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Council takes first reading on Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act; members flag notice language to fix
Summary
The Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act (Bill 20‑61126) was given first reading and approved; sponsors said it would bar separate charging of tenants for common‑area utility costs and require written notice of unpaid amounts within 45 days of termination while allowing email/forwarding address options.
Councilmember Robert White moved first reading of the Fair Housing Practices Amendment Act of 2026, which he said would bar housing providers from separately charging tenants for utility charges attributable to common areas and add notice and service timing rules. "It would require that housing providers give notification to a tenant of any unpaid amounts owed ... within 45 days after vacating a rental unit," White said, adding the bill would require requests for forwarding addresses or email to reach departing tenants. (Councilmember Robert White)
Councilmember Pinto raised a technical concern about notice to tenants who no longer live at their last known address; White responded that the bill requires landlords to request forwarding addresses and email addresses upon termination so that notice avenues exist. After discussion, the council took first reading and approved the bill unanimously.
