by Winnie Hsiu
June 21, 2011 5:56 PM
Turning 25 years old is a pretty big birthday for many people. Some insurance companies reduce your premium when you turn 25. It’s safe to say 25-year olds are no longer kids, but are now adults. The age-related legal hurdles are all in the past (driving, purchasing tobacco products, drinking). For people, the 25th birthday is a celebration of what is past, but more importantly what is still to come.
Come October 16-18 at its annual convention held in Austin, Texas, the Texas Self Storage Association will celebrate that very landmark, 25 years of being in business.
When a business entity celebrates 25 years in business it is a little different. There are no age-hurdles for businesses, nor does insurance drop just because your doors still open each morning. However, the importance of celebrating a quarter of a century in business holds a lot of weight (just for different reasons).
As legend has it, the self storage industry was actually born in Texas during the 1960s. The concept started off simple enough; someone built a bunch of garages and decided to rent them out. Someone else took notice, thought it was a good idea, and so they built some too.
Over a half century later, the industry has progressed from prefab tin garages to over 40,000 state of the art buildings, many of them climate controlled.
To commemorate their 25 years in business, the Texas Self Storage Association will be holding a convention that aims to be one of the most beneficial ones to date while still giving participants a chance to relax and network.
Participants in years past have typically walked away from the TSSA annual convention feeling like they have learned something.
“I have enjoyed this year’s convention so much. I’ve been in the business for 12 years, and sometimes you get stuck in a rut. But we’ve gotten so many great new ideas here!” said Lyn Lundgren from Safe & Secure Self Storage in Fort Worth.
Participants will be able to get the latest updates on a very important aspect of doing business for self storage facilities, the state’s lien laws. Like many states in the most recent legislative session changes to certain aspects of the lien laws were passed.
For the first time in 15 years, the TSSA got involved in lobbying for a specific bill, and their efforts did not go unnoticed. Governor Rick Perry has signed the new law into existence. Starting January 1, the following changes to the state’s 30-year old lien laws will go into effect:
• Verified mail or e-mail can be used to send the required foreclosure seizure/claim notice.
• Added safeguards for members of the military; self storage facilities must ask service members t identify whether they are active duty.
• The foreclosure processes for vehicles and boats will be incorporated into Chapter 59 instead of the current separate section of the property code which is subject to changes intended for mechanics liens.
Sources Used:
“Modernized Texas Self-Storage Lien Bill Signed by Governor.” Inside Self Storage; 21 June 2011.
“Self-Storage Nation: Americans are storing more stuff than ever.” Slate.com; 18 June 2005.
Texas Self Storage Association.