Can we debit a checking account for a renter that is over 90 days past due on their rental fee? I have checked our contract for right of offset and do not see that in the safe deposit contract? I could not locate anything in the Ga. Code but might not be looking in the right place. Thanks.

Check your deposit account agreement as well. It often includes permission to offset against most anything (other than credit cards, of course).

I do the billing for our branches safe deposit boxes. I have found some of the following useful in collecting our past due rentals.

-First billing goes out.
-Second notice billing goes out. A post it note is then placed on their sign in access card stating that the rental must be paid before customer can access their box. A pop up note also goes on the system under the customers name that states "Please ask Mr. John Doe if he would like to take care of his safety deposit box rental of $xx.xx due XX/XX"
-Third notice goes out.
-Certified letter advising that if payment is not made within XX days, the box will be drilled at a fee of $100.00, etc.

I've never had to go beyond the certified letter

So instead of debiting an account you would notify them of a possible drilling and the charge of the fee. Thanks so much for the responses.

DinkD - I had this same question a couple of weeks ago and our counsel (make note - I said our counsel) said that because we have the "right to offset" language in our deposit account agreement, we can offset a checking account for renter's fees. And that's just what I did. We didn't want to go through the mess with drilling, etc.