Do this today
- Keep the original. Photograph every page, including envelopes and posting.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for a court name, case number, or appearance date — that is court papers.
- 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 the same as being evicted?
No. In Texas, as in most states, a written landlord notice is a step, not a judgment. A court case, then an order carried out by a sheriff or similar officer, is generally what completes an eviction. Texas Property Code — residential tenancies is where Texas sets what the notice must say and how long it runs. We do not print that number here.
What generally happens next?
The sequence is broadly similar: written notice, then a court filing if the landlord proceeds, then a tenant response, a hearing, a judgment, and — only after an order — a law-enforcement removal. Names differ. Timing differs. Texas justice, magistrate, or housing court labels differ. Missing a response deadline commonly leads to a default. That is why court papers are same-day work.
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. Rent withholding, in some states, is a lawful process and in others is grounds for eviction — ask legal aid in Texas before you skip a payment.
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.
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.
The Texas chapter
Texas Property Code — residential tenancies (Tex. Prop. Code ch. 92) is the starting point. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Texas puts most residential tenancy rules in Chapter 92 of the Property Code, and the Attorney General publishes a renter's rights page. Texas is a state where the written lease carries a lot of weight, so read yours alongside the statute.
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.
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.
- Statute indexCornell LII landlord-tenant tableTex. Prop. Code ch. 92
- FederalHUD — Texas
- Free legal helpLawHelp.org — Texas
Common questions
Is an eviction notice in Texas the same as being evicted?
No. A notice is a step a landlord takes before filing. In most places an eviction is completed only through a court case and an order carried out by an officer. Look first for a court name and a case number.
How long does an eviction notice last in Texas?
That number is in Texas Property Code — residential tenancies, and it depends on the reason for the notice and sometimes on the city and the housing type. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
Can my landlord in Texas change the locks?
In most states a landlord may not carry out a removal personally. If locks have changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit, treat it as an emergency: legal aid, 211, and in an unsafe situation, 911.
Where is free eviction help in Texas?
LawHelp.org routes Texas renters to nonprofit legal aid. Dial 211 for local services. Court self-help desks exist in many courthouses. None of those are 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.
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.
The national eviction notice guide has the full sequence. Open the eviction notice guide
People also ask
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org