Renters have the same rights in Houston, Texas, as renters in the rest of the state. These rights are designed to provide protection against illegal rental practices, such as failing to maintain a property in a clean and safe condition. These laws may empower renters to report landlords who promote illegal rental practices.
Clean and Safe Living Environment
As a renter in the state of Texas, you have the right to a clean and safe living environment at all times. You can demand that your landlord make repairs to any damage that affects your health or safety unless the damage was caused by your negligence or some condition other than normal wear and tear. You also have the right to at least one working smoke detector in your rental home. You cannot decline smoke detector installation.
Right to Security
You have a right to safety features such as windows latches, door viewers, sliding door security bars and door locks on your rental property in the city of Houston. These devices are required to be installed at your landlord's expense, and it is illegal for him to charge you for them. If these security devices are present but are defective, it is your right to demand that your landlord make repairs to restore them to working order at his expense.
Peaceful Living
You have the right to peace and quiet in your rented living environment. This means it is illegal for your landlord to attempt to evict you without just cause or to disturb your right to live in a quiet environment. In Texas, a landlord can only enter your rental property in an emergency or with your permission. You also have the right to complain to your landlord about unruly tenants who disrupt your ability live in a peaceful and quiet living environment. If the landlord fails to enforce your rights, it may be grounds for you to break your lease.
Your Security Deposit
You have the right to recover your security deposit from your landlord at the successful conclusion of your lease agreement. Your landlord may use your deposit to make repairs to the property that are not the result of normal wear and tear and result directly from your having lived at the property. It is illegal for your landlord to withhold your security deposit from you or to use your security deposit to pay for repairs such as floor cleaning and painting walls.
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