Storage unit auctioned cars

[MumOfTwo]

Hi, so I've just been told by a family member that someone has sold off their cars that were in a storage unit. They had gotten in some financial difficulty and had buried their head in the sand until things blew over and they could pay (there was alot going on at the time). However, now they've been told that some very expensive cars that were in the unit has been sold off at auction. They didn't realise they had failed to give their new address and so they weren't able to contact them. Apparantly they had put it up on Facebook and because they failed to contact them they had sold off the cars. Was this legal? The cars meant alot to him and the storage fees can now be paid, but obviously its now too late. I know he should've asked for help, but its been a tough year which I can't go into detail about, so wondered if there's any way of helping. Thanks

[R0b]

The short answer is yes, it is probably lawful and I suggest you read the terms and conditions as it will likely say that if you don't pay the fees then they have the right to open the unit and sell off the goods.

[efpom]

But the storage company, if it's a bailee, would not be entitled to retain the residue, after it's costs and expenses have been deducted from the sale of the goods.