FL S0582

Removes the provision that allowed landlords to obtain immediate default judgments when tenants failed to pay rent into the court registry within 5 days of service of process in eviction cases

Eliminates the automatic waiver of tenant defenses (other than payment) that previously resulted from failure to comply with the court registry payment requirement within the 5-day deadline

Retains the requirement that tenants interposing defenses other than payment must pay accrued rent and rent accruing during the proceeding into the court registry when due

Maintains the exception for public housing tenants and tenants receiving rent subsidies, who need only deposit the portion of rent for which they are personally responsible

Takes effect July 1, 2022