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Living in a rental home comes with its own set of responsibilities. Unresolved maintenance issues aren’t just inconvenient—they can also be code violations and, more importantly, pose safety risks for you and your neighbors.

Stay informed by learning more about how to take charge of your rental home with the following tips:

step 1   Check Your Rental's Code Complaints

Search if there’s repeated code history: If a rental property has a repeated history of unaddressed code violations, it could qualify to be listed in the Repeat Offender Program. Once a property is required to register, that property will begin to receive periodic inspections. You can also search for code complaints in Austin by address, case number, or region through the Citizen Connect tool.

step 2   Check for Maintenance Issues

City codes and ordinances regulate proper property upkeep, land use, and building conditions. Inspect your property regularly inside and outside to check for common code violations. Speak to your landlord or property manager about possible safety hazards.

Check out the following tips:

Inside

Doors – Are all doors working properly and in good repair? Make sure there’s no damage to the door jambs, hardware, weather stripping, or protective treatment.

Windows – Are all window panes in place and unbroken? Are the window locks working? Windows should be weather tight with no breezes or moisture coming through. If used as an emergency exit, make sure it can open and is unobstructed.

Walls, floors, & ceilings – Are they in good condition? Make sure there are no cracks, holes, gaps, trip hazards, or damage to these surfaces.

Electrical – Check your light switches and outlets to see if they are working and in good repair. Make sure there is no exposed or damaged wiring.

Sink, toilet, tub, & shower – Are the faucets and fixtures working correctly? Is there sufficient water pressure? Check that the water gets hot enough – it should be able to reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit after three minutes of running.

Appliances & cabinets – Are they damaged, inoperable, or missing parts?

HVAC system – Can it heat the room to at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit? Make sure the exhaust pipe is properly connected and the area is kept clear.

Fire protection – Are the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms working? Make sure there is a working alarm in your bedroom and at least one alarm in the common area.

Water heater – Is there sufficient water pressure? Make sure that water can get up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit (after three minutes of running) and keep the area clear.

Infestation – Look for signs of rodents, bed bugs, roaches, fleas, bees, or other pests.

Leaks and other excess water – Make sure that nothing is leaking or leaving moisture where it shouldn't be. Excess moisture can lead to mold and other problems.

Outside

Stairway – are the treads in good repair and secure? Check for trip hazards and an appropriate stair riser (or step height) on the stairs.

Balcony, deck, porch, patio, & landing – are the walking surfaces in good repair, smooth, and undamaged? Make sure support systems are anchored and functional.

Handrails & guardrails – are they in good repair and secure? Check that the rails are not cracked, loose, missing, incorrectly spaced, or lacking protective treatment.

Walls – are they in good condition? Make sure there is no damage and they have the proper trim, protective treatment, and remain weather tight to protect the inside.

Electrical fixtures – are they in good repair? Make sure any wiring is covered up.

Plumbing – is there a backflow preventer installed on the hose bib? Is there leaking? Check the clean-out covers and piping.

Roof – is the roof covering, soffit, and fascia all intact and in good repair? Make sure there are no leaks in the rain gutters or downspouts.

Fences, walls, sidewalks, parking surfaces & carports – Are they in good repair and undamaged? Check for potholes, trip hazards, and uneven walking surfaces.

Trash – Is there trash and rubbish around the property, overflowing dumpsters? Check if there is old furniture, tires, or junk outside of the dumpster.

step 3   Report a possible code violation

If you think there is a safety hazard in your home or surroundings, report it to your landlord or property manager.

If the issue goes unaddressed, call Austin 3-1-1 or submit a report online. A code inspector will be sent to check for code violations.

Once a case has been made, here are additional steps you can take:

  • Check the status of your case: Visit Citizen Connect to search for cases by address, case number or various region filters.
  • Talk to a Code inspector: Call our dedicated phone line DSD Code Connect at 512-974-2633 to get answers for general code questions and updates on your existing cases or find your assigned inspector.
  • Stay Connected: To receive updates about community engagement from DSD's Code Compliance team, join our email list.