House passes bill requiring contact point for large absentee landlords amid blight concerns
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Summary
The House approved HB 15-01 to require a point of contact for certain large absentee owners (e.g., REITs) to help municipalities address blight and emergency issues; supporters said it will help cities reach responsible parties and the bill passed 84–2 after a technical amendment.
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee House approved HB 15-01 on third reading, a bill that requires specified large absentee owners — such as certain REITs that directly own many dwellings — to provide a local point-of-contact when a municipality opts into the requirement by a two-thirds vote.
Leader Lambeth, sponsor of the measure, said the change is a targeted ‘‘point-of-contact’’ requirement to help local governments reach owners about safety, blight or emergency issues. "When a REIT directly owns more than 10 dwellings...the city would have to opt in by a two-thirds majority, then the REIT would have to put a name, phone number and address with the city so they just know who to contact," Lambeth said on the floor.
Supporters, including Representative Parkinson, said large out-of-state investment entities can make properties harder to manage locally and can contribute to blight when there is no reachable owner. The House adopted a committee amendment that made a technical correction and passed the bill on final consideration; the Clerk announced a vote of Aye 84, No 2.
What happens next: The bill moves to enrollment and any subsequent steps required by the legislative process. Supporters said the measure addresses a practical municipal need; opponents did not successfully block final passage.
