Am I covered?

Houston's rule doesn't apply

• WhyThis rule is part of the City of Houston's code. Check the code of the city or county where the home is.
• Texas repair law still applies to rentersA landlord must make a diligent effort to repair a condition that materially affects an ordinary tenant's health or safety, after notice where rent is normally paid, when the tenant is current on rent.

This room isn't covered

• WhyThe rule covers habitable spaces: rooms for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet rooms, closets, halls, storage rooms, and utility rooms are left out.

This room looks covered and met

• The standardEquipment able to keep the room 20°F cooler than outside, or at 80°F or below.
• UpkeepThe owner must keep it in good operating condition. If it breaks later, the same rule applies.

Your owner has to fix this

1. NowAsk for the repair in writing, sent where you pay rent, and keep a copy.
2. 311Report it: call 311 or 713.837.0311, any time, or use the 311 app or website. An inspector examines it, and the owner gets a chance to fix it.
3. Dec 17, 2026The owner's deadline. Until then, owners must make reasonable and continuous progress.

• No retaliationFor six months after a good faith complaint or repair request, Texas law bars a landlord from retaliating by filing an eviction (except on allowed grounds), cutting services, raising rent, or ending the lease.

How to report, step by step

You need to add or fix cooling

1. Dec 17, 2026Your deadline: 120 days after the August 19, 2026 vote. Until then, make reasonable and continuous progress.

• What countsWindow units, portable units, central air, or other refrigerated equipment able to keep the room 20°F cooler than outside, or at 80°F or below. Central air isn't required.
• Older equipmentAcceptable if it met the Construction Code when installed and is in good operating condition and safe.
• LeasesA lease can't excuse compliance.
• PenaltyA misdemeanor, $200 to $2,000 on conviction, with each day a separate offense. Criminal citations come only after a written warning and a reasonable chance to cure.

Five steps for owners