S.F. No. 2595 Summary

• Requires courts to order expungement of eviction cases commenced solely on grounds related to contract for deed cancellation or mortgage foreclosure if defendant vacated before eviction or did not receive proper notice to vacate.

• Prohibits landlords from charging applicant screening fees when no rental unit is available, requires written receipts upon request, and mandates return of fees if applicant is rejected for undisclosed reasons or if prior applicant accepts the unit.

• Requires landlords receiving cash rent payments to provide written receipts immediately if paid in person or within three business days if paid otherwise.

• Establishes tenant protections in foreclosed properties requiring successors in interest to provide 90 days' written notice to vacate (or allow lease to expire if longer than 90 days) for evictions commenced on or before December 31, 2012.

• Increases punitive damages for bad faith deposit retention from $200 to $500 per deposit and allows tenants to recover attorney fees if lease specifies landlord can recover such fees under the same circumstances.