The bill amends the Kansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act by establishing a default maintenance code for rental properties in areas where no local code exists. Specifically, it modifies K.S.A. 58-2553 to clarify the responsibilities of landlords regarding compliance with building, housing, and maintenance codes that affect health and safety. The bill also specifies that if a city or county has adopted a maintenance code, that code will apply; otherwise, landlords must adhere to the International Property Maintenance Code (IMPC 2012). Additionally, it allows landlords and tenants to agree in writing for tenants to perform certain maintenance tasks, provided the agreement is made in good faith and does not evade the landlord's obligations.

The bill includes several deletions and insertions to refine the language and clarify the responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Notably, it removes the phrase "which" in favor of "that" for grammatical accuracy and deletes references to noncompliance with subsection (a)(1) to streamline the agreement process between landlords and tenants. The bill also repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 58-2553, indicating a significant update to the law. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the clarity and enforceability of maintenance responsibilities in rental properties across Kansas.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 58-2553