1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to notice to tenants of certain changes in policy by a 1-3 landlord. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 92.013 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 92.013. NOTICE OF RULE OR POLICY CHANGE AFFECTING 1-8 TENANT'S PERSONAL PROPERTY. (a) A landlord shall give prior 1-9 written notice to a tenant regarding a landlord rule or policy 1-10 change that is not included in the lease agreement and that will 1-11 affect any personal property owned by the tenant that is located 1-12 outside the tenant's dwelling, including any change in vehicle 1-13 towing rules or policies. 1-14 (b) The notice must be given in person or by mail to the 1-15 affected tenant. Notice in person may be by personal delivery to 1-16 the tenant or any person residing at the tenant's dwelling who is 1-17 16 years of age or older or by personal delivery to the tenant's 1-18 dwelling and affixing the notice to the inside of the main entry 1-19 door. Notice by mail may be by regular mail, by registered mail, 1-20 or by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the dwelling 1-21 has no mailbox and has a keyless bolting device, alarm system, or 1-22 dangerous animal that prevents the landlord from entering the 1-23 premises to leave the notice on the inside of the main entry door, 1-24 the landlord may securely affix the notice on the outside of the 2-1 main entry door. 2-2 (c) A landlord who fails to give notice as required by this 2-3 section is liable to the tenant for any expense incurred by the 2-4 tenant as a result of the landlord's failure to give the notice. 2-5 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 2-6 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-7 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-8 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-9 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-10 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2408 was passed by the House on May 8, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2408 was passed by the Senate on May 26, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor