Does your pool have to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act's new rules for public accomodations?  The answer may surprise you. 

We often get asked to explain the value of renting in Houston. Here are some of the things we love to share about renting....

Fire Alarm Issue Update As of November 10, 2010. The Houston City Council Adopts Fire Alarm Compromise Sought by HAA.

Correction for the November issue The chart on page 33, "Analysis by Classification" was inadvertently repeated from our June issue. Here is the new updated chart . ABODE regrets the error.  

Notice about holiday food drive

We have received questions from a few renters lately about utility disconnections.  This article cites the remedies for illegal disconnection.

The Red Cross is distributing thousands of fire safety door hangers to Houston area residents. You can obtain English/Spanish versions of the door hangers for your property.

Take this list of NAAPAC/TAAPAC and/or HAABGF PAC endorsed candidates to the polls with you!  Early voting begins Monday, October 18.

We have a few internship opportunities open in the coming year, so check them out here.

Vote every day between now and October 31, to help reach our goal of teaching thousands of kids in Houston to swim!

Federal Law protects tenancy for at least 90 days in the event of foreclosure on a rental property.  Click here for details.

HAA implements new online chats to improve member and staff communications.

Renting in Houston is better than ever, check out our top reasons to rent!

 Check out this video from KHOU on identifying bed bugs and HAA's new bed bug addendum!

The City of Houston has big plans for upgrades at three parks.   This is great information for renters in the surrounding areas.

If you are experiencing costly stoppages in your plumbing lines with grease buildup, the City of Houston can help.

 Please plan on dropping off supplies at one of the designated collection sites on Monday, July 26. 

We have received reports from Harris County and Houston officials regarding rent check thefts fraud in the last two weeks.   Check out these tips for Renters and Managers.

The Houston Apartment Association’s Community Outreach Committee needs your feedback. We have compiled a short (5 question) survey that will help us understand what you and your residents need most.

To reduce your energy usage this summer, check out some of the these efficiency tips and hints from Direct energy.

As July 4 approaches and fireworks stands open up, make sure you are aware of where fireworks are illegal and how to be safe around them. Here are a few important tips from the Houston Fire Department that will help

Still have some room for improvement? Here are the final 3 tips from last week's blog post.

The Galveston Housing Authority is the leader in providing affordable housing to the City of Galveston for the past five decades. To keep the public current with the latest news, they have created a GHA website, Facebook page and Twitter.

As this year’s hurricane season officially begins, we want to take a look back at Hurricane Katrina, and how HAA came together with the Houston comunity to help those in need.

Tips on how to improve customer service -Providing a great experience is the key to retaining your residents in a tough market. By Jordan Sneed, NALP, BH Management

Hurricane season is officially here, and we want to make sure you are prepared. This year's hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.

We are sad to say goodbye to a great contributor of the apartment industry, Wayne Duddlesten, a founding member and hall of fame recipient, who passed away peacefully this week.

Be smart this summer, save your water and save money. Conserving water can have a great impact on your water bill.

It's Expo time, Wednesday, May 19, Reliant Center, Hall D Unlock a vault of golden networking and educational opportunities during the 2010 HAA Education Conference and Expo.

Don't Miss your LAST CHANCE to register for seminars at this year's Education Conference and Expo at the Early Bird price. 

The Ronny Finger ALLStars Sports Challenge takes place today, May 7th! In it's honor we will be highlighting the event's namesake, Ronny Finger, a founding member and past HAA President.

Here are tips for managers on how to comply with the Census without putting your renters at risk!

If you have recently received a vist from a Houston fire inspector regarding fire alarm retrofits, this information is for you!

HAA and NAAEI will be offering the Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT) course in Spanish as a pilot program.

There is still time to nominate your colleagues for the Industry Acheivement Awards!

We are kicking off Summer with some water safety information.

Today's 50th Anniversary post takes a look back at Harry Reed who played a major role in the formation of the Houston Apartment Association during 1959-1969.

In honor of our 50th Anniversary, we are taking you back to 2000's TAA conference , which was held in San Antonio.

A letter to HAA members regarding the recent unfair City of Houston water rate increases.

We have been receiving a lot of calls today from our members and apartment managers asking for information about Bed Bugs.

We are dealing with two critical issues for the apartment industry in Houston: water and sewer rate increases that unfairly target renters and costly fire alarm retrofits.

In honor of HAA's new offices' 4th Anniversary we are taking a look back at HAA's ground breaking days for the frist ever Houston offices....  

This week, we're looking back a few years to efforts on a topic that has recently reemerged for renters.... Water and Sewer Rate Increases!

Close to 200 Maintenance and Service professionals attended HAA's 4th annual Maintenance Mania event yesterday with over 125 participating in the skills based competition. 

Please help us to encourage Mayor Annise Parker and Houston City Council Members to understand how a proposal to unfairly increase water and sewer rates would negatively impact Houston's renters.

Get a jump start on your fair housing training for this month by attending the "It's the Law" Luncheon with Howard Bookstaff on Friday, April 9th.

HAA ant the Houston Red Cross again team up to provide our water safety program for apartment managers.

This story on Channel 11, KHOU  reminded us of the giveaways and commercials that used to be common among apartment communities.

In honor of the 50th anniversary we are celebrating our annual Volleyball Tournament "Serve, Spike and Slam for HAA."

On Saturday night, before you go to bed, be sure to "Spring Forward" an hour by changing your clocks for Daylight Savings time.   This is also the perfect time to change your smoke detector batteries. 

Today's 50th Anniversary Friday Post takes you back in time to 1971, and captures member's concerns with the Texas Apartment Association's lease.

Do you want to know about the new Environmental Protection Agency requirements related to lead based paint? 

Click on the links below to view the slides presented at the Property Tax Seminar on Friday, February 26, 2010!

Consider Hiring a "Newbie" By Shelley Russell, CAPS, District Supervisor, Rockwell Management Need to hire a new leasing professional and think you need to get someone "with experience." 

Entering into the apartment industry as a new vendor can be very overwhelming, but utilizing the opportunities that Houston Apartment Association offers.

Market Outlook and Industry Trends, a panel that discussed current and future multifamily market conditions in the greater Houston area.

Join HAA, TAAm the Harris County Appraisal District Multifamily Division and the Texas Comptroller's office for a program on Appraisals of Multifamliy Properties in Harris County.

HAA alongside the American Cancer Society, hosted the 8th Annual Pink Ladies Golf Tournament.

In honor of the Redbook seminars (held yesterday and nex week), we're taking a look back at the original apartment owners and managers' manual the GREENBOOK (est. 1979).

Yesterday, a group of HAA's longtime supplier members gathered at HAA's Houston Offices for a round of interviews.

HAA Supplier Members Take a Look Back.Yesterday, a group of HAA's longtime Supplier members gathererd at Royal Plumbing for a round of interviews.

National Apartment Careers Month has finally arrived. The National Apartment Association has designated February as the first National Apartment Careers Month.

As we look forward to installing our new HAA President, David Jones tonight at the Gala, let's take a look back at the election of our very own Jenard Gross to the NAA presidency.

Properties within the City of Houston (with 3 or more units) must register by January 31!

Help protect your community from the Flu with the help of these tips and resources.

This week, we're turning back the clock to 1985.  Take a look at "When Harry met Tiger!"

New and existing properties will have to have a property directory at every vehicular entrance, rather than just at the “primary entrance” as is currently required.

Today, we are kicking off a new feature on our HAA Blog.  In honor of our 50th Anniversary this year, we'll be highlighting some of our favorite photos, magazine articles, interviews and stories, right her on the HAA Blog  

Houston City Council passed an ordinance banning “attention-getting devices” as of January 1, 2010. Attention-getting devices include many of the banners, streamers and balloons used by some apartment properties.

As the temperature outside plunges, you'll want to take care to safeguard your property from burst pipes and other wintry damage!  Click here for tips from the Texas Apartment Association on protecting your property.  For a form that you can download for use in notifying your residents about a freeze, click