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Note Landlord/tenant procedures may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the Eviction page on the COVID-19 & Texas Law research guide for current information related to COVID-19 and landlord/tenant issues.
This guide was created in order to provide information about Texas landlord/tenant law and answer the frequently asked questions that we receive at the library. On this page, you will find a general overview of landlord/tenant law, tenants' rights, and a list of organizations who may be able to provide more assistance and information.
For more information on specific aspects of landlord/tenant law, please see the other pages of this guide:
Leases
When a lease can be changed, what rules or restrictions a lease can contain, service animals, and emotional support animals
Rent
Rent increases, late fees, and how rent must be paid
Repairs
A landlord's duty to repair certain problems, protections against retaliation for requesting repairs, and what a tenant can do if the landlord doesn't make the repairs as requested
Common Problems
Mold, pests, bedbugs, utility shutoffs, and landlord retaliation
Evictions
The eviction process, a tenant's rights during an eviction, and appealing an eviction
Security Deposits
Requesting refunds for security deposits and what a landlord can deduct
Subsidized Housing
Information about federally subsidized housing programs and the rights of residents
Landlord/Tenant Forms
Commonly requested forms and form letters for landlord/tenant situations
The 87th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature passed three pieces of legislation related to landlord/tenant law:
The links below provide general overviews of landlord/tenant law in Texas in easy-to-understand language.
The links below provide overviews of the rights that tenants have when entering into a landlord/tenant relationship.
Tenants' rights in special circumstances:
The State Law Library provides several e-books on the landlord/tenant relationship, many of which include forms and sample letters.