Austin Tenants Council

These people simply do not answer the phone EVER. They put you on hold for a really long time and then disconnect you over and over and over again.

These people are a joke they don't help with anything, it's a joke! They make your problem worse ; actually they put you in bad situations with your landlord, and they turn their back on you. They don't know anything about the law, they don't know anything about nothing. They have been wasting my time for over 3 months, and made my problems with my landlord much worse. They asked for information, I give it to them several times and they lose it, then they ask for it again, then the lose it again. And they keep entering the wrong information on their system. I'm elderly and disabled and I have more difficulties dealing with them than my landlord, of it's so frustrating. They just helpless and incompetent.

This organization did nothing to help resolve a flooding issue in my apartment. The only information they seemed to care about was my demographic information, so it could help them secure future grant funding. No advocacy on their part was given to my situation.

Free phone counseling for those experiencing landlord-tenant issues, usually involving exploitation by landlords. This is an essential service, and I support them fully.

It is ridiculous the rights that landlords have over tenants in Texas. The council confirmed that landlords didn't have to give notice to enter. They can simply knock and come in if there is no answer. They helped me get out of my lease, not because of the incident of entry with no notice, but due to other issues. Sooooo grateful they are there. Thank you.

I have called 3 times and have been on hold for a ridiculous amount of time. I finally had time to wait today and waited a total of 38 minutes only to be hung up on. Not to mention the phone would ring getting me out of the queue only for the next available rep to bounce me back in the queue. What a joke.

I called just a little bit ago and it's only option is to be hung up on and if you push to many buttons it hangs up on you. What kind of help if there's no one to answer the phones?

I was dealing with an issue related to my housing situation and I called.several times, leaving messages and never received a call back in the window I had for resolution.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO Rachel.

All i did is submit some online form, and i got an email within one day with detailed explanation with some preliminary research about my roach problem. Apart from that, Rachel attached some templates for my case. Additionally, Rachel provided 4-5 resources i can approach to for further legal service. And additionally, she also mentioned Austin Code Department, which is helpful and i didn't know that before.

I called texas tenant union before, their website is too messy and their phone message is full. My roommate tried school lawyer before, and hes kind of passive. I reached out of 5 resources Rachel mentioned, 4 of them are super helpful and care tenants rights, one of them bit cold, and claiming that they dont have a lawyer for roach problems.

Overall, this is the most helpful leagal and tenants right help i can ever found. I didnt expect much from NGO, as too many help is needed versus short hands, but the accuracy and professionalism of their help and timely response to my online form impressed me a lot.

Love you! Austin Tenants Council!

Wonderful resource. Yes, sometimes they can be difficult to get in touch with, but that is because they are a non-profit organization.

If they could not help in your situation it is because the laws in the state of Texas are extremely favorable to landlords. That isn't their fault (and in that case the person to contact is your state legislature), but they are there to advise you of the exact limits of your rights, some are very clear and black and white and some are very grey. These are things not so easy to find out, so this knowledge is extremely valuable and they provide it without charge.

Again, this isn't their fault that there are vague areas in the law or few protections for tenants in Texas, and Austin is much better for having such a wonderful resource. Many similarly sized or larger cities do not have something like Austin Tenants' Council.

I had a situation like this and though they could not offer me any re-assurances and the landlord really does have a lot of free rein to do certain unjust things, they did provide some details about possible legal precedents that I can pursue and also another organization to inquire with specific to my case, that I didn't even know about, and I am very grateful as it would have taken me countless hours to find this on my own, if I even could have found this.

Thank you, Austin Tenants' Council!

Thank you to Solveij, for listening and being consistent in helping me. My issue was resolved in one day. Big stress relief.

Very helpful and professional. Called back in a timely manner. Provided clarity and was very knowledgeable. Would recommend them. Thank you for providing free legal assistance.

We are owners and every "tenant advice" we have received is right on the mark! Plus great info on the laws of being a good landlord.

I have called several times this week with no response back, left several messages and all of them ignored. It's been 2 weeks and I've left 8 voicemails.
They gave me bad advice a few years back. They think they are helping people but wont tell you the whole truth, they will hurt your credit.