Understanding Warehouse Liens

This information applies to British Columbia, Canada. Last reviewed for legal accuracy by People's Law School in June 2025.

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Crime · Appearance Notices & Summonses · Defending Against a Criminal Charge · Pleading Guilty · Outstanding Warrants & Welfare · Possession of Marijuana · Shoplifting · Impaired Driving · Driving While Prohibited · Driving Without Insurance · Traffic Tickets · Sentences & Discharges · Criminal Records & Record Suspensions · Being a Witness · Complaints Against the RCMP · Against Municipal Police · Firearms & the Firearms Act · Charging Someone with a Criminal Offence · Peace Bonds & Assault Charges · Stalking, Harassment & Cyberbullying · Young People & Criminal Law · Youth Court Trials
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When someone leaves goods at a storage facility, the business has a legal claim on the goods. This is called a “lien”. It can help the business recover their fees.

We're updating this page The Commercial Liens Act came into effect on June 30, 2025. It replaces the Warehouse Lien Act (among other laws). We are currently updating this page to reflect the new law. Check back soon for updates.

Dial-A-Law

Consumer & Money

Cars & Getting Around	Problem with a Used Car · Leasing a Car · Car Repairs · Insurance Benefits for Accident Victims · If You're Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident · Making a Vehicle Damage Claim · The Points System and ICBC

Consumer	Problem with a Purchase · The Basics of Making a Purchase · Online Shopping · If You're Not Happy with a Service · Continuing Service Contracts

Money & Debt	Getting a Credit Card · Disputing a Credit Card Bill · Credit Reports · Co-Signing or Guaranteeing a Loan · Collecting on a Debt · Garnishment · Options for Getting Out of Debt · Dealing with Debt Collectors · Warehouse Liens · Financial Help for People with Disabilities · Income Assistance · Your Bank Account

Work & Business

Work	Job Discrimination · Sexual Harassment · Farm Workers' Wages · Farm Workers' Rights · Workers' Compensation · Workers' Compensation Appeals · If You Are Fired · Getting Laid Off · If You Quit · Applying for EI

Business	Starting a Small Business · Incorporating a Company · Forming a Partnership · Intellectual Property · Music Law

Families & Children

Family Relationships	Introduction to Family Law · Getting Married · Marriage & Cohabitation Agreements · Couples Who Are Not Spouses · Family Violence · Changing Your Name

Divorce & Separation	Separation & Separation Agreements · Deciding Who Will Move Out · Requirements for Divorce & Annulment · Desk Order Divorce · Responding to Divorce Proceedings · Guardianship, Parenting Arrangements & Contact · Child Support · Spousal Support · Enforcing Support Orders & Agreements · Tax Implications of Support Payments · Dividing Property & Debts

Children	Children's Rights · Children Born Outside Marriage · Adoption · Adoption Registries · Reporting Suspected Child Abuse · Child Protection & Removal

Resolving Family Disputes	Mediation, Collaborative Negotiation & Arbitration · Family Court · Applying for an Interim Family Order

Life

Health	Adults and Consent to Health Care · Children and Consent to Health Care · Getting Your Medical Records · Hospitalizing a Mentally Ill Person · If You Have a Problem with a Doctor · Medical Malpractice

Home & Neighbours	Buying a Home · Buying a Condo · Mortgages & Financing a Home · Selling Your Home · Builders Liens · Owning a Condo · Co-op Housing · Residential Tenancy · Neighbour Law · Home Repair Contractors · Foreclosure

Rights & Citizenship	Defamation · Information & Privacy · Human Rights & Discrimination · Charter Rights: Overview · Charter Rights: Legal Rights · Charter Rights: Equality Rights · Aboriginal Law · Immigrating to BC · Seniors' Rights & Elder Abuse

Wills, Planning & Estates	Preparing a Will & Estate Planning · Challenging a Will · Duties of an Executor · When Someone Dies Without a Will · When Your Common-Law Spouse Dies · Powers of Attorney & Representation Agreements · Committeeship

Courts & Crime

Courts & Resolving Disputes	Resolving Disputes Without Going to Court · Our Court System in a Nutshell · Starting a Lawsuit · Suing Someone in Small Claims Court · Being Sued in Small Claims Court · Going to Trial in Small Claims Court · Appearing in Court by Phone · Getting Your Judgment Paid · Class Actions

Crime	Appearance Notices & Summonses · Defending Yourself Against a Criminal Charge · Pleading Guilty · Outstanding Warrants & Welfare · Possession of Marijuana · Shoplifting · Impaired Driving · Driving While Prohibited · Driving Without Insurance · Traffic Tickets · Sentences & Discharges · Criminal Records & Record Suspensions · Being a Witness · Complaints Against the RCMP · Against Municipal Police · Firearms & the Firearms Act · Charging Someone with a Criminal Offence · Peace Bonds & Assault Charges · Stalking, Criminal Harassment, & Cyberbullying · Young People & Criminal Law · Youth Court Trials

Legal Help & Lawyers	Free & Low-Cost Legal Help · Choosing a Lawyer · Lawyers' Fees · If You Have a Problem with a Lawyer · The Law Society, Bar Associations, & Law Foundation

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