The goals of the Habitability program are to:
1002 Washington Ave., 4th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
In November 2009, Houston City Council adopted ordinance 2009-1043 to provide for the registration and inspection of all multi-family properties with 3 or more units. All properties will be inspected on a rotating basis to ensure that they meet Chapter 10 Minimum Standards.
Two types of inspections are conducted:
What is the purpose of the Multi-Family Habitability ordinance?
The purpose of the ordinance is to ensure that all apartments with three or more units are registered and inspected on a regular basis, and meet minimum property standards.
What kinds of properties are included in the program?
The program is for 3 or more unit multi-tenant homes that are leased, rented, or occupied by someone other than the owner of the property.
What are the penalties for failure to register an occupied rental property?
The Habitability group has identified these rental properties using a variety of sources, and will conduct inspections of these properties. Notices of violation will be issued to property owners for any rental property found in violation of the registration requirement. Citations will be issued for failure to comply with the registration requirement and fines will range from $500 - $2,000.
What is the purpose of the Habitability inspection?
The purpose of the inspection is to establish minimum habitability standards for multi-family rental buildings, including maintenance of proper operating conditions.
How much does it cost to register an apartment complex?
Registration is free and required by Chapter 10 of the City of Houston Code of Ordinances. The City charges a fee for the inspection of the apartment complex. This fee is $4.66 per unit or $116.75 total (whichever is greater), plus an administrative fee in the amount of $11.67. To register an apartment, go to www.houstonmultifamily.org.
What is required to register an apartment in the Multi-Family Habitability Database?
The owner must have a valid Harris County Tax Identification Number, a Certificate of Occupancy Number and information related to the property.
Does the City of Houston handle Landlord-Tenant Disputes?
The relationship between Texas landlords and tenants is governed by the Texas Property Code and by various court rulings, not City of Houston ordinances.
Does the Habitability group do inspections on properties outside of the programmatic process?
Yes, we respond to complaints received via the 311 system.
Does the Habitability group inspect duplexes?
No, duplexes and single family residences are handled by the Department of Neighborhoods.
What sort of property issues are handled by Habitability?
Property issues include: electrical, structural, and plumbing issues as well as some swimming pool, mold, trash, and pests.
My apartment has mold, will the City help me?
Yes, Habitability will coordinate with representatives from the Health Department and also determine if the mold is a result of any structural deficiencies in the building.
The balcony outside my apartment is shaky and loose, will the City help me?
Yes, the City will send inspectors out and ensure that all issues are resolved in a safe and timely manner.
Sewage is standing outside my apartment unit, is this a Habitability issue?
Yes, raw sewage is a serious health and environmental issue. City inspectors will work with the Health Department and other departments to ensure clean-up and repairs are made in a timely and appropriate fashion.
Retaliation against tenants is explicitly prohibited by the Houston City Code, Sec. 10-365. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to rent increase, diminished services or eviction in response to a complaint. You may report retaliation by filing a written complaint with the City Attorney.
The specific ordinance language states as follows:
Sec. 10-365. - Retaliation against residents prohibited.
It is unlawful for an owner or manager of a property to retaliate against a resident for reporting potential violations of this division. Without limitation of the foregoing, the actions constituting retaliation set forth in Subchapter H of Chapter 92, Texas Property Code, as may be amended from time to time, are hereby incorporated by reference and constitute events of retaliation under this section.
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