When storage bills are unpaid
Can a storage company keep my records? The lien and the notice
Updated
Closing companies often stop paying for storage first, and the law gives the storage firm a hold over the boxes until the bill is settled.
The warehouse lien in the US
Section 7-209 of the Uniform Commercial Code gives a warehouse a lien against the bailor on goods it stores for storage and related charges. Section 7-210 lets it enforce that lien by public or private sale on commercially reasonable terms, after notifying everyone known to claim an interest in the goods.
Source: Company records release law
Uncollected goods in England and Wales
Section 12 of the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 lets a bailee require the bailor to take delivery, and Schedule 1 says the notice must be in writing. A bailee that has given notice of its intention to sell may then sell goods that are not collected.
Source: Company records release law
What that means for a sale of the records
Settling the storage account, or agreeing it out of the proceeds, usually comes before any buyer sees a box. A licence of records the storage firm is entitled to hold back cannot be delivered.
More on company records
Who controls the records once a company is in insolvency is on records of a closed company.