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Houston, TX · Security deposit

Houston security deposit

Security-deposit caps, itemization, and return deadlines for a Houston rental live mainly in Texas law (Texas Property Code — residential tenancies). Photograph the unit, return keys the way the lease requires, and keep a forwarding address. There is no Houston rent board. Code enforcement and 311 are the City doors. Possession is a justice-court case. This desk does not reprint a dollar cap.

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Do this today

  • Photograph the empty unit and the keys as you return them.
  • Give a forwarding address in writing.
  • Keep the lease, the deduction list, and proof of mailing.
  • Open the Texas deposit chapter before you treat a blog as the clock.

Who sets the deposit rule in Houston?

Usually Texas — Texas Property Code — residential tenancies. Some cities add their own itemization or holding rules. There is no Houston rent board. Code enforcement and 311 are the City doors. Possession is a justice-court case. This desk names the chapter. It does not reprint a cap or a day-count.

What evidence actually matters?

Move-in and move-out photos with dates, the lease, the forwarding address you gave, proof you returned the keys, and any deduction list. A text argument without photos is a weak file.

The Houston layer

There is no Houston rent board. Code enforcement and 311 are the City doors. Possession is a justice-court case.

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.

Houston questions

How do I get my security deposit back in Houston?

Photograph the unit, return the keys as the lease requires, and give a forwarding address in writing. The clock and the cap live mainly in Texas Property Code — residential tenancies. There is no Houston rent board. Code enforcement and 311 are the City doors. Possession is a justice-court case.

Does Houston set its own deposit deadline?

Sometimes a city adds a rule; often it does not. There is no Houston rent board. Code enforcement and 311 are the City doors. Possession is a justice-court case. Confirm with Houston 311 and the Texas chapter. We do not invent a day-count.

What number should I call in Houston?

Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. Houston 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