renters

Housing advocates say Texas laws fall short when it comes to property trespassers but they warn changes could worsen the state’s evictions crisis.

It starts with a call to 311.

State law makes it illegal for landlords to retaliate against tenants for complaining to city inspectors, but there is no enforcement agency.

A tenant can’t withhold rent to force their landlord to fix a broken air conditioner or make a necessary repair, but they can take them to court to force a fix.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs will take applications for rental assistance until March 28.

Two bills filed with the Texas State House – HB 673 and HB 511 — are being hailed as “no costs measures” to curb homelessness by housing advocates.

The Texas Rent Relief Program will shut down its application portal at 5 p.m. on Friday. Some local governments still have money for rent help, but those funds may soon run out, as well.

Mold. No heat in the winter. Leaking roofs. The most common complaints Teresa Baker hears about rental housing in Kansas revolve around poor living...