Austin landlords file suit to block source of income requirements

Austin Texas

The Austin Apartment Association has filed suit in an attempt to block recent changes to Austin’s rental regulations that require most landlords in the city to accept tenants receiving public housing assistance.

By amending the city’s “source of income” ordinance, the city of Austin now requires that landlords who own more than four rental units treat public housing assistance vouchers to treat those vouchers as the equivalent of cash.

Members of the Austin Apartment Association expressed their opposition to the ordinance as it wound its way through City Hall. They argue that it could cause rents to rise through a series of unintended consequences ranging from increased regulation litigation, “one-sided” lease contracts dictated by federal housing authorities, increased inspections, tighter controls on rent increases, and mandated utility allowances.

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