HB 5234 Summary

• Landlords may not demand security deposits or damage insurance exceeding two months' rent for tenants under 62 years old, or one month's rent for tenants 62 and older; tenants may switch between damage insurance and security deposits without lease term changes.

• Landlords must offer tenants a preoccupancy walk-through inspection using a standardized checklist by January 1, 2023, and cannot retain security deposits or charge for conditions noted on the checklist.

• Landlords are prohibited from charging application processing fees and may only charge tenant screening report fees up to $20 or actual cost (whichever is less); fees are waived if tenant provides their own recent screening report.

• Protected tenants (seniors 62+, persons with disabilities, and residents in buildings with 5+ units or mobile home parks) cannot be evicted except for nonpayment of rent, lease violations, or specific landlord reasons, and rent increases must be fair and equitable.

• Landlords must provide eligible tenants with voter registration applications at the time of lease execution, effective October 1, 2022.