The bill amends the Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code to establish a process for tenants to withhold rent in response to housing code violations. It introduces a new section, 45-24.3-17, which specifies that upon the issuance of a second notice of violation by an enforcing officer, tenants are required to pay all or part of the rent into an escrow account until the alleged violations are corrected. The amount deposited shall be equal to the rent the tenant may be due as an abatement for the landlord's failure to timely address the violations.

Additionally, the bill amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to require landlords to notify tenants of any housing code violations within thirty days of receiving a notice from enforcement agencies. It also mandates that landlords disclose any outstanding violations before entering into rental agreements. The amendments ensure that tenants have the right to counterclaim for rent in cases of noncompliance, allowing them to withhold rent until the landlord corrects the violations. The bill aims to enhance tenant protections and ensure compliance with housing codes.

Statutes affected:
906: 45-24.3-17