Home and rent in Texas

Texas student rental market

Texas has no state income tax on wages, but property taxes and campus health insurance weigh on the budget. Without a car it is difficult outside the centres: Austin and Houston are partial exceptions.

University areas inAustin, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, College Station they fill up before the semester.

Local rules you need to know

• Security deposit: No statutory cap —Nolo.
• Owner’s entrance: No statewide statute.
• Rent control: No — no significant statewide rent control.
• Sublet: lease governs.
• Withdrawal: Common at-will lease; withdrawal without cause unless contracted.

Before arrival: what to prepare

• Budget 2–3 months rent + deposit + initial utilities.
• Letter of admission and proof of funds for landlords requesting guarantees.
• Contact International Office for campus housing or approved landlord list.
• Accounts on portals: Zillow, Apartments.com, campus Facebook groups (beware of scams).

Rental process without surprises

Campus vs city

• Dorm / graduate housing: Simplified contract, utilities included, guest rules; limited places.
• Off-campus: More freedom, more bureaucracy; There is little rent control statewide in Texas, but deposit laws remain important.

Tenant rights and international students

Same basic rights as tenants; check campus and deposit clauses. Without SSN some landlords accept passport + I-20 + larger deposit; it is not illegal to ask for extra guarantees, but it must be in the contract.

Scams to avoid

• Ads too cheap with Western Union or crypto bank transfer only.
• ”Keys by post” without registered or signed contract.
• Subletting not authorized by the main contract - risk of eviction.

Where to look

Austin, Houston, Dallas: different markets

• Austin (UT): Rents go up with tech; without a car difficult off campus shuttle.
• Houston: Spread out — car almost mandatory; floods: check ground floor.
• College Station: Very high demand in August; Standard 12 month contracts.
• Deposit: No roof state — negotiate and photograph everything.

Roommates: written agreement (mental model)

• Rent rates, bills, cleaning, max guests, silence times.
• Deposit: who pays the landlord and how the refund is divided.
• Early exit: who finds a replacement and penalties.

Typical users in the USA

• Electric + gas separated in many states.
• Water/trash sometimes included in rent, sometimes not.
• Internet annual contract - check speed for online lessons.