As summer approaches, Texas lawmakers are trying to provide relief for rental property tenants who often have to deal with stifling conditions. They are attempting to pass a bill that guarantees renters the right to air conditioning. However, opponents say repairs on existing buildings would simply be too costly.
What does the bill stipulate?
State Rep. Sheryl Cole’s measure would require landlords to provide cooling systems and offer accommodations when repairs take more than five days.
“No one should suffer or die in their own home just because they can’t afford air conditioning,” Rep. Christina Morales said, adding it’s about survival.
However, critics argue that making repairs to older buildings is cost-prohibitive. At a recent hearing for a local law mandating air conditioning in Austin, a representative from the Austin Apartment Association said installing air conditioning in apartments built before the 1970s would be “financially devastating” for landlords and result in higher rent for tenants.
What has been the effect of excessive heat in Texas?
Houston is in Harris County, which saw 80 heat-related deaths from 2019 to 2023, according to the Harris County Public Health Department. Health experts say extreme heat can physically tax a person’s heart, kidneys and exacerbate other underlying chronic conditions…