Texas tenants have real protections, but they're scattered across the Texas Property Code and easy to miss. This overview covers the rules that come up most often: how long your landlord has to return your deposit, what to do when repairs aren't getting made, and how the eviction process actually works. Knowing the basics is usually enough to push back when something feels off.
Under Texas Property Code §92.103, a landlord has 30 days from when you move out and provide a forwarding address to return your deposit (or send an itemized list of deductions). Bad-faith violations can mean three times the wrongful deduction plus $100.
If something affects your health or safety, send your landlord a dated written request. If they don't fix it in a reasonable time (often 7 days), §92.056 gives you remedies that can include repair-and-deduct, terminating the lease, or suing for damages.
Texas landlords must give at least a 3-day notice to vacate before filing an eviction (your lease can shorten or lengthen this). They cannot lock you out, shut off utilities, or remove your belongings without a court order.
If you requested repairs, complained to a code office, or joined a tenants' group, the landlord cannot evict you, raise rent, or reduce services in response within 6 months. §92.331 lets you recover one month's rent plus $500 for retaliation.
Cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio have ordinances on source-of-income discrimination, eviction notice timing, and renter relocation. Always check both state law and your city's tenant rules.
Need a landlord-tenant attorney? Browse partner attorneys for Landlord & Tenant
NotALawyer.com provides general legal information, not legal advice.