Repairs & Habitability in Austin

1. Texas law makes your landlord fix any condition that puts an ordinary renter's health or safety at risk. You must be paid up on rent when you ask for the repair. If you owe rent, you lose your repair rights until you pay.

   Texas Property Code § 92.052(a)

2. Examples of repairs include sewage backups, no hot water, leaking roofs, and rodent or bedbug problems. Your home must have heat that can reach 68 degrees. Since July 10, 2025, it must also stay cool: no hotter than 85 degrees inside.

   City of Austin Air Conditioning Austin Tenants Council Austin Housing Code standards

3. Ask for the repair in writing. Send the letter by certified mail or another mail service that tracks delivery. Tracked mail means 1 letter is enough to protect your rights. The law presumes 7 days is a reasonable time to fix the problem. If you sent your first letter by regular mail or handed it over, send a second letter after 7 days.

   Texas Property Code § 92.056(b)(3)

4. Call Austin 311 or 512-974-2000 to ask for a free city code inspection of your home. You can also report the problem online or on the Austin 3-1-1 app. Your landlord cannot punish you for asking. For 6 months after a repair request or a 311 complaint, the law blocks payback evictions, rent hikes, and service cuts.

   City of Austin Renter Resources, Complaints Austin Tenants Council For Assistance in Enforcing Repair Rights in Austin

5. If the city inspector confirms a violation, the landlord gets a Notice of Violation. The landlord then has a set deadline to fix the problem. If the landlord still does not fix it, you can end your lease and move. You get back the rent for the days after you leave, plus your security deposit rights.

   City of Austin Renter Resources, Mold and Rental Housing

6. You may also hire a repair company and subtract the cost from your rent. The cap is 1 month's rent or $500, whichever is greater. Strict rules apply, so get advice from the Austin Tenants Council first.

   Austin Tenants Council Repair and Deduct Texas Property Code § 92.0561(b)

7. You can also sue in justice court without a lawyer. The judge can order the repair, cut your rent back to your first request date, and award you 1 month's rent plus $500.

   Austin Tenants Council Procedure for Requesting Health and Safety Repairs, Step 4

8. For free advice on your repair problem, call the Austin Tenants Council at 512-474-1961. Trained housing advocates can walk you through each step and share sample letters.

   Austin Tenants Council Telephone Counseling

9. Texas RioGrande Legal Aid gives free legal help to low-income Austin renters in landlord disputes. Call 1-888-988-9996. BASTA helps Austin renters push for building-wide repairs. The group gives guidance and legal counsel and helps neighbors form tenant associations.

   City of Austin Housing resources

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