Houston, TX Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)
Key Facts
- Report a hazard
- Manager/owner, or call 311
- Notice size
- 28-point font, English and Spanish
- Fine range
- $500 to $2,000 per day
- Applies to
- Buildings with 3+ rental units
- HRRB tenants
- City website complaint/inspection referrals
Summary
Houston requires multi-family rental buildings to post a bilingual notice telling tenants to report hazardous conditions to the manager or owner, or call the city's 311 Service Helpline, which can trigger code enforcement.
A "NOTICE TO ALL RESIDENTS" legibly typed or printed in a font 28 points or larger, in both English and Spanish, the substance of which Notice is as follows: "IF ANY CONDITION of this building CREATES A HAZARD to human safety or health, REPORT THE CONDITION to the building's manager or owner. You also may report the condition to the City of Houston by calling the City's Service Helpline at 311."
Full Breakdown
Under the Houston Multi-Family Habitability Code, every building with three or more rental units must post a "NOTICE TO ALL RESIDENTS" in 28-point type, in English and Spanish, near the mailboxes, directing tenants with a hazard to notify the manager/owner or call 311. Buildings racking up repeat citations can be designated High-Risk Rental Buildings, and the building official must publish tenant complaint and inspection referral information on the city's website.
Violations & Fines
Failure to post the required notice, or any Habitability Code violation, is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500 to $2,000; each day of violation is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report a hazardous condition in my Houston apartment?
What happens if the owner ignores repeated complaints?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Houston to another location·View the Texas rental inspections overview
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Tenant Complaint Process in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle tenant complaint process.