I like the activities and trips very much. The staff are wonderful. My only immediate concern is that I saw a lot of people leave after only a year here when it came time to renew their lease. I heard the...
Our moms stay at arbor house has been wonderful. The staff and employees are very aware of the needs of each individual and are quick to respond to their needs. My family highly recommend this assisted ...
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...
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...
[Name removed], the Director, is wonderful. And the sales lady that we worked with last year was so sweet. We don't have house keeping. The move in process was fine, but we did all of the moving. The...
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...
[name removed] was helpful and informative. The apartment is spacious and inviting. The food is good and promptly served. We like the 24/7 front desk availability, daily checkin button and the help buttons....
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...
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...
The place do a good job making sure the residents are cared for. Their activities and especially the food presentation is top notch hands down! If you looking for great care, events, activities, family...
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.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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