Renters across Shelby County could easily find contact information for their landlords on a new registry proposed by state Rep. Dwayne Thompson (D-Cordova).
The bill would require property owners and landlords to publicly list all the rental property they own or manage. Thompson said the list would help ensure that renters would be able to contact their landlord or their agent, helping to eliminate absentee landlords who hide their identity and try to avoid renters seeking maintenance, security, or other services.
“This is a fairly simple consumer protection bill that could streamline renters’ access to their landlords and hopefully give them the means to avoid a long legal battle,” Thompson said in a statement.
“My hope is that this will offer more peace of mind to the hundreds of thousands of Shelby County residents who rent or lease their home.”
Rep. Dwayne Thompson (D-Cordova)
Current law allows a landlord registry if a county has a consolidated, metropolitan government and more than 500,000 residents. This means they’re only allowed in Nashville, which has such a registry.
“My hope is that this will offer more peace of mind to the hundreds of thousands of Shelby County residents who rent or lease their home,” Thompson said.
The bill will be heard during coming session of the Tennessee General Assembly. State lawmakers are due to convene in Nashville on Tuesday.