H.B. No. 798 is a comprehensive bill aimed at enhancing the rights of residential tenants and clarifying the responsibilities of landlords in Texas, particularly in relation to eviction processes and tenant protections. Key provisions include a requirement for landlords to provide a 10-day written notice to tenants who default on rent payments, followed by a 14-day notice to vacate before filing for eviction. The bill also introduces measures to protect tenant privacy by limiting the dissemination of eviction case information and mandates that courts delete or redact references to defendants under specific conditions. Additionally, it prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to individuals with eviction cases filed during a state of disaster related to COVID-19 and establishes stricter requirements for landlord entry into rental properties.

The bill further strengthens tenant protections by allowing tenants to withhold rent for unaddressed repairs, prohibiting late fees in such cases, and increasing penalties for landlords who fail to refund application fees or deposits in bad faith. It also introduces new regulations regarding criminal record screening, preventing landlords from inquiring about arrests that did not lead to convictions and limiting the consideration of older criminal convictions. The bill expands protections against landlord retaliation, ensuring tenants can exercise their rights without fear of adverse actions. Overall, H.B. No. 798 aims to create a fairer rental environment and provide greater security for tenants in Texas.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Property Code 24.005, Property Code 92.0081, Property Code 92.011, Property Code 92.019, Property Code 92.052, Property Code 92.0563, Property Code 92.056, Property Code 92.0561, Property Code 92.331, Property Code 92.333, Property Code 92.351, Property Code 92.3515, Property Code 92.354, Property Code 94.251 (Property Code 92, Property Code 24, Property Code 94)