The bill amends the Texas Property Code to enhance the transparency and fairness of the tenant screening process by landlords. It requires landlords to provide applicants with printed notice of their tenant selection criteria and the specific grounds for potential application denial, which may include factors such as criminal history, rental history, income, credit history, and inaccuracies in the application. Additionally, the bill introduces a new requirement for landlords to inform applicants that they can present evidence of inaccuracies in their criminal history, demonstrate rehabilitation, or provide other mitigating factors.

Furthermore, the bill establishes liability for landlords who fail to comply with these provisions. Specifically, it states that landlords who act in bad faith by not refunding application fees or deposits may be liable for $100 plus three times the amount wrongfully retained, along with reasonable attorney's fees. Additionally, landlords who violate the new screening notice requirements could face a liability of $500 and the applicant's attorney's fees. The changes will apply only to rental applications submitted on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Property Code 92.3515, Property Code 92.354 (Property Code 92)