Gov. Ferguson signed a bill into law that sets limits on rent increases, making the state among the first in the nation to provide protections for tenants.

Easily the most contested housing bill of the session, House Bill 1217 limits the amount a landlord can raise rent on tenants in a yearly period.

The law requires the Department of Commerce to post annual rent increase limits by June 1 each year to inform landlords of how much they can raise rents. But the cap on rents took effect immediately as the governor signed the bill into law this week – and without more guidance from the state it leaves landlords in “limbo”, Flynn said.