New Laws Effective September 1st
New law giving option to charge a fee instead of a security deposit
Summary: Property owners will have a new option as of September 1 to offer prospective residents a choice between paying a monthly fee in addition to rent instead of paying a security deposit. New legislation provides guidance on offering this option.
Liability for execution of Writ of Possession
HB 900 by Rep. Dan Huberty (R-Houston)/Sen. Drew Springer (R-Muenster)
Clarifies that a landlord is not liable for damages to a tenant related to the execution of a writ of possession by a constable.
Conform Texas Fair Housing Act to federal law
HB 1153 by Rep. Hubert Vo (D-Houston) /Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury)
HB 1153 makes changes regarding the exemption for small rental property owners (i.e., the “Mrs. Murphy exemption”) to be consistent with long-time federal law.
Swimming pool code
HB 2205 by Ramon Romero, Jr. (D-Fort Worth)/Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown)
This bill requires the Texas Department of State Health Services to use the 2018 or later version of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code for design, construction, alteration, remodeling and repair of swimming pools.