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Senate Bill 630 |
Senate Author: Carona et al. |
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Effective: 1-1-14 |
House Sponsor: Naishtat |
Senate Bill 630 amends the Property Code to require a residential landlord, not later than the third business day after the date a lease is signed by each party, to provide at least one complete copy of the lease to at least one tenant who is a party to the lease. If more than one tenant is a party to the lease, the landlord, within three business days after receiving a written request for a copy of the lease from a tenant who has not yet received a copy, must provide one complete copy of the lease to the requesting tenant. A landlord's failure to provide a copy of the lease as required does not invalidate the lease or prevent the landlord from prosecuting or defending a legal action or proceeding to enforce the lease, but the landlord is prohibited from prosecuting such an action, other than an action for nonpayment of rent, until the landlord provides to the tenant a complete copy of the lease. If the tenant submits to the court evidence of the landlord's failure to comply, the court must abate the action until the landlord provides the lease to the tenant.
Senate Bill 630 prohibits a residential landlord from taking certain retaliatory actions against a tenant because the tenant establishes, attempts to establish, or participates in a tenant organization.