What should I do if I get an eviction notice in Texas?
Treat it as time-sensitive, not as an eviction. A landlord notice in Texas is usually a step before a court case — not a judgment and not a lockout. If the paper names a court, a case number, or a date to appear, a case has been filed and a response window is running. Write down when and how it arrived, keep the original, and call legal aid the same day if a court is named. How long the notice runs is in Texas Property Code — residential tenancies, not in a national chart.
How do security deposits work in Texas?
Texas Property Code — residential tenancies is where Texas sets whether there is a cap, what may be deducted, and how long a landlord has to return what is left. Those figures change, and reprinting a stale number is how people miss a window. Document the unit at move-in and move-out, return keys the way the lease requires, keep a forwarding address, then read the chapter or take the file to legal aid.
What if my landlord will not make repairs in Texas?
Most states, including Texas, expect a landlord to keep a rental fit to live in. The exact process — written notice, a waiting period, repair-and-deduct, escrow, or a code complaint — is a Texas question, and withholding rent without checking is one of the highest-risk moves a renter can make. Put the request in writing, date it, photograph the condition, and ask legal aid before you skip a payment.
Can my landlord enter without notice in Texas?
Entry rules in Texas are in Texas Property Code — residential tenancies, and they often differ for emergencies, repairs, and showings. This site does not invent a national hour-count. If an entry felt improper, write down the date, time, who entered, and whether you were told in advance — then confirm the statute or ask legal aid.
Does my city in Texas add extra renter rules?
Texas cities generally operate under state law for tenancy rules, but local code-enforcement and health departments handle housing-condition complaints and their processes differ by city.
Where is free legal help in Texas?
LawHelp.org routes Texas renters to nonprofit legal-aid offices. Dial 211 for local rent, shelter, or utility help in many languages. If you have court papers, call legal aid the same day and ask about walk-in or self-help hours at the courthouse. Those resources are free and are never behind a sign-up on this site.
What court hears a Texas eviction?
Justice court. Houston is Harris County; Dallas is Dallas County; Fort Worth is Tarrant; Austin is Travis; San Antonio is Bexar. Mixing counties is the wrong stack. A landlord notice is not a judgment.
Does Texas have a statewide rent board?
No. Chapter 92 of the Property Code is the book. Cities add code enforcement and, in some cases, local tenant-protection ordinances that change. Austin’s stack is not Houston’s. Confirm what is in force with the City — not a 2021 flyer.
Can a Texas landlord lock me out?
Texas has specific statutory rules on lockouts, and they are easy to get wrong. Photograph what happened. Call legal aid the same day. 911 if you are locked out tonight and unsafe. This desk does not reprint the lockout procedure.
What these Texas sources cover
- Security deposits, repair and remedy requests, security devices such as locks and door viewers, utility interruption, and landlord retaliation are addressed in Property Code Chapter 92.
- The Attorney General's renter page summarizes state consumer protections and where to complain.
- Eviction cases in Texas are filed in justice courts, and the court's own self-help materials describe the local filing and hearing process.
Official sources
- StatuteTexas Property Code, Chapter 92 — Residential TenanciesTexas Constitution and Statutes, the Legislature's official publisher.
- State agencyTexas Attorney General — Renter's RightsState consumer-protection guidance for renters.
- Free legal helpTexasLawHelp — House & ApartmentStatewide legal-aid guides and court forms for Texas tenants.
- StatuteTexas Property Code — residential tenanciesTex. Prop. Code ch. 92
- FederalHUD — tenant rights for TexasHUD’s state tenant-rights page, with a national index as fallback.
- Free legal helpLawHelp.org — find help in TexasRoutes to nonprofit legal aid. Free. Start here for court papers.
Texas city desks
City ordinances sit on top of Texas law. Each desk names the local office and the court. We do not invent a local deadline.
- HoustonThere is no Houston rent board. Code enforcement and 311 are the City doors. Possession is a justice-court case.
- San AntonioNo city rent board. Code enforcement plus justice court.
- DallasNo rent board. Code compliance and justice court.
- AustinConfirm any Austin-only rule on the City site. Do not rely on an old local ordinance the state later limited.
- Fort WorthNo Fort Worth rent board. Code compliance plus Tarrant County justice court.
Questions on this desk
Common questions
Is there a national tenant-rights law that covers Texas?
No. Texas renters are covered by a federal floor (mostly discrimination and consumer protection), Texas Property Code — residential tenancies, and whatever their city adds. This page routes you to official Texas sources rather than reprinting numbers that go stale.
What should I do after an eviction notice in Texas?
Identify whether it is a landlord notice or court papers (a court name, case number, or appearance date). Date it. Keep the original. If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. The length of the notice is in Texas Property Code — residential tenancies — we do not print a number here.
How do I get my security deposit back in Texas?
Document the unit, return keys as the lease requires, and keep a forwarding address. Caps, allowed deductions, and return deadlines are Texas questions in Texas Property Code — residential tenancies. Confirm the current statute or ask legal aid before sending a demand.
Can my landlord in Texas raise the rent whenever they want?
It depends on the lease, on Texas Property Code — residential tenancies, and on whether your city has rent stabilization or just-cause rules. A fixed-term lease usually holds the rent until it ends; a month-to-month tenancy is different. There is no national rent-increase percentage we can honestly quote.
What if the rental in Texas is unsafe?
Write the landlord, date it, photograph the condition, and ask the city housing or health department about a complaint process. Whether you may withhold rent, repair-and-deduct, or must keep paying is a Texas question. Ask legal aid before you skip a payment.
How do I find free legal aid in Texas?
Use LawHelp.org to find a nonprofit office that serves Texas. If you have court papers, call the same day. Dial 211 for local rent, shelter, or utility help. Those resources are free and are never behind a sign-up on this site.
Does my city in Texas add extra renter rules?
Often. Rent stabilization, just-cause eviction, relocation assistance, and extra protected classes are usually local. Texas state law is the floor, not the whole answer. Check your city housing department or rent board in addition to the sources on this page.
Does Renter Protection give legal advice for Texas?
No. This is general educational information about Texas renter law, not legal advice, and we are not a law firm. We do not review your papers or tell you what to do in your case. When a lawyer is needed, we say so and point you to free legal aid.
What court hears a Texas eviction?
Justice court. Houston is Harris County; Dallas is Dallas County; Fort Worth is Tarrant; Austin is Travis; San Antonio is Bexar. Mixing counties is the wrong stack. A landlord notice is not a judgment.
Does Texas have a statewide rent board?
No. Chapter 92 of the Property Code is the book. Cities add code enforcement and, in some cases, local tenant-protection ordinances that change. Austin’s stack is not Houston’s. Confirm what is in force with the City — not a 2021 flyer.
Can a Texas landlord lock me out?
Texas has specific statutory rules on lockouts, and they are easy to get wrong. Photograph what happened. Call legal aid the same day. 911 if you are locked out tonight and unsafe. This desk does not reprint the lockout procedure.
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org