HB3155 - Relating to the disclosure of fees by certain landlords in residential rental application transactions.

  89R11044 RAL-D     By: Simmons H.B. No. 3155       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the disclosure of fees by certain landlords in   residential rental application transactions.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 92, Property Code, is   amended by adding Section 92.356 to read as follows:           Sec.   92.356.     DISCLOSURE OF FEES BY CERTAIN LANDLORDS. (a)   This section applies only to a landlord who leases five or more   dwellings.           (b)     At the time an applicant is provided with a rental   application, the landlord shall provide to the applicant a list of   all fees, including the dollar amount of each fee, that the landlord   intends to charge the applicant.   The fees include:                 (1)     all fees associated with applying for, reserving,   and beginning the lease term at a dwelling, including:                       (A)  application fees;                       (B)  application deposits;                       (C)  processing fees;                       (D)  utility connection fees;                       (E)  hold fees; and                         (F)  administrative fees;                   (2)     all fixed, recurring fees that the landlord   intends to charge the tenant under a written lease, including:                       (A)  pest control fees;                       (B)  facilities fees;                       (C)  trash collection fees; and                       (D)  insurance fees; and                 (3)     any fees for optional services or amenities that   the applicant may opt into or is opted into automatically,   including:                       (A)  cable and technology package fees;                       (B)  waiver deposit fees;                       (C)  pet fees;                       (D)  parking fees; and                       (E)  payment type fees.           (c)     An applicant is not obligated to pay a fee described by   Subsection (b) that is not disclosed as required by that   subsection.           (d)     A landlord who violates this section is liable to the   applicant for an amount equal to the amount of a fee that was   charged and collected but not disclosed in accordance with this   section.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.