Bill > S2294

This bill, titled "Provides for just cause evictions for residential landlord tenancies," amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to establish that landlords can only evict tenants for specific, legally recognized reasons, known as "just cause," and only after obtaining a court order. This means a landlord cannot force a tenant out, even if their lease has expired or they don't have a written lease, without going through a formal legal process where they must prove one of the enumerated grounds for eviction. These grounds include non-payment of rent (with limitations on unreasonable rent increases), violation of a substantial lease obligation that the tenant fails to fix after notice, committing a nuisance or damaging the property, using the housing for illegal purposes, unreasonably refusing landlord access for necessary repairs or showings, or in specific situations where the landlord needs the unit for their own or immediate family's personal use and occupancy, with exceptions for elderly or disabled tenants and buildings with fewer than a certain number of units. The bill also clarifies definitions within the Act, such as expanding the definition of "housing accommodation" and "landlord," and states that any agreement attempting to waive these tenant protections is void. The provisions of this act apply to most housing accommodations, with some exceptions like owner-occupied buildings with fewer than four units, and it takes effect immediately upon passage.

Justice

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