Honorable Helen Giddings, Chair, House Committee on Business & Industry
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2571 by Thompson (Relating to the exclusion of a residential tenant.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Property Code and impose an additional condition that must be met before a landlord may change the locks on a tenant’s dwelling. The tenant must not only have been delinquent in paying at least part of the rent, but must also refuse to discuss the delinquency with the landlord. Landlords must give tenants notice, conspicuously written in the lease, of the landlord’s authority to change the locks when those conditions are present. The Office of the Attorney General indicates that additional cases and investigations may arise resulting from the provisions of the bill; however, any additional costs could be absorbed within existing state resources.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.