Section 4. After default, an operator’s lien may be enforced by selling the property stored in the leased space at a public or private sale, but only in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) No sooner than five days after such default, the occupant and all other persons known to claim an interest in the goods shall be notified by regular mail sent to the last known address of any person to be notified.
(2) No sooner than fourteen days after default, the occupant and all other persons known to claim an interest in the goods shall be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent to the last known address of any person to be notified, or by hand delivery of said notification.
(3) The notification shall include: (a) a statement that the contents of the occupant’s leased space are subject to the operator’s lien; (b) a general description of the contents, if known, by the operator; (c) a statement of the operator’s claim, indicating the charges due on the date of the notice, the amount of any additional charges which shall become due before the date of sale, and the date such additional charges shall become due; (d) a demand for payment of the charges due within a specified time, not less than fourteen days after receipt of notification; (e) a statement that unless the claim is paid within the time stated, the contents of the occupant’s space will be advertised for sale and sold at auction at a specified time and place; and (f) the name, street address, and telephone number of the operator, or his designated agent, whom the occupant may contact to respond to the notice.
(4) After the expiration of the time given in the notification, an advertisement of the sale must be published once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town where the sale is to be held. The advertisement must include a description of the property, the name of the person on whose account they are being held, and the time and place of the sale. The sale must take place at least fifteen days after the first publication. If there is no newspaper of general circulation in the city or town where the sale is to be held, the advertisement must be posted at least ten days before the sale in not less than six conspicuous places in the neighborhood of the proposed sale.
(5) Before any sale pursuant to this section any person claiming a right in the property may pay the amount necessary to satisfy the lien and the reasonable expenses incurred under this section. In such event, the property must not be sold, but must be released to the payor.
(6) The operator may buy at any public sale pursuant to this section.
(7) The sale shall be at the self-service storage facility where the personal property is stored or at the nearest suitable place.
(8) The sale must conform to the terms of the notification.
(9) A purchaser in good faith of goods sold to enforce an operator’s lien takes the property free of any rights of persons against whom the lien was valid, despite noncompliance by the operator with the requirements of this section.
(10) The operator may satisfy his lien from the proceeds of any sale pursuant to this section but must hold the balance, if any, for release on demand to the occupant or to any person to whom he would have been bound to release the property.
(11) The rights provided by this section shall be in addition to all other rights allowed by law to a creditor against his debtor.
(12) The operator shall be liable for damages caused by failure to comply with the requirements for sale under this section and in case of willful violation shall be liable for conversion.
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