New Landlord-Tenant Laws by State (2026–2027)

Rental laws enacted or taking effect since 2024 in 50 jurisdictions, each with the bill or act number and a link to the official source.

Taking effect soon

• Georgia: Courts can seal eviction records — Beginning January 1, 2027, a court may order eviction case records hidden from the public if the tenant won, paid the judgment in full, or seven years have passed since dismissal or judgment. SB 406 (Act 715 of 2026) · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Illinois: Mandatory fees must be on page one; junk fees banned — For leases entered on or after January 1, 2027, all non-optional fees must appear on the first page or the tenant does not owe them, and fees for renewals, eviction notices, maintenance calls and walk-throughs are banned. Small owner-occupied buildings are exempt. P.A. 104-479 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Illinois: Rental application fees capped at $50 — For leases entered on or after January 1, 2027, application fees including background checks are capped at $50, with a pass-through only for documented higher third-party costs. P.A. 104-479 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Ohio: Columbus rental registry (city of Columbus) — Starting with 2027, owners of rental property must register yearly and each property gets an education inspection every 3 years; initial registration runs October 1 to December 31, 2026. Ord. 0923-2026 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Oregon: Smoking-policy changes — From January 1, 2027, landlords of units that share a wall with another unit (or are covered by certain development agreements) may change the smoking policy to ban smoking inside units and indoor common areas for existing tenants, without their consent, on at least 180 days' written notice, if they provide a designated smoking area on the premises. The change does not apply to accessible units, or to a fixed-term lease until the term ends. HB 4120 (2026 Or. Laws c.60) · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• South Carolina: Old eviction records removed from public view — Starting January 1, 2027, eviction records with a defendant's personal information must be removed from the public index 7 years after final disposition or filing if nothing new is filed. 2026 Act No. 214 (H.4270) · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Tennessee: Tenants may keep lawful firearms — For leases entered, renewed or amended on or after January 1, 2027, landlords generally may not ban lawful possession or storage of firearms in the unit or vehicle. 2026 Pub. Ch. 606 (SB0350/HB0469) · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Virginia: Broader retaliation protections — From January 1, 2027, protected acts include complaints to media and fair-housing complaints, and banned retaliation includes raising fees, selective rule enforcement, harassment and certain non-renewals. Acts 2026, c. 1111 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Virginia: Tenants can file repair cases without paying arrears first — From January 1, 2027, tenants may file a tenant's assertion without first paying past-due rent; they pay rent that comes due during the case into escrow. Acts 2026, c. 1118 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Washington: Privacy rules for smart locks and access systems — From January 1, 2027, landlords' electronic or biometric entry systems are limited in the data they collect, need a written privacy policy, and must offer a non-biometric, non-phone key on request. Laws of 2026, ch. 55 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Wisconsin: Small claims limit rising to $15,000 — The small claims limit for money claims rises from $10,000 to $15,000 on January 1, 2027. 2025 Wis. Act 105 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• New Jersey: FAIR Act bans algorithmic rent-setting — It will be an antitrust violation for a landlord to use a service that sets or recommends rents using competitors' nonpublic data, or to coordinate prices. FAIR Act (P.L.2026, c.43) · effective Jul 1, 2027 · Source
• Virginia: Larger landlords must offer payment plans — From July 1, 2027, landlords with more than four units must offer a payment plan for arrears up to one month's rent plus late charges before eviction. Acts 2026, c. 1105 · effective Jul 1, 2027 · Source
• Virginia: 90 days' notice for rent increases — From July 1, 2027, rent-increase notices on covered leases must give at least 90 days and set a renewal-decision deadline at least 30 days after delivery. Acts 2026, c. 1066 · effective Jul 1, 2027 · Source
• Virginia: Nonpayment notices must include a ledger — From July 1, 2027, a nonpayment termination notice must include a statement of charges and payments for the tenancy or the past 12 months, plus utility details where submetering is used. Acts 2026, cc. 783 and 784 · effective Jul 1, 2027 · Source
• Virginia: Fee and screening disclosure before applications — Starting July 1, 2027, landlords must disclose fees, screening agency and applicants' rights before collecting any payment or information. Acts 2026, c. 1050 · effective Jul 1, 2027 · Source

Changes by state

Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

Alabama

• Owners can have squatters removed by police without an eviction case — An owner can give an unauthorized occupant notice to leave and then file a sworn affidavit with local law enforcement, which can remove the occupant without a court eviction. The law does not apply to tenants or holdover tenants. Act 2024-237 (Ala. Code §§ 35-9B-1 to 35-9B-9) · effective date not stated · Source
• Fraudulently renting or selling someone else's home is a crime — Act 2026-536 amended § 13A-9-22 and added § 13A-9-23 on fraudulent sale or lease of residential property; renting or listing property without authority is a felony. The effective date was not confirmed in the source. Act 2026-536 · effective date not stated · Source

Alabama landlord-tenant law →

Alaska

• Anchorage landlords must pay relocation when unsafe units are vacated (city of Anchorage) — If the city orders tenants out because the owner did not fix health and safety violations, the owner must pay each displaced tenant twice the monthly rent and refund deposits and prepaid rent within seven days. The effective date was not confirmed in the source. AO 2025-93(S) (Relocation Assistance) · effective date not stated · Source

Alaska landlord-tenant law →

Arizona

• Squatters who refuse to leave commit forcible detainer — SB 1426 (2026) makes it forcible detainer for an unauthorized occupant who entered a home that was not open to the public to refuse to leave after the owner asks. It does not apply to current or former tenants, family members, or people in pending litigation with the owner. SB 1426 (2026) · effective date not stated · Source

Arizona landlord-tenant law →

Arkansas

• Cities and counties cannot cap application fees or deposits — Act 459 of 2025 extends the ban on local rent control so that cities and counties also cannot regulate rental application fees or security deposit amounts. Act 459 of 2025 (SB 91) · effective date not stated · Source
• Unlawful squatting is now a crime — Act 238 of 2025 created a new crime of unlawful squatting (Ark. Code § 5-39-215). It was approved March 4, 2025, with no emergency clause. Act 238 of 2025 (HB 1049) · effective date not stated · Source
• Capital rape added to lease-termination protections for crime victims — Act 662 of 2025 amended the 'sex crime' definition used in the early lease-termination law to include capital rape. Act 662 of 2025 · effective date not stated · Source

Arkansas landlord-tenant law →

California

• Los Angeles ends extra rent increases for utilities and added dependents (city of Los Angeles) — Effective February 2, 2026, landlords of rent-stabilized units may no longer add an extra percentage for utilities, and no increase is allowed for adding a dependent. Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance amendment (LAMC Ch. XV, Art. 1) · effective Feb 2, 2026 · Source
• Deposits paid electronically must be refunded electronically — If the tenant paid the deposit or rent electronically, the refund must generally go electronically to an account the tenant names, unless both sides agree in writing to another method. AB 414 (Stats. 2025, ch. 340) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Working stove and refrigerator now required — For leases entered into, amended or extended on or after January 1, 2026, a working stove and refrigerator are part of the habitability standard. AB 628 of 2025 · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Oakland limits banked rent increases (city of Oakland) — Since January 1, 2026, banked rent increases expire if not used within five years, and no single annual increase may exceed three times the current CPI. Oakland Rent Adjustment Ordinance amendment (OMC Ch. 8.22) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Los Angeles creates a right to counsel in evictions (city of Los Angeles) — Eligible tenants get access to free legal representation in eviction cases and in proceedings that could end a rental subsidy. Right to Counsel Program Ordinance No. 188,681 · effective Aug 20, 2025 · Source
• Landlords must photograph units to justify deposit deductions — Since April 1, 2025, landlords must take photos at move-out (before repairs) and after repairs. For tenancies starting on or after July 1, 2025, move-in photos are also required. AB 2801 (2024) · effective Apr 1, 2025 · Source
• No fees for serving eviction or termination notices — Since January 1, 2025, a landlord may not charge a tenant a fee for serving, posting, or delivering a termination notice. SB 611 (Stats. 2024, ch. 287) · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source
• Tenants get 10 days to answer an eviction lawsuit — Tenants now have 10 days, not counting weekends and holidays, to respond to an eviction lawsuit, up from 5. AB 2347 (Stats. 2024, ch. 512) · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source
• Application fees only with first-qualified or refund-all process — Since January 1, 2025, a landlord may charge an application fee only if it reviews applications in the order received and charges only when an application is actually considered, or if it refunds the fee to every applicant not selected within the deadline. AB 2493 · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source
• Los Angeles harassment law adds mandatory damages (city of Los Angeles) — A 2024 amendment to the Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance added mandatory damages for the prevailing party in a civil action. Ord. 188416 (TAHO amendment) · effective Dec 29, 2024 · Source
• Berkeley Measure BB expands registration and tenant-rights notices (city of Berkeley) — Measure BB requires owners of partially covered units to report new tenancies and annual updates, brings subsidized units under registration, and for tenancies starting on or after December 20, 2024 requires a Notice of Tenant Rights within 15 days. Measure BB (2024) · effective Dec 20, 2024 · Source
• Security deposits capped at one month's rent — Most landlords may collect a deposit of no more than one month's rent for deposits collected on or after July 1, 2024. Small landlords with two or fewer properties and four or fewer units may take two months. AB 12 (2023) · effective Jul 1, 2024 · Source
• Statewide rent cap re-enacted through 2029 — The statewide rent cap in Civil Code § 1947.12 was re-enacted, operative April 1, 2024, and is set to be repealed January 1, 2030. SB 567 (Stats. 2023, ch. 290) · effective Apr 1, 2024 · Source
• San Diego tenant protections updated for state just-cause law (city of San Diego) — San Diego's Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance, which requires just cause to end a tenancy, was amended for SB 567 effective April 1, 2024. O-21769 (amending O-21647) · effective Apr 1, 2024 · Source
• Small claims limit is $12,500 for individuals — Individuals can sue for up to $12,500 in small claims court, which covers most deposit disputes. SB 71 (Stats. 2023, ch. 861) · effective Jan 1, 2024 · Source
• Voucher holders can show ability to pay instead of credit history — Since January 1, 2024, a landlord who uses credit history must let an applicant with housing assistance show ability to pay their share with other evidence, such as benefit records or bank statements, and must consider it. SB 267 (Stats. 2023, ch. 776) · effective Jan 1, 2024 · Source
• Positive rent reporting fee capped at $10 a month — If a tenant opts into reporting on-time rent to credit bureaus, the landlord may charge no more than its actual cost or $10 a month, whichever is less, and nothing if it has no cost. AB 2747 (Stats. 2024, ch. 279) · effective date not stated · Source
• Mountain View bans retaliation and harassment of covered tenants (city of Mountain View) — Rental Housing Committee regulations adopted November 20, 2025 prohibit landlords and their agents from retaliating against or harassing tenants covered by the CSFRA and MHRSO. CSFRA Regulations Ch. 14 / MHRSO Regulations Ch. 13 (adopted Nov. 20, 2025) · effective date not stated · Source

California landlord-tenant law →

Colorado

• Deposits due in 30 days with tougher penalties — From January 1, 2026, deposits must be returned within 30 days (not 'one month'), the standard becomes 'wrongful' retention, and landlords who keep 125% or more of actual damages are presumed to act in bad faith and face treble damages. HB 25-1249 · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Rent ads must show the total price including fees — Since January 1, 2026, rent advertisements and offers must show the total price, including all mandatory fees, as one number that is more prominent than any other price. HB 25-1090 (2025 Sess. Laws ch. 94) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Landlords can recover a unit after a tenant dies — Under 'Letty's Act', after a tenant dies the landlord may take possession without a court order if the estate surrenders the unit, or if 30 days after the death rent is unpaid or most belongings are gone. HB 25-1108 (Letty's Act) · effective Sep 1, 2025 · Source
• Domestic violence survivors can suppress eviction records — Since August 6, 2025, a tenant who is a survivor of domestic violence, stalking or sexual abuse may ask the court to suppress any eviction record, including older records and judgments for possession. HB 25-1168 · effective Aug 6, 2025 · Source
• Survivors behind on rent get a repayment plan — Since August 6, 2025, the rent demand notice must tell tenants that a survivor of domestic violence, stalking or sexual abuse who missed rent for that reason may give documentation and is entitled to a repayment plan of up to 9 months. HB 25-1168 · effective Aug 6, 2025 · Source
• Higher damages for illegal lockouts — SB 24-094 increased the damages a tenant can recover for an illegal lockout or utility shutoff, for actions filed on or after May 3, 2024. SB 24-094 · effective May 3, 2024 · Source
• Most long-term tenants can only be evicted for cause — Since April 19, 2024, most tenants of 12 months or more can be evicted only for a listed cause, and no-fault evictions require 90 days' notice. HB 24-1098 · effective Apr 19, 2024 · Source
• Pet deposits and pet rent capped — Colorado added limits on pet deposits and pet rent, effective January 1, 2024. HB 23-1068 · effective Jan 1, 2024 · Source
• No occupancy limits based on unrelated roommates — State law (HB24-1007) bars local occupancy limits based on how many unrelated people live together; cities can still enforce size-based limits. HB24-1007 · effective date not stated · Source

Colorado landlord-tenant law →

Connecticut

• Standard rental summary form must be the first page of every lease — Starting April 1, 2026, every written lease must begin with the state's standardized rental terms summary form, and advertised rent must include recurring mandatory fees. P.A. 25-44, § 9 · effective Apr 1, 2026 · Source
• Algorithmic rent-setting software banned — From January 1, 2026, using 'revenue management devices' that set rents with nonpublic competitor data is unlawful. Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1 · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Extra grace time when a landlord's payment portal fails — From January 1, 2026, the 9-day rent grace period is extended 5 more days if the landlord's online payment system prevented on-time payment. Nov. Sp. Sess. P.A. 25-1 · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Tenants can get a rent ledger and cash receipts — Landlords must give a rent ledger on request and receipts for cash rent payments. P.A. 25-146 · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source
• 45 days' written notice before a rent increase — For leases entered into, renewed or extended on or after October 1, 2024, no rent increase takes effect unless the landlord gives at least 45 days' written notice. P.A. 24-143, § 17 · effective Oct 1, 2024 · Source
• Landlords of larger buildings must give a rights notice — Since January 1, 2024, landlords of buildings with 5 or more units (and of mobile home parks) must give each tenant, when renting or entering or renewing a lease, a written notice of the good-cause eviction protections for tenants who are 62 or older or have a disability. P.A. 23-207 · effective Jan 1, 2024 · Source
• Notices to quit must be served by a proper officer — A residential notice to quit must now be served by a proper officer such as a state marshal; an 'indifferent person' may no longer deliver it. The effective date was not confirmed in the source. P.A. 25-78 · effective date not stated · Source

Connecticut landlord-tenant law →

Delaware

• Pay-or-quit notice lengthened to 7 days — For notices given on or after September 1, 2026, the landlord's notice to pay rent before filing an eviction must give 7 days instead of 5. 85 Del. Laws c. 436 (SS 1 for SB 116) · effective Sep 1, 2026 · Source
• New right to stop a nonpayment eviction by paying in full — In nonpayment-only cases, a tenant can stop the eviction by paying everything owed (rent, costs and fees) any time before the lockout, unless they had 2 nonpayment judgments in the prior 18 months. 85 Del. Laws c. 436 (SS 1 for SB 116), 25 Del. C. § 5716A · effective Sep 1, 2026 · Source
• Lead-safe requirement added for rentals — A 2025 act added a lead-safe requirement to the landlord's duties in 25 Del. C. § 5305, with phased implementation. 85 Del. Laws c. 98 (2025) · effective date not stated · Source

Delaware landlord-tenant law →

District of Columbia

• Pre-filing notice for unpaid rent cut from 30 to 10 days — The RENTAL Act shortened the notice a landlord must give before filing a nonpayment eviction from 30 days to 10 days. RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-80) · effective Dec 31, 2025 · Source
• Fast-track evictions for violent crimes — For complaints filed after December 31, 2025 involving a dangerous crime or crime of violence, the landlord may give a 10-day notice to vacate with no chance to cure, and the court holds an expedited hearing within 20 days. RENTAL Amendment Act of 2025 (D.C. Law 26-80) · effective Dec 31, 2025 · Source

District of Columbia landlord-tenant law →

Florida

• Fraudulent move-ins can be evicted on 7 days' notice — From October 1, 2026, entering a unit using false identity statements, forged documents or impersonation is a non-curable lease violation (7-day notice to vacate) and a third-degree felony. ch. 2026-143 (CS/HB 1293) · effective Oct 1, 2026 · Source
• Sheriffs can remove squatters on an owner's sworn complaint — Since July 1, 2024, owners can ask the sheriff to remove unauthorized occupants of a home through a sworn complaint instead of a full eviction case. ch. 2024-44 (HB 621) · effective Jul 1, 2024 · Source
• Landlord notices may be sent by e-mail if agreed — Notices may be delivered by e-mail if both parties sign a lease addendum agreeing to e-mail notices and each gives an e-mail address. ch. 2025-16 · effective date not stated · Source
• Flood-risk disclosure required for leases of a year or more — Since 2025, landlords must give a separate flood-risk disclosure at or before signing a lease of 1 year or longer. ch. 2025-166 · effective date not stated · Source

Florida landlord-tenant law →

Georgia

• Courts can seal eviction records — Beginning January 1, 2027, a court may order eviction case records hidden from the public if the tenant won, paid the judgment in full, or seven years have passed since dismissal or judgment. SB 406 (Act 715 of 2026) · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Private process servers can serve eviction papers — Since July 1, 2025, an approved process server, not only a sheriff or constable, may serve an eviction summons. HB 270 (Eviction Service Act, Act 255 of 2025) · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source
• Out-of-state owners must use a Georgia broker — Since July 1, 2025, owners who live outside Georgia and own or operate single-family or duplex rentals in Georgia must employ a broker licensed under Georgia law. If that broker lives outside Georgia, the broker must employ at least one person in Georgia to handle tenants' maintenance requests and other communications. HB 399 (Act 315 of 2025) · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source
• Security deposits capped at two months' rent — For leases entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2024, security deposits may not exceed two months' rent. HB 404 (Safe at Home Act, Act 392 of 2024) · effective Jul 1, 2024 · Source
• 3-business-day notice required before eviction filing — Before filing an eviction for unpaid rent or charges, the landlord must give a notice to pay or vacate within three business days, posted on the door in a sealed envelope and also sent by any method in the lease. HB 404 (Safe at Home Act, Act 392 of 2024) · effective Jul 1, 2024 · Source
• Every Georgia lease now promises a habitable home — Since HB 404, every residential rental agreement, oral or written, is deemed to include a promise that the premises are fit for human habitation. HB 404 (Safe at Home Act, Act 392 of 2024) · effective Jul 1, 2024 · Source
• Demand for possession must be posted and delivered — For leases entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2024, a demand for possession must be posted in a sealed envelope on the door and also delivered by any additional method in the lease. HB 404 (Safe at Home Act, Act 392 of 2024) · effective Jul 1, 2024 · Source
• Cooling added to protected utility services — HB 404 added 'cooling' to the definition used in the law against landlord utility shutoffs. HB 404 (2024) · effective Jul 1, 2024 · Source
• Georgia Squatter Reform Act — Owners can use an intruder affidavit to have occupants removed by an officer after 3 days unless they file a counter-affidavit, and 'unlawful squatting' is now a misdemeanor where the occupant has 3 business days to show a lease or receipts. HB 1017 (2024 Georgia Squatter Reform Act) · effective 2024 · Source

Georgia landlord-tenant law →

Hawaii

• 10-day notice and mediation before nonpayment evictions — From February 5, 2026, the notice to pay rent must give at least 10 calendar days, use a form with required content, and be copied to a state-funded mediation center; during the pilot through February 2028, landlords must mediate if the tenant asks. Act 278, SLH 2025 · effective Feb 5, 2026 · Source
• Repair-and-deduct limit raised — Tenants may deduct up to $1,000 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, for repairs the landlord fails to make. Act 32, SLH 2024 · effective date not stated · Source

Hawaii landlord-tenant law →

Idaho

• Small claims limit tripled to $15,000 — Idaho's small claims limit rose from $5,000 to $15,000 on July 1, 2026. 2026 ch. 196 (S1330) · effective Jul 1, 2026 · Source
• Dismissed eviction cases automatically shielded — For eviction cases filed on or after January 1, 2025, records are automatically shielded if the whole case was dismissed and the waiting period has passed. 2024 ch. 269 (Idaho Code § 6-303A) · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source
• Local governments cannot regulate rents, fees or deposits — Cities and counties may not set the rent, fees or deposits owners may charge, or force owners into optional federal housing assistance programs. 2025 ch. 65 (Idaho Code § 55-306) · effective date not stated · Source
• Sheriff removal of squatters without a lawsuit — An owner can give the sheriff a verified complaint and have people unlawfully occupying a home removed without a lawsuit; current and former tenants are excluded. 2025 ch. 222 (Idaho Code § 6-310A; amended 2026 ch. 82) · effective date not stated · Source

Idaho landlord-tenant law →

Illinois

• Mandatory fees must be on page one; junk fees banned — For leases entered on or after January 1, 2027, all non-optional fees must appear on the first page or the tenant does not owe them, and fees for renewals, eviction notices, maintenance calls and walk-throughs are banned. Small owner-occupied buildings are exempt. P.A. 104-479 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Rental application fees capped at $50 — For leases entered on or after January 1, 2027, application fees including background checks are capped at $50, with a pass-through only for documented higher third-party costs. P.A. 104-479 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Eviction sealing law expanded — Sealing of eviction files is mandatory in certain cases, such as cases against tenants after foreclosure and cases dismissed because a minor was named as a defendant. P.A. 104-317 · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Police may remove criminal trespassers — Since January 1, 2026, the eviction law expressly says it does not stop police from enforcing criminal trespass or removing people when there is a criminal trespass. P.A. 104-29 (SB 1563) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• New Landlord Retaliation Act — A broader law bars retaliation for complaints, repair requests or organizing, with a one-year presumption and damages of the greater of 2 months' rent or twice actual damages. P.A. 103-831 (Landlord Retaliation Act) · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source
• No screening fee when applicant gives a reusable report — Since January 1, 2025, a landlord may not charge a screening fee if the applicant provides a qualifying reusable tenant screening report prepared in the last 30 days. P.A. 103-840 · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source
• Evanston caps deposits at 1.5 months' rent (city of Evanston) — Under Evanston's amended Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, a security deposit cannot exceed 1.5 months' rent and must be kept in a separate account. Evanston RLTO amendment (City Code Title 5, Ch. 3) · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source
• Deposit return law now covers all landlords — The Security Deposit Return Act now applies to all residential landlords, not just those with 5 or more units, and statements may be e-mailed to a verified address. P.A. 103-224 · effective Jan 1, 2024 · Source

Illinois landlord-tenant law →

Indiana

• More grounds for emergency possession orders — Landlords can now seek emergency possessory orders when a tenant commits crimes affecting others' safety or gave materially false rental application information. HEA 1115 (P.L.157-2025) · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source
• Expedited police removal of squatters — Since July 1, 2025, owners can use an expedited law-enforcement removal procedure for squatters. P.L.191-2025 · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source

Indiana landlord-tenant law →

Iowa

• Small claims and civil filing fees raised — Fees paid on and after July 1, 2026 rose from $95 to $115 for small claims and from $195 to $215 for civil petitions, which affects eviction and deposit cases. 2026 Iowa Acts ch. 1192 (H.F. 2770) · effective Jul 1, 2026 · Source

Iowa landlord-tenant law →

Kansas

• Tenants can petition to expunge eviction records — Starting July 1, 2026, tenants may ask the court to expunge eviction records 3 years after judgment if any money judgment is paid and there is no new eviction judgment; courts must also consider mediation in eviction cases. Sub. for HB 2357 (2026 Kan. Laws ch. 132) · effective Jul 1, 2026 · Source
• Removal of Squatters Act — Since July 1, 2026, owners can use a new statutory process to remove squatters (K.S.A. 2026 Supp. 58-5401 to 58-5407). HB 2378 (2026 Kan. Sess. Laws ch. 56) · effective Jul 1, 2026 · Source
• Wichita bans retaliatory evictions (city of Wichita) — Landlords may not evict, raise rent or cut services within six months after a tenant in good standing joins a tenants' union or files a good-faith complaint; fines run up to $2,500. Ord. 52-325 · effective Jan 12, 2024 · Source
• Small claims limit raised to $10,000 — The small claims limit is now $10,000, excluding interest and costs. L. 2024, ch. 22 · effective date not stated · Source
• Cities cannot require landlords to take vouchers or cap deposits — After overriding the governor's veto, the Legislature barred cities and counties from requiring landlords to accept vouchers, limiting screening criteria, capping deposits, or requiring tenant right of first refusal; conflicting local rules adopted before July 1, 2026 are void. 2026 SB 391 (veto overridden) · effective date not stated · Source

Kansas landlord-tenant law →

Kentucky

• Police removal of squatters by petition — Since June 27, 2025, owners can petition a police officer to immediately remove people who never were tenants; it cannot be used against current or former tenants. 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 63 (KRS 383.290) · effective Jun 27, 2025 · Source
• Local voucher-discrimination bans preempted — Since March 6, 2024, cities and counties may not adopt or enforce rules that stop landlords from refusing tenants who pay with federal housing assistance such as Section 8 vouchers. HB 18 (2024 Ky. Acts ch. 3, veto overridden) · effective Mar 6, 2024 · Source
• Local landlord-tenant ordinances cannot conflict with state law — Since March 6, 2024, local governments may not adopt or enforce landlord-tenant ordinances that conflict with state law (KRS 383.198). 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 3 · effective Mar 6, 2024 · Source

Kentucky landlord-tenant law →

Louisiana

• Landlords get 15 extra days for the deposit itemization — Landlords now have one month plus 15 days to send the itemized statement of deposit deductions. Act 63 of 2026 (HB 292) · effective Aug 1, 2026 · Source
• New Orleans requires Healthy Homes certificates (city of New Orleans) — Since January 1, 2024, owners must hold a Healthy Homes Certificate of Compliance to rent units in New Orleans. Healthy Homes Ordinance (City Code Ch. 26, Art. XIII, passed Nov. 2022) · effective Jan 1, 2024 · Source
• Stalking victims can end leases early — Stalking and cyberstalking were added to the grounds that let victims end a lease early. The effective date was not confirmed in the source. Act 64 of 2026 · effective date not stated · Source
• Support and Service Animal Integrity Act — The 2024 act sets strict rules for documentation of support animals in housing. Act 558 of 2024 (HB 407) · effective date not stated · Source

Louisiana landlord-tenant law →

Maine

• Small claims limit raised to $10,000 — The small claims limit rose from $6,000 to $10,000 on January 1, 2026. PL 2025, c. 261 (LD 654) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Mold from leaks breaches the warranty of habitability — Renting a unit where a leak or chronic moisture outside the tenant's control causes mold is a breach of habitability; tenants who gave notice and are current on rent can sue for repairs or reduced rent. PL 2025, c. 515 · effective date not stated · Source
• State model lease — The Attorney General had to post a model residential lease by December 1, 2025 and update it every two years. PL 2025, c. 426 · effective date not stated · Source
• Ban on using tenants' personal information to harass them — Landlords may not disclose tenants' personal information to harass them or push them out. PL 2025, c. 767 · effective date not stated · Source

Maine landlord-tenant law →

Maryland

• Fair Chance Housing Act limits criminal-record screening — Effective October 1, 2026, the Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act limits when and how landlords who own or manage 5 or more rental units in Maryland may ask about or consider an applicant's criminal history. It does not apply to owner-occupied rental units. SB 937, Maryland Fair Chance Housing Act (2026 Md. Laws ch. 752) · effective Oct 1, 2026 · Source
• Baltimore priority inspections for problem buildings (city of Baltimore) — Starting January 1, 2026, buildings with 20 or more units that meet listed violation thresholds become 'priority dwellings' inspected at least twice a year and risk losing their rental licenses. Strengthening Renters' Safety Act (Ord. 24-403) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• 24 hours' written notice before landlord entry — Landlords must give at least 24 hours' written notice stating the time and purpose, and may enter only 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday unless the tenant agrees otherwise or there is an emergency. 2025 Md. Laws ch. 564 (HB 1076) · effective Oct 1, 2025 · Source
• Tenant Mold Protection Act — Landlords must give a mold pamphlet, assess mold within 15 days after written notice, and remediate within 45 days after the assessment. 2025 Md. Laws ch. 539 (SB 856) · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source
• Deposits capped at one month's rent — The cap on security deposits dropped from 2 months' to 1 month's rent; tenants who pay more can recover up to 3 times the excess. Renters' Rights and Stabilization Act of 2024 (HB 693) · effective Oct 1, 2024 · Source

Maryland landlord-tenant law →

Massachusetts

• Renters no longer pay landlord's broker fees — Since August 1, 2025, the limit on move-in charges also covers the landlord's agent, so a broker's fee may be paid only by the party who hired the broker. St. 2025, c. 9, §§ 54-55 · effective Aug 1, 2025 · Source
• Tenants can petition to seal eviction records — Courts must seal no-fault eviction records, may seal dismissed or tenant-won cases at any time, and must seal nonpayment cases after 4 years and fault cases after 7 years if conditions are met. Affordable Homes Act (St. 2024, c. 150, § 52) · effective May 3, 2025 · Source

Massachusetts landlord-tenant law →

Michigan

• Deposits may be returned electronically — Landlords may return deposit balances by direct deposit, bank transfer or payment app, within 10 days after mailing the notice of damages. 2026 PA 102 (SB 22 of 2025) · effective Sep 21, 2026 · Source
• Ann Arbor requires all-in rent pricing (city of Ann Arbor) — Starting August 1, 2026, unavoidable fees must be included in base rent, optional fees must be at cost and listed on the first page or a single addendum, and listings must show the total price. ORD-26-04 (amending ORD-24-33) · effective Aug 1, 2026 · Source
• Detroit rental inspection overhaul (city of Detroit) — Under the rental ordinance overhaul effective May 1, 2025, each property gets one inspection against a 15-point safety checklist. Detroit Property Maintenance Code amendments (Oct. 2024) · effective May 1, 2025 · Source
• Source-of-income discrimination banned — Landlords may not refuse to rent, set different terms, or advertise preferences based on a tenant's lawful source of income such as vouchers; landlords with fewer than 5 units are exempt. 2024 PA 178; 2024 PA 199 · effective Apr 2, 2025 · Source
• Ann Arbor tenants get a right to renew (city of Ann Arbor) — Leases of 8 months or longer entered, renewed or renegotiated after March 17, 2024 are covered by the Right to Renew Ordinance. Right to Renew Ordinance (Ann Arbor City Code Sec. 8:530) · effective Mar 17, 2024 · Source
• Small claims limit reached $7,000 — The final step of the schedule set in 2012 raised the small claims limit to $7,000 beginning January 1, 2024. 2012 PA 142 · effective Jan 1, 2024 · Source

Michigan landlord-tenant law →

Minnesota

• Free backup when rent portals fail — Landlords that use digital rent-payment platforms must offer a free alternative when the platform is down and cannot evict or charge late fees when both fail. 2026 Minn. Laws c. 81 · effective Aug 1, 2026 · Source
• Children cannot be named in eviction cases — Landlords may not name a tenant's minor children as eviction defendants; violations carry $300 minimum damages. 2026 Minn. Laws ch. 81 · effective Aug 1, 2026 · Source
• Expedited hearings for assaults on landlords or staff — The 2026 law changed the grounds for expedited eviction hearings to cover assaults on the landlord or staff. 2026 c. 81 · effective Aug 1, 2026 · Source
• Drug-activity expedited writ rule repealed — The special expedited-writ rule for evictions after drug activity was repealed as obsolete; the general stay rule still applies. Laws 2026, ch. 88, art. 1, § 226 · effective Aug 1, 2026 · Source
• St. Paul temporarily doubles pre-eviction notice (city of St. Paul) — From May 14 through December 31, 2026, St. Paul landlords must give 60 days' notice (normally 30) before filing a nonpayment eviction. Tenant Protections Ordinance amendment (passed Mar. 25, 2026) · effective May 14, 2026 · Source
• St. Paul exempts post-2004 buildings from rent cap (city of St. Paul) — A May 2025 amendment means St. Paul's 3% rent cap does not apply to properties first issued a certificate of occupancy after December 31, 2004. St. Paul Rent Stabilization Ordinance amendment (Ch. 193A, June 13, 2025 version) · effective Jun 13, 2025 · Source
• 14-day notice before nonpayment evictions — Before filing a nonpayment eviction, landlords must give a 14-day written notice with required content. 2023 c 52 art 19 · effective Jan 1, 2024 · Source
• Tenant organizing protected by law — Tenants have statutory protection to organize associations, leaflet and meet in the building, with up to $1,000 per bad-faith violation. 2024 c 118 (Minn. Stat. § 504B.212) · effective date not stated · Source

Minnesota landlord-tenant law →

Mississippi

• Crime for landlords to pocket tenants' utility money — A landlord who collects utility money under a lease and knowingly fails to pay the utility within 60 days of the bill faces criminal penalties and restitution. HB 1404 (2026) · effective Mar 25, 2026 · Source
• Real Property Owners Protection Act — Owners can file a sworn affidavit and have law enforcement order a squatter out within 24 hours, with a court hearing within 7 days if contested; using false documents to rent out someone else's property is a felony. HB 1200 (2025, Real Property Owners Protection Act) · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source
• Pay-and-stay in nonpayment evictions — In nonpayment-only evictions, no warrant of removal may issue if the tenant pays everything awarded by the move-out date, and the landlord must accept full payment. SB 2328 (Laws 2025, ch. 460) · effective Apr 10, 2025 · Source
• Police must physically remove occupants — Since 2025, posting the warrant on the door does not count as executing it; law enforcement must remove the occupants. SB 2328 (Laws 2025, ch. 460) · effective Apr 10, 2025 · Source

Mississippi landlord-tenant law →

Missouri

• Local tenant protections preempted — Since August 28, 2025, cities and counties may not require landlords to accept housing assistance, restrict screening criteria, cap deposits, or require tenant right of first refusal. H.B. 595 & 343 (2025) · effective Aug 28, 2025 · Source
• Expedited court removal of squatters — Since August 28, 2024, owners can file a verified petition and get an immediate ex parte removal order with a hearing within 48 hours. H.B. 2062 (2024) · effective Aug 28, 2024 · Source
• St. Louis right to counsel program launched (city of St. Louis) — A program for eligible low-income city residents facing eviction has been running since August 2024 through Legal Services of Eastern Missouri. Ordinance 71694 (Board Bill 59) · effective 2024 · Source
• Local eviction moratoriums barred — Since 2024, local governments may not impose eviction moratoriums unless state law authorizes them. H.B. 2062/S.B. 895 (2024) · effective date not stated · Source
• Kansas City source-of-income protection (now largely preempted) (city of Kansas City) — In 2024 Kansas City made source of income a protected trait in housing, but state law since August 28, 2025 voids it as to housing-assistance income. Ord. 231019 · effective date not stated · Source

Missouri landlord-tenant law →

Nebraska

• Small claims limit raised to $7,500 — The small claims limit rose from $6,000 to $7,500 on July 1, 2025. LB139 (Laws 2024) · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source
• Lincoln bans source-of-income discrimination (city of Lincoln) — Lincoln voters approved an initiative making it illegal to discriminate in housing based on the lawful source of income used to pay housing costs. Ballot initiative amending Lincoln Municipal Code Title 11 · effective May 6, 2025 · Source
• Local rent control banned — Nebraska cities, counties and local agencies may not enact or enforce rent control on private property. LB266 (Laws 2025) · effective date not stated · Source
• Free lawyers for Omaha public housing residents (city of Omaha (public housing)) — Public housing residents in Omaha are entitled to a court-appointed lawyer at no cost before an agency termination hearing or in the eviction case. LB840 (Laws 2024), § 13 · effective date not stated · Source

Nebraska landlord-tenant law →

Nevada

• Eviction Diversion Program expanded (Clark County justice courts (Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas)) — From February 2, 2026, the Eviction Diversion Program expanded from Las Vegas Justice Court to the Henderson and North Las Vegas Justice Courts with state funding. AB 475 (2025) · effective Feb 2, 2026 · Source
• Rent must be advertised as one all-in price — Wherever a landlord lists rent and in the lease, rent must be stated as a single figure that includes all mandatory fees (with limited exceptions for some utility charges), and landlords must offer at least one way to pay rent that is free and does not require bank account information. Online-portal fees cannot exceed what the portal operator charges. AB 121 (Statutes of Nevada 2025, ch. 227) · effective date not stated · Source
• Unused application fees must be refunded — Landlords must refund application or screening fees if they rent to someone else without processing the application, and may not charge such fees for minors. AB 121 (Statutes of Nevada 2025, ch. 227) · effective date not stated · Source

Nevada landlord-tenant law →

New Hampshire

• Faster eviction court procedure — Tenants must answer 5 days after the return date, discretionary stays are cut from up to 3 months to 60 days (75 in limited cases), and tenants filing post-judgment motions must keep paying rent. 2026 ch. 308 · effective Oct 8, 2026 · Source
• Tenants cannot refuse access for necessary repairs — Tenants may not refuse the landlord access for necessary repairs or other reasonable and lawful purposes. 2026 ch. 308 · effective Oct 8, 2026 · Source
• Lease expiration becomes good cause to end long leases — For leases of 12 months or more, lease expiration is good cause if the landlord gives at least 60 days' written non-renewal notice; these no-fault terminations cannot be treated as evictions in tenant screening. 2025 ch. 263 · effective Jul 1, 2026 · Source
• Eviction notice periods set at 30 or 7 days — Since January 1, 2025, the residential eviction notice period is 30 days, or 7 days for nonpayment, damage, health and safety, or domestic-violence-perpetrator grounds. 2024 ch. 9 · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source
• Domestic violence survivors can end leases — Since January 1, 2025, a tenant who was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking in the last 150 days may end the lease with written verification and owes rent only through the termination date. 2024 ch. 9 (RSA 540:11-b) · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source

New Hampshire landlord-tenant law →

New Jersey

• FAIR Act bans algorithmic rent-setting — It will be an antitrust violation for a landlord to use a service that sets or recommends rents using competitors' nonpublic data, or to coordinate prices. FAIR Act (P.L.2026, c.43) · effective Jul 1, 2027 · Source
• Income tests must use only the tenant's share of rent — A landlord may not refuse a lawful source of payment, and any minimum-income requirement must be based only on the part of the rent the tenant will pay. P.L.2025, c.251 (approved Jan. 12, 2026) · effective Jan 12, 2026 · Source
• Jersey City tenant-rights notice and right to counsel (city of Jersey City) — Since July 1, 2025, owners must give the city's tenant-rights notice, including how to reach the right to counsel program, at lease signing and with rent demands and eviction notices; the program was to be fully in place by January 1, 2026. Ord. 23-047 · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source
• Application fees capped at $50 — Landlords may not charge more than $50 to apply for a rental, adjusted each year for inflation; one- and two-family homes are exempt. P.L.2025, c.405 (approved Jan. 20, 2026) · effective date not stated · Source
• Rent-increase limit for some manufactured home sites — A 2025 law set a rent-increase limit for certain manufactured or modular home sites; its text was not reviewed in the source. P.L.2025, c.85 · effective date not stated · Source

New Jersey landlord-tenant law →

New Mexico

• Late fees capped at 5% of rent — The late-fee cap was cut from 10% to 5% of rent. SB 267 (Laws 2025, ch. 122, § 6) · effective Jun 20, 2025 · Source
• 60 days' notice to raise lease fees — Since June 20, 2025, increases to lease fees need 60 days' written notice. SB 267 (Laws 2025, ch. 122, § 5) · effective Jun 20, 2025 · Source
• Screening fees capped at $50 — Screening fees are capped at $50, must be refunded in listed cases, and no other application-processing fees are allowed. SB 267 (Laws 2025, ch. 122) · effective date not stated · Source
• Listings must disclose all fees — Every published rental listing must show the base rent plus an itemized list of every fee that will be charged, and charging undisclosed fees is an unfair practice. SB 267 (Laws 2025, ch. 122) · effective date not stated · Source
• Albuquerque habitability enforcement ordinance (city of Albuquerque) — Landlords have 72 hours after notice to fix habitability violations, face automatic $500 fines for repeat violations, and must pay relocation costs if repairs run past 7 days. Ordinance O-26-24 (Enactment No. O-2026-019) · effective date not stated · Source

New Mexico landlord-tenant law →

New York

• Rent-increase notices must include the good-cause statement — Since August 18, 2024, rent-increase and non-renewal notices must say whether the unit is covered by Good Cause Eviction and the basis for any non-renewal or large increase. Good Cause Eviction Law (RPL § 231-c) · effective Aug 18, 2024 · Source
• Good Cause Eviction Law — In NYC and opt-in localities, rent increases above the local rent standard (5% plus CPI, capped at 10%) are presumed unreasonable, and eviction or non-renewal requires good cause. Good Cause Eviction Law (RPL Art. 6-A, 2024) · effective Apr 20, 2024 · Source

New York landlord-tenant law →

North Carolina

• Expedited court removal of squatters — Owners can use a new expedited court process to remove unauthorized occupants. S.L. 2025-88 (S.B. 55) · effective Dec 1, 2025 · Source
• Local voucher-discrimination bans preempted — Since 2024, counties and cities may not stop landlords from refusing tenants whose rent includes federal housing assistance such as Section 8 vouchers. S.L. 2024-47, s. 7 · effective date not stated · Source

North Carolina landlord-tenant law →

North Dakota

• Squatting in a home is a felony — Unlawfully occupying or trespassing on a residential dwelling is a class C felony on a first offense. The effective date was not confirmed (default August 1, 2025). 2025 HB 1305 · effective date not stated · Source

North Dakota landlord-tenant law →

Ohio

• Columbus rental registry (city of Columbus) — Starting with 2027, owners of rental property must register yearly and each property gets an education inspection every 3 years; initial registration runs October 1 to December 31, 2026. Ord. 0923-2026 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Small claims limit raised to $6,000 — The small claims limit is now $6,000, excluding interest and costs. S.B. 237 (135th G.A.) · effective Apr 9, 2025 · Source
• Columbus requires 60 days' notice for big rent increases (city of Columbus) — Written leases entered into or renewed after January 31, 2025 must require at least 60 days' written notice before a rent increase of more than 10%. Ord. 3525-2024 · effective Jan 31, 2025 · Source
• Columbus Division of Housing Stability (city of Columbus) — A 2025 ordinance created the Division of Housing Stability in the Department of Development to work with other city agencies to strengthen and enforce tenant protections, develop tenant-protection policies, and provide information on fair housing laws, eviction prevention and tenant support programs. Ord. 1282-2025 · effective date not stated · Source
• Cincinnati bans retaliation (city of Cincinnati) — Retaliation against tenants for reporting conditions or organizing is prohibited. Ord. 289-2025 · effective date not stated · Source
• Cleveland tickets for housing violations (city of Cleveland) — The Residents First package set tickets at $200 per infraction, with unpaid tickets added to the property tax bill. Residents First package (2024) · effective date not stated · Source

Ohio landlord-tenant law →

Oklahoma

• Voyeurism felony reclassified — The voyeurism statute was amended to classify the felony as Class D1. Laws 2025, c. 486 · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Sheriff removal of squatters — Owners can give the sheriff a verified complaint and have unlawful occupants removed without a court case; damaging the home or using a fake lease is a crime. SB 1994 (Laws 2024, c. 378) · effective Jun 5, 2024 · Source

Oklahoma landlord-tenant law →

Oregon

• Smoking-policy changes — From January 1, 2027, landlords of units that share a wall with another unit (or are covered by certain development agreements) may change the smoking policy to ban smoking inside units and indoor common areas for existing tenants, without their consent, on at least 180 days' written notice, if they provide a designated smoking area on the premises. The change does not apply to accessible units, or to a fixed-term lease until the term ends. HB 4120 (2026 Or. Laws c.60) · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Landlords must accept rent by check — Since June 5, 2026, landlords must let tenants pay by check or another commercially reasonable method and cannot require payment by card, electronic check, tenant portal or other electronic means. On written request, a landlord also cannot make a tenant portal the only way to verify ID, sign lease documents or submit tenancy documents. SB 1523 (2026 Or. Laws c.23) · effective Jun 5, 2026 · Source
• Limits on passing through card and portal fees — Electronic payment fees may be passed through only if the processor allows it, the landlord lets the tenant pay by check, and fee records are given on request. SB 1523 (2026 Or. Laws c.23) · effective Jun 5, 2026 · Source
• Tenancy ends when a natural disaster destroys the home — If a natural disaster destroys the unit, the tenancy ends immediately and the landlord must return the deposit and prorated prepaid rent; no rent is owed while the unit is inaccessible. HB 4037 § 21 (2026 Or. Laws c.108) · effective Jun 5, 2026 · Source
• Tenant may leave early after a landlord-reason notice — If, during a fixed-term lease, a landlord gives a 90-day qualifying-reason notice ending the tenancy at or after the end of the term, the tenant may move out sooner on 30 days' written notice without an early-termination fee or rent for later periods. Applies to fixed-term leases entered on or after January 1, 2026. 2025 HB 2134 (2025 Or. Laws c.115) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• 60-day notice option when selling — A landlord who has accepted an offer from a buyer who will live in the unit may give a 60-day notice instead of 90 days by paying the tenant one month's rent, on top of any relocation payment otherwise required. 2025 SB 586 (2025 Or. Laws c.291) · effective Sep 26, 2025 · Source
• 6% cap for larger manufactured home parks — Rent increases in manufactured-home facilities with more than 30 spaces are capped at 6%. 2025 HB 3054 · effective date not stated · Source
• 24-hour notice to squatters — An owner may give a squatter 24 hours' written notice to vacate, then use the court eviction process; the notice does not create a tenancy. 2025 Or. Laws c.356 · effective date not stated · Source

Oregon landlord-tenant law →

Pennsylvania

• Squatters are not tenants — The Landlord and Tenant Act, including its notice-to-quit and eviction steps, no longer applies to a person who is not and never has been a tenant. Act 88 of 2024 (Act of July 17, 2024, P.L.944, No.88) · effective date not stated · Source

Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law →

Rhode Island

• Survivor Early Lease Termination Act — A tenant may end a lease without penalty if the tenant or a household member was a victim of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking within the last 150 days. P.L. 2026, chs. 147-148 (H 7199 Sub A / S 2291 Sub A) · effective Jul 1, 2026 · Source
• Fees must be disclosed next to rent; convenience fees limited — Since January 1, 2025, all non-rent fees must be listed with the rent in the lease with 30 days' notice of changes, and convenience fees are allowed only if a no-fee payment option exists. P.L. 2024, ch. 308/309 · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source
• Rental application fees banned — Since January 1, 2024, landlords may not charge application fees; background or credit check fees are limited to actual cost and waived if the applicant provides one from the past 90 days. P.L. 2023, ch. 319 and ch. 320 · effective Jan 1, 2024 · Source
• Eviction records can be sealed — A party may move to seal an eviction case after the appeal period, and the court must seal in listed cases such as dismissals or paid judgments, once per 5 years. P.L. 2023, ch. 362 · effective Jan 1, 2024 · Source

Rhode Island landlord-tenant law →

South Carolina

• Old eviction records removed from public view — Starting January 1, 2027, eviction records with a defendant's personal information must be removed from the public index 7 years after final disposition or filing if nothing new is filed. 2026 Act No. 214 (H.4270) · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Expedited removal of squatters — A separate expedited procedure now applies to removing unlawful occupants. 2026 Act No. 252 (H.3387) · effective Jun 30, 2026 · Source
• Abuse victims sharing a lease can end it — A tenant who is a victim of domestic abuse by a co-leaseholder may end future lease obligations by written notice within 60 days of a documented incident. 2026 Act No. 184 (H.3569) · effective May 18, 2026 · Source

South Carolina landlord-tenant law →

South Dakota

• Deposit return deadline extended to 21 days — Landlords now have 21 days instead of 14 to return deposits, for tenancies ending on or after July 1, 2026. SB 4 (SL 2026, ch 179) · effective Jul 1, 2026 · Source
• Three-day notice to quit repealed — South Dakota repealed its statutory three-day notice to quit; an eviction can be filed once rent is 3 days past due. SB 90 (SL 2024, ch 75) · effective Jul 1, 2024 · Source
• Voyeurism law covers fake images — The voyeurism-related statute SDCL 22-21-4 was amended to add digitally fabricated images. SL 2026, ch 104 · effective date not stated · Source

South Dakota landlord-tenant law →

Tennessee

• Tenants may keep lawful firearms — For leases entered, renewed or amended on or after January 1, 2027, landlords generally may not ban lawful possession or storage of firearms in the unit or vehicle. 2026 Pub. Ch. 606 (SB0350/HB0469) · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• No posting videos of eviction service — Since April 1, 2026, private parties serving or carrying out eviction papers (not law enforcement) may not livestream or post near-real-time public video of the service without the served person's written permission or a court order. A victim can sue for at least $25,000 per intentional violation, plus other damages and attorney fees. 2026 Pub. Ch. 657 (SB1993/HB2041) · effective Apr 1, 2026 · Source
• Landlords must disclose contact information — For leases entered, amended or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, landlords must disclose in writing at or before the start of the tenancy the name and address of the managing agent and of the owner or agent for legal notices, plus a phone number or email for maintenance or an online portal. 2024 Pub. Ch. 907 (HB1814) · effective Jan 1, 2025 · Source
• Sheriff removal of squatters — Since July 1, 2024, owners can ask the sheriff to immediately remove unlawful occupants without a court case using a verified complaint; tenants and family are excluded. 2024 Pub. Ch. 1009 (SB 795 / HB 1259) · effective Jul 1, 2024 · Source

Tennessee landlord-tenant law →

Texas

• Austin requires itemized fee disclosure (city of Austin) — Landlords with five or more units must give an itemized list of all fees before an application, and ads must show mandatory fees; it applies from October 1, 2026 for large providers and January 1, 2027 for smaller ones. Ord. 20260528-045 · effective Oct 1, 2026 · Source
• Houston high-risk apartment inspections (city of Houston) — Apartment buildings with 10 or more qualifying citations in 6 months must register and be inspected, with fines of $250 to $2,000 per violation per day. High-Risk Apartment Inspection Program ordinance (passed May 6, 2026) · effective May 12, 2026 · Source
• Eviction procedure overhauled — Evictions filed from January 1, 2026 can be decided by summary disposition without trial, trials are held 10-21 days after filing, service deadlines tighten, and writs are issued as a ministerial act. SB 38 (Acts 2025, 89th Leg., ch. 960) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• New delivery rules for notices to vacate — Since January 1, 2026, a notice to vacate must be delivered by one of the listed methods, such as mail, replacing the old posting and mailing rules. SB 38 (Acts 2025, 89th Leg., ch. 960) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Only the Legislature can change eviction procedures — Since January 1, 2026, only the Legislature may modify or suspend eviction procedures, and courts may not require mediation or other pretrial proceedings in eviction cases. SB 38 (89th Leg., 2025) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Rewritten court rule for evictions — The Texas Supreme Court rewrote TRCP 510 as a standalone eviction rule for suits filed on or after January 1, 2026; the orders are labeled preliminary approvals. Misc. Docket Nos. 25-9096 and 25-9105 (TRCP 510) · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Sheriff removal of squatters — Since September 1, 2025, owners can file a sworn complaint with the sheriff or constable for immediate removal of people unlawfully occupying a home; tenants and family members are excluded. SB 1333 (Acts 2025, 89th Leg., ch. 817) · effective Sep 1, 2025 · Source
• Houston requires air conditioning (city of Houston) — Owners must provide working refrigerated air that keeps rooms at least 20 degrees below outside or no higher than 80 degrees, with compliance due about 120 days after passage. Ord. No. 2026-0732 · effective date not stated · Source
• San Antonio protects veterans using vouchers (city of San Antonio) — Landlords may not deny or end a veteran's tenancy solely because the veteran uses a housing voucher. Ord. 2026-05-07-0295 (SOIP for Veterans) · effective date not stated · Source

Texas landlord-tenant law →

Utah

• Police removal of trespassers on verified complaint — Owners can give law enforcement a verified complaint to remove trespassers, who are served a notice to vacate immediately; wrongfully removed people can recover triple rent. Laws 2025, ch. 295 · effective date not stated · Source
• Rent estimate before application fees; late fee cap — Before taking an application fee, owners must give a good-faith estimate of rent and fixed fees, late fees are capped at the greater of 10% of rent or $75, and fees need notice. Laws 2025, ch. 302 · effective date not stated · Source
• Renters can demand a missing deposit accounting — A renter whose deposit disposition is late can serve a statutory notice, after which the owner has five business days to comply. Laws 2025, ch. 275 · effective date not stated · Source

Utah landlord-tenant law →

Vermont

• Landlords must accept IDs other than SSN for screening — For background or credit checks, landlords must accept any unexpired government ID or an ITIN and may not require a Social Security number. 2025, No. 69, § 10 · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source
• Any sheriff can serve a writ of possession — Any sheriff, not just the county sheriff, may now serve a writ of possession. Act 13 of 2025 (H.21) · effective May 5, 2025 · Source
• Senior housing rent increases need state notice — Owners of age-restricted private housing must give 60 days' notice on a state form to the Department and residents before a rent increase, or the increase is unenforceable. 2023, No. 181 (Adj. Sess.), § 110 · effective Jun 17, 2024 · Source

Vermont landlord-tenant law →

Virginia

• Larger landlords must offer payment plans — From July 1, 2027, landlords with more than four units must offer a payment plan for arrears up to one month's rent plus late charges before eviction. Acts 2026, c. 1105 · effective Jul 1, 2027 · Source
• 90 days' notice for rent increases — From July 1, 2027, rent-increase notices on covered leases must give at least 90 days and set a renewal-decision deadline at least 30 days after delivery. Acts 2026, c. 1066 · effective Jul 1, 2027 · Source
• Nonpayment notices must include a ledger — From July 1, 2027, a nonpayment termination notice must include a statement of charges and payments for the tenancy or the past 12 months, plus utility details where submetering is used. Acts 2026, cc. 783 and 784 · effective Jul 1, 2027 · Source
• Fee and screening disclosure before applications — Starting July 1, 2027, landlords must disclose fees, screening agency and applicants' rights before collecting any payment or information. Acts 2026, c. 1050 · effective Jul 1, 2027 · Source
• Broader retaliation protections — From January 1, 2027, protected acts include complaints to media and fair-housing complaints, and banned retaliation includes raising fees, selective rule enforcement, harassment and certain non-renewals. Acts 2026, c. 1111 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Tenants can file repair cases without paying arrears first — From January 1, 2027, tenants may file a tenant's assertion without first paying past-due rent; they pay rent that comes due during the case into escrow. Acts 2026, c. 1118 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Automatic expungement of dismissed eviction cases — Courts must automatically expunge eviction records with no order of possession 30 days after dismissal or 6 months after a nonsuit. Acts 2024, c. 372 · effective date not stated · Source
• All charges must be itemized on page one of the lease — Leases must itemize all deposit charges, rent and one-time charges on the first page under a statement that nothing else may be charged unless added later. Acts 2024, cc. 788, 826 (amended 2025, c. 567) · effective date not stated · Source
• Trafficking victims can end leases early — Human trafficking victims were added to those who may end a lease early. Acts 2025, c. 593 · effective date not stated · Source
• Richmond rental inspection program (city of Richmond) — Richmond added a Residential Rental Inspection Program to its city code. Ord. 2025-161 · effective date not stated · Source
• Richmond funds housing legal help (city of Richmond) — The city set aside $500,000 for housing legal help that residents can apply for. Ord. 2025-001 · effective date not stated · Source

Virginia landlord-tenant law →

Washington

• Privacy rules for smart locks and access systems — From January 1, 2027, landlords' electronic or biometric entry systems are limited in the data they collect, need a written privacy policy, and must offer a non-biometric, non-phone key on request. Laws of 2026, ch. 55 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Spokane requires eviction prevention before filing (city of Spokane) — Since June 1, 2026, landlords must go through the city's free 30-day eviction prevention process before filing a nonpayment eviction. Ord. C36808 (SMC 10.57.200-.250) · effective Jun 1, 2026 · Source
• Tacoma requires 180 days' notice and relocation for big increases (city of Tacoma) — Since January 1, 2026, landlords must give 180 days' notice of rent increases, and tenants who move after an increase of 5% or more can get 2 to 3 months' rent in relocation help. Amended Subst. Ord. 29086 · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Tacoma winter eviction ban window changed (city of Tacoma) — The cold-weather eviction ban now runs November 15 to March 15 (before 2026 it was November 1 to April 1), except for small landlords. Amended Subst. Ord. 29086 · effective Jan 1, 2026 · Source
• Tenants can install portable air conditioners — Landlords generally may not ban or charge fees for tenant-installed portable cooling devices, with listed safety exceptions. Laws of 2026, ch. 184 · effective 2026 · Source
• Statewide rent cap — Rent increases are capped at 7% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is less, in any 12 months, with no increase in the first 12 months of a tenancy and 90 days' notice required. HB 1217 (2025 c 209) · effective May 7, 2025 · Source
• Fee and deposit caps for mobile home lots — HB 1217 capped move-in fees plus deposits at one month's rent (two with pets) and set late-fee caps, but only for manufactured/mobile home lots. HB 1217 (2025 c 209) · effective May 7, 2025 · Source
• Spokane requires 120-180 days' notice of rent increases (city of Spokane) — For leases signed after June 23, 2024, landlords must give at least 120 days' notice of increases of 3% or less, and 180 days for larger increases. Ord. C36515 (SMC 10.57.160) · effective Jun 23, 2024 · Source
• Spokane cooling requirement (city of Spokane) — At least one room in each rental must have cooling, and tenants can repair-and-deduct up to $500 if the landlord does not fix it within 72 hours of notice. The effective date was not confirmed. SMC 10.57.175 (passed July 29, 2026) · effective date not stated · Source
• Spokane emergency rent protections (city of Spokane) — During a declared disaster emergency, affected tenants can repay missed rent over 12 months with no late fees. SMC 10.57.300-.330 (passed Sept. 9, 2026) · effective date not stated · Source

Washington landlord-tenant law →

West Virginia

• Magistrate court limit raised to $20,000 — The magistrate court civil limit is now $20,000. HB 2761 (Acts 2025, ch. 71) · effective Jul 7, 2025 · Source
• Stop Squatters Act — Squatters are not tenants, squatting is criminal trespass, and owners can ask police for immediate removal without an eviction case. HB 2434 (2025) · effective date not stated · Source
• Squatters excluded from landlord-tenant law — Since 2024, a squatter is not covered by the landlord-tenant article, and courts may not require eviction proceedings to remove one. H.B. 4940 (2024) · effective date not stated · Source

West Virginia landlord-tenant law →

Wisconsin

• Small claims limit rising to $15,000 — The small claims limit for money claims rises from $10,000 to $15,000 on January 1, 2027. 2025 Wis. Act 105 · effective Jan 1, 2027 · Source
• Stand-alone lease termination right for sexual assault victims — A sexual assault victim can end a tenancy with an injunction or criminal complaint without having to show an imminent threat of harm. 2025 Wis. Act 90 · effective date not stated · Source
• Milwaukee rental inspection pilot (city of Milwaukee) — A 5-year pilot lets the city designate rental inspection districts where rentals get an initial inspection. The effective date was not verified. File 260363 (Milwaukee Code § 200-23.5) · effective date not stated · Source

Wisconsin landlord-tenant law →

Wyoming

• Police removal of squatters — Owners can file a sworn complaint with law enforcement for immediate removal of people unlawfully in a home; fake leases are a misdemeanor and renting property without authority is a felony. SF0006 (2025 Session Laws ch. 41) · effective Jul 1, 2025 · Source

Wyoming landlord-tenant law →

Proposed, not yet law

These were pending when we last checked. They do not change your rights unless they pass.

• Michigan: Tenant repair rights package — Bills addressing tenant repair rights were on Senate third reading as of June 17, 2025 with no further action; not law. SB 19-21 of 2025 · effective date not stated · Source
• Michigan: Eviction record sealing bills — SB 374 would seal records and auto-expunge 3 years after judgment; HB 4984 would keep records nonpublic until a judgment for possession. Both are pending. SB 374; HB 4984 (2025) · effective date not stated · Source
• Pennsylvania: Limited access to eviction records — HB 1095 passed the House and was re-reported by Senate Appropriations on October 20, 2026; it still needs Senate passage, House concurrence and the Governor's signature. HB 1095 (2025-2026) · effective date not stated · Source
• South Carolina: Eviction expungement by motion — S.744 would allow expungement by motion after 5 eviction-free years; it is still in Senate Judiciary. S.744 (2025-2026) · effective date not stated · Source

This list covers changes recorded in our state and city pages. A state not listed may still have changed its law; check the state page and its sources.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.