A new bill, the "Renter’s Empowerment and Neighborhood Transparency Act," is currently under consideration by the Albuquerque City Council. The proposed legislation, known as Council Bill O-25-88, is set to be discussed in a committee meeting on June 11th. If passed, it could significantly impact the city's apartment rental industry and the availability of rental units.
The bill includes several provisions that have raised concerns among landlords. One of these is a requirement for landlords to process applications on a "first-come, first-served" basis, with an obligation to disclose applicants' queue positions. This could lead to disputes and administrative burdens for housing providers.
Another contentious point is the removal of restrictions on companion animals. Landlords would no longer be able to enforce breed, size, or species limitations for such animals, posing potential risks to health and safety in multifamily housing environments.
Additionally, the bill would prohibit landlords from requiring tenants to carry renter's insurance. This change eliminates a common risk management strategy that protects both tenant belongings and landlord liability.
The proposed legislation also mandates that landlords accept rent payments in cash, check, or money order without charging fees based on payment methods. This could reverse existing safety policies and increase risks of theft and fraud.
Tenants would gain more power over property maintenance under this bill. If repairs are not addressed promptly by landlords, tenants could arrange repairs themselves and deduct costs from their rent without oversight.
The bill also introduces relocation assistance requirements if the city determines a landlord has illegally evicted a tenant. Non-compliance could result in liens against properties.
Landlords would be required to register rental properties annually and provide detailed information about each unit. Failure to comply could lead to fines and restrictions on operating as a rental property.
The Apartment Association of New Mexico argues that while the intent of the legislation may be to protect tenants, it places undue burdens on responsible landlords and discourages investment in Albuquerque's housing market.
Information from this article can be found here.
