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Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers on Small Claims Court, the Repair and Storage Liens Act (RSLA), and insurance subrogation — written for the lenders, insurers, and businesses we serve.

RSLA

What is the difference between Section 23 and Section 24 applications under Ontario’s Repair and Storage Liens Act (RSLA)? What Section 24 arguments help when storage rates exceed municipal by-law limits for large construction machinery? How should lenders proceed when multiple RSLA liens are filed against the same financed car by different tow operators? What remedies exist if a lien claimant tries to sell a forklift before the 21-day RSLA notice period expires? How can a secured creditor verify that all RSLA notices of intention to sell were properly served on every PPSA party? What steps should lenders take if a heavy-duty wrecker imposes excessive recovery fees on a leased semi-trailer? How can a PPSA lienholder challenge non-itemized labor charges on a hydraulic repair for leased construction equipment? What Section 24 evidence is most persuasive when contesting a month-long storage bill for a car that was ready earlier? How should a secured creditor handle a lien when a repair shop shuts down or goes bankrupt while holding financed assets? What is the process to dispute duplicate storage billing when equipment has been secretly moved between yards? How can TSSEA violations reduce charges on a commercial trailer that was towed and stored after a roadside breakdown? Can a lender obtain a court order to move a seized excavator to neutral storage while Section 24 proceedings continue? How does a PPSA lender contest a lien when an unauthorized driver ordered repairs on a financed pickup truck? What are the options if a mobile crane is held for unpaid repairs but the work was done without owner authorization? How can a secured creditor use Section 24 to cap storage charges on seasonal equipment like snowplows or salt spreaders? What proof does a PPSA lienholder need to show a good-faith attempt to retrieve a vehicle that was moved without notice? How should lenders respond if a tow company refuses to disclose the storage yard location for financed equipment? What is the best way for a PPSA lienholder to challenge an inflated engine rebuild invoice on a leased skid-steer? How can a secured creditor stop daily storage charges on a construction trailer when the operator ignores retrieval requests? What Section 24 strategies help a lender retrieve a financed car quickly when a garage refuses release until full payment? How can PPSA lienholders avoid delays when depositing certified funds into court for Section 24 applications? Why is it important for PPSA lienholders to choose a reliable process server for RSLA Section 24 applications? What are the consequences for PPSA lienholders if the storage company files a notice of objection after a Section 24 initial certificate is issued? What happens if a PPSA lienholder underestimates the deposit amount for storage fees in a Section 24 application? Why should PPSA lienholders include extra storage fees when arranging court deposits for a Section 24 application? How long does it take a process server to complete the required steps for a PPSA lienholder’s Section 24 initial certificate? Why do process servers sometimes require multiple court visits for a PPSA lienholder’s Section 24 application? What steps does a PPSA lienholder need to take with a process server to deposit funds into court for a Section 24 application? Why are process server costs high for PPSA lienholders when arranging certified funds into court for a Section 24 application? What practical steps shorten timelines on Section 23 and 24 matters? Can storage continue to accrue during court proceedings or while security is posted? How do impounds or police holds interact with RSLA and TSSEA storage claims? What is a good‑faith attempt to retrieve a vehicle and why does it matter? How do I use TSSEA violations as evidence in a Section 24 RSLA challenge? Are there caps or rules for storage rates under TSSEA or municipal by‑laws? How does TSSEA licensing and disclosure help contest storage? Does a non‑possessory RSLA lien bind PPSA lenders the same way as a possessory lien? How can a PPSA lienholder secure fast physical release of collateral? Can a PPSA lender pay under protest and recover later? What documents should PPSA lenders request from the storer or repairer? How can a PPSA lienholder minimize exposure to storage charges? As a PPSA lienholder, do I outrank a repairer’s possessory lien? What if the article has already been sold under the RSLA? What should a lender do immediately upon learning an asset is held under an RSLA lien? Can TSSEA compliance (or non‑compliance) affect RSLA storage claims? What is a final certificate under Section 24 and what does it accomplish? What notices are required if a repairer or storer intends to sell the collateral? What are the timelines for registering a non‑possessory lien after releasing the vehicle? Does a storer’s lien carry the same strength as a repairer’s lien? How do RSLA lien priorities interact with a prior PPSA security interest? How are reasonable storage rates determined and from what date do they run? Where should I file RSLA applications—Small Claims Court or Superior Court? What evidence helps reduce or defeat excessive storage or repair charges in a Section 24 application? Can a lender obtain release by posting security instead of paying the claimed charges? What is an initial certificate under Section 24 and how does it help? What is a Section 24 application and what relief is available? What is a Section 23 application and when should lenders consider it? How long does an RSLA lien last and how is it maintained? What creates a valid possessory lien and why does possession matter? Who can claim a repairer’s or storer’s lien under the RSLA? What is the purpose of Ontario’s Repair and Storage Liens Act (RSLA)?

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