This bill amends the Texas Property Code to establish a landlord's obligation to provide and maintain heating and air conditioning equipment in good operating condition within apartment units. Specifically, it introduces a new section, 92.027, which mandates that landlords must ensure the equipment can cool each room to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and heat each room to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the bill specifies that a landlord's duty to maintain this equipment cannot be waived, reinforcing the importance of these provisions for tenant comfort and safety.

The bill also modifies existing sections to clarify the conditions under which landlords are liable for failing to maintain heating and air conditioning systems. It stipulates that if a landlord is found liable, they must provide portable heating and air conditioning equipment or alternative housing accommodations at no cost to the tenant. Furthermore, the bill establishes a rebuttable presumption regarding the reasonable time frame for repairs, with a shorter period of five days applicable specifically to heating and air conditioning issues. The changes will apply only to residential leases entered into or renewed after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Property Code 92.006, Property Code 92.052, Property Code 92.056 (Property Code 92)