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A 1621

Requires a landlord to have clean hands to bring action for rent or eviction in certain cases

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and 20 co-sponsors

Bill A 1621 requires landlords to prove compliance with housing laws before pursuing rent collection or eviction, protecting tenants from unethical practices.

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Bill Summary · A 1621

Summary of Bill A 1621

Bill Number: A 1621
Title: Requires a landlord to have clean hands to bring action for rent or eviction in certain cases
Status: Referred to Housing
Introduced: January 10, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill A 1621 aims to establish a legal requirement for landlords to demonstrate "clean hands" before initiating actions for rent collection or eviction. The principle of "clean hands" refers to the idea that a party seeking equitable relief must not be engaged in unethical or illegal conduct related to the matter at hand. This bill seeks to protect tenants from landlords who may be acting in bad faith or violating housing laws.

Key Provisions

  • Clean Hands Requirement: Landlords must prove that they have complied with all applicable housing laws and regulations before they can file for rent collection or eviction.
  • Documentation: The bill may require landlords to submit documentation or evidence of compliance with housing codes, tenant rights laws, and other relevant regulations as part of their legal filings.
  • Enforcement Mechanism: The bill outlines potential penalties or consequences for landlords who attempt to initiate eviction or rent actions without meeting the clean hands requirement.

Affected Parties

  • Landlords: This bill directly impacts landlords by imposing additional requirements before they can pursue legal actions for rent or eviction.
  • Tenants: The legislation is designed to benefit tenants by ensuring that they are not subjected to eviction or rent collection actions from landlords who may be violating housing laws or engaging in unethical practices.
  • Housing Authorities: Local housing authorities may need to adjust their enforcement practices and guidelines to align with the new requirements set forth in this bill.

Procedural Aspects

  • Current Status: As of January 10, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Housing Committee for further consideration.
  • Related Bills: This bill is related to several prior-session bills, including A 604, A 505, and A 1612, which may address similar issues in landlord-tenant relations. Additionally, it has a companion bill, S 4098, which may provide parallel legislative efforts in the Senate.

Conclusion

Bill A 1621 represents a significant step towards enhancing tenant protections and ensuring that landlords adhere to ethical and legal standards before pursuing actions for rent or eviction. By requiring landlords to demonstrate compliance with housing laws, the bill aims to create a fairer rental market and reduce the potential for abuse within landlord-tenant relationships. Further discussions and evaluations in the Housing Committee will determine the bill's future and potential amendments.

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

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