all resources

an exhaustive list of our housing resources. for even more information, there's great resources already available from advocates in Austin including Texas Tenant Advisor, Austin Tenants Council, Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid (TRLA) and BASTA.

housing options

a guide to the different types of housing available to UT students.

student housing leasing timeline

different types of housing have different leasing timelines. see how they stack up.

questions to ask when touring

important things to ask before choosing an apartment.

SMART housing FAQs

frequently asked questions about Austin’s SMART Housing program.

lease literacy guide

a long-form guide to help you read and fully understand your lease.

lease checklist

a shorter checklist version of our lease literacy resource for you to use as you read your lease.

moving in checklist

a bigger-picture list of things to consider and actions to take before committing to an apartment and moving in.

document everything!

tips for properly documenting all important agreements, requests, and receipts to make sure you don't get swindled.

know your tenants' rights

as a tenant in Texas, it's important to know your rights! check out this great resource from BASTA breaking down key renters' rights.

reporting a maintenance issue

an email template for reporting (and following up on) a maintenance issue.

making a code complaint

a how-to guide for filing a code complaint when your landlord fails to fix your housing-related issues that qualify as code violations.

what qualifies as a code violation?

"health and safety issues" are issues you can file a code complaint about. check out this handy list from BASTA.

get your landlord to pay attention!

a guide to escalation with your landlord to advocate for equitable and safe living conditions.

meeting with your landlord

best practices for having a successful meeting with your landlord.

get your money: security deposit and damages

best practices for getting your full security deposit back and addressing any damages.

midwest academy strategy chart

a tool to help your strategic planning and targeted advocacy.

legal resources

a guide to the different types of legal resources available to student renters.