Dallas, TX Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Dallas Chapter 27 (Minimum Urban Rehabilitation Standards / Minimum Property Standards) sets habitability requirements for all residential structures. Key standards include: heating equipment must maintain at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit in habitable rooms; if air conditioning is provided, it must cool rooms to at least 15 degrees below outside temperature and no higher than 85 degrees F; working smoke alarms must be installed in required locations; electrical systems must be safe and up to code; plumbing must provide hot and cold running water; the structure must be weathertight and structurally sound; doors and windows must be secure and operable; handrails must be stable on stairs; the property must be free of rodent and pest infestations; and adequate lighting must be provided in common areas. A habitable room is defined as a space for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. Bathrooms, closets, and storage areas are not habitable rooms. Inspectors use these standards when conducting both scheduled and complaint-based inspections.