H.B. 1983 Summary

• Allows tenants to designate a representative in their rental agreement to collect or dispose of belongings if the tenant dies during tenancy.

• Requires landlords to notify the designated representative (or the deceased tenant's estate if no representative was named) by registered mail upon the tenant's death, including details about rent owed and tenancy termination date.

• Terminates the tenancy 15 days from notice or the date rent is paid through, whichever is later, giving the representative time to claim belongings.

• Permits landlords to dispose of remaining valuable property by selling it in a commercially reasonable manner, storing it at the estate's expense, or donating it to charity; proceeds from sales held in trust for 30 days before forfeiting to the landlord.

• Allows landlords to immediately dispose of valueless property such as trash and perishable food without notice, and requires security deposit accounting within 14 days of tenancy termination.