted], but he kept insisting that he needed to get into the unit sooner. We also explained that rent continues to accrue on the storage unit and needed to be paid. We tried to explain our late and certified letter fees when rent was past due, and in preliminary lien status, but again, Mr. [redacted] didn’t want to hear our explanation. We mailed the registered letters to the only address we had on file for our tenant, Mr. [redacted]. In addition, we mailed copies of the letters to [redacted] and Mary [redacted]. We had no contact information on [redacted] in [redacted]’s file. Because [redacted] left our office in such a huff, we were not able to get his address or phone number in order to be able to send him copies of all correspondence. We understand that [redacted] was eager to expedite settling his brother’s affairs during his time in California to attend funeral services. However, we are required to follow the letter of the law regarding the death of any tenant in order to insure that no one accesses a deceased tenant’s unit until the proper legal documentation is obtained and verified. While this takes time, it is to protect the rights of the deceased tenant and whomever is determined to have legal claim to the unit. As per the rental agreement (see attached), rent, late fee, registered letter fees, etc., were as follows: Rent, Oct 1, 2015   $85 Late fee, Oct 11, 2015     $15 Preliminary lien letter 10/16/15    $25 Rent, Nov 1, 2015      $85 Lien notice letter 11/2/15       $25 Payment 11/27/15      $235 Lock cut fee        $50 Payment 11/27/15      $50 Do not hesitate to call me with any questions you may have. Sincerely, [redacted], owner Added Space Self Storage, Inc. [redacted]

Review: First they locked me out of my brothers storage even though I had the key and the gate code. And his rent was paid up for several more days at the time. They then sent the bill to his address even after I informed them that he had died and gave them a copy of his death certificate. They also had my address at this time and it was also on the death certificate as next of kin. They then refused me access for over 45 days so they could charge me 2 more months rent and late fees and certified letter fees for bills and letters they were sending to the wrong place.Desired Settlement: I want my money back for the two months rent, late fees and any other trumped up charges they added on.

Business

Response:

On 9/23/15, Mr. [redacted] attempted to gain access to his brother’s unit, but because he didn’t have the access code, he came into the office and asked us for the code. We explained that we do not give out any access codes except to the person whose name is on the lease. Mr. [redacted] then told us that the tenant, [redacted], has expired on 9/19/15. He identified himself as [redacted]’s brother and demanded that we give him access to his brother’s unit so that he could determine whether or not there were items of interest to him in the unit. We explained that upon notification of the tenant’s death, their unit is immediately overlocked. By law, we must require documentation from a trust or probate proceeding in order to determine who has legal access to the unit. We also explained that frequently, smaller estates can be resolved using an Affidavit under Probate Code Section 13100, which, once signed and notarized, along with a death certificate, can resolve the issue of who legally has access to the unit. The Affidavit Under Probate Section 13100 requires a waiting period of 45 days from the person’s death before granting the Affidavit. We tried to explain our policy which is based upon California law to Mr. [redacted], but he kept insisting that he needed to get into the unit sooner. We also explained that rent continues to accrue on the storage unit and needed to be paid. We tried to explain our late and certified letter fees when rent was past due, and in preliminary lien status, but again, Mr. [redacted] didn’t want to hear our explanation. We mailed the registered letters to the only address we had on file for our tenant, Mr. [redacted]. In addition, we mailed copies of the letters to [redacted] and Mary [redacted]. We had no contact information on [redacted] in [redacted]’s file. Because [redacted] left our office in such a huff, we were not able to get his address or phone number in order to be able to send him copies of all correspondence. We understand that [redacted] was eager to expedite settling his brother’s affairs during his time in California to attend funeral services. However, we are required to follow the letter of the law regarding the death of any tenant in order to insure that no one accesses a deceased tenant’s unit until the proper legal documentation is obtained and verified. While this takes time, it is to protect the rights of the deceased tenant and whomever is determined to have legal claim to the unit. As per the rental agreement (see attached), rent, late fee, registered letter fees, etc., were as follows: Rent, Oct 1, 2015 $85 Late fee, Oct 11, 2015 $15 Preliminary lien letter 10/16/15 $25 Rent, Nov 1, 2015 $85 Lien notice letter 11/2/15 $25 Payment 11/27/15 $235 Lock cut fee $50 Payment 11/27/15 $50 Do not hesitate to call me with any questions you may have. Sincerely, [redacted], owner Added Space Self Storage, Inc. [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: They had no proof of [redacted] death when they over locked his unit and locked out his code. They also had [redacted] mailing address before the month was finished that rent was paid for as they were furnished with a death certificate with [redacted] listed as next of kin and his address on it a few days after the initial confrontation.