‘It’s disappointing’: New Idaho law deregulates rent control, fees [Video]

BOISE, Idaho — The employees at Treasure Valley rental assistance nonprofit Jesse Tree are far from focused on the fruits of labor when the following months bring a tough shell to crack – a new fiscal year with new state laws.

“I was following it pretty closely,” Housing Navigator Tony Torres said. “I was very disappointed.”

Governor Brad Little (R-Idaho) signed House Bill 545 (H545) last Friday. The new law prohibits city and county governments from regulating rent, application fees, and deposits. The City of Boise currently caps rental application fees at $30; moreover, the city prohibits discrimination based on income.

“That’s gone now,” Torres said. “Once it goes into effect, landlords can charge whatever they want for an application fee. They can charge $50. They can charge $80. They …