BOISE, Idaho — As we previously reported, the bipartisan House Bill 594 passed through the House and the Senate, landing it on Governor Brad Little's Desk. We've now learned that the bill, which would require landlords to give 30 days notice if they wish to increase your rent 10% or more, has been signed into law by the governor.
The move is significant because despite Idaho's affordable housing crisis, attempts to regulate Idaho’s housing market have historically come few-and-far-between at the hands of state legislators.
The bill will go into effect on July 1 of 2020. Currently, the law is 15 days notice. The original bill said 45 days, but was later amended to 30.
Representatives Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, and Jarom Wagoner, R-Caldwell, co-sponsored the bill. After passing the House, the bill received 22-12 support in the Senate.
Earlier this year, a familiar face to many in Boise's homeless community testified in favor of HB 459: Jodi Peterson-Stigers, executive director of Interfaith Sanctuary emergency homeless shelter.
"We've been at capacity for over a year and a half," said Peterson-Stigers. "And a family that is on a waiting list for housing is at a year and a half, and so I think this is a good first step for trying to hold people in place, so we have a little bit more ability to hold the people who have fallen out."
