Green Bill Expands Consumer Protections, Passes Senate

March 6, 2008

Olympia – A measure providing increased protections for consumers leasing individual storage units cleared the Senate unanimously on Thursday.

SHB 2661, sponsored by Rep. Tami Green (D-Lakewood), requires that the amount of any late fee charged by the owner of a storage facility be written into the rental agreement.

“This bill is about transparency,” explained Rep. Green.  “Facility owners need to disclose the full terms of the rental agreement to consumers.  Owners also should be limited to assessing reasonable fee amounts.”

The bill caps late fees, limiting them to twenty dollars or twenty percent of the monthly rental amount, whichever is greater.

“The industry played a helpful role in this legislation,” added Green.  “They participated in the rulemaking process and contributed as the bill moved forward.”

SHB 2661 will be forwarded to the governor for further consideration.