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.

list of tenants' rights

a list of the rights you are entitled to as a renter in Austin.

document everything!

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

list of health and safety issues

a list of housing issues that landlords in Texas are legally required to address.

reporting a maintenance issue

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

making a code complaint

code compliance can require your landlord to fix issues that affect your health and safety.

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.