A lien notice is the formal written notice that tells a delinquent tenant what they owe and that their stored property may be sold if they do not pay by a set date. This page gives you a copy-and-paste template. It is general information, not legal advice, and your state statute decides the exact contents, so have your attorney review it before you send it.
When to use it
Use it after the tenant has missed rent long enough for your state to allow enforcement, and after any required early notice. Some states let you send it right away. Georgia, Oklahoma and Colorado require 30 days of continuous default first. Mississippi and Nevada use 14 days. Check the lien laws for your state.
What the law usually requires
Statutes differ, but the same building blocks appear again and again.
| Item | Texas | Florida | Illinois |
|---|---|---|---|
| Itemized claim | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Payment deadline after delivery | 14th day | Not less than 14 days | Not less than 14 days |
| Statement of possible sale | Yes | Yes | Yes, plus date, time, place and manner |
| Posting | No | Posted at the facility or on the unit | No |
| Military service statement | Yes, conspicuous | Check statute | Check statute |
Sources: Tex. Prop. Code 59.043, Fla. Stat. 83.806, 770 ILCS 95/4. Statutes change, so confirm on your state page.
Say rent of $110 is unpaid for two months plus a $20 fee on each. Itemized, that is $220 rent and $40 in fees, $260 in all. In Texas you deliver the notice on March 3 and the tenant has until March 17, the 14th day, to pay (Texas rules). Virginia sets a longer minimum of 20 days after the notice date (Virginia rules). Use the lien timeline calculator for your dates. The auction process guide shows what comes after.
How to fill it in
- Confirm your lease. Many states let you sell only if the lease has the lien clause. Texas requires it in underlined or bold print.
- Itemize the claim. List each amount and its due date. Do not include charges the lease or statute does not allow.
- Set the deadline. Count from delivery. Pick a date at or beyond the statutory minimum.
- Describe the property. Keep it general, for example "household goods".
- Add state-required language. Military service, access denial, lienholder notice and sale details vary.
- Deliver and keep proof. Save the mailing receipt, the email record or the signed delivery note.
Common mistakes
- Using one deadline for every state.
- Leaving out the conspicuous sale statement.
- Overstating the balance. An inflated claim can void the process.
- Mailing only to the unit address when the lease lists an alternate contact.
- Forgetting secured lienholders on the unit.
- Skipping a check on military service before a sale.
The template
Template only, general information, not legal advice. Have your attorney review it for your state.
[FACILITY NAME]
[FACILITY ADDRESS] | [PHONE] | [EMAIL]
NOTICE OF LIEN AND INTENT TO SELL STORED PROPERTY
Date of notice: [DATE]
Delivered by: [IN PERSON / VERIFIED MAIL / EMAIL] on [DELIVERY DATE]
To: [TENANT FULL NAME]
Last known address: [TENANT ADDRESS]
Last known email: [EMAIL, IF YOUR LEASE ALLOWS EMAIL NOTICE]
Unit: [UNIT NUMBER] Rental agreement dated: [LEASE DATE]
1. YOU OWE THE FOLLOWING:
Rent for [PERIODS] (due [DATES]): $[RENT]
Late fees (due [DATES]): $[LATE FEES]
[OTHER ALLOWED CHARGE]: $[AMOUNT]
--------------------------------------------------
TOTAL AS OF [DATE]: $[TOTAL]
Additional rent and charges accrue at $[RATE] per [PERIOD] until paid.
2. PROPERTY SUBJECT TO THE LIEN:
The contents of the unit above, generally described as [GENERAL
DESCRIPTION, e.g. household goods].
3. LIEN. Under [STATE STATUTE CITATION] and your rental agreement, the
owner holds a lien on the property stored in this unit for the amounts above.
4. ACCESS. [IF ALLOWED BY LEASE AND STATE: Your access to the unit is
denied until the total is paid.]
5. DEADLINE. To stop the sale you must pay the total by [DEADLINE DATE].
6. SALE. If the total is not paid by [DEADLINE DATE], the property may be
sold at public sale [at the facility address above / online at
WEBSITE] on or after [EARLIEST SALE DATE], at [TIME], to the highest
bidder. You may pay the balance and costs at any time before the sale.
7. MILITARY SERVICE. If you are in military service, tell us right away
in writing. Federal and state law may protect you.
8. WHERE TO PAY: [PAYMENT LINK / ADDRESS AND HOURS / PHONE].
Contact: [OWNER OR AGENT NAME], [STREET ADDRESS], [PHONE].
[FACILITY NAME]
Copies sent to (if required in your state): [LIENHOLDERS / ALTERNATE CONTACT]