What do you do with everything in a self-storage facility when units are abandoned?

When storage units are abandoned, the facility must first follow the state lien process. Once ownership is legally cleared through auction or forfeiture, a junk removal crew can then empty the leftover contents and leave each unit broom-clean and rent-ready.

If you own a storage facility, you know that abandoned units are a fact of life. They’re not a pleasant one, to be sure. They tie up space that should be earning, so you’ll naturally want them cleared as soon as you can manage it.

Step one is always the legal step. In Washington, as with all other states, there is a self-storage lien process that facilities must follow before disposing of tenants’ belongings. This typically involves notice and a lien sale or auction. Confirming that process is complete protects the operators, so it comes before anything is hauled away.

After the legal hurdles are cleared, what’s left over are usually the items no one bid on. This often includes things like worn furniture, mattresses, boxes, and general junk. That has to be removed before the unit can be re-rented. This is a lot of work for in-house staff.

Junk removal crews can help turn these units fast. The Junkluggers of North Puget Sound is able to clear leftover contents and haul everything away in one visit. Then the unit is left broom-clean and ready to rent.

For facilities dealing with this regularly, we offer ongoing service for property and facility managers. This will give you a way to regularly process abandoned units on a schedule so they don’t pile up. We sort each load after pickup and donate items whenever possible. When that’s not possible, we recycle. All work starts with a written on-site estimate up front. Same-day and next-day service is available, schedule permitting, if you need the units clear in a hurry.

Ready to clear your units? Schedule your pickup online. The Junkluggers of North Puget Sound serves Everett, Marysville, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Stanwood, Mukilteo, Bothell, and Edmonds.