Legislation updating the Landlord Tenant Act to protect renters living in unsafe living conditions was approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Wednesday.

House Bill 2109, authored by Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, protects tenants from retaliatory actions taken by landlords and allows courts to require landlords to make needed repairs for health and safety.

"The vast majority of Oklahoma's landlords work hard to keep their rental property in good shape, but unfortunately, tenants whose landlords are not maintaining a healthy, safe living environment have very little protection in our current statute," Pae said. "House Bill 2109 provides tenants with the tools necessary to ensure their housing conditions are restored to a safe baseline."

HB2109, which applies to landlords renting more than 10 units, protects tenants from common types of landlord retaliation, including raising rent, threatening eviction, or decreasing services. It also gives courts the authority to require a landlord to make a repair needed to ensure a rental property is safe and habitable when they refuse to make the repair otherwise.

The measure passed the House 71-23. It is authored in the Senate by Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton.