Landlord Won't Make Repairs in Austin: What Can I Do?

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)

   ✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026

2. Examples of repairs include sewage backups, no hot water, leaking roofs, and problems with rats, mice, or bed bugs. 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

   ✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026

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 starts by treating 7 days as 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. Save texts and emails as well; they are also a record of what you sent.

   RenterLaw editorial Texas Property Code § 92.056(b)(3)

   ✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026

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, your landlord cannot get back at you. They cannot evict you, raise your rent, or cut your services during that time. One caution from legal aid: for very bad conditions, an inspector can condemn the home and make everyone leave.

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

   ✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026

5. If you can afford it, you can pay a private home inspector to check the problems. This can cost a lot of money. Their written report and photos can help show the conditions in court. A private inspector only writes down the problems for you. To find one near you, search online for "home inspector" or "rental inspection" with your city's name.

   RenterLaw editorial

6. 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. Keep paying rent on time. If you fall behind, you lose this right and your landlord can try to evict you.

   City of Austin Renter Resources, Mold and Rental Housing Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TexasLawHelp.org) Right to Repairs as a Tenant

   ✓ Sources checked September 14, 2026

7. 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)

   ✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026

8. You can also sue in justice court without a lawyer. The judge can order the repair. The judge can also lower your rent back to the date of your first request. You can be given 1 month's rent plus $500.

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

   ✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026

9. 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

   ✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026

10. 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

    ✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026

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