S.B. 35 Summary

• Prohibits landlords from recovering possession of dwelling units or evicting tenants when the landlord's failure to maintain habitability significantly impairs the premises, provided the tenant continues paying rent equal to the fair rental value or agreed rent, whichever is less.

• Limits tenant rent liability to the fair rental value of the premises from the date habitability is significantly impaired, rather than the full agreed-upon rent.

• Restores landlord's ability to recover possession upon either termination of the rental agreement in accordance with law or restoration of the premises to habitable condition, whichever occurs first.

• Increases damages for unlawful retaliatory evictions to two months rent plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, up from the previous unspecified amount.

• Effective July 1, 2124; does not affect rights, duties, or proceedings that matured or began before the effective date.