Five Things to Think About in Your Rental Agreement in the New Year
Now that we have all survived the holidays, and before we all get busy with Spring and Summer business, it is a good time to take a look at your Rental Agreement and see if it needs a spring cleaning before you continue using it in 2019. 

Here are a few things I like to look at when reviewing a Rental Agreement:
  1. Am I current with the requirements of my state law?
  
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Jeffrey J. Greenberger is a Partner with the law firm of Greenberger & Brewer, LLP, in Cincinnati, Ohio and is licensed to practice in the states of Ohio and Kentucky. You can reach Jeff at (513) 698-9350 or info@selfstoragelegal.com .   
Join us for our
NVSSA 2019 Monthly
Networking Breakfasts

When and Where?

May 15, 2019 - Reno

June 19, 2019 -
Las Vegas

July 17, 2019 - Reno

August 21, 2019 -
Las Vegas

September 19, 2019 - Reno

October 16, 2019 -
Las Vegas

November 20, 2019 - Reno

December 18, 2019 - Las Vegas  
Why?

The NVSSA, in partnership with our event sponsors, hosts monthly networking breakfasts for members in the Reno and Las Vegas markets. Our breakfasts are a great opportunity for local owners, operators and managers to meet in an informal setting and discuss current industry trends, operations questions, updates from the NVSSA and more. 
NEW! Nevada SSA Website
We are excited to announce the launch of our new Nevada Self Storage Association website, https://www.nvssa.org/ .

The new website is a great resource for members which features: 

Nevada SSA 2019 Annual Meeting
The NVSSA is currently working on plans for a 2019 Annual Meeting in Reno, NV . This will be a fantastic opportunity for storage owners, operators and managers to network and discuss what is happening across the state. The meeting agenda will include topics presented by self storage experts in our industry. We will have educational seminars for both owners and managers as well as a legal review session for updates on the current laws. There will also be vendors and suppliers doing business in your region ready to discuss your every need. 

Visit www.nvssa.org to keep an eye out for more information and updates.
Benefiting Local Communities with
Charity Storage
Charity Storage is a non-profit that uses the popularity of storage units and auctions in existing storage facility operations to raise money to assist local communities. Participating facilities designate a unit as their Charity Storage unit to collect items from tenants and the local community to auction. The proceeds of these auctions go toward the charity of the facility/operator's choosing (60%), Kure It Cancer Research (20%), the Self Storage Association Foundation Scholarship Program (10%), and to Charity Storage to offset administrative costs (10%). Charity Storage also partners with existing self storage operations to create donation drop-off points . The national Self Storage Association is an Angel Sponsor of Charity Storage and works with and supports the non-profit because it provides such an innovative way for storage facilities and operations to get involved in and give back to their communities.

Click here for a video about Charity Storage and its partnership with the SSA.

SSA Webinar Series - 2019

FREE to NVSSA Members
Invitation to register sent to your e-mail!

Topic: Omni-Channel Marketing and Communication


Presenter  : Holly Fiorello
CallPotential

Tuesday, June 11, 2019
11:00 am ET



Our webinar will be hosted by
Holly Fiorello,
Director of Marketing at CallPotential
Renew for 2019

Renewing your current membership is as simple as going to our website. If you are not already a member, you can also join through our website.

Visit the NVSSA website ( click here ) today to renew your 2019 membership or join to start enjoying the Nevada SSA's membership benefits.
Legislative Updates
The Latest in Carson City
A bill to authorize storage operators to sell tenant insurance to their customers was recently introduced in the state Senate. If successful, we expect this bill to be signed into law by June.


Visit the NVSSA website ( click here ) for legislative updates.
Changes to the International
Building Code Affect Self Storage
With the support of its Code Committee, the Self Storage Association successfully pursued several key changes to the 2021 International Building Code. 

  1. An exception has been added to IBC Section 2902.3.3 to permit an increase in the location (to greater than every other floor) and maximum distance of travel (to greater than 500 ft) for restrooms. The location and travel distance must be approved by the code official.
  2. The maximum allowable height of sprinklered facilities made of Type IIB materials (unprotected steel) and Type IIIB materials (noncombustible or fire-retardant-treated wood stud exterior walls and any interior construction) has been increased from 3 stories to 4 stories. The Code continues to have total floor and building square footage limits. 
  3. Pursuant to modified IBC Section 903.2.9, storage facilities are exempt from the automatic sprinkler system requirement if: (1) the total fire area is 12,000 sq. ft. or less; (2) the combined total fire areas are 24,000 sq. ft. or less; (3) the facility is no greater than one story above grade plane; and (4) all storage spaces are accessed directly from the exterior. 

These changes go into effect as they are adopted by local and state governments over the next several years. Prior to the adoption on the local and state level, storage developers can request that the code official rely on the 2021 changes as acceptable alternative methods of construction pursuant to section 104.11 of the existing International Building Code.

Please email Joe Doherty with any questions or to receive supporting documentation for these changes.
Customer Service-
Self Storage Best Practices
We have all read articles on great customer service. We have all sat in a seminar on great customer service. We have all experienced customer service. We all have memories of great customer service. We all have stories of poor customer service.
I ask store managers all the time “What is the most important thing(s) that you do? Most of them will say “customer service”, others will say that the most important thing they do is to rent units and collect money. Which is the right answer? Well the most important is renting units and collecting money but you are not going to be as successful if your customer service is lacking. The ability to rent units and collect money is critical in Self-Storage – without either there is no success. However, great customer service is the qualifier whether your Self-Storage asset’s success is minimal, marginal or incredible! When analyzing the performance of a Self-Storage property with respect to customer service, it is important to measure how we are executing against the best practices that result in the best occupancy and revenue!
There are many customer service “best practices” that most industry experts agree on. Here are a few examples:
·          Stand when a customer walks thru our office doors.
·          Smile in person and on the phone.
·          Be the expert – find a solution for your customer.
·          Keep a clean property.
·          Keep a maintained property.
·          Offer features for security, access and convenience. Cameras, electronic access, free moving carts, etc.
·          Offer online access to account information and the ability to make online payments or auto-pay.
During this article, let’s talk about four areas that we really need to improve upon in our industry. Each is a customer service best practice. These best practices will help our rentals and our income month after month!

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Lynn Sykes

Lynn is the Director of Operations for Storage Asset Management, Inc. based in York PA. Storage Asset Management is the largest, privately owned 3 rd party Self-Storage Management Company. Her previous experience was Director of Operations for AAAA Self Storage Management Group and Suburban Management Group. She has over 16 years’ experience in the self-storage industry. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Self Storage Association and is a frequent presenter at self-storage annual meetings, national conventions and training seminars.
Featured Publication

Self storage is the rental of non-residential real estate. Each tenant is required to execute a written rental agreement that typically states that it can only be modified in writing. While a good rental agreement will work well for most customers, you will have customers and situations that require that additional forms be used in conjunction with the rental agreement. This manual provides addendums and forms to deal with business situations that frequently arise at self storage facilities. The forms provided are models that you may have to modify to conform to your rental agreement and other documents. For example, all the forms provided use the terms “Owner” and “Tenant” to refer to the contracting parties. If you use “Owner” and “Occupant”, “Landlord” and “Occupant” or “Lessor” and “Lessee” in your rental agreement, you should modify the forms accordingly. (sold electronically via email)

Click here to order today!