Dallas Landlord-Tenant Rules

Fair housing (local protected classes): Dallas's Fair Housing ordinance makes housing discrimination an offense based on race, color, sex, religion, handicap, familial status, national origin or source of income. 'Sex' is defined to include sexual orientation and gender identity. 'Source of income' means lawful, regular, verifiable income, including vouchers, other subsidies, child support and spousal maintenance, except where Tex. Loc. Gov't Code Sec. 250.007 prohibits it. In practice, most landlords may refuse federal Housing Choice Vouchers. However, housing that receives a City Council-approved subsidy or financial award must not discriminate against any voucher holder. Retaliating against someone who complains or takes part in a proceeding is also an offense. Complaints go to the City's fair housing administrator within one year.; Rental registration/inspection: Owners of single-family homes, duplexes and condo units that they rent out must register each year with Code Compliance. The non-refundable fee is $74 per dwelling. Starting October 1, 2025, owners must also submit an annual Owner's Self Inspection Checklist and affidavit. The City inspects each single-family rental at least once every five years and no more than once a year, plus inspections in response to complaints. The lease must include the City's Crime Prevention Lease Addendum.; Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line: Dallas sets its own minimum housing standards in Chapter 27. For example, the owner must provide and maintain working refrigerated air conditioning that can keep each habitable room at least 15 degrees cooler than outside, and in no event above 85 F. The owner must also provide heat that can keep each habitable room at least 68 F. Appliances the owner supplies must be kept in working order. Report violations through Dallas 311. For the rental registration program, call 214-671-RENT (7368) or email ccsrentalprogram@dallascityhall.com.; Eviction notice ordinance (status unclear): On November 9, 2022, City Council repealed its COVID-19 Notice of Possible Eviction ordinance and approved a temporary Notice of Proposed Eviction ordinance. A December 2022 City memo attached a draft permanent ordinance (to be placed in Dallas City Code Ch. 50, Art. II) that would require a written notice of proposed eviction with a chance to cure before a notice to vacate, plus a Tenant's Rights Fact Sheet, and planned Council action in early 2023. No adopted permanent ordinance has been published: the City's page for it is still titled 'DRAFT', marked 'under construction', and shows a placeholder ordinance number. Since 2023, state law bars cities from regulating evictions or delaying a notice to vacate (Tex. Prop. Code Sec. 1.004).