Owner of storage units has not kept his word to cancer patient, California

I am in the situation of having been partially disabled for about 6 months last year. Then in October I was diagnosed with colon cancer and had my sygmoid colon and bladder removed, which left me fully disabled for another 4 months. Because I didn't qualify for either state of federal disability, I have been living on borrowed money and food stamps. It's the goodness and grace of a handful of friends that has kept me from living on the streets. Am trying to ease my way back into my cabinetry and woodworking career, but am willing to work at almost anything.

I have many of my professional woodworking tools and personal property in a storage facility in Reseda called "The Storage Place". When I was diagnosed with cancer I asked the owner (Jesse Ballard) to please allow me some time to get back on my feet; he agreed to "come up with a plan"; and he did allow me to get several months behind in my rent for the 10 x 20 and (2) 5 x 10 storage units. Although I am currently working and have recently made payments on the units, he has recently sent me "lien letters" and intends to sell or throw away $12,000 to $15, 000 of my stuff. I have pleaded with him to work with me on resolving this matter, including offering to sell some antique tools and even some of my current tools to get him payments, but he has gone back on his word and won't even respond to my offers, despite the fact that it would stop the overdue rent from increasing and eventually get him paid in full.

Many of the things I have in storage, such as my 600 or so audio cassettes of old radio shows, are of no cash value to anyone and will end up being destroyed. The tools of my trade are absolutely necessary to my business; losing them will be a life-crushing blow,

He has been good to me and I will not cheat him; I think he understands this, but for some reason he seems to have hardened.

The owner of the storage place has allowed you to be in arrears for several months without taking action. But your debt has accumulated to an unmanagable level after so long. You need to go to the storage facility, or have someone go there, and remove some of these items and sell them immediately to pay off your debt. If you do not, the contents of these storage lockers can be seized and placed up for sale, with the proceeds going to the government after your back rent is paid. Unsold items would, indeed, be tossed. While your condition is sad and it is understandable that you have been unable to pay the rent there, the LL cannot continue to take a loss. This is his business and livelihood too. Just as you have had no income, neither has he on these unit for several months now. You are occupying 3 of his units at no income to him. Sell some things, consolidate into one or two units, and let him know of your plans. Send him notice by certified letter telling him of your plans and when he can expect payment. Move quickly. Good luck.