Texas Tenant Rights
& Rental Laws

Texas does not have a statutory limit on security deposits.

Texas landlords must return security deposits within 30 days after you move out (once the tenant has given a forwarding address in writing).

No Texas statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before entering, so your lease's entry terms apply.

Late fees in Texas: No hard cap. A late fee is considered reasonable if it is not more than 12% of monthly rent (structure with 4 or fewer dwelling units) or 10% (structure with more than 4 dwelling units), or if it is higher but not more than the landlord's uncertain damages from the late payment. Initial and daily charges together count as a single late fee.. State law provides a 2-day grace period before a late fee can apply.

No notice statute; no caps. No Texas statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent. A month-to-month tenancy ends one month after notice, unless your lease sets another period (Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001). No statewide cap; a city may adopt rent control only during a disaster, with the governor's approval (Tex. Loc. Gov't Code § 214.902). Source: No Statute.

7 days (presumed reasonable). Landlord must make a diligent effort to repair problems that materially affect health or safety, if you are current on rent (TPC § 92.052). Give notice where you pay rent; it must be written only if your written lease says so (TPC § 92.052(d)). Send it by certified or tracked mail, or you must send a second written notice before remedies apply (TPC § 92.056(b)(3)). Seven days is presumed a reasonable time to repair (TPC § 92.056(d)). If it is not repaired, you may end the lease, repair and deduct, or go to court (TPC § 92.056(e)). Repair and deduct covers only sewage, flooding, no water, heat or cooling cited by an official, or a condition an official cited; limit is one month's rent or $500, whichever is greater, using a licensed independent contractor (TPC § 92.0561). Do not simply withhold rent: the landlord can recover damages for it (TPC § 92.058). Source: TPC §§ 92.052, 92.056, 92.0561.

6 months protected. Retaliation prohibited. 6 month protection period. Cannot raise rent in retaliation. Source: TPC § 92.331.

30 days' notice. A victim of family violence may end the lease with a protective order or documentation from a health care provider, mental health provider or advocate. Give written notice at least 30 days before leaving (not needed if the abuser is a cotenant or occupant). No future rent or early termination charge; rent already owed is still due. Victims of sexual assault or stalking have a similar right (TPC § 92.0161). Source: TPC § 92.016.

Self-help illegal. Lockouts need a court order, except a lock change for unpaid rent. That lock change needs a lease clause, advance written notice, and a new key at any hour. No utility shut-off except for repairs, construction, an emergency, or a strictly limited submetered-electricity cut-off (TPC § 92.008). Source: TPC § 92.0081.

Texas tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Texas law.