Committee advances bill giving landlords 15 more days to provide itemized security-deposit accounting

The Senate Judiciary A Committee on an item reported favorably House Bill 2 92, which would add 15 days for landlords to provide an itemized statement explaining any deductions from a tenant’s security deposit.

Senator Carter, presenting the bill on behalf of Representative Boyd, told the committee the proposal "pertains to security deposits on rental property" and that "present law requires a landlord ... to return any deposit ... within 1 month after the lease termination." He said the legislation would "allow an additional 15 days for the landlord to provide an itemized statement accounting for any retained proceeds" for repairs or similar charges.

The bill’s author, Representative Boyd, said she is a property manager and landlord and asked members for a favorable report. "As a property manager myself, and a landlord myself, it's been difficult to get reasonable quotes," Boyd said, arguing a short grace period helps landlords gather contractor estimates and does not change the deadline for returning the deposit itself.

Tenants and housing advocates told the committee the extra time could harm renters who need deposits to secure new housing. Nayeli Barrios of Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative said landlords already can obtain inspections and quotes quickly: "1 month is more than enough time. 2 weeks is more than enough time, really," she said, adding that in her recent home-buying experience she obtained multiple inspections and quotes within seven days.

Flora Cooley, who identified herself as a tenant from Gretna, described paying a $1,100 deposit and then being asked to leave after reporting a gas leak. She said the landlord promised to return the deposit but has not done so and testified the bill would effectively give landlords additional leeway to delay returning money. "I need my money back," Cooley said.

Committee members and the chair repeatedly clarified that the bill, as described, would not extend the statutory time for returning deposit funds but would extend only the period for providing the itemized accounting that explains any withheld amounts. The committee adopted a motion by Senator Seba to report House Bill 2 92 favorably by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded.

The committee then adjourned on a motion by Senator Meisel.

The next procedural step is that the committee has reported the bill favorably; further action and any amendments would be determined by the chamber’s scheduling and leadership.