1. Registration must be completed within 120 days of the passage of the ordinance (passage date November 8, 2006) or by March 8, 2007.
2. An owner of a newly constructed apartment community must register within 30 days of completion of construction.
3. Registration information is to be updated within 30 days of sale of the property or any change relating to the owner's designated agent.
4. The failure of an owner to register property may result in the issuance of criminal citations carrying a minimum of $500.00 and a potential maximum fine of $2000.00 a day for each day of non-compliance. (Sec 28 – 291)
   
   

Habitability Registration
All apartment communities with 3 or more units (Sec 10-151 of the Houston Code of Ordinances) are required to register with The City of Houston for Habitability Inspection purposes (Habitability Inspection Checklist ). The registration requirements are as follows:

1. Registration for properties in existence prior to January 1, 2010, must be completed between December 1, 2009, and January 31, 2010.
2. For properties not in existence on January 1, 2010, owners must complete registration no later than 30 days after receipt of the Certificate of Occupancy.
3. No later than 30 days after an owner knows or reasonably should know that a statement on the Registration Form was incomplete or inaccurate when filed, or has become incomplete or inaccurate since filed, the owner must complete and file an amended Registration Form
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4. An owner who violates, or whose property is in violation of, any provision of the Habitability Ordinance (Section 10-151 of the Houston Code of Ordinances) article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $2,000. Each violation, and each day that a violation continues, shall constitute and be punishable as a separate offense.

Those properties with 10 or more units which have previously been registered as required by the Apartment Security Ordinance must amend the registration with additional information to meet the requirements of the Habitability Ordinance. Previously registered properties may go directly to Section 8, Habitability, and enter the requested data. You will be asked to review and approve all entries when completed. Properties that have not yet registered must complete all fields to comply with the Habitability registration requirement.

It is suggested that the preparer of the registration form, have access to the following documents to assist in the completion of the registration.

1. City of Houston Occupancy Permits or Life Safety Appendix Compliance Certificate issued to property (one for each building)
2. The Property Tax Account Number for the applicable taxing authority
3. The year the property was built
4. Name, address, phone and email address for the following:
1. Registered Agent (where applicable)
2. Owner
3. Manager and Management Company (where applicable)

For questions or concerns regarding this website, please call 713-535-7900 .