Austin Property Management Blog

A key part of running a rental property business is maintaining complete, accurate, and organized rental documents. Having important records on hand, such as tenant lease agreements and repair and maintenance records, is essential to keep yourself protected against lawsuits and disputes. However, this begs the question of how long should landlords keep rental records?

To help you with this, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on rental property recordkeeping. We’ll review the importance of rental records, the key types of tenant documents that you should keep, and more.

3 Key Takeaways

• Landlords must keep key rental records and documents for at least 3 to 6 years.
• Having accurate and up-to-date rental records is essential for legal and financial protection.
• Key documents, such as lease agreements, tenant screening reports, and maintenance records, must be retained long-term in case of disputes.

Why Keeping Rental Records Matters

In our experience as an Austin property management company, we know the importance of keeping rental records. Let’s say that you have an applicant come and dispute that you rejected their application in violation of the Fair Housing Laws. However, you know that it was...

When you rent an apartment, one of the things that you should check out is the condition of the carpet. Carpet is a fairly popular choice in rental properties. But - ever wonder how often do landlords have to replace carpet in their rentals? Continue reading to learn more!  

3 Key Takeaways   

• In Texas, landlords aren’t legally required to replace carpet after a set number of years unless the condition becomes a health or safety issue. 

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    • What Is a Basement Apartment? What Tenants Need to Know

      Grant Williams - Monday, June 30, 2025

      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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