On page 1, line 1, of the Introduced bill, delete "allow a dealer in motor homes or recreational park trailers to construct and operate campsites at a dealership location" and insert "revise procedures for returning and withholding security deposits"
On the Introduced bill, delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:
"
Section 1. That § 43-32-24 be AMENDED:
43-32-24. Every
lessor of residential premises shall, within
two weeks
twenty-eight days
after the termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's
mailing address or delivery instructions, return the security deposit
to the tenant, or furnish to the tenant, a written statement showing
the specific reason for
the
withholding
of the
deposit or any portion
thereof
of the deposit.
The lessor may withhold from
such
the
deposit only
such
the
amounts
as are
reasonably necessary to remedy tenant defaults in the payment of rent
or of other funds due to the landlord pursuant to an agreement or to
restore the premises to
their
the
condition at the commencement of the tenancy, ordinary wear and tear
excepted. Within forty‑five days after termination of the
tenancy, upon request of the lessee, the lessor shall provide the
lessee with an itemized accounting of any deposit withheld.
Any lessor of residential
premises who fails to comply with this section shall forfeit all
rights to withhold any portion of
such
the
deposit.
The bad faith retention of a
deposit or any portion of a deposit by a lessor of residential
premises in violation of this section, including failure to provide
the written statement and itemized accounting required by this
section,
shall subject
subjects
the lessor to punitive damages not to exceed two hundred dollars.
"