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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the disclosure of fees by certain landlords in |
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residential rental application transactions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 92, Property Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 92.356 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 92.356. DISCLOSURE OF FEES BY CERTAIN LANDLORDS. (a) |
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This section applies only to a landlord who leases five or more |
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dwellings. |
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(b) At the time an applicant is provided with a rental |
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application, the landlord shall provide to the applicant a list of |
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all fees, including the dollar amount of each fee, that the landlord |
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intends to charge the applicant. The fees include: |
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(1) all fees associated with applying for, reserving, |
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and beginning the lease term at a dwelling, including: |
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(A) application fees; |
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(B) application deposits; |
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(C) processing fees; |
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(D) utility connection fees; |
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(E) hold fees; and |
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(F) administrative fees; |
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(2) all fixed, recurring fees that the landlord |
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intends to charge the tenant under a written lease, including: |
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(A) pest control fees; |
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(B) facilities fees; |
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(C) trash collection fees; and |
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(D) insurance fees; and |
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(3) any fees for optional services or amenities that |
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the applicant may opt into or is opted into automatically, |
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including: |
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(A) cable and technology package fees; |
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(B) waiver deposit fees; |
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(C) pet fees; |
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(D) parking fees; and |
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(E) payment type fees. |
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(c) An applicant is not obligated to pay a fee described by |
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Subsection (b) that is not disclosed as required by that |
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subsection. |
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(d) A landlord who violates this section is liable to the |
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applicant for an amount equal to the amount of a fee that was |
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charged and collected but not disclosed in accordance with this |
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section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |