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Bill to let landlords report rent payments to credit bureaus draws mixed response
Summary
Supporters told a House committee that rent‑reporting programs can help renters build credit and encourage on‑time payment; opponents warned the measure as written could impose administrative and legal costs on smaller landlords and urged a study or narrower, opt‑in approaches.
Representative Matthew Pitaro introduced HB 65 to allow reporting of rental payment histories to consumer credit agencies. He said early adopters among professional managers saw higher on‑time payment rates and that listing positive rental payments on credit files helps renters build credit histories.
Proponents — including landlords that already use rent reporting, the nonprofit Builders Alliance (cited in testimony), and Representative Alessandra Murray, a co‑sponsor — argued the measure helps renters qualify for mortgages or better housing and noted examples (Colorado, Prince George’s County, MD) where reporting programs helped establish credit records for low‑income households.
Opponents from housing provider groups and small landlords said the bill as written could impose nontrivial administrative costs and liability for smaller 'mom‑and‑pop' owners that do not use property management software. Several witnesses suggested alternative approaches: (1) keep participation opt‑in for tenants, (2) limit the mandate to larger professional owners (threshold suggested during testimony was 15–20 units), or (3) fund a study and pilot before a broad mandate. Witnesses also pointed to existing third‑party services and tenant self‑reporting tools that already enable rent reporting without a statutory mandate.
Committee members asked whether vendors charge landlords for reporting; proponents said major credit agencies may accept rent reports without a per‑unit fee, but witnesses urged the committee to confirm design and implementation costs. Several landlords asked for a clear standard for how to calculate "actual cost" if the bill allows landlords to charge tenants for reporting services.
No formal committee vote was taken; members asked the sponsor to work on technical amendments and consider a study or local‑option thresholds for small owners.
