{
  "_meta": {
    "as_of": "2024-Q4",
    "notes": "Plain-English summaries of landlord-tenant rules for the top 20 U.S. cities. NOT legal advice — confirm with local counsel before acting. Update by editing /server/data/regulations.json (server side) or this file (front-end mirror).",
    "update_process": "Each city includes 'reviewed_on'. Re-review at least annually or when local ordinances change. Cite the source URL of every change."
  },
  "cities": {
    "austin-tx":        { "city":"Austin","state":"TX","rent_control":"No (Texas state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":12,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Texas state law preempts municipal rent control. Late fees capped at 12% of monthly rent for non-multi-unit; 10% for multi-unit." },
    "phoenix-az":       { "city":"Phoenix","state":"AZ","rent_control":"No (Arizona state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"1.5x monthly rent","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"AZ ARLTA caps deposits at 1.5x monthly rent. No state rent cap; municipalities preempted." },
    "tampa-fl":         { "city":"Tampa","state":"FL","rent_control":"No (Florida state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap","notice_to_vacate_days":60,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Florida requires 60-day notice for non-renewal of annual leases. Deposits held in separate FL account." },
    "charlotte-nc":     { "city":"Charlotte","state":"NC","rent_control":"No (NC state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":5,"security_deposit_max":"2x monthly rent","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"NC caps late fees at 5% of monthly rent or $15, whichever is greater." },
    "nashville-tn":     { "city":"Nashville","state":"TN","rent_control":"No (TN state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":10,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"TN URLTA caps late fees at 10% of monthly rent past 5-day grace." },
    "dallas-tx":        { "city":"Dallas","state":"TX","rent_control":"No (Texas state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":12,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Dallas requires source-of-income protection (e.g., Section 8) under city ordinance." },
    "atlanta-ga":       { "city":"Atlanta","state":"GA","rent_control":"No (Georgia state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Georgia does not cap late fees but requires they be 'reasonable' and stated in lease." },
    "denver-co":        { "city":"Denver","state":"CO","rent_control":"No (CO state preemption — 2023 HB23-1115 vetoed)","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap","notice_to_vacate_days":21,"just_cause_eviction":true,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Colorado HB23-1095 limits late fees to $50 or 5% (whichever greater). Just-cause eviction requirements expanded 2024." },
    "indianapolis-in":  { "city":"Indianapolis","state":"IN","rent_control":"No","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Indiana is among the most landlord-friendly states. 10-day pay-or-quit notice." },
    "columbus-oh":      { "city":"Columbus","state":"OH","rent_control":"No (Ohio state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap (>$50 must accrue 5% interest after 6mo)","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Ohio requires interest on deposits >$50 held more than 6 months." },
    "jacksonville-fl":  { "city":"Jacksonville","state":"FL","rent_control":"No (Florida state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap","notice_to_vacate_days":60,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Florida 60-day notice rule applies. Hurricane disclosure required on all leases as of 2023." },
    "raleigh-nc":       { "city":"Raleigh","state":"NC","rent_control":"No (NC state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":5,"security_deposit_max":"2x monthly rent","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Same NC statutes as Charlotte. Late fee cap 5% of rent or $15." },
    "las-vegas-nv":     { "city":"Las Vegas","state":"NV","rent_control":"No (Nevada state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":5,"security_deposit_max":"3x monthly rent","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Nevada caps late fees at 5% of monthly rent. Deposit cap 3x rent." },
    "memphis-tn":       { "city":"Memphis","state":"TN","rent_control":"No (TN state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":10,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"TN URLTA applies. Memphis requires lead-paint disclosure on pre-1978 units (federal)." },
    "kansas-city-mo":   { "city":"Kansas City","state":"MO","rent_control":"No (Missouri state preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"2x monthly rent","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Missouri caps deposits at 2x monthly rent. Source-of-income protection enacted by KC ordinance 2019." },
    "new-york-ny":      { "city":"New York","state":"NY","rent_control":"Yes (rent stabilization for ~1M units)","late_fee_cap_pct":5,"security_deposit_max":"1x monthly rent (HSTPA 2019)","notice_to_vacate_days":90,"just_cause_eviction":true,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"NY HSTPA 2019 caps deposits at 1 month, late fees at 5% or $50, and requires 30/60/90-day notice based on tenancy length." },
    "los-angeles-ca":   { "city":"Los Angeles","state":"CA","rent_control":"Yes (RSO + statewide AB 1482)","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"1x monthly rent (AB 12, 2024)","notice_to_vacate_days":60,"just_cause_eviction":true,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"AB 1482 caps annual increases at 5% + CPI, max 10%. AB 12 (eff. 7/1/24) caps deposits at 1 month for most rentals." },
    "chicago-il":       { "city":"Chicago","state":"IL","rent_control":"No (Illinois preemption)","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Chicago RLTO requires interest on deposits held >6mo and 7-day late grace period." },
    "seattle-wa":       { "city":"Seattle","state":"WA","rent_control":"No (state preemption); just-cause yes","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"No statutory cap (but capped at 1 month for many SHARE units)","notice_to_vacate_days":60,"just_cause_eviction":true,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"Seattle requires 180-day notice for increases >10% and just-cause eviction citywide." },
    "boston-ma":        { "city":"Boston","state":"MA","rent_control":"No (state preemption 1994)","late_fee_cap_pct":null,"security_deposit_max":"1x monthly rent","notice_to_vacate_days":30,"just_cause_eviction":false,"reviewed_on":"2024-10-15","notes":"MA caps deposits at 1 month and requires they be held in interest-bearing accounts. Late fees only after 30-day grace." }
  }
}