Midland, TX Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Required indoor heat
- 70°F at 20°F outside
- Water heater minimum
- 20 gal, 120°F output
- Vacate notice period
- 30 days by registered mail
- Max penalty
- $500 per day, per violation
Summary
Midland's Minimum Housing Standards Code sets binding habitability rules for every rental dwelling, working plumbing, hot water, heat to 70°F, adequate light and ventilation, enforced through city inspection and a Housing Standards Board.
Every dwelling and dwelling unit shall be supplied heating facilities which bear the seal of approval of an approved, nationally recognized testing agency... and shall be capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms or compartments within its walls to a temperature of at least 70 degrees F. at three feet above the floor level in the center of the room when the outside temperature is 20 degrees F.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 4-9 of the Midland City Code, the Minimum Housing Standards Code, requires every dwelling unit to have a kitchen sink, a flush toilet and lavatory, and a bathtub or shower connected to safe water and sewer service, a water heater of at least 20 gallons delivering 120°F water, and heating facilities capable of keeping habitable rooms at 70°F when it's 20°F outside. Units failing these standards can be designated unfit for human habitation after inspection, triggering a 30-day notice to vacate unless repaired. A five-member Housing Standards Board hears appeals from vacate orders, and the chapter applies to every dwelling in the city regardless of when it was built.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Minimum Housing Standards Code is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 per offense, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What heat is a Midland, TX landlord required to provide?
What happens if a rental doesn't meet Midland's housing code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Midland
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Midland to another location·View the Texas rental property rules overview
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