Tenant Anti-Harassment: Austin vs Pflugerville
How do tenant anti-harassment rules compare between Austin, TX and Pflugerville, TX?
Pflugerville has fewer restrictions than Austin.
Austin, TX
Travis County
Texas Property Code Section 92.331 prohibits landlord retaliation, and Austin City Code Chapter 5-2 forbids housing discrimination on protected-class grounds. Austin has no comprehensive Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance like Los Angeles or Seattle.
View full Austin rules →Pflugerville, TX
Travis County
Travis County has no dedicated tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenants rely on Texas Property Code retaliation protections, federal Fair Housing Act anti-harassment rules, and common-law tort remedies for landlord misconduct.
View full Pflugerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Austin | Pflugerville |
|---|---|---|
| Retaliation statute | TX Property Code Sec. 92.331 | - |
| Austin fair housing | City Code Ch. 5-2 | - |
| Lookback window | 6 months from protected activity | - |
| Damages | 1 month rent plus $500 minimum | - |
| Enforcement agency | Austin Office of Civil Rights | - |
| County ordinance | - | None |
| TX retaliation penalty | - | 1 mo rent + $500 + fees |
| Federal FHA | - | Applies |
| Austin city rules | - | Inside city only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Austin FAQ
Is landlord harassment illegal in Austin?
Retaliation tied to a complaint or legal right is illegal under Texas Property Code Section 92.331. Protected-class harassment is illegal under Austin City Code Chapter 5-2. General harassment lacks a dedicated ordinance.
What counts as retaliation under Texas law?
Eviction, rent increases, reduced services, or refusal to renew within six months of a tenant's good-faith complaint to a government agency, exercise of a legal right, or participation in a tenant organization.
Pflugerville FAQ
What if my Travis County landlord harasses me?
Document everything, file an FHA complaint with HUD if discrimination-based, and assert Texas Property Code 92.331 retaliation if it follows a repair request.
Does Austin's stronger ordinance help me?
Only if your rental is inside Austin city limits. Unincorporated Travis County tenants rely on state and federal law alone.
Compare other topics
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