HB 3198
AN ACT relating to screening by a landlord of applicants for residential
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Requires landlords to provide written notice of tenant selection criteria and potential grounds for denial before accepting an application fee, including specifying that applicants may provide evidence challenging criminal history or demonstrating rehabilitation. If landlords fail to comply with these disclosure requirements or wrongfully retain application fees, they can be liable for financial penalties, including $500 and the applicant's reasonable costs. The law applies to rental applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, giving prospective tenants more transparency and opportunity to explain potential negative factors in their rental application.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to screening by a landlord of applicants for residential BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 92.3515, Property Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as (a) At the time an applicant is provided with a rental application and before accepting an application fee, the landlord shall make available to the applicant printed notice of the landlord's tenant selection criteria and the grounds for which the rental application may be denied, including the applicant's: (5) failure to provide accurate or complete information on the application form. (a-1) The printed notice must state in writing that the applicant may provide evidence showing: (1) the inaccuracies in the applicant's criminal (2) the applicant's rehabilitation; or SECTION 2. Section 92.354, Property Code, is amended to Sec. 92.354. LIABILITY OF LANDLORD. (a) A landlord who in bad faith fails to refund an application fee or deposit in violation of this subchapter is liable for an amount equal to the sum of $100, three times the amount wrongfully retained, and the applicant's (b) A landlord who violates Section 92.3515 is liable for an amount equal to the sum of $500 and the applicant's reasonable SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a rental application submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. A rental application submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to screening by a landlord of applicants for residential
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