HB 3698 creates the Student Eviction Assistance Revolving Fund within Oklahoma's State Department of Education to address housing instability affecting students. The fund provides legal representation for low-income families (indigent tenants) with children enrolled in pre-K through 12th grade facing eviction (forcible entry/detainer cases), with referrals required through their school district. Funding comes from state appropriations, federal grants, and donations, and is allocated across all 77 counties based on poverty rates and chronic absenteeism data. The bill mandates annual audits of legal service organizations, requires detailed expenditure reports to state leaders, and takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3386 modifies Oklahoma's landlord-tenant law by requiring court-supervised mediation before a landlord can terminate a lease due to unpaid rent when minor children reside in the rental unit. For all other tenants without minor children, landlords may still terminate leases after a 5-day grace period following written notice of unpaid rent. The bill amends Section 131 of Title 41 O.S. 2021 and becomes effective November 1, 2026, directly affecting landlords and tenants in households with minor children facing rent delinquency.
HB 3388 makes it illegal for landlords to advertise a rental property as having "all bills paid" (including utilities like water, sewer, gas, electricity, and trash) but then charge tenants extra for those utilities after signing a lease. This law directly affects landlords who misrepresent rental costs and tenants who could be misled by such advertising. It defines "bills" as basic utilities required for habitability and prohibits the practice as a deceptive trade practice under Oklahoma's Consumer Protection Act. Violators face existing penalties under that law, and the bill takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 2091 creates a refundable state income tax credit for Oklahoma residents who pay rent for their primary residence. Starting in 2026, eligible taxpayers can claim up to $110 annually, with future credit amounts adjusted yearly based on inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index. To claim the credit, individuals must provide their landlord's name, rental address, and annual rent paid on a form required by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The credit applies to all qualifying renters, not just low-income households, and becomes effective November 1, 2025.
HB 1063, the "Anti-Fungi Act of 2025," requires landlords to address mold in rental properties within specific timeframes. Landlords must begin mold treatment within three business days of a tenant report and complete it within seven business days, applying to most rental units (excluding single-family residences in some cases). Violations carry a penalty of up to $1,000, payable directly to affected tenants. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025, and does not apply to single-family homes or properties where mold levels are below 0.1 mcg per 100 cm².
HB 2015 (Oklahoma) clarifies tenant rights when landlords fail to meet rental agreement terms or health/safety standards. It requires tenants to provide landlords with written notice of issues, giving them 14 days to fix problems before tenants can take action. If landlords don’t act, tenants may legally withhold rent (up to one month’s cost for repairs), deduct repair costs from rent, or terminate the lease for uninhabitable conditions. The bill also prohibits landlords from pursuing eviction for nonpayment while tenants use these remedies, effective November 1, 2025.
HB 1908 allows tenants in Oklahoma to deliver written notices of landlord lease violations via text message or email, in addition to traditional mail. The bill amends existing law to specify that notices must still include a 30-day termination window after a 14-day remedy period for breaches affecting health/safety or essential services. It directly affects tenants and landlords in rental agreements by expanding how tenants can formally communicate violations under Oklahoma law. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 149 (Oklahoma) protects tenants from landlord retaliation for reporting rental issues. It prohibits landlords from evicting tenants, raising rent, or reducing services for 180 days after a tenant files a complaint about unsafe conditions, reports bed bugs, requests repairs, or participates in a code enforcement inspection. Landlords who violate this face fines of $100-$2,000 per violation plus legal costs. The bill also requires large Oklahoma municipalities to publish online lists of rental property code violations, including owner names and penalties. It takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 2014 creates the Legal Services Revolving Fund in Oklahoma to provide legal representation for low-income residents in specific civil cases. It prioritizes family law, domestic violence cases, and eviction (forcible entry and detainer) cases, with funds allocated across all 77 counties based on census data showing poverty levels. The bill strictly prohibits using these funds for criminal cases, abortion-related services, or challenges to census data. Eligible legal aid organizations must follow federal auditing standards and report annually on fund usage to state committees.
SB 262 creates the Oklahoma Rental Assistance Grant Program to provide rental subsidies to Oklahomans evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Administered by the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, the program will be funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury using legislative appropriations, federal funds, and private donations. The revolving fund operates continuously without fiscal year limits, allowing the agency to use these resources for eligible rental assistance. The program becomes effective July 1, 2025.
