Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Travis County justice court, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Austin the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Travis County justice court is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. Confirm any Austin-only rule on the City site. Do not rely on an old local ordinance the state later limited.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. Austin 311 is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
What extra rules does Austin have?
Austin has added local tenant-protection ordinances on top of Chapter 92. What is in force, and what a court has paused, is a now-question — read the City, not a 2021 flyer. Code enforcement and 311 remain the conditions doors. Travis County justice court hears possession.
The Austin layer
Confirm any Austin-only rule on the City site. Do not rely on an old local ordinance the state later limited.
Texas Property Code — residential tenancies (Tex. Prop. Code ch. 92) is the Texas floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Austin questions
Can my landlord in Austin evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Travis County justice court is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Austin?
That number is in Texas Property Code — residential tenancies, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
What extra rules does Austin have?
Austin has added local tenant-protection ordinances on top of Chapter 92. What is in force, and what a court has paused, is a now-question — read the City, not a 2021 flyer. Code enforcement and 311 remain the conditions doors. Travis County justice court hears possession.
What number should I call in Austin?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. Austin 311 does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org