House Bill No. 2184 introduces a new provision to the Texas Property Code, specifically adding Section 92.0175, which grants tenants the right to terminate their residential lease without liability under certain conditions related to outages of essential utilities. The bill defines "essential utilities" as electricity, natural gas, and water. It allows tenants to vacate their dwelling and avoid future rent obligations if they experience an outage due to severe weather, provided they notify the landlord in writing about the interruption, the utility is not restored within 48 hours, and they subsequently inform the landlord of their intent to terminate the lease.

However, the bill specifies that this right does not apply if the utility service provider intentionally interrupts the service. Additionally, it clarifies that the tenant remains liable for any unpaid rent or damages to the property that are not due to normal wear and tear prior to the lease termination. The new provisions will only apply to lease agreements entered into or renewed after the effective date of the Act, which is set for January 1, 2026.

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