Austin Property Management Blog

If you've ever scrolled through apartment listings in cities like New York, Baltimore, or Philadelphia, you've probably seen the term “basement apartment” pop up more than once. They tend to be cheaper than units on higher floors and can be a decent option for renters on a budget. But if you’re searching for a rental in Texas, you may have noticed something strange—basement apartments are practically nonexistent here. But, why? 

In this article, we’ll break down exactly what a basement apartment is, why they’re rare in places like Texas, and what you can consider instead if you’re on the hunt for affordable housing. Let’s get started!  

What Is a Basement Apartment?

A basement apartment is a self-contained living unit located below the main level of a home or building. In most cases, it has its own entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and living space, just like any other above-ground apartment. Basement apartments are a popular choice in older East Coast and Midwest cities where buildings often have full basements that can be converted into rentable space.  

Eviction Bill Update

Last month we mentioned a state bill that would speed up the process of removing squatters. That bill was amended a few times, passed the Texas Legislature, and was signed into law by the governor. It appears that the bill goes into effect on January 1, 2026, with the exception of section 16 which becomes effective on September 1, 2025. We haven’t been able to locate the final version of the bill at the time of writing this post, so we will keep an eye on it to familiarize ourselves should it be needed in the future. 

Real Estate Market Update

The real estate sales market on average appears to be down substantially. Red Fin recently reported

Moving Out?

Over the next 36 days, we have a very large amount of move outs. We want to make sure those vacating have the best information.  

We understand that moving can be a busy and stressful time for you. Please refer to your lease to confirm your move-out requirements.  

Be mindful of your required notice to vacate! The standard is 60 days, but yours may be different. Review your lease for your unique notice to vacate requirements. If you do not provide proper notice, you may still be obligated to pay rent past the date you vacate! Please keep utilities on through the end of your lease regardless of the day you turn over possession* If you shut utilities off early, you will be charged back for services plus potential administrative fees.   

Additionally, don’t forget to provide a forwarding add...

Moving into an apartment for the very first time is an exciting experience. Just imagine finally having a place of your own and slowly creating that home you have long dreamed of. However, getting there can be a long journey.  

As a first-time renter, it’s important that you focus on the essentials. For instance, it’s not really practical to buy plants, paintings, and other decorations when you don’t yet have a bed to sleep in. To help you with this, here’s a review of the different apartment essentials that you need as you move for the very first time.  

Important Documents & Administrative Essentials

Even before you move in, you have to prepare some documents and paperwork that you need to finalize your lease. It is essential that you have all requirements ready for submission to make your move-in process smooth and easy. 

Planning to build a new home? Or an apartment complex? Real estate development involves a series of complex processes ranging from the acquisition of land to the construction of property – start to finish.  All of which are critical in the real estate industry.  

But what do real estate developers do exactly? What is their role in real estate development? To give you a better idea, we’ll give you a comprehensive rundown of what a real estate developer is and their responsibilities. We’ll cover the different types of developers, the skills that you need to become one, and their impact on the real estate industry. Continue reading to find out more. 

3 Key Takeaways  

Imagine coming home to your apartment and finding that your refrigerator has suddenly stopped working. You’re worried that your food will spoil if this issue isn't fixed immediately, so you contact your landlord for help. But before you do, you wonder who is responsible for repairing a broken refrigerator? Is it you? If not, how long can a landlord leave you without a refrigerator?  

To help you navigate such situations, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive review of Texas property and housing laws on household appliance repairs. On top of that, we’ll also cover what you can do when faced with certain challenges regarding appliance repairs. Continue reading to find out more.  

Key Takeaways 

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  • Townhouses are a good real estate investment given their high potential for tenancy and higher property valuation over time. 

  • Stone Oak Client Update | June 2025

    Grant Williams - Friday, May 30, 2025

    

    
    

    Eviction Bill in Texas Legislature

    A bill that speeds up the eviction process was recently passed in the Texas House. The goal of the bill is to help remove squatters quickly and will certainly have other impacts that will be determined if it becomes law. The original Senate Bill 38 was approved in the Texas House with changes, so it must go back to the Senate for approval before it goes to the Governer's desk.

    
    

    Austin Air Conditioning Requirement

    The Austin City Council adopted changes to the property maintenance code that requires all homes within the city to have functioning air conditioning effective on July 10, 2025. While the portion of Austin homes without A/C is very small, it is an issue that the city council felt they needed to address after several years of extreme temperature streaks over the summer.

    The system does not have to be central A/C. It requires any habitable rooms to be capable of being cooled to at least 15 degrees lower than the outside temperature. Rooms are considered habitable when they are used to relax, sleep, eat or cook, so it doesn’t include garages and attics for example.

    There are already state and local laws in place that require landlords to fix a...

REAL ID

The REAL ID Act that was passed by Congress in 2005 is finally being fully enforced as of May 7, 2025.  This law created a federal baseline for security features in licenses and other IDs and prohibits federal agencies from accepting IDs that are not compliant.  Most people will be impacted by this law if they travel, so we wanted to mention it in case you have summer break travel plans and have to make it through a TSA checkpoint.  Here is the link to the REAL ID FAQ page for additional info. 

Spring Storms

Looking to rent soon? Aside from finding the ideal property, landlords put tenants through a screening process that can be challenging to qualify for. But don’t fret. There are ways for you to boost your chances of securing your dream rental property. To help you with this, here are 5 valuable rental application tips for tenants. We’ll cover everything you need to know – from essential application documents to strategies to make you stand out among the rest!

Tip 1: Gather All Documents Ahead of Time

Landlords ask applicants for several documents to verify their identity and qualifications. As a company that provides property management in Austin, we use a standard set of screening criteria that aligns with fair housing laws, disclosure, and other applicable federal, state, and local regulations. For landlords renting without property management representation, they may use the common TXR Lease Application or develop a lease and screening process with the help of a qualified attorney or real estate professional. But as a tenant, you should always ask for the screening requirements upfront. This ensures you have everything you need right from the start.

Here’s a review of the most common tena...