HB1184 - Relating to prohibiting a prospective residential landlord from increasing the amount of rent during the rental application process.

      By: Hinojosa H.B. No. 1184       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to prohibiting a prospective residential landlord from   increasing the amount of rent during the rental application   process.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, is   amended by adding Section 92.027 to read as follows:           Sec.   92.027.     PROSPECTIVE LANDLORD PROHIBITED FROM   INCREASING RENT AMOUNT DURING APPLICATION PROCESS. (a) In this   section, "applicant," "landlord," and "rental application" have   the meanings assigned by Section 92.351.           (b)     This section applies only to a rental application   provided by a landlord to an applicant that:                 (1)     provides that the applicant will be considered to   lease a specific rental unit; and                 (2)     states the monthly rent amount at which the   specified rental unit will be offered to an approved applicant.           (c)     A landlord who approves a rental application to which   this section applies must provide to the applicant a written lease   agreement for the rental unit referenced in the application at the   monthly rent amount stated in the application.           (d)     A landlord who violates this section is liable to the   applicant for an amount equal to the sum of $100, three times the   amount of any application fee or deposit, and the applicant's   reasonable attorney's fees.          SECTION 2.  Section 92.027, Property Code, as added by this   Act, applies only to a rental application provided to an applicant   on or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.