N.M. Stat. Ann. § 47-8-5
General act.
Operative Text
47-8-5. General act.
The Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act being a general act is intended as a
unified coverage of its subject matter, and no part of it is to be construed as impliedly
repealed by subsequent legislation if that construction can reasonably be avoided.
History: 1953 Comp., § 70-7-5, enacted by Laws 1975, ch. 38, § 5.Section 47-8-5 of New Mexico's Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act establishes that the Act is meant to function as a comprehensive, unified body of law governing the relationship between property owners and residents. Because it is a general act, courts and interpreters are directed to avoid reading later legislation as silently overriding any part of it whenever a reasonable alternative interpretation exists. This provision is essentially a rule of statutory construction, shaping how the Act interacts with other laws passed after 1975.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under NMSA 47-8-5, the Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act is designed to provide consistent, stable rules for owner-resident relationships across New Mexico. Operators who rely on the Act's provisions can generally expect those rules to remain intact even when the legislature passes subsequent laws, as long as a court can reasonably avoid finding a conflict. Staying informed about how courts interpret the Act alongside newer legislation helps property managers understand the full scope of their obligations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 47-8-5 signals that the Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act was built to be a durable, comprehensive framework protecting the rights established within it. If a question arises about whether a newer law has changed or eliminated a protection found in the Act, this provision instructs interpreters to preserve the Act's coverage wherever reasonably possible. Tenants who believe their rights under the Act are at issue may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with how New Mexico courts apply NMSA 47-8-5.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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