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Property owners have a critical responsibility to stay informed about Idaho landlord-tenant laws to ensure they remain compliant. However, navigating the law can be quite complex, and landlords might appreciate a bit of assistance to keep up with the latest Idaho rental laws.
Some laws are simple to remember, like the Fair Housing Act or specific rent control regulations, while others are more challenging to track. With that said, here are the new laws for 2025 to keep in mind for your Boise rental business.
Eviction Record Protections
Known as Senate Bill 1327, this new landlord-tenant law provides tenants with protection against discriminatory practices. Through eviction record sealing, dismissed eviction filings will automatically be removed from any public database, which means they will not appear in the tenant screening process.
Idaho law states that for this to be active, there must be no pending appeals in the eviction process and that the case must have already been dismissed. The tenant must also pay rent due once they receive an eviction notice.
This helps prevent housing discrimination as it will only appear as a lease termination instead of an eviction. Idaho landlords will no longer find eviction records that have been dismissed, provided they were finalized on or after January 1, 2025, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Application Fee Limitations
As of June 2025, the Idaho Senate has passed a bill that limits the application fees that landlords can charge potential tenants. However, Senate Bill 1042aa is not yet officially Idaho law and is awaiting a vote from the House. If passed, landlords can only charge application fees for units that are available or expected to be available within 60 days.
If a landlord charges a fee for a background check, they will have to complete the check first. Furthermore, prospective tenants can only be charged two fees per unit, instead of charging everyone who applies for a rental.
Landlord Protection from Rent Control Ordinances
House Bill 545 is an expansion of existing laws against local ordinances regarding rent control. It also provides that private rental properties cannot be forced to participate in any federal housing assistance programs.
The rental law went into effect on July 1st, 2024. As such, landlords can charge as much as they want for rent payments, given that Idaho doesn't have state rent control for capping the amount.
Other Crucial Laws Worth Noting
Fair Housing Laws
The law states that all property owners, not just Idaho landlords, cannot base housing prospects for applicants on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. If a landlord fails to comply, it can lead to criminal proceedings.
Security Deposit Deductions and Charges
Idaho has no legal limit on security deposits; however, similar to other state regulations, landlords can only deduct amounts for damages that exceed normal wear and tear, in addition to other terms stipulated in the lease agreement.
Once the rental agreement has expired and the tenant vacates the property, landlords must return the security deposit within 21 days. If deductions are to be made from the tenant's security deposit, an itemized receipt must be provided in writing.
Habitability Requirements
Even if not stated in the lease agreement, landlords must adhere to health and safety standards to create a smooth rental experience for tenants. That means landlords need to maintain rental properties to certain livable conditions.
That includes plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. Both landlords and tenants have responsibilities to maintain the property, but the three central systems are the landlord's responsibility.
Notice for Evictions
The Idaho eviction process is generally similar to that in other states. You must provide a written notice detailing the cause for eviction. You must also provide a reasonable notice period, depending on the reason for evicting tenants.
You can serve a three-day notice to cover unpaid rent or to correct certain lease violations. The written notice should be given to the tenant in person or through certified mail.
Tenant's Right to Privacy
A tenant's privacy is protected under Idaho law, which requires landlords to provide proper notice before entering the rental unit. It's advisable to include regular inspections in your lease agreement so that tenants can anticipate visits and prepare accordingly. Providing due notice can help avoid tenant disputes and legal headaches.
Rent Increases
Landlords can raise rent under specific terms only. For month-to-month tenancies, you must provide tenants with proper notice at least 30 days prior to the effective date. For a fixed-term lease, you may not issue increases during that period.
There are no caps on how much you can increase rent, but to keep your Idaho tenants happy, do your due diligence and research comparable properties to set a competitive rent price.
Why It's Important to Know Idaho Rental Laws
- Legal Compliance: Complying with the law is not optional. If you want to avoid court and the associated costs, then abiding by the law is exactly what you need to do.
- Improved Tenant Relations: Adhering to rental laws demonstrates that you value your tenants, which can significantly enhance or maintain landlord-tenant relationships.
- Smoother Operations: Without having to deal with legal issues, you can focus more on improving and managing your rental business.
You don't have to learn all the rights and responsibilities that concern both landlords and tenants. Consulting legal professionals is an option, and hiring a professional property management company is another.
Learning what your options are can help you weigh what choices are best for your business. With expert assistance, it would be much easier to navigate the rental industry’s legal aspects.
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The main goal is to make both the landlord and the tenants happy, which can be achieved through efficiency and expertise. Wave Property Management has 52 years of combined experience as entrepreneurs, with a 96% occupancy rate.
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