Bill > HB845

This bill modifies the process for unlawful detainer cases, which are legal actions to evict a tenant. Currently, if a landlord (plaintiff) requests it at an initial court hearing, the judge is required to split the case into two parts: one to determine if the tenant should be evicted (possession) and a later hearing, within 120 days, to calculate the final amount of rent and damages owed. However, this bill changes that by stating that if the tenant (defendant) disputes the amount of rent and damages claimed by the landlord at that initial hearing, the judge will *not* split the case and will instead address all issues, including possession, rent, and damages, at that same initial hearing.