HB 2634 requires Kansas landlords in cities or counties without their own maintenance code to follow the International Property Maintenance Code, 2012 (IMPC 2012) for health and safety repairs, such as electrical, plumbing, and structural maintenance. This ensures rental properties meet basic safety standards in areas lacking local regulations. The bill also allows limited written agreements between landlords and tenants to share specific maintenance tasks, but only if entered in good faith and not to evade the landlord’s core responsibilities. It does not change existing obligations for properties in jurisdictions with adopted codes.
HB 2768 requires Kansas landlords to accept multiple payment methods for rent as long as the full amount is paid on time, and to consider all types of income (including wages, government benefits, pensions, and child support) when evaluating tenant applications. Landlords who refuse multiple payments must refund the amount, and those who reject applicants for not considering all income must pay double the application fees. Violations can result in actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees for tenants. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to all residential rental agreements under Kansas' landlord-tenant law.
HB 2666 modifies Kansas' residential landlord-tenant law by limiting late rent fees and requiring upfront disclosures to prospective tenants. Landlords may charge no more than 5% of rent as a late fee (with no compounding fees) and must provide tenants a 5-day grace period before charging. It also mandates landlords to disclose in writing key details to applicants, including estimated rent, fee types, availability dates, and eligibility criteria (like credit or criminal history). Violations release tenants from agreements without penalty and require landlords to refund all payments plus an equal penalty amount. This directly affects Kansas landlords and renters in rental housing transactions.
SB 443 requires landlords to have a valid legal reason (such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, or property damage) to evict residential tenants, replacing the previous "no cause" standard. It mandates that eviction petitions include the rental agreement, the notice given to the tenant, and any evidence the landlord plans to use. The bill also removes the requirement for tenants to post a bond to request a court delay (continuance) in eviction cases. These changes apply to all residential eviction lawsuits in Kansas.
This bill restores eligibility for renters to claim property tax refunds under Kansas' homestead program. Previously excluded, renters meeting income, age, or disability criteria can now qualify for the same tax refunds previously available only to homeowners. The key change modifies the definition of "homestead" to explicitly include rented properties starting in tax year 2026, aligning with the program's existing eligibility categories for qualifying individuals. It directly affects low-income renters in Kansas who meet the income and household requirements outlined in the law.
This bill requires landlords in Kansas to return a tenant's security deposit plus all future rent payments due through the end of the lease term or two years (whichever is shorter) if a rental unit is condemned due to the landlord's actions or failures to maintain the property. It directly affects tenants in units deemed uninhabitable because of landlord negligence, such as unsafe conditions or structural failures caused by the landlord. Key provisions mandate that landlords must refund the full security deposit (per existing law) and all rent the tenant would have paid until the lease concludes or two years pass. The law amends Kansas' residential landlord-tenant statute to clarify these refund requirements specifically for condemnation cases tied to landlord responsibility.
SB 485 requires landlords to count all lawful income (including government assistance, gifts, or pensions) when screening tenants, not just wages. It automatically seals eviction court records after filing and expunges them from public records after two years if the judgment is paid, with exceptions for ongoing cases or safety concerns. The bill also mandates mediation in eviction cases unless a court determines it wouldn’t help, and violations are treated as deceptive practices under Kansas consumer law. These changes directly affect tenants applying for housing and landlords managing rental agreements under Kansas’ Residential Landlord Tenant Act.
This Kansas bill (HB 2665) changes how rental agreements end when landlords fail to meet health/safety standards in the lease. It gives tenants the right to end their lease by giving 30 days' written notice after a serious landlord violation affecting health/safety, but allows landlords 14 days to fix the issue before termination. If the same problem happens again after the 14-day window, tenants can terminate without giving the landlord another chance to fix it. The bill directly affects Kansas renters and landlords under residential lease agreements.
HB 2691 requires landlords to demonstrate a specific, valid reason (such as unpaid rent, lease violations, or property damage) before filing an eviction lawsuit for residential properties. It mandates that eviction petitions include the rental agreement, tenant notice, and all evidence upfront, or risk dismissal. The bill also removes the requirement for tenants to post a financial bond to request a court date postponement. These changes aim to ensure evictions follow clear legal standards and improve procedural fairness for renters.
SB 466 prevents landlords and consumer reporting agencies from denying housing or taking negative actions against tenants based on eviction or rental arrears records older than three years. It requires consumer reporting agencies to allow tenants to explain any such records they hold. The bill also mandates that court records of eviction actions be sealed for certain periods. Violations by landlords or agencies would be considered unfair under Kansas consumer protection law.
