Rental Fee Disclosure Requirements in Austin: 1 January 2027

When prospective tenants compare rental properties in Austin, the advertised rent is not always the full picture. Application charges, mandatory monthly fees, optional services, and estimated utility costs can all influence what a tenant eventually pays. To address this, the City of Austin has passed the Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance, introducing clearer disclosure requirements for rental providers. The first compliance phase began on October 1, 2026, and the next implementation date, January 1, 2027, is approaching.

Attention, Austin landlords, property managers, and multifamily property providers: If you rent, lease, or manage five or more residential dwellings owned by one person, the upcoming deadline may apply to you. This is especially important for property management teams that handle rental listings, prospective tenant inquiries, fee schedules, and leasing documents. Understanding which rental fees must be disclosed, when that information must be shared, and how to prepare your rental operations in Austin is essential to meeting the new requirements.

So, what does the Austin Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance require, which rental providers must comply, and what steps should landlords and property managers take before January 2027? Here we break down the requirements and the practical implications for rental property management in Austin.

Who Does Austin's Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance Apply To?

Not every rental property owner in Austin falls under the new Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance. The requirements depend on the number of residential dwellings involved, who owns them, and the type of rental accommodation being provided.

Before looking at the disclosure requirements in detail, let's establish whether this ordinance applies to your rental property or management operations in Austin.

What Is the Austin Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance?

• Approved by the Austin City Council on May 28, 2026, the Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance aims to make the total cost of renting clearer for prospective tenants.

• It requires qualifying housing providers in Austin to disclose mandatory, optional, and estimated variable rental fees through a written, itemized list before quoting rent or accepting applications.

• Rental advertisements quoting a rent amount must also include applicable mandatory recurring fixed fees.

The Ordinance Applies to You If:

You may fall within the ordinance's scope if you are:

• An Austin landlord renting five or more residential dwellings: This includes qualifying single-family rentals, apartments, and other residential properties.

• A property owner leasing five or more dwellings: The threshold considers five or more dwellings owned by one person.

• A property manager managing five or more residential dwellings: Property management businesses and individuals managing qualifying properties are also covered.

• A business or legal entity providing rental housing: The ordinance applies to individuals as well as corporations, partnerships, trusts, associations, and other legal entities.

• A provider of mobile home or RV residential spaces: The January 1, 2027, implementation phase also covers providers of spaces used as residences in Austin, regardless of the number of spaces.

The Ordinance Does Not Apply to You If:

The following situations fall outside the stated requirements:

• You own or manage fewer than five residential dwellings: Landlords below the five-dwelling threshold are generally excluded, subject to the separate provision for mobile home and RV residential spaces.

• You are charging for tenant-caused issues during an existing tenancy: Fees relating to property damage, lease violations, or other tenant-caused issues during the lease term are excluded from this ordinance.

Remember the two implementation dates:

• October 1, 2026: Providers with 50 or more residential dwellings.

• January 1, 2027: Providers with 5–49 residential dwellings and providers of mobile home or RV residential spaces.

Need Help Understanding How This Applies to Your Rental Properties?

Does the Austin Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance seem overwhelming to interpret alongside your existing property management responsibilities? Our team at Prime Properties Austin is here to help you navigate Austin's rental laws and property management requirements, so explore our page to discuss your rental property's needs and take the next step with confidence.

How Austin Landlords Can Prepare Their Rental Properties for the January 2027 Fee Disclosure Deadline

Knowing that your rental property falls under the Austin Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance is only the first step. Landlords and property managers must now look closely at how rental fees are recorded, advertised, and communicated to prospective tenants. From reviewing existing charges to updating rental listings, each step matters when preparing for the upcoming deadline.

So, what should you do if you are an eligible Austin rental property owner or landlord? Let's walk through the steps you can take to get your rental operations ready.

Step 1: Review the Number of Rental Properties You Own or Manage

Start by establishing whether your rental property portfolio in Austin meets the ordinance's eligibility threshold. If you own, rent, lease, or manage five or more residential dwellings owned by one person, you may fall within its scope. Refer to the official Austin Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance for the legal provisions governing applicability."

For Austin landlords managing multiple rental properties, this is a good time to review:

• The total number of residential dwellings owned by the relevant person or entity.

• The rental properties currently managed or leased.

• Whether the properties are single-family homes, apartments, duplexes, or other residential units.

• Whether any mobile home or RV spaces are being provided for residential use in Austin city.

Also, identify your applicable compliance date. The October 1, 2026, phase covers providers with 50 or more qualifying dwellings, while January 1, 2027, covers those with 5–49 dwellings and providers of residential mobile home or RV spaces

Step 2: Prepare a Complete List of Every Rental Fee

Once you establish that your Austin rental property is covered, review every charge associated with leasing it. Do not look at the monthly rent alone. The ordinance requires qualifying providers to disclose mandatory, optional, and estimated variable fees.

Organise your rental fee records into three categories:

• Mandatory fees: Base rent, mandatory application or move-in charges, and fixed recurring charges such as trash, pest control, or amenity fees.

• Optional fees: Charges for services or amenities tenants can choose to accept, such as optional parking or pet-related services.

• Variable fees: Estimated charges that depend on usage or other factors, including utilities and renter's insurance.

Record whether each fee is charged once, monthly, or according to usage. This gives Austin landlords a clearer picture of the total rental costs associated with each property and helps prevent charges from being overlooked during disclosure.

Step 3: Obtain and Complete the City's Standard Disclosure Form

The City of Austin provides a Standard Disclosure Form that landlords and property managers can use to communicate rental fees to prospective tenants.

Download the official form and review its fields carefully. You will need to provide:

• The base rental amount.

• Mandatory one-time and recurring fees.

• Optional one-time and recurring fees.

• Estimated variable charges, including applicable utility costs.

• Any other relevant fee information requested in the form.

For variable fees, provide a reasonable estimate or typical range rather than leaving prospective tenants uncertain about what they might pay. The City also provides guidance on estimating Austin Energy and Austin Water costs using published typical-ratepayer information.

Remember, the purpose is to give prospective tenants an itemised picture of the rental costs before they commit to an application.

Step 4: Update Your Austin Rental Listings and Advertisements

Your rental listing is often the first place prospective tenants encounter the cost of a property. Therefore, landlords should review every advertisement that mentions a rental price.

Under the ordinance, advertisements quoting rent must also show the applicable mandatory recurring fixed fees alongside it.

For example, if an Austin rental property is advertised at $1,800 per month and carries a mandatory $75 monthly trash fee and a $30 amenity fee, the advertisement should clearly display those additional charges alongside the base rent.

Review your:

• Property website and rental listings.

• Third-party advertising platforms.

• Digital and printed rental advertisements.

• Marketing descriptions and pricing information.

If your fee disclosures are hosted separately, ensure they are clearly accessible, appropriately linked, and delivered to prospective tenants. Keeping the information consistent across rental platforms helps avoid confusion.

Step 5: Share the Fee Disclosure Before the Required Stage

Preparing the rental fee information is not enough; qualifying providers must also share it at the appropriate time.

The written disclosure must reach prospective tenants before the provider quotes rent or accepts a housing application. It can be delivered electronically or physically.

If you advertise your Austin rental property through a third-party platform, make sure prospective tenants can access the complete fee disclosure before submitting an application or making an application-related payment.

Landlords and property managers should review their enquiry and leasing processes to ensure that no prospective tenant moves forward without receiving the required information.

Step 6: Coordinate Your Property Management and Leasing Teams

Finally, make sure everyone involved in managing your Austin rental properties understands the updated fee information.

Property owners, property managers, leasing agents, and administrative teams should work with the same approved fee schedule and disclosure documents.

Consider introducing a simple review process to check that:

• Your Austin rental listings show the correct mandatory recurring fees.

• Fee schedules match the Standard Disclosure Form.

• Prospective tenants receive disclosures at the appropriate stage.

• Changes to rental charges are reflected consistently across advertising and leasing records.

This coordination is particularly important for landlords with several rental properties, where different teams may handle advertising, tenant enquiries, and lease administration.

Managing rental properties across Austin and its surrounding communities? Prime Properties Austin offers hands-on property management support across several service areas. If you need assistance with rental listings, leasing coordination, and day-to-day property management, explore our service areas and connect with our team to discuss your rental management needs.

Ready to Manage Your Austin Rental with Confidence?

We hope Prime Properties Austin has helped you understand the Austin rental market, its fee transparency requirements, and the property management considerations that matter to landlords.

Let our experienced team make your rental property journey easier. View Our Pricing Plans or Contact Us to get started!