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House approves bill requiring landlords to disclose fees before taking application money
Summary
House passed a proposal to require landlords to disclose all fees and payments in rental agreements before accepting application fees; sponsors said it protects renters from undisclosed monthly charges and provides a 15-day window for refunds with a 7-day landlord return requirement.
On March 2, the Utah House approved the second substitute of House Bill 211, a landlord disclosure measure aimed at improving transparency for renters. Sponsor Representative Judkins said the bill addresses a problem affecting an estimated 29,000 Utah households who pay more than half their income for housing.
"This bill will provide that information," Judkins said on the floor, explaining the bill requires landlords to fully disclose monthly rent and other fees listed in a rental agreement before accepting an application fee or other money. Under the adopted amendment, renters who discover undisclosed fees at lease signing will have 15 days to request refunds of application fees and any money paid; landlords then have 7 days to return those funds.
Representative Musselman, among others, expressed support and noted the sponsor's work to accommodate stakeholders and strike a balance between protecting renters and not unduly burdening landlords. There were no recorded no votes; the House passed the second substitute HB 211 by a 72-0 vote and will transmit the bill to the Senate for consideration.
Next steps: The bill will go to the Senate, where further consideration or amendment is possible.
Quotes, data and context in floor remarks described landlord practices and the bill's intent to incentivize best practices and reduce surprises for renters when leases are presented.
