Effective Date: November 1, 2025

Purpose

This Landlord Responsibility Statement sets the obligations and standards that all landlords and property managers must follow when using the Tentunit platform to list and manage rental properties in Texas. By using Tentunit, landlords agree to uphold these responsibilities to ensure a trustworthy, transparent housing environment for student renters and to comply with applicable federal, state, and local law.

Listing Accuracy and Transparency

All listings on Tentunit must be complete, current, and truthful. You must state the exact rent, lease term, availability date, and all required fees (application fees, security deposit or any fee in lieu of a security deposit, pet deposits, parking, utilities, etc.) up front. Photos must show the unit in its present condition—no model-unit photos or misleading edits. Texas landlords are also subject to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA), which prohibits false, misleading, or deceptive acts in advertising and business practices; violations can trigger consumer remedies and civil penalties.

You must:

State full pricing and terms: Monthly rent, lease length, required deposits/fees, utility responsibilities, and any one-time or recurring charges.
Use accurate photos: Show the actual unit and common areas as they truly are today.
Confirm availability: Do not market units that are not truly available.
Update promptly: If anything material changes (availability, price, fees, amenities), update the listing immediately.

No Misleading or Deceptive Practices

“Bait-and-switch” or similar tactics are strictly prohibited on Tentunit and under Texas consumer-protection law. Do not imply amenities or features that don’t exist; do not list teaser rates that are not actually available; clearly disclose any “starting at” pricing and the real conditions that apply. The DTPA bars false or misleading acts in commerce; housing advertisements are not exempt.

You must:

Describe honestly: Don’t overstate square footage, condition, views, or amenities.
Price honestly: Specials must be genuine and available; state eligibility criteria and dates.
Remove inactive units: If the unit is taken or held, mark it accordingly without delay.

Full Disclosure of Policies and Fees

Texas law requires transparent screening criteria at the time the application is provided. Landlords must make available a printed notice of tenant selection criteria (e.g., criminal/credit history, income, rental history) and the grounds for denial; failure to do so can require refunding both the application fee and any application deposit. Applicants are deemed rejected after 7 days if no acceptance notice is given (see Subchapter I, Texas Property Code).

You must:

Publish screening criteria: Provide (or make available) written criteria and the statutory acknowledgement language with every application packet.
Disclose all fees/deposits: Security deposit or any fee in lieu, pet fees, parking, amenity, trash, internet, utility billing method (submetered, allocated, master-metered), and any recurring platform or processing fees.
Explain utility responsibility: State which utilities are included vs. tenant-paid, and how any allocations are calculated.
Follow application timelines/refunds: Observe the 7-day deemed-rejection rule and the refund obligations if selection criteria weren’t properly provided.

Timely Communication

Tentunit requires prompt, professional communication with applicants and tenants. Respond to messages and maintenance requests within 24 hours (no later than 48 hours) via Tentunit messaging or another documented channel. Keep prospects informed about application status; keep tenants informed about repairs and scheduled entries.

You must:

Acknowledge and triage maintenance submissions quickly, communicate next steps and ETAs, and close the loop in writing.
Stay professional & nondiscriminatory in every interaction (see “Fair Housing and Equal Access,” below).
Keep listings current—availability, rent, amenities, photos, and policy changes must be updated promptly.

Tentunit may suspend or remove listings for repeated failure to communicate or for abusive conduct on-platform.

Fair Housing and Equal Access

All Tentunit landlords must follow the federal Fair Housing Act and the Texas Fair Housing Act (Texas Property Code, Chapter 301), which prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. (HUD interprets “sex” to include sexual orientation and gender identity.) Texas enforces these protections through state law and administrative agencies. Local ordinances may add categories (e.g., sexual orientation/gender identity in some cities); you are responsible for knowing and complying with any local overlays applicable to your property.

You must:

Avoid discriminatory statements in ads and messages.
Offer reasonable accommodations and modifications for disabilities as required by law.
Apply neutral, consistently enforced screening criteria to all applicants.
Know your locality: Some Texas cities add protections; conversely, Texas law generally preempts rent control at the local level (see “Lease Terms and Legal Compliance”).

Rent Collection and Payment Structure

Tentunit collects rent on your behalf, deducts authorized platform service and payment-processing fees, and disburses the net proceeds per Tentunit’s Payment Terms. Fees and payout timelines may vary by jurisdiction and product features; consult the current Tentunit Payment Terms of Service. Tentunit may pause or hold funds during disputes or suspected violations, consistent with law and our policies.

Key points:

Collection & fees: Rent is processed through Tentunit; platform and processing fees are automatically deducted.
Payout schedule: Net proceeds are transferred per the Payment Terms.
Compliance: Any late-fee practices must comply with Texas Property Code §92.019 (e.g., rent must be at least 2 full days late before any late fee; “safe harbor” caps apply to determine reasonableness).
Variability: Fee structures can vary by state and product; always review the current Payment Terms.

Property Condition and Maintenance

Texas law requires landlords to repair or remedy conditions that materially affect the physical health or safety of an ordinary tenant, after proper notice and within a reasonable time. This includes maintaining essential services (e.g., safe electrical and plumbing, hot water, weatherproofing), addressing infestations or hazards, and keeping common areas reasonably clean and safe.

You must:

Provide and maintain essential services (heating, hot water, potable water, electricity where provided by landlord, etc.).
Keep structure and systems in good working order (roof, walls, floors, plumbing, electrical).
Maintain common areas.
Install and maintain required safety devices: Texas requires specific security devices (keyed deadbolt, keyless deadbolt, door viewer; pin locks/latches on sliding doors) and rekeying within 7 days after each tenant turnover; you must also comply with smoke alarm placement/maintenance rules (e.g., in each bedroom and outside each separate sleeping area; test at move-in and repair upon written notice).

Maintenance and Repairs

When notified, address materially unsafe or unhealthy conditions promptly. If you fail to repair within a reasonable time after proper tenant notice, tenants may have statutory remedies court orders, damages, attorney’s fees, and in limited cases, repair-and-deduct (generally capped at $500 or one month’s rent, whichever is greater, for eligible issues and after required steps). Retaliation for good-faith repair requests is unlawful for six months.

You must:

Provide clear repair request channels (Tentunit portal preferred).
Document notices, attempts, and completion.
Prioritize emergencies (gas leaks, loss of potable water, sewage backups, inoperable heat during applicable seasons, etc.).

Lease Terms: Utilities and Services

Spell out who pays what (electric, gas, water/sewer, trash, internet, cable) and explain any billing method (submetered, allocated, or master-metered). Texas law generally forbids landlords from interrupting utilities paid directly by the tenant or provided by the landlord—except for bona fide repairs, construction, or emergencies. Limited exceptions exist for master-metered electric service nonpayment if strict statutory notice and procedural requirements are met (and with medical/other protections and reconnection rules).

You must:

Disclose metering/allocation method and all utility-related fees.
Never shut off utilities as leverage for rent collection; follow the narrow statutory paths only where allowed (and never for water/wastewater/gas except repairs/emergencies).
Follow any local code requirements for carbon monoxide alarms where applicable (many municipalities adopt building codes that require CO alarms in dwellings with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages).

Inspections and Cleaning Schedules

Texas does not set a statewide notice period for landlord entry into occupied dwellings. Best practice is to give at least 24 hours’ notice (except emergencies), state the reason (repairs, inspections, showings), and enter at reasonable times; include a clear Right-of-Entry clause in your lease. On Tentunit, you must follow this 24-hour standard unless the tenant waives it in writing for specific entries.

If you provide cleaning or routine maintenance (e.g., corridor cleaning, landscaping), disclose scope and frequency in the lease or house rules. Respect quiet hours and privacy; do not photograph or record tenant belongings except as necessary to document repairs/conditions.

Emergency Contact Information

At or before lease execution, provide tenants with contact information for repairs and emergencies (24/7 number or service). Texas law also requires disclosure of ownership and management contact information (name and business street address of the owner or management company) by lease, separate notice, or posting—keep this current. Tentunit requires you to maintain these details in your listing profile and lease file.

Lease Terms and Legal Compliance

Your Texas lease must be written, delivered, and executed through Tentunit’s digital process. It must honor all federal, state, and local requirements.

Key Texas items to address clearly:

Late fees: No fee until rent is at least 2 full days late; fees must be reasonable (statutory safe harbors apply by property size).
Notice to vacate (evictions): Unless your lease sets a different period, Texas requires at least 3 days’ written notice to vacate before filing an eviction (with specific content and delivery rules).
Anti-retaliation: Retaliation for protected tenant actions (e.g., repair complaints, organizing) is barred for six months.
Rent control preemption: Texas generally prohibits local rent control ordinances absent a declared housing emergency and gubernatorial approval.
Entry rights: No statewide notice statute; set your 24-hour standard in the lease (and follow it).
Lead-based paint (pre-1978), flooding disclosures if required by statute or local code, and any local ordinance-specific disclosures must be included where applicable.

Move-In and Move-Out Standards

Move-In: Deliver the unit clean, safe, and functional. Test smoke alarms at move-in and document that they work. Provide keys/fobs and ensure required security devices are installed and rekeyed within statutory timelines (generally 7 days after turnover). Use Tentunit’s move-in checklist (with photos) jointly signed by landlord and tenant at possession.

Move-Out: Offer a pre-move-out walkthrough on request. After surrender, perform a detailed inspection against the move-in checklist with date-stamped photos and invoices for any beyond-wear repairs.

Security Deposit Disclosure and Handling

Tentunit can collect and hold security deposits (or process any fee in lieu of a security deposit if offered under Texas law). Texas does not cap the deposit amount but does regulate returns and deductions:

You must:

Disclose deposit terms (or any fee-in-lieu option under Property Code §92.111) at listing and in the lease. Tenants must be allowed to choose a traditional deposit in lieu of a recurring fee if you offer a fee-in-lieu product.
Itemize lawful deductions (unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, other amounts authorized by the lease) and return the remainder within 30 days after the tenant surrenders possession. “Normal wear and tear” cannot be charged.
Forwarding address: Tenants should provide a written forwarding address; Texas law addresses timing and mailing/accounting in relation to that address. Tentunit will prompt tenants to supply it at move-out.

Tentunit process:

We collect and safeguard deposits in a custodial account.
At move-out, we obtain your itemized deductions with proof (photos, invoices, receipts).
We disburse any remaining balance (or the full amount if no deductions) within the 30-day Texas timeline, delivering the itemized statement to the forwarding address on file.

Documentation & Enforcement: Keep signed checklists, notices, communications, photos, and invoices. Improper withholding can result in liability (including attorney’s fees) under Texas law; Tentunit may suspend noncompliant accounts.

Indemnification and Violations

Indemnification: Landlord shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Tentunit, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors from and against all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to the Landlord’s actions or omissions, including (a) breach of this Statement or any Tentunit policy; (b) violation of any law or third-party right; (c) negligence, fraud, or misrepresentation; (d) injury or damage caused by the listing, property, or services; and (e) disputes with tenants or other users.

Platform enforcement: If you violate this Statement or Tentunit policies (including misrepresentation, discrimination, or other prohibited conduct), Tentunit may suspend or terminate your account and remove listings without prior notice or liability. Severe or repeated violations may result in permanent blacklisting. Tentunit may seek injunctive relief and recover costs and fees where permitted. These remedies are cumulative.

References (Texas)

Texas Property Code, Chapter 92 – Residential Tenancies (landlord repair duties, utilities interruption, smoke alarms, security devices/rekey, deposits/returns, applications & selection criteria, late fees, emergency phone number, anti-retaliation). Texas Statutes+1
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.052 (duty to repair conditions that materially affect health or safety).
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.056–92.0561 (tenant remedies; repair-and-deduct process).
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.008 (prohibition on landlord’s interruption of utilities). Texas Statutes
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.0091 (tenant’s right to restoration after unlawful utility disconnection). Texas Statutes
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.019 & § 92.0191 (late fee timing—“at least two full days late”; tenant right to a written late-fee statement). Texas Statutes
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.020 (required emergency phone number/contacts). Texas Statutes
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.153–92.156 (required security devices; rekey within 7 days after turnover).
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.255–92.259 (smoke-alarm installation, inspection, and repair). Texas Statutes
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.109 (security deposits—definitions, 30-day return, forwarding address, accounting). Texas Statutes
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.111 (fee in lieu of a security deposit—tenant option; disclosures). Texas State Library Guides
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.3515–92.354 (Subchapter I) (application/selection criteria disclosures; timelines; refunds/penalties). Texas Statutes+1
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.331–92.335 (anti-retaliation). Texas Statutes
Texas Property Code § 24.005 (eviction—minimum 3-day notice to vacate unless lease provides otherwise). Texas Statutes
Texas Local Government Code § 214.902 (state preemption—local rent control allowed only during a declared disaster with governor’s approval). Texas Statutes
Texas Business & Commerce Code § 17.46 (DTPA) (false, misleading, or deceptive acts in trade/commerce—applies to advertising and business practices). Texas Statutes+1
Texas State Law Library – Landlord’s Right of Entry (no statewide notice statute; best-practice guidance).
Texas Property Code, Chapter 301 – Texas Fair Housing Act (state fair-housing protections). HUD Archives
Federal Fair Housing Act: 42 U.S.C. §§ 3603–3604 (federal protected classes; advertising prohibitions; applicability).

Note: This Statement is a platform policy document and general legal summary for Texas. It is not legal advice. Local ordinances (e.g., added protected classes, detector rules) may impose additional requirements you are responsible for compliance with any local overlays applicable to your property.