Austin City Council unanimously passed a resolution to create new safety regulations and education materials aimed at preventing mold in rental housing in an Aug. 27 meeting.
The resolution initiates amendments to existing city code that would establish new inspection and remediation protocols for mold in homes. It also directs City Manager T.C. Broadnax to update public awareness materials relating to the detection and serious health effects of mold, along with recommended prevention measures.
“I’ve heard (from constituents) that mold has completely changed and in some cases, even ruined lives,” District 2 Council Member Vanessa Fuentes, who introduced the resolution, said during the meeting.
According to the resolution, Austin’s property maintenance code “does not establish any regulations specific to the presence of mold,” which leaves those living in rental housing in dangerous conditions, including creating health problems like asthma and bronchitis.
District 9 City Council member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri, who represents UT and West Campus, co-sponsored the resolution. Qadri did not respond to a request for comment. Several speakers endorsed the plan during the public comment period, including members of Building and Strengthening Tenant Action, a local tenants’ rights organization.
“(We) know that code is limited in what and how they can enforce these issues, especially as it relates to landlord treatment of tenants,” BASTA Project Director Shoshana Krieger said in support of the resolution. “We appreciate (Austin) code’s continued work in this area. This resolution presents an opportunity to continue to explore potential solutions to this problem that has plagued Austin renters.”
The resolution states that many localities around the country, like New York City and Washington, D.C., require inspection and fixing when mold is suspected and reported, so Austin intends to follow suit.
“I’m bringing forward this item to improve the city’s local response to mold complaints, to ensure that all Austinites have a safe and healthy home free of mold,” Fuentes said.
The resolution also directs the city manager to ensure that any housing receiving city funding meets the baseline standards for mold inspection and remediation. The city manager is expected to report to the Council with a draft ordinance to address the resolution’s instructions by May 2027.