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concerned1 · Nov 12, 2008, 11:35 AM

I have a fairly typical situation, I have a storage unit that I placed my personal belongings in after my divorce until I found a new home. Upon doing so my staroage went into arrears after a direct debit from my account had been returned. The issue has gone to collections without any acknowledgement as I did keep in GOOD contact with the site manager. I find out that he has been let go from the facility and that my account was sent to collections back in Feb of this year. Now since I have asked repeatedly to have my personal belongins removed to avoid incurring more debt, they have refused telling me that I can have my stuff after the amount has been paid in full. Now I have been fighting this for 6mos, and have never refused to make the payment arrangement to pay the amount off, however the fees keep adding as I keep paying to the point that I will never see the end of this until I get a loan to cover this. But due to the collections on the acct, a loan at this point will not happen. I have offered to pay the full amount owing less 6mos but have been advised that it will register as a "settlement" on my credit history. I told her that I will not accept a "settlment" and that I would pay the amount in full today in cash for the amount I feel is fair and even added extra for the filing costs etc...

My question is... can a company keep enforcing payment amounts to incur further debt? Some of the items in the unit can be sold to cover costs, but since I can't get to them, I can't pay the acct off?

ScottGem · Nov 12, 2008, 11:40 AM

You contracted to pay a fee to store items. If you fall into arrears, they can withhold access to those items until the arrears are paid.

concerned1 · Nov 12, 2008, 11:51 AM

Thank you for your response.

1 more follow-up question. I asked to have my belongings moved to a smaller more cost effective unit to make it easier to make the arrears. I was told that it could be done and they would get back to me. The unit went from $328 to $99, I have no quams about paying the recent 6mos in the amount I was quoted for the smaller unit, and some moving charges. But they never did move the items and again I have asked repeatedly to come and get my stuff out. The company has sold my acct to a collection co, so the staraoge unit cannot keep my belongings?

ScottGem · Nov 12, 2008, 12:38 PM

They can keep the belongings until you pay or a court awards them the items as part of a judgement.