Houston / Inspection guide

Inspecting a Houston rental: flood signs, cooling, mold and the Texas repair process

By Homzora Team · September 22, 2026

In Houston, the most expensive problems are often the least visible during a quick tour: past flooding, hidden moisture, weak cooling and slow repairs. A structured viewing, followed by clear written requests, protects both your health and your deposit.

Research before you visit

Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and on MAAPnext, where the Harris County Flood Control District shows draft floodplain maps released in February 2026 alongside the current maps.^[1][2][3] The draft maps reflect heavier rainfall, new development and completed flood control projects, so the floodplain expands in many areas and shrinks in some others.^[3] Also look up the property on the Harris Central Appraisal District website to confirm the owner and whether the address is inside the City of Houston, because that determines which local standards apply.^[4]

Read online reviews for patterns rather than single complaints. Repeated mentions of flooding, broken air conditioning, pests or slow maintenance are more meaningful than one angry review.

Look for signs of past flooding

Ask directly whether the building, the unit or the parking areas have ever flooded, and when. Texas requires the landlord to give you a written disclosure at or before lease signing stating whether it is aware that the home is in a 100 year floodplain and whether it has flooded at least once in the past five years (Property Code Section 92.0135).^[5] Compare what you are told with what you see.

Water lines, stains or swelling on the lower part of walls, doors and cabinets.
New baseboards or flooring in only some rooms, which can indicate a partial repair.
Rust on door hinges, appliance bases or electrical cover plates near the floor.
A persistent musty odor, especially in closets and bathrooms.
Ground floor units, units below grade or parking below the building.

A floor above the ground level reduces the risk to your belongings but not to your car or your ability to leave during a flood. Ask where residents park during heavy rain and whether the property has ever needed to evacuate.

Test the cooling

Houston's heat and humidity make air conditioning essential. Turn on the system during the viewing and check that cool air reaches every room, including bedrooms at the far end of the unit. Ask the age of the system, when it was last serviced and how quickly the property responds to cooling failures in summer. Ask whether the property keeps portable units for use during repairs.

Inside the City of Houston, an ordinance approved on August 19, 2026, requires owners to provide and maintain operable air conditioning in habitable spaces.^[6][7] It gives owners 120 days to comply, so it takes effect on December 17, 2026.^[6][8] Window and portable units can satisfy the requirement.^[6][7] Outside the city, standards depend on the local jurisdiction, and some areas have none, so check the specific rules before you sign.

Humidity, mold and pests

High humidity allows mold to grow quickly where moisture collects. Look around windows, air vents, bathroom ceilings and under sinks for dark spots or discoloration. Check that bathrooms have working exhaust fans. Ask whether the air conditioning drain line has overflowed in the past, since a clogged line is a common source of hidden leaks. Inspect cabinets and closets for droppings or insects, and ask how often the property treats for pests.

Hot water, plumbing and electrical

Run the hot water and note how long it takes to warm. Texas requires a landlord to repair a failure to provide hot water of at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit after proper notice (Section 92.052).^[9] Check for leaks under sinks and around toilets. Look for scorched outlets, missing covers and extension cords used as permanent wiring. Ask what happened to the building during the February 2021 winter storm and Hurricane Beryl in 2024. Properties that suffered burst pipes or extended outages may have made improvements, or they may still be vulnerable.

Security devices and smoke alarms

Texas requires specific security devices at the landlord's expense (Section 92.153).^[10] Check for a latch on each exterior window, a keyed deadbolt or doorknob lock on each exterior door, a keyless bolting device and a door viewer on each exterior door, and a pin lock with a handle latch or security bar on each exterior sliding glass door.^[10] Locks must be rekeyed within seven days after each tenant turnover (Section 92.156).^[11] Check for smoke alarms in each bedroom, in the hallway serving bedrooms and on each level, and remember that the landlord must test them when your tenancy begins.^[12][13]

Questions to ask the manager

A few direct questions can reveal more than a long tour. Write down the answers and who gave them.

How do residents submit repair requests, and what is the typical response time for air conditioning failures in summer?
Is there an after hours emergency number, and who answers it?
Has any part of the property flooded, and what was changed afterward?
Did the property lose power or water for an extended period during recent storms, and does it have backup power for elevators or pumps?
When was the unit last treated for pests, and how often are common areas treated?
Were the locks rekeyed after the last resident left, and on what date?
Will any promised repairs be completed before move in, and will you put that in the lease?

How to get a repair made under Texas law

Texas uses a specific, step by step repair process. Under Section 92.052, the landlord must make a diligent effort to repair or remedy a condition that materially affects the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant once you give notice to the person or place where you normally pay rent, as long as you are current on rent when you give the notice.^[9] The duty does not cover damage caused by you, a member of your household or a guest, apart from normal wear and tear.^[9] If your written lease requires written notice, your notice must be in writing, and putting every request in writing is the safer practice in any case.^[9]

To hold the landlord liable, you generally must either send a second written notice after a reasonable time or send the first notice by certified mail with return receipt requested, registered mail or another trackable form of mail (Section 92.056).^[14] The law presumes seven days is a reasonable time to make the repair, but the time can be longer or shorter depending on how serious the condition is and whether materials and labor are available.^[14] After a storm, for example, contractors may be scarce.

If the landlord does not make a diligent effort, your options under Texas law are to end the lease, to seek a court order, or in limited situations to repair and deduct.^[14][15][16] A justice court can order the repair, reduce your rent from the date of notice, and award a civil penalty of one month's rent plus $500, actual damages and attorney's fees (Section 92.0563).^[16] Repair and deduct under Section 92.0561 applies only in specific situations, such as raw sewage backing up inside the home, flooding inside the home from broken pipes or natural drainage, a total loss of water service that the landlord agreed to provide, or a condition that a local housing, building or health official has certified in writing.^[15] An independent contractor must do the work, and deductions are generally limited to the greater of one month's rent or $500.^[15]

Do not stop paying rent as a shortcut. Withholding rent outside these procedures can lead to eviction.^[17] Texas law does protect you from retaliation for requesting repairs or making a good faith complaint to a government agency.^[18] For six months afterward, a landlord may not respond by filing an eviction without a lawful basis, raising your rent, reducing services or ending your lease, and a retaliating landlord can owe a civil penalty of one month's rent plus $500, actual damages and attorney's fees (Sections 92.331 and 92.333).^[18][19]

Inside the City of Houston, you can also report code and health violations to Houston 311, including a lack of air conditioning once the new ordinance takes effect.^[8][20] Record the service request number.

After storm damage

If a storm or flood makes your home totally unusable and you did not cause the damage, either you or the landlord may end the lease with written notice before repairs are finished, and you are entitled to a prorated rent refund and your deposit, less lawful deductions (Section 92.054).^[21] If only part of the home is unusable, you may be able to obtain a rent reduction from a court unless your written lease provides otherwise.^[21] Photograph all damage immediately and report it in writing.

Put promises in writing

After each viewing, write a short summary of what you saw, what you could not check and what the manager promised. If a promise affects your decision, such as servicing the air conditioning, replacing water damaged flooring or treating for pests before move in, ask for it to be added to the lease as a special provision. Staff turnover is common at large apartment communities, and a written commitment survives a change of manager in a way a verbal promise does not.

Starting points by area

Midtown and Downtown: Many mid rise and high rise buildings. Ask about garage flooding, elevator backup power and emergency plans.
Montrose and the Heights: Older houses, duplexes and small complexes. Check for past water intrusion, foundation movement, roof condition and window air conditioning units.
Westchase and the Energy Corridor: Many garden style complexes. Check ground floor units carefully and read flood disclosures closely, particularly near bayous and reservoirs.

Your completion record

Flood maps and disclosure checked
Signs of water damage noted
Cooling tested in every room
Mold and pest check
Hot water and plumbing tested
Security devices and smoke alarms checked
Repair reporting method confirmed

Keep dated photographs with this record and send one written list of unresolved issues after the viewing. The evidence guide explains how to keep records that stand up in a dispute.

Sources and official resources

Use the planning tools · All Houston guides