Legislative Session - 3rd Legislative Update - 02/05/24
LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2024
Week 3 Update
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Week 3 of the legislature is now complete. There have been a number of bills affecting rental housing that are moving or about to move and we have been very busy. Below is an update:
Tomorrow (February 6, 2024) is our Day at the Hill
This is a wonderful event to come to the capital, network with legislators, and hear about how we are managing our issues through the legislative process.
Seating is limited, so if you are interested, register at the link below.
https://www.rhautah.org/events/rha-day-at-the-hill
Detail:
- Utah East Senate Building (Olmsted Room)
- 12:30 - 2:30 PM
- 350 State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Lunch is included
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HB 355 Residential Rental Modifications, Judkins (R), Provo We have worked with the bill sponsor and believe this balanced solution will be good for both rental operators and renters. This bill requires owners to provide 60 days’ notice of a rent increase to a renter while in a lease. It does not prohibit a rental operator from giving a 30-day end of term notice or 30 days’ notice of rent increase if a renter is on a month-to-month lease. It also allows quicker rent increases if both parties agree to it. STATUS: Passed House Committee 9-0 on 1/31. Awaiting vote on House floor. HB 169, Property Condition Disclosure Requirements, Neil Walter, (R) Santa Clara Representative Walter wanted to make sure renters are given enough disclosure when leasing, to make an informed decision about moving into a property that might have a pre-existing condition. We have worked with the sponsor to create a voluntary form rental operators who have pre-existing conditions can provide renters. The form would require a rental operator to provide a prospective renter with a written disclosure describing any defects in the rental unit. This notice would would be provided during the application process so that a prospective renter would have the information they need. Status: Negotiating with sponsor SB 58 Property Tax Administration Amendments, Grover, (R), Provo In Utah, a property that is used as someone's primary residence receives a 40% discount on their property taxes each year. Long-term rental property (longer than 30 days) qualifies for this discount. The issue currently is that county tax assessors are asking owners for unreasonable documentation to prove that a rental unit is being used for residential use and not another form of investment or short-term use. S.B. 58 is currently being amended to fix a few technical issues but would limit the county to asking an owner to provide one of the following documents: (1) a copy of the lease agreement, (2) a copy of your federal tax return showing the property is used for residential purposes, or (3) a copy of the insurance policy showing the property is used for residential purposes. Status: Passed Rev/Tax Committee 8-0, passed Senate 28-0 NEW BILL THIS WEEK: SB 184 Expungement of Eviction Amendments, Riebe, (D), Salt Lake City Two years ago when we supported an eviction expungement process, we specifically excluded criminal evictions. This is because criminal evictions usually cause major community disruption and significant property damages. This bill would require criminal evictions to be expunged after three years if the renter paid any balance owed. We oppose this bill. While we believe in second chances, we believe rental operators need information on criminal evictions to make an informed decision. This bill would hide relevant information. Status: Oppose |