Texas Landlord Compliance Checklist (Property Code)
Essential compliance checklist for Texas landlords: Property Code requirements, security deposits, eviction notices, and tenant rights under landlord-friendly laws.
Texas is very landlord-friendly with minimal regulations, fast evictions (3-4 weeks), and no rent control. However, proper procedures must still be followed.
Security Deposits & Lease Requirements
Deposit rules and lease essentials
Security deposit (no statutory limit)
Can charge any amount. Return within 30 days with itemized deductions if any.
Document property condition at move-in
Photos and signed checklist. Critical for defending deposit deductions.
Required disclosures
Flood plain location, previous flooding, meth contamination if known
Eviction Process (Fast - 3-4 Weeks)
Texas has fastest eviction timeline in USA
Provide 3-day notice to vacate
For non-payment or lease violation. File in Justice Court after 3 days.
Justice Court eviction filing
File suit, serve citation, trial typically 8-14 days, obtain writ of possession
Never self-help evict
Changing locks, shutting utilities, removing belongings = criminal offense even in TX
Habitability & Tenant Rights
Basic property standards required
Maintain habitability standards
Working HVAC, plumbing, hot water, electrical, smoke detectors, structural integrity
24-hour notice before entry
Except emergencies. Cannot abuse right of access.
Pro Tips
- •Texas very landlord-friendly - eviction in 3-4 weeks typical, no rent control, minimal regulations
- •Document property condition at move-in with photos - prevents deposit disputes (3x penalty for bad faith)
- •Provide 3-day notice even if not required - creates paper trail and shows good faith
- •Never self-help evict (change locks, shut utilities) - criminal offense even in TX
Related Resources
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