Utah-based Extra Space Storage sued by New York City for “predatory business practices”

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah-based self-storage company is being sued by New York City for predatory business practices.

In the complaint, New York City’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection complained that Extra Space Storage offers competitively low prices to New Yorkers in need of storage space. Then, without warning, the company ups the price and forces them to pay.

If consumers do not pay, the company allegedly tacks on extra fees, and threatens to lock up consumer’s belongings and restrict their access.

“This complaint concerns a classic bait-and-switch scheme perpetuated by a self-storage company against New York City consumers, many of whom are vulnerable specifically because they cannot afford to get out from under the company’s predatory business tactics once they’ve moved their belongings into one of Defendant’s units,” the lawsuit stated.

The lawsuit also claimed the company is not maintaining the cleanliness and safety standards it advertises. There are reports of rats, mold, and water damage ruining customers’ belongings.

Extra Space Storage said in a statement to KSL:

Extra Space Storage is aware of the complaint filed by the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. We have begun reviewing the 117 complaints submitted. These are from the approximately 60 properties in New York City that have served over 100,000 customers in that time. We disagree with the claims being made. We are confident that we operate fully within the bounds of the law and remain committed to continuing to do so.

The self-storage company, based in Cottonwood Heights, said it has more than 4,000 properties across the nation. More than 300 of those properties are in the state of New York alone, according to the lawsuit.

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