Texas Senate Bill SB2195

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to metering and billing requirements for certain apartment houses, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles.

Impact

The implications of SB 2195 on state law include significant changes in how rental properties measure and allocate electricity costs. The bill restricts property owners from raising rental rates based on anticipated utility costs if they subsequently choose to install submeters. It mandates a reduction of rental prices and potential refunds to tenants if price increases relate to these utility costs within a 90-day window. Furthermore, it sets forth specific rules for metering to ensure fair billing practices are maintained for tenants across various housing structures that are not separately metered.

Summary

Senate Bill 2195 addresses the metering and billing requirements concerning electricity consumption for specific types of housing, including apartment houses, manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles. The bill aims to provide clarity on the rights and responsibilities of property owners in managing and billing energy costs to tenants. By establishing guidelines for submetering, it allows landlords to more accurately measure electrical usage per unit while ensuring tenants only pay for the power they consume.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding SB 2195 appears to lean towards a supportive stance from landlords and property managers, who might find the regulations beneficial in clarifying their responsibilities. However, there is also concern from tenant advocacy groups that the implementation of submetering might lead to increased costs or debates about fairness in billing practices. Thus, the sentiment is mixed; while some view enhanced metering as a positive step towards accountability, others worry about the financial burden of increased utility management responsibilities on tenants.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding SB 2195 include potential pushback from tenant rights groups concerned about ensuring protections against unfair billing practices. As the bill aims to simplify and enforce regulations on property owners, there may be fears among tenants regarding the transparency and accuracy of metering processes. The tension between protecting landlord interests through clearer billing standards and ensuring fair treatment for tenants reflects underlying concerns about the balance of power in rental agreements.