Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in Texas

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in Texas, mainly from the Texas Property Code chapters 24, 91 and 92. Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Deposit return deadline

30 days1,2Tex. Prop. Code 92.103, 92.104, 92.107

The landlord must refund the deposit, with an itemized list of deductions, within 30 days after the tenant moves out. The refund is not due until the tenant gives a written forwarding address.

Interest on deposits

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Late fees

After 2 full days, presumed reasonable up to 12% or 10%3Tex. Prop. Code 92.019

A late fee can be charged only if rent is still unpaid two full days after the due date. A fee is presumed reasonable if it is no more than 12% of monthly rent for buildings with up to four units, or 10% for larger buildings.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

1 month4Tex. Prop. Code 91.001

Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice. It ends on the date in the notice or one month after the notice is given, whichever is later.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

1 month4Tex. Prop. Code 91.001

A landlord follows the same rule, so the tenancy ends no sooner than one month after notice is given.

Notice of a rent increase

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Statewide rent limits

None statewide, cities limited to disaster emergencies5Tex. Local Gov't Code 214.902

A Texas city may adopt rent control only after finding a housing emergency caused by a disaster, and only with the governor's approval.

Landlord entry

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice for unpaid rent

3 days6Tex. Prop. Code 24.005

The landlord must give at least three days' written notice to vacate before filing an eviction, unless the lease sets a different period. For a tenant who has not been late before, the notice must offer the choice to pay rent or leave.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. Renters' Rights, Office of the Texas Attorney Generalofficial
  2. Landlord-Tenant Law: Security Deposits, Texas State Law Library, 2026-10-21official
  3. Texas Property Code section 92.019, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2026-01-01secondary
  4. Texas Property Code section 91.001, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2026-01-01secondary
  5. Texas Local Government Code section 214.902, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2026-01-01secondary
  6. Texas Property Code section 24.005, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2026-01-01secondary

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.