Except as provided by Subsection (b), the maximum number of adults that a landlord may allow to occupy a dwelling is three times the number of bedrooms in the dwelling.
(b)
A landlord may allow an occupancy rate of more than three adult tenants per bedroom:
(1)
to the extent that the landlord is required by a state or federal fair housing law to allow a higher occupancy rate; or
(2)
if an adult whose occupancy causes a violation of Subsection (a) is seeking temporary sanctuary from family violence, as defined by Section 71.004 (Family Violence), Family Code, for a period that does not exceed one month.
(c)
An individual who owns or leases a dwelling within 3,000 feet of a dwelling as to which a landlord has violated this section, or a governmental entity or civic association acting on behalf of the individual, may file suit against a landlord to enjoin the violation. A party who prevails in a suit under this subsection may recover court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees from the other party. In addition to court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, a plaintiff who prevails under this subsection may recover from the landlord $500 for each violation of this section.
(d)
In this section:
(1)
“Adult” means an individual 18 years of age or older.
(2)
“Bedroom” means an area of a dwelling intended as sleeping quarters. The term does not include a kitchen, dining room, bathroom, living room, utility room, or closet or storage area of a dwelling.Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 937, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1276, Sec. 7.002(o), eff. Sept. 1, 2003.