What is the landlord's responsibility for repairing a unit?

In Texas, the landlord is legally responsible for ensuring that their rental properties are safe and habitable. The landlord must ensure that all aspects of the unit are in good functioning order and meet all required building codes. This includes, but is not limited to, providing and maintaining safe and sanitary housing, making repairs when damage or inadequate maintenance threatens the unit’s physical condition, and making needed repairs for the unit to stay in compliance with current building and health codes. When the tenant notifies the landlord of an issue with the property that affects the health and safety of the tenant or other occupants, the landlord must begin making repairs to the unit in a reasonable amount of time. The landlord must also provide written notice to the tenant of when the repairs will begin and when they should be completed. When emergency repairs are needed, the tenant may need to pay for them, however, the tenant can then seek reimbursement from the landlord. The tenant may also have the right to terminate the lease and seek damages from the landlord if the landlord fails to make repairs in a timely manner. The landlord must also abide by the Texas security deposit laws, which require any deposits to be returned within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit or the tenant can take legal action to recover the deposit. Lastly, the landlord must return any prepaid rent or security deposit and comply with the landlord’s abandonment notice requirements when the tenant vacates the unit.

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