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SB 421

Require the refund of certain residential lease application fees

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ellie Boldman

SB 421 aimed to protect tenants by requiring landlords to refund application fees if denied or not processed timely, promoting fairness in rental applications.

(S) Died in Process
#housing #landlordandtenant
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Bill Summary · SB 421

Summary of SB 421: Require the Refund of Certain Residential Lease Application Fees

Bill Number: SB 421
Title: Require the refund of certain residential lease application fees
Status: Died in Process
Introduced: November 22, 2024
Classification: Bill
Subject: Housing, Landlord and Tenant

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of SB 421 was to establish regulations regarding the refund of residential lease application fees. This bill aimed to protect potential tenants from financial loss by ensuring that certain application fees would be refundable under specific circumstances.

Key Provisions

While the bill did not progress through the legislative process, its proposed provisions included:

  • Refund Requirements: The bill sought to mandate that landlords refund application fees to prospective tenants if the application was denied or if the landlord failed to process the application within a specified timeframe.
  • Transparency: The legislation aimed to require landlords to provide clear information regarding the application fee, including the conditions under which a refund would be issued.
  • Limitations on Fees: The bill may have included provisions to limit the amount that landlords could charge for application fees, ensuring they were reasonable and justifiable.

Affected Parties

The following groups would have been impacted by SB 421:

  • Tenants: The bill was designed to benefit tenants by providing them with financial protection against non-refundable application fees, particularly in cases where they were not accepted for a rental property.
  • Landlords: The legislation would have imposed additional requirements on landlords regarding the handling of application fees, potentially affecting their revenue and administrative processes.

Legislative Process and Timeline

The legislative journey of SB 421 included several key actions:

  • November 22, 2024: The bill was introduced and assigned to a drafter.
  • February 21, 2025: The bill was officially introduced in the Senate and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
  • February 24, 2025: The bill underwent its first reading and a hearing in the Judiciary Committee.
  • February 27, 2025: The bill was tabled in committee, indicating it would not advance further at that time.
  • March 12, 2025: The bill missed the deadline for general bill transmittal.
  • May 23, 2025: The bill ultimately died in the legislative process.

Conclusion

Although SB 421 aimed to enhance tenant protections regarding residential lease application fees, it did not progress through the legislative process and ultimately died in committee. The proposed changes would have had significant implications for both tenants and landlords, promoting transparency and fairness in rental applications.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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