Here’s the dilemma: how do you maintain profitability when revenue is stagnant, and expenses keep rising?

For today’s self-storage operators, the answer is clear - efficiency.

At the recent SSA Conference & Trade Show, Luke Shardlow (CEO, Ai Lean) and Anne Mari DeCoster (President of Investa Capital, StorCo Storage, BBi Constructors) shared how AI-powered lien compliance is helping operators reduce legal risk, reclaim valuable time, and refocus on revenue-generating activities.

Here’s why embracing AI isn’t just a smart move—it’s becoming a business necessity.

The Self-Storage Squeeze: Rising Costs, Stagnant Revenue

The self-storage industry is no stranger to economic ups and downs—but today’s market is testing even the most seasoned operators.

Consider the pressures:

Demand is down 40%—Reduced mobility and shifting consumer habits mean fewer new tenants.
High mortgage rates—Increasing costs make new property development and refinancing more expensive.
Intense competition—More players are vying for a shrinking pool of customers.

Ai Lean Presentation at SSA - rental rates stagnant

Ai Lean Presentation at SSA - Competition in self-storage industry

Luke Shardlow - CEO, Ai Lean
“As financial pressures evolve, the self-storage industry is embracing automation across operational functions, including facilities management. We're seeing tremendous opportunity to automate routine tasks for site managers, empowering them to become more active in their local communities and drive business growth at a significantly lower acquisition cost. This shift isn't just about efficiency—it's about repositioning teams to create more meaningful customer connections while strengthening the bottom line."

At the same time, operational costs—from marketing to labor—continue to climb, while revenue remains flat.

Ai Lean Presentation at SSA - Variable expenses continue to rise

Ai Lean Presentation at SSA - Marketing costs for self-storage operations

The result?

A widening gap between revenue and expenses, forcing operators to find ways to boost efficiency without sacrificing compliance or customer service.

The Hidden Revenue Thief: Lien Compliance

Few operational tasks are as time-consuming—or as risky—as lien compliance.

For most self-storage operators, managing liens is a manual, error-prone process that drains resources and exposes the business to legal and financial risks. Instead of focusing on customer service and revenue growth, facility managers are buried in paperwork and deadlines.

Why is lien compliance such a resource drain?

State-by-State Complexity – Each jurisdiction has different legal requirements for notices, timelines, and auctions.
Manual Documentation – Every action must be recorded and tracked meticulously to avoid legal exposure.
Costly Errors – Missed deadlines or incorrect notices can lead to lawsuits, penalties, and reputational damage.
Lost Opportunities – Time spent on liens is time not spent improving customer experience or driving revenue.

Ai Lean Presentation at SSA - Manager's Time Allocation

While many operators have adopted AI for lead generation and payment processing, there’s a critical gap in A/R & legal automation—especially when it comes to lien compliance.

That’s where AI-powered solutions come in.

AI-Powered Lien Compliance Works

AI is transforming lien compliance by automating complex, time-consuming tasks while ensuring accuracy and legal compliance.

Operators using AI solutions report significant gains in three key areas:

1. Risk Reduction: AI ensures consistent compliance with state-specific lien laws, minimizing the risk of legal missteps:

Automated deadline tracking – Never miss a critical legal milestone.
Comprehensive documentation – Every action is recorded, creating an audit-ready trail.
Error reduction – AI minimizes the risk of human mistakes that lead to costly lawsuits.

2. Time Savings: Manual lien compliance consumes dozens of hours per month, but AI can handle the heavy lifting:

Automated notice generation – AI prepares and verifies notices in line with legal standards.
Centralized records – Access all compliance-related documents in one place.
Process efficiency – Reduce the time spent on lien compliance by up to 80%.

3. Resource Reallocation: By automating lien compliance, operators can shift their focus to what matters most – customers and growth:

Better customer service – Free up managers to improve tenant relationships and retention.
Improved operations – More time for maintenance, security, and cleanliness.
Revenue growth – More resources for sales and marketing efforts to drive occupancy and increase profitability.

Ai Lean Presentation at SSA -Leverage your people better

The Cost of Inaction

Failing to adopt AI-powered lien compliance doesn’t just mean inefficiency—it means falling behind.

Operators who stick to manual processes face:

Legal risk – Manual errors increase exposure to fines and lawsuits.
Time drain– Valuable staff wasted on non-revenue-generating tasks.
Competitive disadvantage – More efficient competitors will reduce costs and improve margins while you bleed cash.

Conclusion: Now is the Time for AI-Powered Lien Compliance

The self-storage industry is facing serious economic challenges—but the technology to work smarter is already here.

AI-powered lien compliance isn’t just about reducing risk – it’s about saving time, freeing up resources, and positing your business for long-term revenue growth.

With the the right tools, you can stop letting manual lien processes hold your business back – and start focusing on what drives your bottom line.

Explore AI-powered lien compliance solutions and take the first steps toward smarter, more profitable operations today.