HB 1124 - Residential Rent and Fees

Protecting tenants from excessive rent and related fees by providing at least six months' notice for rent increases over a certain amount, allowing tenants the right to terminate a tenancy without penalty, and limiting late fees.

Bill Information

Sponsors:  Peterson, Fitzgibbon, Taylor, Street, Berry, Bateman, Ramel, Doglio, Macri, Simmons, Chopp, Lekanoff, Thai, Bergquist, Stonier, Pollet, Riccelli, Ormsby

Status: In (H) Rules

What the bill does:

• Rent increase greater than 5% require a notice between 180 and 220 days before increase takes effect
• Tenant may terminate the tenancy at any point prior to the effective date of the increase by providing:
  • 20 days' notice for a month-to-month or periodic tenancy
  • 45 days' notice for a tenancy of a specified period
• Tenant shall only owe pro rata rent through the date upon which the tenant surrenders the premises
• Limits late rental payment fees to the lesser of 10 percent of the rental amount or $75 total.
• Landlord found in violation could be responsible for:
  • Actual damages,
  • Treble damages, and
  • Attorneys’ fees

Latest Action Alert: N/A

Talking Points: N/A

Notes:

Current Version Changes -The original bill limited late rental payment fees for tenancies covered by the RLTA to $75 total. The substitute bill limits late rental payment fees to the lesser of 10 percent of the rental amount, excluding utility charges, or $75 total and extends the late fee limits to
tenancies covered by the MHLTA.
The substitute bill also excludes any utility charges in calculating the 5 percent threshold for requiring landlord notice and allowing a tenant to terminate the tenancy.