Quick Guidelines for Texas Property Code
You must have these items present within one week of tenant move in date in order to be within legal guidelines.
1. Home must have the keys changed.
This means the old key must not work anymore. Old tenants cannot have access to the home through any entry door. We can rekey or replace the old locks so they do not work with the old key.
2. Keyless deadbolts must be present on every "entry door"
This means a lock without a keyway, sometimes called privacy locks or one-sided deadbolts. This lock can only be opened from the inside.
The term "entry door" is defined as any door from a non-living to a living space. A garage is a non-living space, and the door from the garage is the entry door into a living space. You will need a keyless deadbolt on the garage door to meet the code.
3. Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are required in every bedroom and in the hallway or room outside the bedroom. It is not a requirement in the kitchen. This is a major item many rentals miss, and can result in a serious legal issue if a fire happens.
4. Carbon Monoxide Detectors (Austin and Elgin only)
Both the City of Austin and Elgin require CO detection units in the hallway outside the bedrooms IF; gas appliances are in the home, or there is an attached garage. If neither are present, there is no risk of carbon monoxide being produced, and you don't need these.
5. Peephole or Window on every Entry Door
Tenants must have a way to see out of every entry door. Remember, the definition of an entry door means the garage door will require a peephole unless there is already a window present.
6. Sliding Patio Doors need Charlie Bars or Pin Locks
Charlie bars are fold down bars that keep sliding doors closed from the inside. Pin locks go into a hole drilled at the bottom corner of the patio door and go through the door into the frame, keeping it securely shut.
7. Windows must have locks
Windows must be secured by working locks. Sometimes the frames become warped in older homes and the lock will no longer catch. A sash lock must be added in order to meet the code, and secure the window.
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Help for Section 8 Housing
Most Section 8 rules for rental units subsidized by the US government are very similar to rules imposed by the State of Texas.
Every entry door needs to have a one sided deadbolt, and a peephole or window to see outside. Even the garage door needs this.
Also smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are required in every bedroom, and hallway outside of the bedrooms. These are not required in kitchen areas. If there are multiple stories, each floor needs a detector unit of both types.
The major difference is that each Section 8 rental is inspected before a move in. That is not the case with normal rentals. This means you absolutely need to match every rule before the inspection.
You will not have approval if you fail and cannot get the government funding.
ASAP Locksmith has installed the required hardware for years, and know our stuff. Please give us a call for help with your home.