HB44: HB44 Protections for Consumers Using Self-service Storage Facilities Act; enact

Georgia currently has few specific rules governing self-service storage facilities, which are covered generally under the state's warehouse law. This bill would add a new set of consumer protections. Storage facility owners would have to meet building codes, post updated notices about the facility's age, past damage, repairs, code inspections, pest control, and crime history, and maintain a complaint system for at least five years of records. Owners would also have to control pests and notify occupants within 24 hours of a confirmed infestation. Rental agreements would need to disclose the monthly rate, fees, climate control status, access rules, and maximum stored value. The bill limits rent increases to no more than 50 percent per year and twice per year, and bans certain deceptive advertising practices, enforceable as unfair trade practices. It also updates insurance disclosure rules for limited licensees who sell storage insurance. The law would take effect when the Governor signs it and would apply to rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.

• Requires storage facility owners to post and regularly update notices about building age, damage, repairs, inspections, pest control, and crime history.
• Requires owners to actively control pests and notify occupants by email within 24 hours of a confirmed infestation.
• Requires owners to maintain a complaint system and keep complaint records for five years, available to code enforcement inspectors.
• Sets minimum disclosure requirements for storage unit rental agreements, including rate, fees, and maximum stored value.
• Caps rent increases at 50 percent per year and no more than twice per year, and bans several deceptive advertising practices, treating violations as unfair trade practices under the Fair Business Practices Act.
• Updates insurance disclosure requirements for limited licensees who sell coverage for property stored at self-service storage facilities.

Owners and operators of self-service storage facilities in Georgia, people who rent storage units, insurance agents holding limited licenses to sell storage insurance, and code enforcement officials who inspect these facilities.

Renters would get more information up front about a facility's condition, safety history, and rental terms, plus limits on how fast and how often rent can rise. Facility owners would face new posting, pest control, recordkeeping, and disclosure obligations enforceable as breaches of the rental agreement or as unfair trade practices.

• Code Section 10-4-221 requires owners to meet building code requirements and post updated facility history notices, updated within 30 days of any change.
• Code Section 10-4-222 requires active pest control and notice to occupants within 24 hours of a confirmed infestation.
• Code Section 10-4-223 requires owners to maintain a complaint system and keep records for five years, accessible to code enforcement inspectors.
• Code Section 10-4-224 sets rental agreement disclosure requirements and caps rent increases at 50 percent per year and twice per year, banning certain deceptive advertising.
• Code Section 10-4-225 makes violations enforceable as unfair or deceptive trade practices under the Fair Business Practices Act of 1975, including by the state warehouse commissioner.
• Section 3 revises O.C.G.A. § 33-23-12 to expand written disclosures limited insurance licensees must give occupants before selling storage insurance.
• Section 4 sets the effective date as the date of the Governor's approval, applying to rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.

1. 2025-01-16House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-01-15House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-14House Hopper (House)

• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)Primary sponsor
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)

• self storage regulations
• consumer protection
• rent increases
• insurance disclosures
• tenant rights