Texas Landlord & Tenant Legal Help, Made Simple.
Lease problems, security deposits, property damage, and rental disputes can quickly become frustrating. DocDraft helps Texas landlords and tenants understand their options, prepare personalized legal documents, and take the next step toward a resolution.
- Straightforward guidance
- Texas-specific documents
- Attorney help available
- saved on legal fees
- $100M+
- documents created
- 50,000+
- customers served
- 23,000+
- saved per matter
- $1,200
Which Texas rental situation is yours?
Pick the one closest to yours. Each lists the Texas documents and guide for it, and starts your intake with it.
I rent out a home
Guide: Renting Out Your Property
My landlord kept my deposit
Guide: Renting a New Property
I'm evicting, or being evicted
Guide: Serving a Notice to Vacate
I'm selling a rented home
Guide: Selling a House With Renters
When is my Texas deposit due back?
A Texas landlord has until the 30th day after the tenant moves out to refund the deposit, with an itemized list of any deductions, and need not do either until the tenant gives a written forwarding address. Keeping a deposit in bad faith can cost $100, three times the amount kept, and attorney's fees.
Source: Prop. Code §92.103
If you gave your written forwarding address later, use that date.
Refund or itemized list due by
Wednesday,
November 4, 2026
The 30th day after October 5, 2026
When the 30th day falls on a weekend, the deadline moves to the next weekday.
If that day is a legal holiday, it moves to the next business day (Gov't Code §311.014).
Resolve rental issues with greater confidence.
Whether you own a rental property or live in one, you deserve a straightforward way to address legal issues without starting from scratch.
Understand your rights and responsibilities
Get help navigating the issues affecting your rental property or lease.
Prepare the documents you need
Draft personalized notices, agreements, and letters based on your situation.
Take action on your own terms
Work toward a resolution independently, with professional legal support available when needed.
What can we help you with?
Lease Agreements
Prepare residential lease documents and clarify the terms of a rental arrangement.
Lease Termination
Understand and document steps involved in ending a lease or rental relationship.
Security Deposit Disputes
Address withheld deposits, disputed deductions, and requests for repayment.
Repairs & Maintenance
Document repair requests, maintenance concerns, and related communications.
Property Damage
Address disagreements about damage, responsibility, and potential reimbursement.
Rent & Lease Violations
Prepare relevant notices and correspondence involving unpaid rent or alleged violations.
How it works
Describe your rental issue
Tell DocDraft whether you’re a landlord or tenant and explain what’s happening.
Prepare your legal documents
Get help drafting a letter, notice, agreement, or other relevant document based on your answers.
Work toward a resolution
Review your documents, communicate your position, and understand when additional legal help may be useful.
- Tell me what happened.
- The heater in my Texas rental has been broken for three weeks.
- Which Texas county is this in?
- Harris County
- What would you like this document to do?
- A written repair request that lists my earlier messages.
- Repair request letterFirst draft ready to review
I am writing to request repair of the heater, which has not worked for three weeks despite my earlier messages.
Understanding landlord-tenant law in Texas
Texas law establishes rights and responsibilities for both residential landlords and tenants.
For example, landlords generally must follow specific requirements when handling security deposits, lease termination, and eviction proceedings. Tenants may have protections involving certain repairs, security deposits, and lease-related disputes.
In many situations, written communication and good documentation are important first steps.
Security deposit return requirements generally involve a 30-day period after the tenant surrenders the premises. The landlord is not obligated to return the deposit or provide an itemized accounting until the tenant gives a written forwarding address. Other conditions and exceptions may apply.
The appropriate action depends on the lease, the property’s location, and the facts of the dispute.
Texas landlord & tenant rules at a glance
Each rule links to the statute it comes from, checked October 2026. Your facts, court, and local rules can change what applies.
| Question | Texas rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit refund | On or before the 30th day after the tenant surrenders the premises.Prop. Code §92.103 | Prop. Code §92.103 |
| Forwarding address | The landlord need not refund or itemize until the tenant gives a written forwarding address. Not giving one does not forfeit the refund.Prop. Code §92.107 | Prop. Code §92.107 |
| Deductions | Nothing for normal wear and tear. Any deduction comes with a written description and an itemized list.Prop. Code §92.104 | Prop. Code §92.104 |
| Deposit kept in bad faith | The landlord owes $100, three times the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorney's fees.Prop. Code §92.109 | Prop. Code §92.109 |
| Repairs | After notice, the landlord must make a diligent effort to fix a condition that materially affects an ordinary tenant's health or safety, if rent is current.Prop. Code §92.052 | Prop. Code §92.052 |
| Notice before an eviction suit | At least three days' written notice to vacate, unless the lease sets a shorter or longer period.Prop. Code §24.005 | Prop. Code §24.005 |
| Ending a month-to-month tenancy | Either side may give notice. With monthly rent, the tenancy ends on the later of the date in the notice or one month after it is given.Prop. Code §91.001 | Prop. Code §91.001 |
Texas landlord & tenant documents and guides
Each one opens the Texas version, written around the rules it has to follow.
Documents
- Residential Lease Agreement
A rule that tenants must give notice to get their deposit back counts only if it is underlined or in bold (Prop. Code §92.103(b)).
- Roommate Agreement
Splits rent, the deposit, and move-out duties between people on one lease.
- Rent Increase Notice
Changes the rent for the next term. A month-to-month tenancy ends no sooner than a month after notice (Prop. Code §91.001).
- Security Deposit Demand Letter
Bad-faith withholding can cost a landlord $100, three times the amount kept, and attorney's fees (Prop. Code §92.109).
- Eviction Notice
At least three days' written notice to vacate before an eviction suit, unless the lease sets another period (Prop. Code §24.005).
- Eviction Defense
Eviction suits are heard in justice court (Gov't Code §27.031).
- Notice to Tenants of Intent to Sell
Tells tenants about a planned sale and how showings will work under the lease.
Guides
- Renting Out Your Property
Landlord duties on deposits, repairs, and notices.
- Renting a New Property
What a tenant should check before signing a Texas lease.
- Breaking a Lease
When a tenant can end a lease early, and what it can cost.
- Serving a Notice to Vacate
The written notice that comes before any eviction case.
- Selling a House With Renters
How a sale affects tenants and their leases.
Bring your draft. Ask your questions.
Some questions call for more than paperwork. Explore document review and consultation options with a licensed attorney.
12. Security deposit. Landlord will refund the deposit, less deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear1, within 30 days after Tenant surrenders the premises and gives a forwarding address.
Does carpet wear from two years of normal living count as damage?
18. Default. If rent is late, Landlord may end Tenant’s right to occupy by giving at least three days’ written notice to vacate2 before filing an eviction suit.
Can the notice be taped to my door, or must it be delivered another way?
Your questions, answered
Get your rental issue moving toward a resolution.
Start with your situation. DocDraft will help you organize the relevant details, prepare documents, and take the next step.
- Personalized documents
- Clear next steps
- Attorney support available
More Texas legal help
Child custody & support
- Modifying child custody
- Modifying child support
- Establishing paternity
3 guides · 5 documents
Business formation
- Forming an LLC
- Setting up a business partnership
- Registering a trademark
4 guides · 5 documents
Business contracts
- Setting up a manufacturing relationship
- Setting up a business partnership
- Small business loans
3 guides · 8 documents
Civil disputes
- Filing in small claims court
- Responding to a lawsuit
- Dealing with debt collectors
4 guides · 8 documents
