Sackett v. Public Storage Management

Opinion

KING, J.

In this case we hold that the contract between the operator and renter of a public storage unit defines their legal relationship. Thus, when the renter’s storage unit lock was rendered inoperable by vandalism and the operator placed its own lock on the unit, the provisions of their contract controlled and no involuntary bailment was created.

This is an action for negligence for the loss of Scott Sackett’s personal property which was stolen while stored in a self-service storage unit operated by Public Storage Management (PSM). The trial court granted summary judgment to PSM on…