The bill amends the "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" to introduce new definitions and provisions regarding tenant eviction. It establishes a new section that mandates landlords to provide just cause for evicting tenants from housing accommodations. The bill specifies that landlords cannot remove tenants without a court order, regardless of whether a written lease exists or has expired. It outlines several grounds for just cause, including failure to pay rent, violation of substantial obligations of the tenancy, committing a nuisance, illegal use of the property, unreasonable refusal of access for repairs, and the landlord's need for personal use of the housing accommodation under certain conditions.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect tenants from eviction based on unreasonable rent increases and ensures that tenants have the right to seek damages if they are wrongfully evicted. Key insertions in the bill include definitions for "disabled person" and "housing accommodation," as well as new sections detailing the applicability of just cause evictions and the necessity for just cause in tenant removals. The bill emphasizes that any agreement waiving a tenant's rights regarding eviction is void, reinforcing the protection of tenants under the law. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance tenant rights and provide a more structured process for evictions, ensuring that landlords adhere to just cause requirements.

Statutes affected:
212: 34-18-11