🟡Relating to notice requirements for a leased dwelling located in a floodplain.

🟡 SB 2349: Landlords and flood-risk disclosures

What it says it does:
SB 2349 claims to clarify when landlords must tell renters if a property is in a floodplain or has flooded before.

What it actually changes:
It exempts leases shorter than 30 days and temporary sale-related occupancies of up to 90 days from the flood notice. It also requires that in standard leases the disclosure be in writing and signed by both landlord and tenant.

Who is pushing for it:
Support in the files came from Texas Realtors, Texas Apartment Association, United Ways of Texas, and Travis County Commissioners Court staff.

Who benefits:
Landlords and property managers handling short-term or sale-transition occupancies face less paperwork and liability. Tenants in longer leases benefit from stronger proof that the notice was delivered.

Who gets left out or exposed:
Short-term renters and people staying briefly before or after a home sale may never be told the property’s flood history, even though flood risk is the same regardless of lease length.

Why this matters long term:
The bill improves documentation in normal leases but sets a precedent that certain tenants can be excluded from consumer disclosures. That creates gaps in transparency exactly when people are least informed.

What to watch next:
Future bills may use this logic to carve out more consumer notices in “short-term” cases. Tenant advocates may push for at least a simple one-page advisory for all occupancies.

Bottom line:
This bill strengthens disclosure rules for standard leases but opens a gap for temporary renters. It helps the real estate industry streamline deals while leaving short-term tenants without guaranteed flood-risk information.

#SB2349 #TexasPolicy #WatchTheRules #TexasHousing #TenantRights #FloodRisk