Administration & Regulatory Affairs

Short-Term Rentals: Introductory Information

REGISTRANTS
Full name, address, email address, telephone number and driver’s license front and back image. Registered STR properties are linked by the email address used during the registration process. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR EMAIL, YOU WILL LOSE ACCESS TO YOUR OLD EMAIL ADDRESS AND THE REGISTERED STRS USING THE OLD EMAIL ADDRESS WILL NOT LINK TO YOUR NEW EMAIL ADDRESS. Driver’s License -- front and back images.

PROPERTY ADDRESS
Full street address, city, state and zip code. Full name, mailing address, street address, email address, telephone number of each property owner and operator.

IF the property owner is a business entity and not an individual (for example: Corporation, LLC, LP, LLP, etc.) ...

• (1) Required to maintain the Texas Secretary of State documents and such records must be made available to the City of Houston when requested in an audit or compliance review
  AND
• (2) Entity identified in Texas Secretary of State documents is in good standing with the Texas Comptroller and will maintain the necessary records that must be made available to the City of Houston when requested in an audit or compliance review.

24/7 Emergency Contact
Full name and telephone number for the 24/7 emergency contact individual/call center authorized to respond to an emergency condition at the STR property within one hour after being notified by emergency response personnel. 24/7 contact information must be displayed within the STR property in a highly visible area.

Platforms and Listing Links
Names and website addresses of all platforms (hosting/listing sites) that the STR property is advertising bookings for.

Property Owner Authorization
1. Form signed by the STR property owner granting permission to use the property as a short-term rental and acknowledging that using the property as a short-term rental does not violate any rental/condominium agreements, bylaws, covenants, deed restrictions, homeowner association rules, or terms OR

2. A current valid lease, with accompanying addendum, if necessary, that authorizes the operation of an STR.

• Only for lease agreements expiring less than 9 months from the lease expiration date, the registrant may submit:
• A Property Owner Authorization and Acknowledgement form and provide the information as described below on the application.
• A signed letter from the lessor (landlord) authorizing the tenant to sublease as a short-term rental. he landlord may be the property manager for a multi-family building. The letter on company letterhead must include a date and contain the following information:
• Name of Tenant and STR address including unit number
• Start and end dates of lease agreement
• Name of Lessor/Property Manager, title, property address, telephone number
• Specific provision allowing the use of the property as a short-term rental
• Property Manager signature and dated. Acceptable signature types include handwritten, Docusign, Adobe Acrobat Sign, and Authentisign.

The signed letter will serve as proof that the property owner or property manager, on behalf of the property owner, is further certifying that the use as an STR is not in violation of any deed restrictions or covenants.

The registrant will be responsible for deactivating their issued Certificate of Registration by notifying the city at STR@Houstontx.gov or calling 832-394-8802.

ANY CHANGE TO THE STR OWNERSHIP WILL REQUIRE A NEW STR REGISTRATION.

Human Trafficking Prevention Training
Complete prevention training course and retain certificate of completion in your records to provide to the City upon request. Click here for training course information. Full information at the Approved Hotel Employee Human Trafficking Training Programs page.