81R8722 AJA-D
By: Bolton H.B. No. 1806
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to notice to residential tenants regarding renter's
insurance.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, is
amended by adding Section 92.0132 to read as follows:
Sec. 92.0132. NOTICE REGARDING RENTER'S INSURANCE. (a)
Before entering into a lease with a tenant, a landlord or the
landlord's agent shall give the following written notice to the
tenant:
NOTICE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW: The property owner's insurance
cannot provide coverage for your personal property. You may
purchase renter's insurance, which may cover losses due to theft,
fire, or other events or occurrences, through a licensed property
and casualty insurance agent. Renter's insurance may not cover
losses due to a flood. If you are eligible, you can purchase flood
insurance for your personal property from the Federal Emergency
Management Agency through a licensed property and casualty
insurance agent. Additional information regarding renter's
insurance may be obtained from the Texas Department of Insurance at
(insert toll-free telephone number and Internet website address).
(b) The notice required by Subsection (a) may be printed in
the lease or in a separate document signed by the landlord or the
landlord's agent and the tenant.
SECTION 2. (a) The change in law made by this Act applies
only to a lease initially entered into on or after January 1, 2010.
(b) A lease initially entered into before January 1, 2010,
is governed by the law existing immediately before the effective
date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
(c) This Act does not apply to the renewal of a lease.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.