Relating to a landlord's obligation to rekey a security device for a dwelling.
The enactment of HB1859 will impact all lease agreements entered into or renewed following the bill's effective date, September 1, 2019. For these leases, landlords will be legally required to rekey security devices promptly, fostering a standard practice intended to protect the rights and safety of tenants. By mandating this rekeying process, the bill supports the principle of tenant security and may contribute to a decline in potential security breaches in rental properties.
House Bill 1859 introduces a modification to the Texas Property Code concerning landlords' responsibilities related to security devices for dwellings. Specifically, the bill mandates that landlords must rekey any security device operated by a key, card, or combination at their own expense before the seventh day following each tenant turnover. This aim is to enhance tenant safety and security by ensuring that incoming tenants do not have access to keys or codes that may have been distributed to previous tenants.
While HB1859 is largely positioned as a pro-tenant measure, it may also raise concerns among landlords regarding the potential increase in operational costs and responsibilities. Critics of the bill argue that while tenant security is paramount, imposing such obligations on landlords could deter leasing opportunities or increase rental costs as landlords might seek to recover these expenses. Moreover, the bill's requirement for rekeying could also create logistical challenges for larger property management operations dealing with frequent turnover rates.