Tenant rights in Texas.
A working reference for what Texas’s residential tenancy law actually requires — the kind of details a lease can’t legally override, and the citations that back them.
Regulator · Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (no state rent control)
Security deposit must be returned within 30 days of move-out with an itemized list of deductions if any portion is withheld.
Texas Property Code §92.103 (Tex. Prop. Code §92.103)
Late fees must be a reasonable estimate of damages and only after rent is 2+ full days late. Cannot apply on the first day rent is overdue.
Texas Property Code §92.019 (Tex. Prop. Code §92.019)
Landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for repair requests, complaints, or exercising lease rights within 6 months — penalty: 1 month rent + $500 + actual damages.
Texas Property Code §92.331 (Tex. Prop. Code §92.331)
Landlord must repair conditions that materially affect health/safety after written notice and a reasonable time.
Texas Property Code §92.052 (Tex. Prop. Code §92.052)
Tenant may repair and deduct after notice, up to 1 month's rent or $500, whichever is greater.
Texas Property Code §92.0561 (Tex. Prop. Code §92.0561)
Things a lease can’t change.
- No statewide or municipal rent control — landlords may raise rent at lease end with proper notice.
- Texas has no statutory entry-notice requirement — most leases set their own; commonly 24 hours.
- Domestic violence (§92.016), military (§92.017), and sexual offense (§92.0161) victims have statutory early-termination rights.
Where to escalate.
Informational, not legal advice. Statutes change — verify current text before relying on a citation.