Legal Question in Consumer Law in North Carolina

keyed alike locks at storage facility enabled thefts

A self storage facility gives away a free lock to people when they rent a storage unit. They did not tell us the locks are keyed alike. Several units were robbed and the storage facility refuses to make it up to us because we signed an addendum stating they would not be responsible for thefts. Well, we did not know that thefts were probable because they gave us keyed alike locks!!!!! The defendants took a plea agreement to restitution, but they owe so much to many people that we most likely won't recover much. How can we force to company to make it right with us?


Asked on 4/05/03, 4:39 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jim Griffin The Law Office of James L. Griffin

Re: keyed alike locks at storage facility enabled thefts

An argument can be made that the facility should be responsible for the restitution as well. However, this is not your ordinary matter and an attorney should be consulted due to the complicated issues involved. Details will be important. The storage facility is considered a bailee for hire. As such, they do have certain responsibilities. However, they can require you to sign a clause absolving them of all responsibility for thefts. But, it they made the thefts easier by providing locks to everyone that could be unlocked with one key AND this contributed to the b & e, you may be able to obtain some relief. There is simply no easy yes/no response to this issue. If you want to talk further about this email me at [email protected] with more information. Good luck.

Jim

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Answered on 4/06/03, 11:27 pm


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