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Houston rental property owners will now be required to provide operable air conditioning to all renters.
What happened
During its Aug. 19 meeting, Houston City Council approved an ordinance that closes the loophole that used to allow property owners to use window screens as an exemption for providing air conditioning.
The new ordinance now requires A/C capable of maintaining an inside temperature 20 degrees lower than the outside temperature, or no higher than 80 degrees.
Those opposed
Council members Willie Davis and Twila Carter expressed concerns with the ordinance, saying that it could increase costs for residents.
Davis said he is concerned it will lead to other issues for residents as well.
“What happens if these units get stolen? Do we call [Houston Police Department] on a $150 unit being stolen?” he said. “Is the landlord going through the crime going to try and replace it? You don't think they're not going to pass that cost onto the resident? Yes, they are.”
Carter said she has experienced not having electricity personally, and thinks this ordinance could also create issues for residents.
“You have an air conditioner; it's hot, you turn it on,” Carter said. “The bill comes, and not only do they turn that off, but they also turn everything else off. And the higher the bill, the longer it takes to pay the bill and to get the electricity turned back on.”
Those in favor
On the other hand, some council members spoke in support of the ordinance. District C council member Joe Panzarella said the ordinance is “asking for the bare minimum of livability in the city.”
“I think 10 years from now we’re going to look back and be very surprised that we ever had to pass this,” he said. “But to be surprised in 10 years, we need to pass it today.”
District J council member Edward Pollard also supported the ordinance, saying it is a “no-brainer.”
“Think about when our A/C goes off during a storm. It's hot outside and we're all scrambling around trying to get the hotels,” Pollard said. “We're doing all we can to try to find someone with A/C. We have that luxury; these people don't.”
Council member Alejandra Salinas put the item on the agenda using Prop A, and pointed out after the meeting that no landlords had spoken against the ordinance in any of the public hearings.
The vote
Council ultimately passed the ordinance, with members Fred Flickinger and Carter voting no; council members Tiffany Thomas, Tarsha Jackson and Carolyn Evans-Shabazz were absent.
Enforcement will begin 90 days after Aug. 19.
