At Watercrest at Kingwood, I enjoy a perfect balance of luxury and independence. My residence, adorned with high-end amenities, offers a lifestyle that feels like an indulgence while providing me with the...
Living at Watercrest at Mansfield, I thrive in its vibrant community. The numerous activities and the warm, welcoming atmosphere have enabled me to build deep friendships and relationships, adding endless...
Broadmoor Court is just the place I was looking for! The staff is kind, courteous, approachable, and dedicated to caring for Mom and Dad. The safety and well-being of the residents are a top priority. There...
I have enjoyed living at Brookdale since I moved in. The employees are nice and respectful. I enjoy activities like bingo and book club. Looking forward to some field trips soon.
I am thankful for the many people of the staff who work hard at making this facility a happy & safe home for residents. Thank you all!
We came to Meadowstone after looking at several retirement communities. We loved the unit available and it’s location, It is nicely maintained and we like the independence of the units. The amenities we...
I have been at Preston Place for a little over 2 months now.The residents at this community are so caring, friendly, and observant of when you are missed at functions. There are many events throughout the...
Fours years and Atria Canyon Creek has created the positive and friendly environment we cherish! Major updating including public areas, culinary staff, and menu plus large indoor pool. Our move here was a...
I would recommend The Conservatory at Plano to others. The difference I noted in my visits to senior living facilities was that the residents I saw here seemed happier than the residents in the other...
At Watercrest at Kingwood, I enjoy a perfect balance of luxury and independence. My residence, adorned with high-end amenities, offers a lifestyle that feels like an indulgence while providing me with the...
Village on the Park in Friendswood is a great independent living community. First, I noticed the beautiful trees and overall appearance. Taking a tour with my family, I was impressed with the inside also....
My loved one is currently a resident at Atria Westchase and overall the experience at this facility has been very good for her. The cleanliness and friendliness are great. The staff is also great. The care...
Sunrise has been very supportive with my mom. She doesn't like it there and complains all the time. But they are very aware of how dementia treats everyone differently. I am very happy. She is safe and can...
Caterers are mediocre and residents are expected to provide a lot [name removed]has brought food often which is a ++ for her. I expected more food provided and I think that would be good to know. Especially...
We visited The Spring at Silverton during an open house occasion. The tour was great; the staff was patient, kind and answered all of our questions. My brother resides in an Independent Cottage, which is...
In Texas, independent living communities are not regulated by a state agency, unless they share a building or campus with an assisted living or memory care facility. This means that stand-alone independent living facilities must comply with general housing and rental standards, such as the Texas Property Code and Fair Housing Act.
Housing laws and regulations like these help ensure that residents of any rental community are not discriminated against and are provided with safe, well-maintained housing. Additionally, most Texas independent living communities have a minimum age requirement of 55, with some raising it to 62.
If an independent living community shares its building or campus with an assisted living and/or memory care unit, the area designated for senior care and any shared areas must follow Texas assisted living regulations and memory care regulations set by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS).
In Texas, stand-alone independent living communities are only required to comply with the state’s housing and apartment regulations for landlords and tenants. This means landlords must grant tenants some specific rights, provide disability accommodations, and maintain all facilities. Below, you’ll learn about your rights as a resident in an independent living rental community.
Knowing your rights as a tenant will help you find a safe and satisfactory living situation while you rent. Here’s a brief overview of some important tenants’ rights:[01]
Before attempting to terminate a lease or hiring an external contractor, it’s strongly recommended that tenants reach out to an attorney or a local tenants association for advice. Consulting a housing expert will prevent you from breaching any lease agreements, and will ultimately lead you to the end result you desire. It’s also recommended that tenants provide multiple written notices to their landlord and keep a copy of each notice as proof.[01]
If you’re seeking more information on your rights as a senior apartment tenant, be sure to read the Texas Tenants’ Rights Handbook.
In Texas, federal nondiscrimination laws — such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, and Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA) — protect tenants from being discriminated against due to their disability. These laws also require independent living landlords to provide reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing, programs, and activities for individuals with disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations are defined as changes to facility policies and could include the following:[02]
Modifications are structural changes to common areas and individual units, and may include:[02]
Property owners are required to pay for such modifications unless providing them would pose an undue financial or administrative burden. For more information, see this detailed infographic on reasonable accommodations and modifications for Texas renters.
For Texas residents having general issues while renting, the Texas State Law Library offers a list of resources around the state for common problems. You can also look up local rental associations, tenants’ councils, and housing programs for further assistance.
Texas Health and Human Services
4601 W. Guadalupe St.
Austin, TX 78751
Phone: 512-424-6500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) performs physical inspections of rental properties to ensure they are habitable, well maintained, ready for occupancy, follow accessibility standards, and comply with applicable program rules and regulations.
The TDHCA doesn’t publicly publish statewide inspection reports, but you can try calling 512-475-3800 or emailing info@tdhca.texas.gov for more information. Many cities in Texas also have their own inspection agencies where you can look up rental inspection reports to find the most recent inspection date, score, and deficiencies found.
Texas Young Lawyers Association & State Bar of Texas. (2019). Tenants’ Rights Handbook.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2021). Reasonable accommodations and modifications.
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